An Amazing Event!

It has been a week since the Idaho Creative Authors Network hosted the Spring Writers' Symposium and I am still trying to absorb all that I learned and observed.  We had the privilege of having some great speakers!

Joanna Tucker shared a wealth of information in regards to editing. She taught us everything from misplaced modifiers to what could get you in trouble legally in our writing, especially when it comes to writing nonfiction.  We were thankful to have her on the panel at the end of the day as many of the questions were in regards to editing.  

Lance Thompson gave us some great lessons on how to show not tell in your writing.   He gave an analogy of using a camera and zooming in on the action. You want to take the reader right there. Don't tell the reader what is happening, show them! Let them experience it with you! I am anxious to try to do this myself as I start writing fiction.   It was also discussed that this is an awesome way to write nonfiction as well!

The main theme of our day was networking.  Speaker, Pamela Thompson, used perfect personal illustrations to explain what networking looked like. I appreciated Pamela's transparency in revealing how shy she is and that networking used to be a real struggle for her. I am an introvert by nature and have to really push myself to meet new people.   She shared tips on how to remember a person's name but also how to recover if you have forgotten a name.  After supplying us with the tools to network, she then gave us an opportunity to put it into action. We  had to find someone in the room that we did not know well and find out information about each other. Then we had to bring our partner to the front of the room and introduce our new friend to Pamela.

Each of these speakers stretched us and brought much insight into the world of writing!  We continued our theme through the lunch hour as Carol Green facilitated the network lunch by revealing the talents that were in the room: book coaches, illustrators, freelancers, editors, etc. With labels on the tables and a host at each one, people were then able to fix their plate from our beautifully catered lunch table (hosted by the talented Laura) and sit at whichever table they wanted to know more information about.  We used every minute of the day to gather tools for our writing toolbox!

We gave the attendees opportunities to exercise and share their writing talents through a story outline activity in the morning. Everyone was so amazing with the stories they came up with and all within a half an hour!  I am always blown away by the courage and boldness new authors have in getting up and sharing their stories.  It was also fun to have some seasoned authors/writers in our midst to help encourage those who are new to this journey!

Towards the end of the day we had a panel discussion, facilitated by Sheila Eismann. Questions were taken from the attendees and answered by our I CAN team and special speakers.  It was amazing to see the talents that were combined to make this whole event work.  We needed each person that was there to make our team complete.

To finish the day off, Phyllis Vavold led the awards ceremony for the writing contest.   She handed out certificates, formal critiques, and a gift to the winners. It is thrilling for us to see the winners so excited to be rewarded for their hard work and achievements.

Now that the spring event is over, we are looking forward to planning the 2nd Annual Treasure Valley Writers' Fest which is our November event!  There is always something new to learn!

Keep writing!

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