Thursday, August 18, 2011

Tall Trees and Karaoke


OK, so who knew that Wednesday was karaoke night at Appleby's in Salem, Oregon? Now you do, and you know at least one 50ish Nashvillian who's willing to sing "Dancing Queen" in the middle of the night.

Yep, I'm in Oregon, at the annual Oregon Christian Writer's conference, and it's been a hoot. Trees so tall that they're like skirting small buildings to walk around them, and writers who are brimming with great ideas and the talent to execute them. While Susie May Warren and Mindy Starns Clark are the speakers, the faculty is some of the best writers, agents, and editors around, and the folks at Aldersgate Retreat Center have fed and spoiled us.

I love writers conferences because of how much I learn, but also because they are incubators of new talent. Looking around the bookstore or cafeteria, I see those who are going to be the next Susan May Warren or Mindy Starns Clark. Young writers, like Jill Williamson or Christina Berry, who are on the verge of giving us the next great Christian fiction.

My return to Nashville won't be easy. Thanks, Oregon, and the terrific folks of the Oregon Christian Writers.

3 comments:

Pamela Tracy said...

I once won a karoke contest by singing Harry Chapin's Taxi. Boy, do I wish I were in Oregon w ith you.

Cara Putman said...

That's what i love about ACFW. All the great teaching, and being around other writers. Can't believe that conference is only one month away. Yipes!

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