PR & PMS

Over the weekend I co-chaired a conference in Nashville. It was such a success that it frightens and bewilders me that I had any part of it. Ann Patchett was the keynote speaker—big coup. She barely ever speaks and she did it for us for free since her friend is my close friend and co-chair, Gloria.

Then we had Tony Earley, another person who rarely does speaking engagements. David Daniel flew down from Boston. He is the poetry editor for Ploughshares. Bob Bradley (rock on mother f---er), Helen Hemphill, Joyce Dyer and Ray Waddle. It was crazy good.

So why do I find myself organizing these things? Readings for friends, get-togethers for writers, etc. I asked my friend Darnell yesterday, “When am I going to get it that this is what I like to do?”

So then I checked my horoscope on iwon.com today.

You will see some big bright signs that will prove to you that you are on to something -- keep following your instincts and keep going in the direction that feels right. There is a role that you never thought would fit that you're starting to get comfortable in -- just goes to show you that life always has surprises that help keep you on you toes. Community involvement could give you a bigger sense of purpose, so consider moving into a volunteer situation.

Hmmmm.
I am an unorganized mess, but if I have someone to help with that part, my strength is passion and making people feel included. I think.

Tonight I’m going to see my good friend, Darnell Arnoult read. Her poetry book came out this year and now she has a novel. The novel is flying off the shelves. It sells at Costco, she is #8,000 on amazon.com and will be in People magazine. She lives in a trailer now, so all this success is deserving.

I notice that many writers are jealous of others’ successes. I don’t have much of that, though I admit I have a bit. But I wonder if this again points me in the direction of helping promote writing as well as doing the writing. I don’t have anything against giving someone a leg up.

I am headed to Bennington in 2 days. There I will feel the opposite as I do here. There people will be picking apart other people’s writing, posturing and making fools of themselves. I have been one of those in the past, but have found that it is too exhausting. Let people write what they want, let style and experience work itself out. I have no interest in the creation of other people’s work, only in the advancement of it once the work is done.

I must admit, for all its lack of culture, I like it here---where a pat on the back is sincere, not just a restrained slap.