This weekend, there was a Writer's Conference in Hartford, CT at the Mark Twain House and Museum. 2 days of authors, talks, workshops, discussions and just plain "trouble starting" (apparently in the Twain world, that's a regular in-joke)
https://marktwainhouse.org/event/writers-weekend/
I've already THOREAU-LY enjoyed one day of it (half) and am making note of a few things so far:
A) The sessions are wonderful, but the weekend seems especially small-like the size of a decent first-year attempt, but I believe this is not their first rodeo. Personally, I LOVE that it is so small, bc I feel that I can get to know each participant, and there are not too many overlapping sessions. However, I'd rather make contact with MORE people and attend as many sessions as possible-noting the possibility of sneaking out of a dull one and into something better (the grass is always greener on the other side of the classroom wall-especially when you can hear them laughing!)
B) The vast majority of the attendees/presenters are female and 50+. SO much so, that I would encourage the organizers to rethink their focus for next year. It's not a matter of Mark Twain representation-he only registers as a host in the mental conversation. It could be a female-centric weekend, even encouraging mentorships and networking. Harriet Beecher Stowe was/is an immediate neighbor and is certainly enough of a successful writer to be a part of the conversation. (And can also be a cautionary tale about not allowing your book to be adapted into a play without lawyers in place!)
C) There were a few (2?) young African American women-but no corresponding African American women presenting. Hartford has a decent population of African Americans and none/very few(?) were in representation within the sold-out Twain house tours. Personally, I would LOVE to be taught by people coming from different experiences and especially the locals. (And it's not like Uncle Tom's Cabin isn't ready for innovative and modern interpretations or even literate attacks)
D) As mentioned, the Harriet Beecher Stowe house is right next door, but my friends and I had to wander over ourselves and take a tour during lunch (We had given up our lunch hour on the first day to tour the Twain house). It should be an option for the weekend. It should be an option for a theme.
E) I've discovered several major parallels between Twain and my first love, Thoreau. They were both at their brothers' sides while they lay dying. BEFORE they became authors. And what major bond did all those brothers share? Life on the river. Sometimes life just encourages you to meet the right people, and if you are properly prepared-you can recognize why. I think it's my next big work.
https://marktwainhouse.org/event/writers-weekend/
I've already THOREAU-LY enjoyed one day of it (half) and am making note of a few things so far:
A) The sessions are wonderful, but the weekend seems especially small-like the size of a decent first-year attempt, but I believe this is not their first rodeo. Personally, I LOVE that it is so small, bc I feel that I can get to know each participant, and there are not too many overlapping sessions. However, I'd rather make contact with MORE people and attend as many sessions as possible-noting the possibility of sneaking out of a dull one and into something better (the grass is always greener on the other side of the classroom wall-especially when you can hear them laughing!)
B) The vast majority of the attendees/presenters are female and 50+. SO much so, that I would encourage the organizers to rethink their focus for next year. It's not a matter of Mark Twain representation-he only registers as a host in the mental conversation. It could be a female-centric weekend, even encouraging mentorships and networking. Harriet Beecher Stowe was/is an immediate neighbor and is certainly enough of a successful writer to be a part of the conversation. (And can also be a cautionary tale about not allowing your book to be adapted into a play without lawyers in place!)
C) There were a few (2?) young African American women-but no corresponding African American women presenting. Hartford has a decent population of African Americans and none/very few(?) were in representation within the sold-out Twain house tours. Personally, I would LOVE to be taught by people coming from different experiences and especially the locals. (And it's not like Uncle Tom's Cabin isn't ready for innovative and modern interpretations or even literate attacks)
D) As mentioned, the Harriet Beecher Stowe house is right next door, but my friends and I had to wander over ourselves and take a tour during lunch (We had given up our lunch hour on the first day to tour the Twain house). It should be an option for the weekend. It should be an option for a theme.
E) I've discovered several major parallels between Twain and my first love, Thoreau. They were both at their brothers' sides while they lay dying. BEFORE they became authors. And what major bond did all those brothers share? Life on the river. Sometimes life just encourages you to meet the right people, and if you are properly prepared-you can recognize why. I think it's my next big work.
