Here’s the truth: Every time I sit down at my computer to write, I’m a little bit afraid. Afraid that the words won’t come like I want them to. Afraid that the mysterious yawning emptiness of the story will swallow me whole. Afraid that I’m kidding myself, that this story (essay, poem) is a waste of time, that I might have written some stuff in the past that I’m proud of but today probably marks the beginning of the end, afraid that even if I DO write something I’m proud of, that it might shock/disappoint/befuddle people I know and care about. Or people I don’t really know or care about but still, inexplicably, worry over how they feel about me. And, also, I’m afraid of the work. Because make no mistake: writing is work. And what if I do all this work and it ends up going nowhere?
Then, on good days, I tell myself to chill, take a deep breath, shut down Microsoft Internet Explorer, open up Microsoft Word, and start typing.
While writing has been rewarding for me in so many ways, sometimes I think writing’s most tangible benefit has been the lessons I’ve learned about facing fear and insecurity, about pushing through doubt and coming out the other side—not necessarily unscathed (oh, I’ve been scathed!), but better. Stronger. More myself. The truth is, writing is scary for all of us. Well, maybe not all of us. Maybe Marilynne Robinson wakes up in the morning, yawns, stretches her arms high above her head, and thinks: Goodness! Wonder what species of genius will spill onto the page today? But for 99% of us? Writing is scary, writing is hard, and being a writer (or “a person who writes,” if the term “writer” is too intimidating, which it has been for me in the past) is a decision you have to make and re-make every single day.
So, if the reason you’re not coming to the Segullah Writing Retreat is because you’re scared? Sorry, my friend. Not a good reason. Because if everybody who was afraid didn’t come to the retreat, then nobody would come. Not even the presenters.
And if the reason you’re not coming to the Segullah Writing Retreat is because you don’t really know anybody and you’re not sure if you’ll fit in? I can tell you right now: You’ll fit in! The Segullah women I know are some of the kindest, warmest, most welcoming women on the planet. More than anything, we want this retreat to be a safe, inclusive experience for everyone who attends. This retreat is NOT a “Segullah-Regulars-Only” kind of deal. And it’s not a “Super-Genius-Writer-Snob” kind of a deal either. (Because who wants to hang out with Super-Genius-Writer-Snobs? I certainly don’t. They’re tedious.) We want anybody and everybody who is interested in writing and making new friends to come join us: women and men; published writers and bloggers and dabblers; even non-writers who enjoy the Segullah community and would like to try something new. You’re all welcome.
And if the reason you’re not coming to the Segullah Writing Retreat is because you can’t travel to Utah or you’re going to your family reunion in Nebraska or your mother-in-law is staying with you that weekend? Well, that’s just a bum deal, and hopefully we’ll catch you next time.
But if you have no serious impediments to attendance other than nervousness and apprehension, then there’s no excuse! And there are lots of options at the retreat. You can come to the main event, from 8-5, and learn a lot about the craft of writing, generate some of your own new material, and enjoy both breakfast and lunch. You can pop in for our dinner social from 5:30-6:45 to hang out and chat. You can sign up for our evening studio night from 7-9, where you can have one-one-one time with one of Segullah’s editors OR spend the evening painting with Segullah’s own amazing artist, Leslie Graff. (We’ve added more information about the Studio Night, so please take a look.) Or you can hang with us for the whole shebang! Which is the option I recommend.
It’s bound to be a wonderful day, and I guarantee you’ll be glad you came. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Don’t waste life in doubts and fears. . . . All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”
Come experiment with us!
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