When writers gather…
Forum:
A physical or virtual meeting space, platform, or medium designed for open discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas on specific topics. (Originating from Roman public squares)
The Meeting Space…
Tubac, a town in southern Arizona (once the capital of the Arizona Territory) greets visitors with a sign: Tubac: Where Art and History Meet.” A few months ago, the director for the Tubac Center for the Arts invited me to join a panel of four local authors to discuss the topic “From Idea to Page.” I was honored to be included in this event and excited to have the opportunity to showcase the art of writing.
The Center is located in a beautiful, historic building that serves as the hub of the thriving Tubac artist colony. With over 3,500 sq feet, the center acts as a venue for artistic expression and includes a gallery, performance stage, art library, and gift shop. It is well worth a visit!
When I arrived the director escorted me to the library, a cozy room with bookshelves and comfy leather chairs. The room was set up for our panel discussion with a long wooden table in the front of the room for the authors, a couple dozen folding chairs , and snacks for the audience. Each featured author displayed a few of their books in the back of the room.
Let the Forum Begin…
I put on my Italian, lemon-themed apron (former kindergarten teacher here…I love a good theme) and took my seat at the author’s table. I took a few moments to silently rehearse the section of my book “Until Italy” that I’d be reading from to calm my nerves, I’m always nervous at the start of an event . My good friend and fellow author David Davis was seated next to me. We joked that maybe our spouses would be the only ones in the audience, but by the start time most of the chairs were filled and we had an enthusiastic audience (At least they were smiling, that’s always a good sign.)
After introductions, each author told a little about their author’s journey, then read a passage from their book. I was last to speak. When my turn arrived, I took a breath and with my best teacher voice (hamming it up on the humorous parts) I read a section from the chapter “How to Drink Limoncello.”
An Exchange of Ideas
A lively Q and A session followed the readings. Many in the audience were writers or aspiring writers curious about the panel’s writing and publishing experiences. Two women smiled and nodded in agreement when I mentioned that Julia Cameron’s Book “The Artist’s way had influenced me to write a book and become a self-published author.
One man wanted to know how to get someone publish his books. Each of the four featured authors shared their thoughts on traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, vanity presses, and self-publishing. Here is what I said:
“Of course we all want to get a big publishing contract and make lots of money,” I laughed. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a rush when I sell a book. But I think that if that is your only goal for writing, you are going to be disappointed. I write because I have a story to tell and I publish my books or blog or magazine articles because I want my stories to reach others.”
At the end of the session we mingled with the audience and answered a few more questions. I was at the snack table helping myself to a bottle of water, when a woman approached with both of my books in her hand. She’d liked my presentation and thought she would enjoy my stories. She was a fellow artist , a painter, whose work was displayed in the Center’s gallery.
Did I get rich that day? Maybe not in the usual sense. But I have stories to tell. And someone was excited to read them.
Threads of Thought
What creative endeavors do you peruse?
What motivates you to be creative?
Find you next read here!