by Linda M. Au
Since my first year at St. Davids back in 2003, I haven’t wanted to miss it. So I make sure to attend every single June. And even though I’m a hopeless introvert, one of the reasons I don’t want to miss it is the people. I count St. Davids folks among my closest friends, and I’ve made the kind of lasting friendships there that every person should be blessed to have.
But there have been two years recently where I was hip-deep in a book project and really didn’t want to lose my momentum attending a writing conference—even one as special to me as St. Davids. Ironic in a way, but true. St. Davids is a beautiful, glorious interruption in my weekly/monthly routines, and if I’m plunging headlong toward the finish line of a novel, even that glorious week could feel frustrating.
During both of those years I opted for the Writers Colony instead of the full conference. It’s built precisely for writers who can’t spare a week away from a specific project in June, but who still want the camaraderie and inspiration that come with attending St. Davids. I highly recommend this option for anyone on the fence about attending due to a deadline.
If you’re a part of the Writers Colony, you’ll spend your daytime writing … working on that book or those articles or poems. When other conferees are in workshops and classes, you’ll be honoring that deadline. You can work in your room (as I usually did) or perhaps in the lounge in HAL or even outside on a bench or outdoor table near the student union (if the weather cooperates). You’ll join your fellow conferees for meals, and you’ll also come to all the evening plenary sessions. So, you won’t miss the evening keynote speaker, or the Great St. Davids Auction, or the campfire social, or, of course, the banquet and awards presentation. If you wish, you can also attend the fun and lively “Good Morning, St. Davids!” each morning. (It’s how we spruce up the announcements and it’s become its own hilarious start to the day.)
If you’d like to enjoy the social benefits of St. Davids (and we’re pretty good at the social stuff!) but can’t take time away from your writing for workshops and classes, consider the Writers Colony option. It worked for me both times I tried it. In fact, the book I worked on during my most recent Writers Colony stint is coming out on Amazon this month. (Apologies for the shameless plug.)
I hope to see you at the conference this year, even if it might only be at meals and in the evenings. Either way you choose to attend, St. Davids is a week you’ll treasure the rest of the year.
Linda M. Au
www.lindaau.com