I attended
North Words Writers Symposium in Skagway May 28-31. I was impressed with the
experience and knowledge of the keynote speaker Simon Winchester and the
faculty of authors from Alaska and Canada (Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, Michael
Gates, Nick Jans, Marcel Jolley, Heather Lende, Lael Morgan, John Straley, and
Deb Vanasse). But most of all, I was struck by their generosity.
North Words Writers Symposium in Skagway May 28-31. I was impressed with the
experience and knowledge of the keynote speaker Simon Winchester and the
faculty of authors from Alaska and Canada (Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, Michael
Gates, Nick Jans, Marcel Jolley, Heather Lende, Lael Morgan, John Straley, and
Deb Vanasse). But most of all, I was struck by their generosity.
From this
event, and others like 49 Writers workshops and the Kachemak Bay Writers’
Conference, I have met many published authors from Alaska and Canada. I can
name-drop with the best of them, and I know other writers who have not reached
that level of name recognition. I have found that each author has at least one
area of expertise and is willing to share it with fellow writers. It is rare
for an Alaskan author to put on airs or act as if he or she is above others.
Most are generous and kind.
event, and others like 49 Writers workshops and the Kachemak Bay Writers’
Conference, I have met many published authors from Alaska and Canada. I can
name-drop with the best of them, and I know other writers who have not reached
that level of name recognition. I have found that each author has at least one
area of expertise and is willing to share it with fellow writers. It is rare
for an Alaskan author to put on airs or act as if he or she is above others.
Most are generous and kind.
I’d met some
of these people well before I was published, and they greeted newbie writers
like me the same way they treated published, well-known authors. They sent a
message that said, we are all writers. They helped me feel like a peer even
when I didn’t have the confidence to be sure of that myself, and bridged that
gap by treating my writing as seriously as I was beginning to. By hanging out
with fellow writers, learning from their workshops or talks, and asking them
questions, I found mentors in my writing journey.
of these people well before I was published, and they greeted newbie writers
like me the same way they treated published, well-known authors. They sent a
message that said, we are all writers. They helped me feel like a peer even
when I didn’t have the confidence to be sure of that myself, and bridged that
gap by treating my writing as seriously as I was beginning to. By hanging out
with fellow writers, learning from their workshops or talks, and asking them
questions, I found mentors in my writing journey.
I continue to
learn from others. I am still learning how the writing business works and how
to refine my writing and make it better. Alaskan and Canadian authors are
guiding me in that process. And as others have helped me, I hope to mentor
other writers on this journey. We can all learn from each other and provide the
reassurance that we are all writers. We are peers, and although some of us are
further along on the path, we are all going the same way. We’re all in this
together.
Featured author Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. She taught English for 20 years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and hitting targets with a cowboy action shooting club. Her young adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest.