Five Things I Learned at Clarion West: Part 3

Go to the Parties.

Despite the heavy emphasis on honing your writing craft at Clarion West, there are many opportunities to get up from your desk, shake off the dust, and mingle with folks who are into all the same things you are. It’s unlikely you will ever have an experience quite like CW again in your life–rarely will so many writers and other interesting people be within easy conversation distance. I’m not just talking about the organized social activities, either. Five minute trips to the bathroom can easily become three hour discussions on narrative structure, point of view,  or which Doctor is best (scarves, baggy suits, or bow ties?).

Clarion West has a weekly routine of book signings, meals, and especially Friday night parties. These are usually held in the homes of local supporters* of the workshop and draw people from all over: former Clarion West and Clarion grads, past instructors, established authors, often cool and interesting people who don’t write at all but who are friends of the community. There will be the temptation to skip some of these parties, with that story deadline hammering in your head. You’ll be bone-tired (especially by Week Five) and perhaps feel unable to stand unaided for any length of time without assistance.

You’ll only have so much energy, and maybe sometimes it’s better to stay in and go to bed early. Only you can be the judge of that, but…consider going at least for a little while. You never know what conversations you might have or the friends you might make.

Speaking of friends, your classmates will probably be some of the best friends you ever make. I know that’s true in my case. Enjoy your summer vacation with these folks. Odds are pretty good that you’ll be cheering each other on for the rest of your lives.

Everyone’s different, of course. I’m sometimes painfully shy and introverted. Meeting new people can be hard, even intimidating. (especially if they’re an author you’ve always liked!) Some parties, I just stuck safely in the corner with my Clarion buds, basking in the glow of new friendships and free beer.

Everyone comes to an experience like Clarion West with their own priorities, and you are there to learn how to be a better writer. But I think one of the paths to this goal is connecting to the community of other writers and building that network of friendship and mutual support.

After the workshop ends, there will always be more events. Readings. Crit groups. Seminars. Dinners. Conventions. Hopefully you’ll get to see a lot of your old friends at the cons. Make new ones. Look for the opportunities to say “hi” to that dude looking through the stack of free books. The wait for the elevator in the hotel might be long. Why not strike up a conversation with the other folks waiting?

The act of writing is by necessity a lonely business, but being a writer doesn’t have to be.

*These kind souls must be thanked profusely for their generous hospitality!