On Conferences and Ideas

I just got back from the best writing conference I've ever attended -- the Calvin Conference on Faith and Writing. It took place at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, and featured bestselling authors such as Haven Kimmel, Kathleen Norris, Yann Martel, Phyllis Tickle, Rob Bell, Francine Rivers, and T. Davis Bunn. Pulitzer Prize winners Michael Chabon and Edward P. Jones spoke, as did Pulitzer nominee Robert Finch, and National Book Award winner Katherine Paterson. And (probably due to a clerical error) me.

There were fascinating presentations, all done by smart people with really big titles. Mary Louise Bringle spoke on "From Despair to Healing: Theological Insights from Fiction," and others did things like "Graphalogia" and "Writing as Catechesis" and "How I Learned to Draw God." Meanwhile, I did my usual "the right way to sharpen a pencil." I also gave people tips on saving money by using toilet paper instead of kleenex. In case there were charismatics in the audience, I pretended to speak in tongues and heal somebody.

Anyway, they do this every other year at Calvin. One of the reasons I like it so much is because of the quality of writer they get. Haven Kimmel is one of my heroes, so the fact that we got a chance to sit down and yack was special. (Her most recent book, She Got Up Off the Couch, is about her mother, who rose from poor roots to become an English professor. So when I got to sit and have a conversation with her mom, I was thrilled. And charmed.) Davis Bunn proved once again to be the nicest Southern Gentleman still living. Phyllis Tickle is always nice to me, though I have no idea why. So is the poet Luci Shaw, even though I'm never smart enough to figure out what she's saying. Being able to chat up very smart people is always nice, though they generally just stand there and wonder how I wrangled an invitation. This year I took my wife's advice and wore a clean shirt.

Being able to listen to great writers is a gift. I got to go to dinner with three novelists I admire -- Lisa Samson (whose novel Quaker Summer was just named novel of the year by Christianity Today), Claudia Mair Burney (an up-and-coming Simon & Schuster writer), and Mark Bertrand (who just signed a multi-book deal with Bethany House). Now that was fun. They seem to speak naturally using great images. Someday, when I'm old, I'd like to be as smart as them. 

Many of the writers' conferences may not be able to afford to bring in quite so many famous writers, but there are a couple things they could emulate: Have more public conversations with writers. Don't feel you've got to ask a novelist to give a workshop -- many of us would prefer the chance to just sit and listen to them talk, so ask a good interviewer to chat them up in front of an audience. Have more public readings. One of the time-tested events at writing conferences is to have an author show up and read passages from his or her novel or nonfiction book. Why so many contemporary conferences have moved away from this practice is a mystery. Ask academics to participate. There were a number of English professors at this conference, and it raises the level of discussion at a conference. I've been teaching a couple classes in the Professional Writing Program at Taylor University this year, and I've been reminded that profs love the chance to share their materials with someone besides colleagues and students. Use films and music to supplement the lectures. The Calvin conference filled their evenings with four films, three open-mike poetry gatherings, two concerts, a jazz verspers service, and a worship service led by a pastor/author. They also presented a play one afternoon. It wouldn't be too hard to schedule a variety of these types of things at a writing conference that takes place at a college or in a larger city.

Okay, I've got a bunch of publishing questions to catch up on -- which I'll do tomorrow, as soon as I've reviewed my notes from the conference so as to sound smarter than I am.

Comments

[Pam Halter]

Sounds like conference heaven!

[Randy Ingermanson]

Dang! Wish I'd gone to this conference! Sounds like it was more fun than straightening out the sock drawer or whatever it was I did this weekend.

[Ashley Weis]

My husband isn't into the publishing/writing world, but he reads your blogs for the laughs. And man does he laugh! He was practically on the floor after reading this line:

In case there were charismatics in the audience, I pretended to speak in tongues and heal somebody.

[Susy Flory]

So cool you got to hang out with Haven Kimmel! A Girl Named Zippy is one of my all time favorite books. Her tragicomic stories are gems; I still laugh every time I think about the one with the coon dogs. Think she would come out to Mount Hermon?

[J. Jones]

I am so jealous--Katherine Patterson AND Haven Kimmel? Thanks for introducing Kimmel's books to me. I have been buying Zippy for everyone I know. You KNOW she was all like, "I went to a conference with CHIP MACGREGOR! I have totally made it!"

[Julie @ Word Chicks]

Awww, Chip, don't be so modest. What you lack in smarts you make up for in wit.

Seriously - I learned more in the classes you taught at the Florida Christian Writers Conference last year than any other...because when I laugh, I remember.

[Katy McKenna]

My son invited me to go with him to the Calvin Festival six years ago. (He's so brilliant, I hesitated to be in his presence for that many days running, but I agreed anyway...). It was fantastic! It was there that I committed to writing, since the encouragement was so great it was difficult to do otherwise. I am glad you loved it!

[Bryn Jones]

I should have gone! That's my alma matre and my prof. Quentin Schultz has mentioned this a few times before.

I'll probably make it out there next time around. I'm trusting my kids will be easier to travel with then.

Bryn

[Michelle Van Loon]

This conference should be subtitled "A writers, readers and thinkers event" - because the focus isn't on "how to", but reminds us why.

How I wish I was there this year! 2010 isn't so far away, is it?

[Gina]

I so know where I'm going to be this time next year.

[Sam Pakan]

This really does sound like what I've been aching for. Thanks for making me aware of it, Chip.

[Camille]

Poor Chip - I'm getting the distinct feeling that you need a hug. It's okay, man. Just repeat after me, "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!"

Just remember, everyone appreciates a good, sharp pencil. You MATTER.

I would love to attend that conference, but if Chip suffered a flicker of inferiority complex, I'd have a scorching meltdown.

[Rob Sargeant]

Back in the late 90's I had lunch with Bruce Olson, author of Bruchko. We were meeting with him over the course of a couple of days with his publisher, regarding a screenplay adaptation of his book I had worked on. Interesting character. While in a restaurant Bruce had a hard time choosing from the menu because he was so used to eating out of the jungle. They didn't have any banana grubs listed (his usual diet). I think he finally settled on the chicken fajitas.

[Linda M Au]

Two things: First, you probably won't have to pretend to speak in tongues at a Calvin conference. (Ha!) Second, I love seeing all the books you're currently reading on the righthand side of the page. No wonder you don't update the blog often enough. :-)

[Cheryl Russell]

I was at the Calvin for the first time this year and I'm going back again. I really liked the interviews w/ the various authors. Rob Bell and Jeffrey Overstreet were two of my favorites, but I still missed authors I wanted to hear! Oh well, you can't do everything you plan to do. Drats.

I just finished Haven Kimmel's *Zippy* and was debating about getting *She Got Up Off the Couch*-now, I definitely need to get it.

I'm already looking forward to the next one. :-)

[Trisha Priebe]

Thanks for the post! I'm attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference next month. This post put my mind in gear.

And for the record, I like the fact that you talked about your "right way to sharpen a pencil" workshop and then discussed the "tips" you gave. Ha!

[Stevie Rey]

Hee hee Chip,
I find it's best to sound dumberer than ye are. That way folks is plumb astounded when ye say anything remotely smart!

I got to make it to one a these here conferences, though. Sounds like a ball!

In other news, I just had some one a my favor-right dishes- CROW! Published THB on Kindle yesterdee. It's supposed to up in 72 hours.

And we all heard bout that kindlin' first right-cheer on Chipster's blog!

Thankee buddy fer this service. Did I tell ye I'm kin to the MacGregors a Mississippi? I reckon that there's a fine name.

Hope y'all are well,
Stevie Rey
The Hillbilly Bible

[Julana]

Davis Bunn was a storyteller. He left a couple images in my mind that won't go away for awhile.

I also had a great time at the conference. One of the first people I met told me about your refusal to represent her book--and of the generosity of your email critique of her proposal.