I just came back from the AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. This is one of the largest writers conferences in the country, and it takes place in a different city every year. (It’s in LA next year.) I hadn’t been in years and had forgotten how beautiful and exhausting it is. Because I was so busy going to panels and readings and venturing through the book fair, while also being on a panel and in a reading myself, I didn’t have time to post a prompt and a pearl last week, so I’ll be publishing two this week. Here’s the first, inspired by AWP and the magic that is the communities of writers that converge every year to talk writing and craft and all things art and metaphor.
The Prompt
Trace your journey to becoming a writer: How did you come to writing? Do you remember when you first started telling stories, to yourself and to others? Do you remember where? When did you realize you are a writer? When did you own it? What made you own it? Have you answered the call? How? Remember to show scenes. What did it feel like in your body? What does it feel like now?
The Pearl
It’d been years since I went it this or any conference, because of the pandemic and because I needed to retreat for a while to focus on self-care. (It was time I gave myself what I’ve been giving the writing community for years.) I was reminded that despite my being MIA for a spell, I was remembered with mad love and respect, because I spent so many years being a dedicated literary citizen. There was a time when I was everywhere—I went to readings and open mics and book releases and panels and talks and and and… Yo estaba hasta en la sopa, como dicen los Boricuas. My mulling over this inspired this week’s pearl.
Want to be a writer? Want to publish? Become a literary citizen. This means giving back to the literary community in a meaningful way. What that looks like is up to you.
As a writer you are entering a community of folks who make art. You want to know them, learn from them, talk to them, listen to them. That may mean going to readings, taking workshops, open mics. It may look like joining an online community of writers, creating and/or joining a writing group. It can look like getting to know your local independent book store, going to their events, becoming an active member of their world. I can be making yourself available to other writers as time allows to provide your support, knowledge and expertise, and championing other people’s successes. Or it may look like you applying to and attending one of the many writing programs, workshops, residencies, seminars, etc. happening across the country at any given time. I’m not talking about MFA programs here. I mean programs like Cave Canem’s summer retreat, Tin House’s winter & summer workshops, etc. I get that we are all stretched for time and some don’t have the resources (read: $) to do these things, but there is a writing world outside and off the page that you want to get to know and become a part of. There are ways to do it with little or no $. Trust me, I know because I did it as a single mom with limited resources.
Do this because it’s the right thing to do, and also because you are a writer (whether you are aspiring, emerging or established, this applies to all of us) who understands that you have to contribute to the world of writing and publishing, and don’t just expect things to happen for you because you put pen to paper.
In solidarity,
Vanessa
Yes! I’m grateful for the literary citizens who have influenced my journey as a writer. Literary citizens make the life of one who writes so much more rich. Vanessa, I am so glad that I crossed paths with the literary citizen that is you. Glad to be one of your “repeat offenders” as you affectionately call those of us who’ve had the fortune to be in your classes or workshops more than once. Thank you.