WORDFEST.org

Saturday, March 23, 2019 -- a day spent with writers, bloggers, authors, playwrights, educational specialists -- in essence, a day to grow and learn as a writer.

Like most conferences, there were seminars designed to encourage growth of basic skills to the next level, those for writers who've been around the proverbial publishing block, ones to maximizing online presence and even specialty sessions for groups wanting to grow their membership.

Visual demographics leaned heavily toward the female gender, but there was a great blend of young and old. Writing isn't for the faint of heart and the smart-minded encourage their common writing sense and find like-minded folks. Writing is for the tenacious . For those who can stand the solitude. For those who are willing to toil.

I read so many blogs of young women -- and for those reading this, almost all of you will be younger -- who feel a calling, an undeniable urge and a thirst to write and more to share.

in my typical Texas fashion, I tip my hat -- that's a Stetson, of course -- to you all.

Writing is a bit like bull-riding. Hang on, I haven't baked my brain in Texas sun. The 8-second goal is always on the bull-rider's mind. That buzzer + being on the back of the bull = SUCCESS.

But ladies and gents, if you believe that it's all about . . . or . . . ONLY about those 8 seconds, then you're not thinking it through. Bull-riders are tremendous athelets who put in hours of grueling training, weeks on the circuit, bruises (in places that we won't mention) even broken bones. IT's hard work. Now, you're getting it. Just like writing is hard work. I will be the first to admit that I have NEVER broken a bone writing so the bull-riders still win in that event.

So, my good Texas advice is this to all you youngsters -- and remember, you're all younger than I am . . . if you're serious about your writing: Find a group, a seminar, a critique partner and invest the time and effort to learn your craft and HONE your craft.

Happy writing to you.