Monday, December 1, 2008

Two weeks in July

Over the weekend, I found a photo stuffed into my copy of Revolutionary Road, which I was re-reading months ago. It was taken in July at the Southampton Writers Conference. That's me, in the peach-colored top, squinting into the sunlight along with the other wannabe novelists. How hopeful we all look. Holding court in the middle is Meg Wolitzer, our group leader. (She was a fantastic teacher, by the way.)





I sometimes think of my fellow SWCers and how their writing is coming along. I only keep in touch with one other person from the group (and I won't say who because she's bashful), and she's doing very well. Are other people submitting? Revising? Did anyone give up? It was a craft workshop, so the majority of time was spent critiquing each other's first chapters and attending lectures. For 14 days, we were all serious writers. Jobs, kids, spouses--they all took a backseat for a short time. It was wonderful.

I hope they are all still writing.

9 comments:

Janna Leadbetter said...

Seeing this picture and hearing again of those two weeks you had makes me want to go to a conference so badly. I'm really gonna try this next summer. Great picture!

WendyCinNYC said...

Janna--Come to Southampton! You can stay with me.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Wow...14 days of bliss! Imagine. (If I come, will you get your friend to make me some good soul food?) :)

Oh, if you get a chance, come take my quick Christmas Quiz and look over the new contest! http://angie-ledbetter.blogspot.com/

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I can't believe that was MONTHS ago!

Rachel Burton said...

You went to a TWO WEEK writing conference? I'm so jealous!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great time to get away from it all and focus on your work...good for you!

Joanne said...

It would've been fun to schedule a Writers' Reunion to catch up with everyone. Were they all pretty much local writers?

WendyCinNYC said...

Melanie--I know! Time flies.

Rachel--Two weeks was great, but I wasn't really away since I didn't live on campus. Still.

thedomesticfringe--I highly recommend it.

Joanne--Some were local, but others were from Miami, Canada, San Diego, etc.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun (and y'know, educational). Maybe when the kids are older (although I think my wife has dibs on the first extended solo vacation, and the second, and the third...)