It was 17 years ago, and I still remember it. Don Coldsmith (incredible western writer) did a talk at our local small town library, and I was one of the only kids there with an interest. (I say kid, I was about to start high school.) The fact that I got to speak with him afterwards not only made my day, but changed the course of my life. He gave me his card and told me about a writing workshop he ran every summer. I’d already missed the one for that year, but come June of 2001 I was there, front and center, and the only attendee under the age of 45.
I met Charlotte Hinger that year, who not only read the first ten pages of my manuscript but took home the whole thing to read and encouraged me to keep going. Then there’s Max McCoy, Jim Hoy, the Yoho’s (sadly, Max passed away recently), Patsy Terrell (who passed away last week) and so many other names I could spend an hour writing them all down. And that’s just the panel list. I can’t begin to list off the multitude of fellow writers who attended, many of whom became published over the years.
The workshop was very different from the other writing convention I’ve attended (the Ozark Writing Conference). Tallgrass was small and personal, and regularly cited as a favorite for regular attendees (both on and off the panel). It was two days of information and encouragement. It was a mutual celebration for successes, and group cheerleading for everyone else.
This June would have been my 16th year of attending. Over half my life and half the life of the workshop.
Unfortunately, times change. Budgets are cut. Key members pass away. This year, when I received my annual letter for the workshop, it wasn’t a sign-up. After over 30 years of encouraging people to write, then write again, then write some more, the workshop itself had come to its final page.
I spent the last 15 years dreaming of becoming a published author, just so I could sit on the panel myself someday. Having the workshop canceled has made this goal a lot more difficult, but I’ve decided not impossible (because I’m crazy like that). Original plan was to get published, be on panel. Now it’s get published, become super rich, restart the workshop and be on panel.
Because who doesn’t like a good sequel.
Have fun!
