Everybody Talks Too Much

Tonight, I had the extreme privilege of being surrounded by writers in the region.  Thanks to a friend, I obtained a ticket to this two-day conference event (today and tomorrow), during which writers will talk about what they love doing: writing.

Here's a surprising fact for you: I enjoy writing.  (No kidding, right?)

I'm expecting this particular to be rather disjointed, so if that's not your style, it may be wise to close this tab and move on to something more organized.  However, for those of you who choose to bear with me, I hope you find what I have to say thought-provoking and interesting, if not a little bit inspiring.

When I entered the lobby of the building in which the conference was to begin, I signed in and looked around the room.  Two things occurred to me, in this order: none of these people look like writers and, you put a bunch of writers (read: introverts) in a room to network and nothing happens (no, really, people were absorbed with their phones, their jackets, the paint on the walls -- anything but talking to each other; and yes, I joined in on the solitude as well).

But back to these people "not looking like writers."  Of all the writers I've seen pictures of or seen in person, I never feel like they look like writers.  The worst part is, I am not even sure what that means.  What does a writer look like?  Does a writer look like a stereotypical professor with a elbow-patched tweed jacket, khaki pants, a button-down shirt, and glasses?  Does a writer look like a game show host?

One of the things the keynote speaker said struck me -- she was quoting another woman who said something along the lines of, "Writers are not extraordinary people.  They are ordinary people who sometimes write extraordinary things."  I have not yet decided how I feel about this.  I feel all writers are extraordinary.  By this I do not mean that you must be extraordinary to write, but that if you write (regardless of what you write or how well you write), you automatically become extraordinary.  Being extraordinary is inherent to being brave enough to write down your private thoughts.  Maybe this is a bit conceited to say, but I won't backtrack.  Writing down your own thoughts (whether or not you share them) is something that takes a lot of courage.  Content is irrelevant.  But making something intangible essentially tangible is scary.  Therefore, anyone who attempts this task is extraordinary.

As far as my small observation regarding writers being introverts, once the food was unleashed on the group, conversation began to flow.  This may have something to do with the fact that alcohol was also flowing (though not rivers of it, just puddles).  Although this forty-five minute period was reserved for "networking," according to the schedule, I chose to talk with a person I already know from my school.  We talked about classes and what we like to write and other predictable topics.  I also spoke briefly to three other women, one of whom drove two hours to the conference, planned on returning home tonight and then back again in the morning for the first session.  The other two women were a mother-daughter pair, one of whom attends my university as a non-traditional student (as in, someone not the traditional college-going age).

I talked to the student I know for most of the time, and we discussed how we must all feel uncomfortable.  It was loud because of all the talking that most of us did not want to be doing.  There was too much talking and it was an introvert's nightmare.  Writing is so much better than talking.

The rest of the night was spent on introductions and a brief essay read by a high school student who is also the daughter of two of the professors at my university (one of whom I've had and know is phenomenal, the other of whom I've heard fantastic things about).  Her essay was predictably well-crafted and I was impressed (and, I admit, jealous of her ability).

I'm looking forward tomorrow, although it means getting up at eight or so to get ready for the 8:30 session.  There are several seminars offered for each session and I've done my best to plan my day, though I may end up changing my mind last minute on my decisions.  I'm sure whatever I decide to attend will be interesting and informative and I'm looking forward to having more motivation and inspiration to write.

For those of you wondering, I'm currently working on a young-young-adult fantasy novel (I know, who isn't?) about a girl in New England named Jane.  I recently finished a co-authored screenplay for a pilot episode of a television show for my J-Term class about being a resident assistant and college life.  And, of course, I'm writing this blog.

Until tomorrow.