Spring Writers Conference - Pearl S. Buck House

This is for the writers (and wannabe writers) among us:

We're fortunate in Bucks County to have not just a fine public library system, but also numerous other places where we have the opportunity to learn about our history and some of the people who have helped to make it. One of my favorite such places is the Pearl S. Buck International House in Dublin. It's an inspiring place for anyone to visit, but for a writer, there's the extra thrill of walking in the footsteps of an icon.

Did you know that the Pearl Buck House has a Writing Center that offers classes and conferences? Well, they do, and every spring they sponsor a writers conference. This year the date is April 6.

I'll never forget the first time I was part of this event. I was thrilled when asked if I would like to teach a class on creating characters. I said yes before they had a chance to change their mind. Inventing characters is my favorite part of writing so I felt up to the challenge. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I wanted to say. I prepared a handout so the participants would have something tangible to take home. In short, I felt ready, even confident (despite the fact that I'm basically shy), when I stood in front of the room. I was introduced by either Helen Wolf or Cindy Louden. I'm not sure which, but both are warm, kind women who know how to make a speaker feel welcome. Everything was good to go.

I lay my papers on the glass cabinet standing nearby and ... boom... it hit me. Resting in that case were Ms. Buck's multitude of awards, including a Nobel Prize for Literature and a Pulitzer Prize. My confidence flew out the window. Suddenly, I felt puny and inconsequential. My knees turned to rubber and I was on the verge of getting all teary-eyed. What to do? Deep breath.

I looked at the faces before me; it was a diverse group - different ages, colors, sizes and shapes. Another deep breath. Smile. They smiled back. I reminded myself that they were all just people. Like me, they were all lovers of words and all eager to learn more about the art of spinning words into stories. I gained courage from our commonality and started to talk. I shared my ideas about how to make fictional characters come alive. Through questions and comments, they shared their ideas. Together, we learned more about what it means to be a writer. I like to think Ms. Buck would approve of writers coming together at her house to share their love of writing and to learn from each other.

The 2013 conference is just a few weeks away (April 6). Imagine, a full day of talking about writing with other writers - in a writer's house.

Here's the schedule:

8:30             Registration

9:00              Opening remarks

9:15-10:45    Anita Nolan - Naming characters, places, use of real v. imaginary, researching places and themes

11:00-12:30   Sandy Cody (yes, that's me - I'm thrilled they invited me again) - Outlining, prologues, dividing chapters,

12:30             Lunch - Round Table discussions

1:30-3:00       Terri Brisbin - Epilogues, synopsis, query letters

You can pre-register at www.pearlsbuck.org writing center

The cost is $50.

For more information, please contact Cindy Louden by email at clouden@pearlsbuck.org or by phone at 267-421-6203

Maybe I'll see some of you there. I hope so.