Bread Loaf 2010: Day 1

I drove up to the Bread Loaf campus tonight for the welcome talk and two readings. I've been so nervous about what this conference would be like and how, as an auditor and in general, I would fit in.

Also, I've been struggling to write lately, as I mentioned in my previous post. I've got a new Work In Progress underway with a lot of notebook pages written but it's been hard to sit down and immerse myself in this new story. I think it just boils down to fear and self doubt.

Sitting in the Little Theater during tonight's welcome event was like watching someone light a candle in a dark room. I felt so hopeful and alive and excited. The director of the program said something that I hurried to scribble down. He said that the conference should, "remind us why we are writers."

I think that's something I really need right now, something we all need once in a while.

I did feel a bit nervous sitting in a room full of LITERARY writers, though. I thought at any moment I might develop a mysterious case of confessional Tourette's, stand up, and shout, "I write Urban Fantasy!" (Note to self: Tell people you write Speculative Fiction--it sounds more literary).

The readings left me breathless. When they were finished and the lights came up, I remembered that I was me, one person, alone in my body.

Now time for bed. My first workshop with Margot Livesey is tomorrow!

PS I promise a Scotland post very soon. I took some special photos just for you, Reader!
~J