The Party’s Over…

The Colorado Writers Collaborative, the virtual Writers Conference that took the place of Colorado Gold, the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, and the Northern Colorado Writers Conference, is over. From all reports, it was an unqualified success. I know I enjoyed watching many of the online workshops, and hearing from lots of new and different presenters on a really wide variety of topics.

I was also very honored to receive the Jasmine Award this year. I’ve blogged in the past about why I volunteer for RMFW, and how much more I receive from the group than I’ve ever given. How many great writerly people I’ve met and become friends with as an added benefit of volunteering. And now I can add how much it meant to me to get the award, when there are SO VERY MANY others who deserve it as much, or more, than me.

My greatest hope is that next year we have our normal lives back and we can again have the experience of in-person conferences and workshops. Where I can speak directly to those friends and colleagues, and make new ones over drinks in the bar, or sitting next to someone in a presentation, or in the lunch line. To be able to shake hands, hug, and otherwise be personally social, rather than socially distant. To be able to understand what someone is saying instead of getting a muffled mumble through a mask. To be able to recognize someone from more than just their eyes, and to know for sure they’re smiling at me instead of sticking their tongue out.

And of course, not worry that I’m going to make anyone sick, or catch it myself, or in any way further the growth of this disastrous disease.

Even as an introvert, I to admit I miss in-person contact. A virtual happy hour is better than nothing, but nothing is better than sitting around a table, laughing and talking, and not worrying about who you just talked over or that awkward, “You go ahead and talk.” “No, you go.” “No. Really, go ahead.”

And then there’s the meme of the “séance” Zoom meeting when half the time you’re saying, “Ted? Ted, are you there? Ted, if you’re there, give us a sign.”

But I can’t really diss 2020. Not with a Jasmine, and two book contracts that landed in my lap this year. How about all you RMFWers? Did you enjoy the virtual conference? Did it fit in with life as you know it this year? Are you as anxious as me to get back to “real” life?

Are you writing on?