Yesterday Richland hosted the first annual (hopefully) Rivers of Ink event with the purpose of connecting local authors with readers. I had the honor of participating in this event and I had a load of fun and not a few butterflies in my tummy.
Their were several local authors, published (traditionally & self published) and unpublished, taking part in this event. I never knew how many talented folks lived in my neck of the woods (or is it basin?). Most everyone who lives here complains that once the sun goes down there is nothing to do in the Tri-Cities. Clearly the solution to that problem is to write and some very talented folk came out of the woodwork yesterday to talk about it.
I sat in on the Fiction Writing panel along with Diana Langeur, Larry Hippler, Lenora Good, Paul Anguiano, and Bryan McGlothin. It was my first experience sitting in on a panel and I am glad to have it under my belt. Maybe the next panel I participate in won’t see me with a blank mind if someone asks me about the discipline of writing. Which of course is something I have difficulty with so I should have had a lot to say on the subject. Oh well.
Our keynote speaker was Dr. Leonard Orr, a professor from the local college. I have to admit that I had a class or two with him and found his lectures … well … boring but his speech was funny and entertaining and informative. I wish I could remember more of what he said to quote it here. The things I remember best: he talked about inspiration and writers historically. In particular how a writer wrote what inspiration told them to write and so it shouldn’t be changed once it was written down. Also how Freud said that writer’s are those who have mental problems that can’t be worked out in dreams and so spills over into their writing. The readers of those writings clearly have the same mental issues as the author and that is how come some folks like one style of writing over an other. It was an enjoyable address.
All in all I had a marvelous time and hope to participate again next year.
