Connections
The idea of the solitary writer is a bit of a myth. Great writing takes a great team. Here are a few of the organizations, mentors, and editors who shape my writing experience.
Writer’s League of Texas
The Texas Writer’s League offers invaluable classes and conferences that help me hone my craft. I’ve gone to seminars, taken online classes, and I’m currently working through their year-long agent-to-writer program.
Vermont College of Fine Arts
In my two years working on my MFA in creative writing, I studied the details of the art and craft of creative nonfiction — with brief forays into poetry, fiction, and mixed word and visual media. But more importantly, I made connections with an incredible community of faculty and alumni.
Austin Public Library
Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the library. I would devour books so rapidly, it was almost impossible to keep me supplied with them.
While my reading speed has diminished, my love of the library has not. I highly value the Austin Public Library’s programming from storytelling to summer camps. And I regularly use the library as a work and inspiration space. Who wouldn’t want to work in the face of a Hogwart’s-like staircase or roof garden?
Austin Community College
When I decided it was time to explore writing in my own voice, rather than a corporate or marketing voice, I decided to take a class from ACC’s creative writing department. Then I took another, and another, and another, eventually deciding to get my MFA.
In those classes, I learned a whole new language to talk about writing. I learned words to describe things I did instinctively and things I hadn’t thought to include. Plus, I found an incredible student community. My peers ranged in age from recent high school graduates to those whose grandchildren were graduating from college. The professors infallibly encouraged students to support each other in class and beyond.
