What's It Like?

Yesterday I went to a writing workshop/panel discussion on the values and merits of being a writer. There were three panelists there: Diane Wellman, Jonathan Joy and Jeff Hanson. I'm pretty sure the turn-out was less than anticipated and actually frustrated some that were there, but all the same I treated the experience as if they were there for the sole purpose of informing me about writing. Wellman was interesting in her discussion of the fact that she "writes fiction for fun and non-fiction for a living." Her fun seems to be primarily playwriting, while her living is writing for a Prevention Resource Center.

Jonathan Joy followed with a discussion about the angst of being a playwright, actor and producer, and not getting the notoriety that one is seeking. He has done well for himself as can be seen here. It was enlightening to hear him equate character building for writing to being an actor, as you have to essentially be the character you are reading for, and become the character you are writing about.

Jeff Hanson was the final panelist and his presentation of himself was a bit more glamorous than the others. He is an Entertainment writer for People Magazine. His close friendship with Jennifer Garner and her family is the "in" that he had in becoming a writer for People. He was also embedded in the turmoil and grief of the Sago, WV mine disaster. His advice was as straight-forward as one would expect. Keep submitting, keep aggravating local papers, get your foot in the door in any way possible and keep working hard. He warned against giving in to vice once you are "through the door." As it is easy to loose track of yourself when surrounded with everything that there is to offer in the entertainment industry.

After the presentation I spoke with Jonathan Joy at pretty good length about journaling and using a journal as inspriation for fiction writing. He says that he has so much stuff down on paper and nowhere to print it. It is at this point in the conversation that I realize we both have the same problem. All this stuff in our heads and no one to read it. So I begin telling him about blogging and the outlet that it can be. He seemed genuinely interested and I further iinvited him to join Blogger and set himself up and just start publishing his stuff here. Hopefully he takes my advice and we can all get to read his stuff. When and if he emails me with the details of his new blog I will be sure to point everyone to it. He's a genuinely likeable guy and hey, it never hurts to network a little.

It really is a shame that there weren't more people at the presentation, as I am sure that a larger crowd would have motivated the panelists to put more on the table.