March 01, 2012

Escaping into the pages

It’s a bit overwhelming, this creative writing conference. It fills two whole hotels — including gorgeous old ballrooms with gilt-edged door frames and chandeliers — and overflows into dimly lit bars, one of which held an arm-wrestling contest for novelists last night. Ten thousand writers (and yes, that’s the real number, not an exaggeration) have descended upon this city. Wherever you go, you will see groups of writers talking, laughing, and checking their cell phones to find out who is going to dinner with whom. But many writers (unlike me) are introverts by nature, and I keep catching glimpses of folks in hidden corners, quiet spots, and any place where they can just take a few minutes away from the chattering hordes. Pages

10 comments:

Lomagirl said...

If you are at the conference I think you are at in a city with icy winds, one of my bestest friends is there representing our university and the journal- Reunion. He might even pose naked for you!

Melissa Sarno said...

Talking to strangers at a conference scares me. I'm new to it but I force myself. I always sit down next to people and say something awkward and feel silly afterwards. It is always my hope that I sit next to someone like you! haha. :)

Artist Friend said...

I recognize that exact spot! I wish I was there, actually.

Liz Miller said...

Wait a minute, are you where you were last year?

jo(e) said...

Liz: Same conference, but different city. It's in Chicago this year.

jo(e) said...

Artist Friend: I wish you were here too. It's not the same without you.

jo(e) said...

Lomagirl: Email me the name of your friend, and I'll look out for him!

Jubei said...

I like how "hordes" is so separated.
l(a leaf falling)oneliness

Dave said...

Yeah, I'm here too -- my first time. I can be social for hours at a time, but then i need to retreat to a corner for a while. As I'm obviously doing right now! They have me helping to staff a booth at the book fair, but fortunately only for two hours each afternoon.

Jubei said...

Ah, I now that I look at it "hordes" is only separated if you have your magnification at a certain level.