I had to look up “Casbah” because I had a sudden attack of nerves. What if Casbah doesn’t mean what I think it means? What if I’m unwittingly cursing in a foreign tongue? Heck, I don’t even know how to curse in English!
Turns out Casbah refers to the Citadel of Algiers. You feel enlightened now, don’t you? Just one of the many services I provide here at Temporary? Insanity. You may applaud if you wish.
So I’ve already written about the wonderful people I met at the LDS Storymaker’s Conference. Yes, I know those of you who weren’t there were incredibly bored by that post but I felt the need to put aside my usual self-centredness and focus on other wonderful people for awhile. Not in character, I know, but I like to change things up like that.
What I haven’t written about yet is the writing aspect of the conference. Good golly grief (told you I don’t know how to curse), the classes I took were amazing. Humbling as anything, but also amazing. I’ve often said that my writing skills are fairly mediocre, but deep down I’ve sorta kinda hoped that maybe I’m a wee bit above average. I cherished the notion that I was actually pretty fabulous but just hadn’t realized it yet. Two things the conference hit home are 1) my first guess was right, I am a mediocre writer and 2) I’d just been given the tools to surpass myself and maybe, if I work hard enough, actually develop into a novelist worth reading. Err…some day. Maybe. (Gotta keep the humility going here.)
In all honesty, I was more surprised to learn there was hope for me than to learn I wasn’t as spiffy as I had hoped I was. Poor self-esteem does serve a purpose! Now I’m putting some of the things I learned into use in my writing and seeing the vast improvement. It’s quite staggering, actually.
For those of a writerly persuasion, I thought I’d begin a series of posts sharing how the classes taught at the conference have affected me and my writing. I’ll spread these posts out a bit so I don’t completely bore those not interested in this topic, but I hope to be able to adequately put into words the lessons I learned last weekend.
The authors who taught those classes will forever have my gratitude. They really do rock, in oh so many ways. Not the least of which being talented and articulate enough to pierce the dense fog that so often obscures my thinking.
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17 Comments
Oooh. I can’t wait.
Eowyn´s last blog post..The Mote and the Beam, or Judge Not 3
Sounds great! I’m glad that you found inspiration. Can’t wait for those posts. :)
Jaina´s last blog post..Urgent Prayer Request
I’m looking forward to reading about what you learned!
Now I have to try to get that song out of my head…
Heffalump´s last blog post..Fun with Family and Friends…
WHO said you were mediocre?! I would like to have a few words with him/her/them!!! You ARE above average. However, knowing how to construct a novel and being a good writer are two different things. You have talent–you can always learn HOW to write a book. So, I’d say you’re in like flynn (who’s flynn?)
Heidi Ashworth´s last blog post..Miss D The Bee And Paranoid Me
I have always wondered what they were saying in that song! Nathan and I had finally settled on “Casbah” also but we had no idea what that meant. (Though that doesn’t mean we don’t often go around saying to each other, “you rock the Casbah.”) Seriously, I do thank you and applaud you for unveiling the mystery of overplayed but misunderstood 80s songs.
Also, I’m glad Heidi said it first (being that she’s, like, a real-life author and everything; gives her way more credibility than me) — you *are* an above-average writer! Certainly not mediocre. You are talented at putting words together. But I’d venture that many of those other authors you were rubbing elbows with are above average also. That’s why you guys write the books, and people like me read ‘em. ;-)
That sounds great! I think I’ve given up my quest to be the next great novelist for now. But maybe someday…
Melissa´s last blog post..
I’ll love the series, I just know it.
Heather of the EO´s last blog post..This confirms it
Sounds cool. I am glad you felt so good about the things you learned. That’s terrific!
I’m not necessarily the writer-ly type, but I am looking forward to these posts!
An Ordinary Mom´s last blog post..Chicken Soup For The Soul: A Mother’s Day Giveaway
Screw humility! YOU’RE AWESOME!!!! Seriously Kim, don’t sell yourself short. You’re an amazing woman and I can tell by your blog that you’re a fabulous writer!! (Although I’d love to read your stuff!)
L.T. Elliot´s last blog post..And then there is BAD news!!!
Funny. You ARE above average right now. After those classes, you’ll be totally awesome!
I, too, came away feeling renewed and filled with hope.
Karlene´s last blog post..I’m on YouTube!
I’m so happy for you! I LOVED the first chapters you shared and I need to go back and see if you’ve posted more of it. . . I think you’re a wonderful writer, and the opening of your book just drew me right in. I can’t imagine what you could have learned that would make you better!
LisAway´s last blog post..Love and Hate
Can’t wait to hear your tips hon. And your writing is definitely better than mediocre, but it’s good to know you cam make it even more fabulous. xxxxx
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog post..A Snail Tale
I’m another that would LOVE to hear what you learned! I’m still kicking myself for missing hanging out!
Amber@soggy cheerios´s last blog post..Some of my neighbor’s are starting to annoy me.
I love your first two paragraphs. Because 1) I do that all the time…second-guess my own diction. And 2) you are hilarious.
Someday I’m going to a writers conference too! :)
charrette´s last blog post..Give, Said the Little Stream
Very, very cool. I personally have no aspirations to write a book but certain love reading about those who do. :-)
Congrats again for the “Bun in the Oven!”
Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck´s last blog post..Pest Smart
Yes! I’d love to read what you learned!
You have a fantastic imagination, and I have no doubt that you will make a marvelous writer! I already think you’re great!
Looking forward to your posts, and thank you for the sweet words the other day. :)
Rebecca´s last blog post..Well, Hello There!