|
Northern Colorado Writers Conference |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Rebecca LaPole
|
|
Thursday, 15 March 2007 |
|
|
|
|
 Inspiration comes in many forms. For some writers it’s as simple as stepping outside and taking in nature.
For others, of course, inspiration doesn’t come as easily. Sometimes you need guidance from those with more experience.
The Northern Colorado Writer’s Conference on March 23-24 at the Fort Collins Hilton is a first step to learning more about the writing business and getting inspired.
“I realized that there’s nothing in this area for writers. They have to travel to Denver or Colorado Springs to go to any decent conferences, so I wanted to organize something in northern Colorado for the writers up here,” Kerrie Flanagan, director of the writer’s conference said.
The conference offers one-on-one interaction with successful writers and workshops to hone your style, as well as the opportunity to learn from writers of several different genres.
Author and workshop presenter Laura Pritchett said, “That’s what is so great about attending occasional workshops, such as the NCWC — hopefully you’ll come away inspired by a teacher, with contacts for other like-minded people whom you could stay in contact with.”
 Being a successful writer is never easy. As Flanagan said, “That’s why I always feel conferences or events like this are important, because as a writer, we sometimes get stuck in our office and don’t talk to other people and find what else is out there. I feel that when you learn the other genres, it can get you excited and get you to try something new. It’s important to read fiction or short stories if that’s what you want to write.”
She is an advocate of trying anything of interest.
“My favorite quote is by Henry Ford: ‘You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.’ A lot of writers are people who aspire to be writers and they think about it, and they think about it, and they don’t take the steps to actually move forward with it,” Flanagan said.
 What’s exciting for writers is that keystrokes made in 2007 can have an impact well beyond this year.
“Writing is a form of communication that’s going to continue long after we’re here, not only to communicate and get thoughts down to this generation now, but if we do it well, then our kids and their kids and so on will get the benefit of it,” Flanagan said.
Workshop presenter and children’s book author Debbie Dadey said, “Most people in our country will not become writers, but they will be surrounded by writing. Who makes TV shows, books, commercials, and pop songs? Writers.”
Not taking rejection letters personally and continually trying are keys to success.
“To make it as a published writer, you’ve got to be sensitive enough to write, but tough enough to withstand rejection. That can be a tough balance,” Pritchett said.
———
TO ATTEND
4-10 p.m. Friday, March 23
8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, March 24
Fort Collins Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Road
$270 - Registration (through March 23), $90 - March 23 only, $215 - March 24 only
ONLINE: www.ncwc.biz/Registration/
CONTACT: Kerrie Flanagan at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or 282.7754 for more information | Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
