Fiction author Robin Brande talks about writing, reading, and other vital matters

I had SUCH a great time in Phoenix the past four days. Sure I talked more in that time than I’m used to talking in a month–thanks to a book signing and school presentations and teaching two back-to-back half-day writing workshops–but it was all joyful work, so the lingering exhaustion I feel right now was totally worth it.

About a week and a half ago I posted about how wearing all this travel and touring have been, and how I’ll be happy now to go back to being a homebody (and more specifically a homebody who has the time and energy to write books again). And while I really am happy to be finished with the last six weeks of travel, there’s also so much about it that I know I’ll miss.

I sat in my hotel room yesterday morning reflecting on how truly blessed I feel right now. I get to do exactly what I want: write stories, read lots of books, teach classes, meet so many fascinating and creative people and build friendships with them. Among the things that crossed my mind:

— I am SO happy I put together the Kidlitosphere Conference, even though the idea sounded semi-nuts at the time. But it turned out to be one of those perfect examples of what happens if you follow the energy–just go with something, even if you have no idea how it’s going to work out. Now in retrospect I can see it was bound to turn out all right because so many of you conspired to make it a great event–from people like Annette and Herb, who handled hotel and design details; to people like Pam, Liz, Anne, Kelly, Tasha, Mark, Andrea, Jen, Barry, and Greg, who volunteered to lead discussion groups; to Esme, who organized the Meet the Author event and even had us over for brunch the next day. A classic situation of many hands making light work. And now Jone, Laini, and Jim have stepped up to run it next year. I couldn’t be more grateful to all of you. Thank you!

But what I loved best about the conference–what still makes me smile any time I think about it–is how truly joyous people were to be in the same room with each other–finally. All these Internet friendships we have, and finally we got to slouch onto couches together and gorge on ice cream together and share more than a few hugs. It was just such a warm and loving atmosphere–again, no surprise, considering who you people are.

— Those events in Pennsylvania a week and a half ago were PHENOMENAL–from the “One Book, Every Freshman” program librarian Molly Krichten organized, to the school visits in Hanover and Dover, to meeting some of the kids involved in the big fight over teaching evolution in their school, to the library event where for some reason I felt compelled to lead the kids in singing “Boom Chick-a-Boom.” I am so glad no one filmed that. I don’t know what I was thinking.

— And now this past week’s school visits and writing workshops, where I had a chance to tell teens and adults that their dreams of being writers are not frivolous, they are not pie-in-the-sky, and that it is completely plausible to set out to make a living at doing what you love.

And that’s what struck me as the most wonderful part of having a book out right now: people will actually listen to me when I tell them they can grow up to be writers. They can be writers whether they’re sixteen or ninety. They will listen to me (I hope) when I tell them that they don’t have to write like anyone but themselves–that in fact, we as readers need them to write like themselves because we crave fresh voices and fresh stories that arise from the writers’ own weird backgrounds and experiences and own particular senses of humor–in the same way we love to meet new people and hear what they have to say for themselves. We’re all humans who love to understand more about the human experience. So let Stephen King write what he writes, and Meg Cabot and J.K. Rowling write what they write, because meanwhile we’re ready to read what all the rest of you have to say about us humans, whether you’re explaining us in memoir or fantasy or horror or romance or some other format that feels right for you.

So I’ve decided that’s what I’m most grateful about these days: that I can tell people they get to be writers, and they might believe me now–at least more than they might have a year ago, before I had a book on the shelves to back me up. It is a particular joy in my life not only to find success myself as a writer, but also to see other writers succeed. I love to teach writing and help people stop squelching their natural talent. I love to do my part to boost other writers along. And now, thanks to my agent, my editor, and my publisher doing what they did to help turn me into a published novelist, I am getting more and more opportunities to give talks as part of my real-life work. Suh-bleeping-weet.

So despite what I said a few Fridays ago when I was dragging my sorry butt around after a few too many plane flights, there’s no way in the world I’m going to stop teaching and giving presentations, now that more people are asking. I just need a few months off so I can write myself a book. I’ve been itching to get back to the page, and I’ll admit I get a little cranky when it’s been too long between stories. I love to teach, but I love writing even more. So give me a nice big dose of that, and I’ll be refreshed again by spring.

And now for your perspective on this. Are some of you having that sweet experience–even if it’s just in small doses–of feeling like what you’re doing is exactly what you want to be doing? What’s that like when desire and opportunity intersect?

[tags]Writing, Publishing, Writing Workshops, Writing Teachers, 1st Annual Kidlitosphere Conference, Kidlitosphere, Kidlitosphere Conference, Kidlit Conference, Author Tours, Author Presentations, Young Adult Novels, Young Adult Literature, Young Adult Fiction[tags]

Posted on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 5:03 am under Life, Writing . Subscribe to responses: RSS 2.0 Comment Feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.