Iowa Summer Writing Festival

Damn iPod deleted my post! And it was a good one! Arg.

Anyway, let's see if I can recreate my thought...


As I lay here typing with my left thumb, I am realizing that perhaps this writing thing is more than just a thing; a something, maybe even a need.

I feel that by not being detered to type with only my thumb on this magnificent yet tiny keyboard, I may just have realized that which has been so obvious.

Living in Iowa City, I have been aware of the Iowa Writer's Workshop and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival since junior high.

It has almost a mystical air about it when the locals speak of it; the best of the best come to our village to create art. Well, maybe that is more the way I percieve the Workshop and Festival, but it is truly highly regarded amongst the locals!

For the last decade I have looked over the Summer workshops, wondering if there was something I would be worthy of attending; nay, participating. I think of meeting so many different people, intelligent people. I wonder about the stories to be told, the sharing of techniques and methods, the laughter, the tears; the atmosphere generated by the collective desire to be creative.

This year is no different.

I have the site bookmarked for this year's workshops. They are so many good ones, I think I would find it hard to decide if I were to attend.

But I think this is the year; this is the year I step WAY outside my comfort zone. I want to attend at least one workshop.

And as I begin to believe I can really do it, take that step, it begins: doubt.

Am I really ready?
Am I good enough?
Would I be wasting my money?
My time?
Other's time?
Would they laugh at me for being there?
Or pity me?
What makes me think I really belong/deserve/am skilled enough to attend?
Who do you think you are, fool?!
Etc...
Etc...

But not this year. This year is going to be different.

I can no longer accept my answers to those irrational questions based purely on my assumptions. I have to go and see it, hear it, feel it from others if I belong; if I can consider myself a writer or not.

As the Buddhist teaching says:
"Nothing is good or bad; only your perception of it." And that is how I will approach the workshop, to see it for what it is, not what I think it is.

I look forward to the experience.

And perhaps some answers, too.