On Saturday I participated in MEET YOUR LITERARY COMMUNITY, sponsored by Arizona State University, at the Phoenix Market. I had a table to display my books, and it was fun talking to people as they stopped by. Best of all, I reconnected with someone I hadn’t seen in a long time and met some great new people–most, but not all, writers.
Since I’m kinda an introvert (kinda hahaha) and easily over-stimulated, it’s amazing I even applied to the event. But I’m trying to push myself to get out there a lil bit.
We have a lot of writing events in the Phoenix area, but they are mainly in the evening for obvious reasons. I really do not like to attend meetings and readings in the evening. I don’t like going out in the evening at all, but if I am going to do so it will be with the gardener or other family or very close friends (including house guests). So I figure writers think I’m a hermit or maybe not interested in their events when I don’t attend, but I would LOVE to attend . . . if they were held during the daytime. My non-writing business can be done in the evening to make up for daytime events, so that would be a blessing–if there were more daytime events haha.
The meet-up was held at the Phoenix Market which has booths featuring fresh produce, baked goods (lots of gluten), honey, ceramics, scented items, and jewelry.
Music, too.
Hard to believe, but I had never been to the market before. I’ll definitely be back. Parking is right at the market, although it’s downtown. Or you can take the lightrail.
By the way, I can’t remember if I mentioned this or not, but I am a regular book reviewer (mainly poetry) for Main Street Rag and also have a review coming out in Pleiades. Also on the writing front, the subject came up at the event about the possibility of me coaching poetry writing. I am not interested in a teaching gig (been there, done that), but I am considering offering individual coaching for poetry. I figure with two books out, my MFA and PhD, and years of reading, reviewing, and critiquing poetry, it’s something that I should consider. So I am considering. Any thoughts?
Awesome! Heres to doing this more 😊
Thanks, Didi. Haha, I definitely will do more, but not too many too fast ;).
Great photo! Glad you are making writer friends! Yes, coaching writing one-on-one sounds like a fine idea, a win-win.
I think I’ll email you about the coaching idea, if you don’t mind.
Yes, do.
I’m impressed, Luanne! Yay you! You look so cute behind that table. <3
My neck isn’t red!
I noticed that! 🙂
LOL!
Good for you! I don’t like going to evening events either but I work during the day so I can’t go to daytime events 😉 That might have to change once I’m “retired.” I think you should give being a coach for poetry writing a try. You definitely have the resume for it 🙂
That’s obviously why the events are mainly in the evening. Because my job is all at home and a bit flexible (although I still have to be around enough for daytime phone calls and have enough time to get my work done), I just can’t. Can’t. By the way, I forgot to mention, yay for meeting Kevin! So glad you got to do that! And I can’t read your story until I’m done with the book I’ve been slogging through (forever). But hopefully not too much longer!
Yeah, I understand evening events are to accommodate people who work during the day, but I still don’t go to them 😉 Come evening, I want to be home and settled with husband and cats, chillin’ after being around people all day. Yes it was fun meeting Kevin! No worries about my story. It’ll be there whenever you’re ready 😉
So you understand. Yes, evenings are for regenerating!
Indeed I do understand 😉
🙂
Well done for getting out there. Given what you say in general, I think one to one is a good idea
Thanks, Derrick. I think that is something I can do without having too much energy sucked out of me. I’m good one to one :).
Yes
Well done! I don’t like evening things either unless it’s dinner. We even try to do matinee plays. I’ve never been part of a book club because of that (and they tend to pick books I don’t want to read!). This looks like fun!
Good point. We have been just starting to lean toward matinees. Not always yet, but so tired in the evenings.
One problem is if the play is disappointing and I’m there right after dinner, those eyelids won’t listen and stay open! Now if only I can get rock bands to do matinees! 🙂
We actually did leave at intermission at a really good theatre because the play just didn’t keep our attention. We were both falling asleep.
Haha to rock band matinees. You’d think some of the geezer musicians would welcome matinees!
We’ve been to a few who no longer do intermissions. They want to get done and get to bed.
That makes sense to me!
Bravo to you for pushing your comfort boundaries. I keep meaning to go to a poetry reading or two but they are, as you note, evening events. After a full day of 9 to 5 in a cubicle farm, I can barely muster the energy to stay up until 9 in the evening, never mind be sociable and coherent.
I think you would be an OUTSTANDING poetry coach. I know you to be thoughtful, respectful, insightful – in other words FULL of skills and approaches that would be ideal in a poetry coach. Do it!
Oh, thank you so much about the coaching! Maybe you should write a testimonial for me haha! You are so sweet. I can’t stay up past 9 either. Well, except that sometimes because the gardener has the @#%^ TV on, I sometimes wake up and can’t get back to sleep! Disrupted sleep pattern, but we don’t want to sleep separately.
Happy to write a testimonial for you!
Woot! Thank you, Susanne!
I think you’d be a wonderful poetry mentor!!!
Oh, Pam, that is so nice of you to say! Thank you. I’m putting that in the yes column ;).
It’s a definite yes!!!
Woohoo!
Hard work and I’m sure worth it, congratulations
Thanks, Sally! Have a good week!
You look happy, confident, and very professional, Luanne. Pretty, too. I know how intimidating these events can be. You handled it well, by the looks of it.
Haha, I don’t know about that first sentence haha. At least it was low stress as I sat near very nice people! Thanks, Anneli.
Looked like a fun event. Thanks for sharing
You would have enjoyed it, I think! I could just imagine you at your booth :).
Yes. I would have.
It looks like a fun event, and you look great in that photo. I hope you sold some books, too. 🙂
I’m with you about evening events. I have no energy at night (which starts about 4 PM in the winter–haha). And I am not an outgoing person either.
Thanks, Merril! I am so glad that I am not the only person. I felt like everybody else was going out all the time at night except me!
All those plays and movies we see are usually in the afternoon! Hahaha.
I can tell because when you go eat and drink afterward the sun is still out ;)! That’s probably one reason it looks really enticing!
🙂
Wonderful event. And, yes do that!
Thanks so much, Jennie! Hope your week is a good one!
Thank you, Luanne. Best to you!
I relate to so much of what you write here. I’m also an introvert who doesn’t like going out at night much or putting myself out there publicly. Working behind the scenes is more my style. I think you would make a great poetry coach though. And I love that photo of you with your books. Good for you for pushing your boundaries.
Definitely behind the scenes. I’d rather be a stage manager than an actor or director, even though it’s a really hard job ;). Thank you about the poetry coaching. I haven’t made up my mind yet, and I won’t either until it makes up itself!
Lookit you looking all cute behind your desk <3 I say if you think you would enjoy coaching do it – if you don't, don't. Simply because life is too short to spend it doing things we don't enjoy!! And charge lots so that those who do come appreciate the time they are getting……. 🙂
Hehehe, thanks, Pauline! Good point about the coaching. I am not going to push myself in that direction. If I decide to do it it will be because I really want to do it. Period. And even what you say about charging is important. People don’t appreciate what they get cheaply or for free, that is for SURE.
Nice post, great event…made me want to move to Phoenix.
I do not drive after dark. About the coaching: if you think you’d enjoy it, then why not. I’ve taken a part-time job (afternoons, from 2:30-5:30) working with children at a private school. Pays well and is fun and makes me organize the rest of my time better. An adjustment but so far it’s going well.
Have a wonderful week. And yes, an adorable photo of YOU!
Wow, Elaine, you are really pushing your boundaries–little kids, yikes! haha I’m glad it’s fun! How old are the kids?
That was great, really great 😁🙂
Me sure your poetry coaching will be fantastic!
Have a wonderful Tuesday 💕
Sid
Aw, thanks so much, Sid. Hope your week is a wonderful one!
Aren’t you adorable? 🙂 Yes, why not? You’re certainly qualified and experienced — who knows what great things you’ll coax from others?!
Hehehe. Thanks! I am still considering. The introvert is saying “you’ll be sorry” and the mom is saying “it’s a good way to give back.”
Both are true, but only one of those feelings lasts forever 😉
You certainly have a lot of knowledge to share. I think it would be helpful to teach/coach others. I worked with a writing coach to help me understand the ins and outs of freelance writing. I received valuable info and confidence. It was so worth it. Good luck!
That is so good to know that you had an invaluable experience, Cheryl. Poetry is a funny thing. Whether I do it or not, it won’t happen, even the serious thinking about it, until after the holidays.
Why not give it a try?
Thanks, Eilene. Still thinking about it!
So nice every writer should make a go of this type of event.😊☕
It’s definitely worth it. Meeting the other members of the literary community is so important and you can’t do that from home!
Right you are Luanne. And the innovation here even with a bake sell , etc. Love it!
The writer’s life is a lonely one, usually, so it is nice to be able to attend these shindigs. Mostly, they just make me nervous, so I’m glad to hear it went well for you. I had no idea you were a reviewer for Main Street Rag! I love their anthologies and once had a non-fiction piece in there.
Congrats on the MSR publication! I am so happy to be viewing for them. I have one coming out soon (fall) and then another either winter or spring.
Everything social makes me nervous!
You have inspired me—I really need to get more involved with a local writers’ community. Of course we pop around so much, I’ve got a lot of options on “local.” 🙂
Travel does makes it difficult, but with ASU here it makes it a little easier because the events are larger, not like small writing groups.
Congratulations on attending the event and you look lovely and relaxed in the photo! 😀 I would say a resounding yes to the private tution and you have more than enough experience…helping someone else and a rewarding time for you too. Let us know how you get on!
What a lovely event:). And it certainly sounds as if you have the necessary experience to provide private coaching – and poetry, above all other writing forms, I think – needs another set of eyes, given the technical demands and the high emotional input necessary to create something special. Best of luck!
Sarah, thank you so much. Well put about the demands of poetry!
You’re very welcome, Luanne – best of luck!
Thank you.
Wow, looks like fun; I *definitely* would’ve visited you there… or maybe had a table myself! 🙂
You could have been my tablemate!
Would’ve been so fun!! 😁
I’m so impressed you got out there and did this! I’m such an introvert the thought of actually doing a book signing or talking directly to people about my books causes me to shrink. I’m a new admirer! 🙂
Ah thanks so much, Robynn. It’s pretty hard, but once it happens it is so much easier and then afterward you feel as if you wouldn’t have missed it!
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