Sunset along the Grand Mesa, Colorado
Several weeks ago, an advertisement for a writing conference kept popping up on my social media feed. I sat with the idea for a few days and decided, Why not? Why not step outside my comfort zone and see what kind of reception my writing received? So, I signed up; then dusted off my printer, logged into my printing app, and whipped up a couple of sheets of contact cards.
First Reader and I got our rolling apartment (pop-up camper/trailer) ready to go, and headed for parts west. That’s where I spent the weekend—on the Western Slope of Colorado, attending the First Annual Grand Mesa Writers Symposium in Cedaredge, Colorado. The Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center hosted the event.
I didn’t know any of the featured or contributing authors, but I learned SO MUCH from writers outside my wheelhouse that I can’t wait to read their books. Needless to say, I’m still processing what I learned over the weekend. I attended the Friday evening ‘meet and greet’ and tasted a bit wine from a local winery. That evening, I noticed that most other attendees seemed to know each other, which made me a little awkward at first. Remember all those business cards I printed? I started handing out (and collecting) cards on Friday. By lunchtime on Saturday, my discomfort had fallen away. I shared my last card on Sunday morning.
Events included workshops on three different “tracks” hosted by best-selling authors in those categories—fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. I arrived with the goal of learning how to wrap up my work in progress. That journey, of course, included chats with several published authors. I received valuable feedback on creating relatable characters, writing tighter prose, and using scriptwriting concepts to bring stories to life. I even got great input about my book. Although I’m sure anyone that I talked to about it will tell me I need to work on my elevator pitch. (Spoiler alert, yes I do *wink*)
Sweitzer Lake State Park, outside of Delta, Colorado
We stayed on the Western Slope for a few days after the conference to fish on the Grand Mesa. I got my line wet, tangled in the reel (twice), and lost my bait (multiple times). The most notable part of the day was when I slipped on the slimy rock trying to recover my rigging. The bruise is turning very interesting colors. *shrug* No, we didn’t catch anything but snags the days we spent fishing. The Grand Mesa has more than 300 lakes pocking the 500-sq mile plateau, so I’m sure we would have found fish somewhere. But, as my friend said when I mentioned our fishing failure, “so many lakes, so little time.”
Fishing on Grand Mesa
Western Colorado is on fire this summer. Just like the Front Range in past years, the Western Slope is experiencing the effects of severe to extreme drought. The hot, dry conditions exacerbate the already parched soil and air, making the landscape a tinderbox. A single spark from a metal safety chain on pavement can cause an unimaginable conflagration.
The highlight of the weekend was the Zoppé Italian Family Circus on its last day in Delta, Colorado. While most Americans think of a “circus” as a “three-ring” spectacle of lions and tigers and bears (Oh My!), this show took place in a single big-top tent, with a large center ring. We saw acrobats, a contortionist, trained dogs, an aerialist, and horse acrobats. At one point, the entertainers had me laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Should the Zoppé Italian Family Circus ever roll into your town, I highly recommend going to see the show.
The Zoppé Italian Family Circus big top tent.
Would I sign up for the Second Annual Grand Mesa Writers Symposium? Why, yes. Yes, I would.
List of Resources
Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center
J.J. Shaun 