26th Kentucky Women Writers Conference
by Suzanne Kapusta, Regional Manager,YBP Libary Services
Location:
University of Kentucky and Downtown Lexington, Kentucky
Date: Thursday, Mar. 24, 2005 - Saturday, Mar. 26, 2005
8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONY AT THE W.T.YOUNG LIBRARY
The longest-running conference of its kind, the Kentucky Women Writers Conference this year presented over a dozen celebrated women writers as well as a stand up comedienne, an editorial cartoonist, art exhibits, a singer/songwriter, and a filmmaker. I recommend this conference whether you're a writer yourself or merely want to hear from others who are. Being surrounded by fascinating, intelligent, opinionated women for three days while we talked, listened, and learned can have a profound effect on your life. I've been to many conferences before, but never one like this. One does not necessarily become a better writer by attending this conference. After all, what we hear doesn't always translate into practice. However, if my experience is any indication, what does happen to a participant is that she comes away from this conference filled with inspiration, awe and determination, and a few new friends as well.
The intimacy of the conference is part of what makes it so phenomenal. The authors attending serve on panels and small workshop discussions, do readings, and attend others' presentations throughout the three days. There is a profound sense of community, partly due to its being a conference for women, but also due to the small number of attendees. The authors are eminently approachable, offering their e-mail addresses for anyone who wants to communicate further or send any work to them for comment. As a forum for discussing the craft and process of writing, I can imagine none better. The following is a day by day summary of my experiences, which by their very nature and due to the variety of offerings, could vastly differ from another participant's experiences. But this is my story…
FROM LEFT: ALEXANDRA ROBBINS, NEDA ULABY, AND CHRISTINE FUGATE (SPEAKING)
Day 1: Thursday, March 24th - my birthday! And oh, what a day! To be surrounded by all these creative feminists - writers, poets, a filmmaker - all talking and thinking about writing - it's been awesome. To give you an idea of how jam-packed this day was: Brunch was followed by the convocation with the keynote speaker Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist. I then attended a panel discussion on interviewing. The panel consisted of an NPR reporter, a non-fiction author, a filmmaker, and the UK student who won an award for a writing project (she went to Vietnam and interviewed women from the war). Then there were small group sessions on either writing poetry, comedy, or interviewing as research. Other topics discussed in the three days included tips on merging your art with your home life, and dealing with rejection.
Due to competing time slots, I missed the lecture by Alexandra Robbins, the voice of the twenty-something generation and author of Pledged since this was slightly overlapped by fiction and poetry readings. At night I attended a short film called The Southern Sex made here in Lexington 13 years ago by native Lexingtonian Christine Fugate. She interviewed women about their lives at that time to create the film; 7 of them showed up to be on a panel to discuss where their lives went after the movie; where they are today. Several of the women are still living in Lexington continuing to work on social justice issues. It was empowering to see how individuals choosing to make a stand could make a difference in the community and it was especially inspiring to see that these women weren't giving up or throwing in the towel but continued to serve as movers and shakers in Lexington. We were then served potluck dinner from a variety of local restaurants. There were also art exhibits, theatre performances, and music venues at various restaurants and galleries throughout the city for anyone who chose not to come to the movie.
Day 2: Friday, March 25th. This day included more incredibly valuable panel discussions and small group sessions. The highlight of this day, however, was the lecture by Candace Bushnell on her life. Sex and the City is a topic sure to engender much discussion among women these days. Some were enthralled by the inclusion of this celebrity author since they find her forthright humor, her lifestyle, and business acumen enviable. Others at the conference, however, interested in hearing her speak, seemed to have problems with some of the things she said. The conference on Thursday versus Friday felt about a 180 degree turn. Thursday was all about passion, authenticity, and finding your voice. Much of Friday was about the current realities of the publishing industry, writers as a "brand", and writing as a business rather than for fulfillment. Candace did say that writing is a passion for her; she couldn't help herself. She tries to write ten pages a day and she works on finding the truth. However, she believes the writer's job is to sell books: it's not personal, it's a business, just as a journalist's job is to sell newspapers. She also spoke about deadlines, finding your audience, that a topic is a way to explore human nature, and that a writer should be willing to push the envelope and show human beings the way they really are. She actually prefers reading classic fiction! An intimate aphrodisiac dinner that evening at the nearby Holly Hill Inn with Bushnell in attendance flitting from table to table engaging all in conversation and signing books with many references to Mr. Big (a prominent Sex in the City character) was a real hoot!
Day 3: Saturday, March 26th. This day consisted of more small group sessions and panel discussions, as well as the chance to see another of Christine Fugate's short films. Grief Becomes Me is a film consisting of four of Donna Hilbert's poems with Donna herself reading the poems and setting a mood and place for the film, along with background sound and music - almost like a music video but for poetry - the first of a new medium. It was quite exciting to see. Christine asked for criticism and suggestions since she hopes to create more of these poetry videos. She asked the audience for further ideas on both creating the pieces as well as possible marketing ideas.
There were fiction and poetry readings during lunch and after at the Carnegie Center in Lexington. Local Lexington authors got to strut their stuff. Later this day there were to be more readings and closing ceremonies as well as music, art and theatre venues to choose from during the evening. Since it was the night before Easter, however, I did head home after lunch - inspired and happy and looking forward to spreading the word on this wonderful conference. Any female writers looking for inspiration, motivation, and help with their writing should look into attending next year's conference. Although there are mostly Kentuckians at this conference, there were a few of us from elsewhere in the country. I believe that is mostly due to the word not getting out since these three days were relatively inexpensive as far as conferences go, and most rewarding!
Go to the website to learn about this year's full schedule of activities and sign up to be on the mailing list for next year's conference!
