My first conference. I sent my illustrations ahead, and packed my bag: a healthy infant ms, a First Page, a lunchbox and toothbrush. The most valuable thing I brought was humility.
I read my baby aloud, popped out questions, and kept my ears tuned to all stations: criticism and comments from editors, agents, authors and comrades. Because all opinions are ‘just one person’s opinion’.
That’s also how I reeled in a remark from author Chris Crutcher‘s opening keynote: truth floats. I was lucky to experience some of my own truth surface with agent Karen Grencik. I signed up for her post-conference session (or voice excavation!) because I went for it all, almost. Who knows when I’ll get to another conference. And truth floats, all right! The surprise was in learning all I needed to find mine was to trust in Karen’s evocative questionnaire – and unzip! The tissue box was passed around as we revealed our answers and shared our connections. She finally prompted us to create a poem, in 10 minutes, with: “I come from…”
Here is the raw and unpolished version of what I spilled:
I come from underneath the leaves,
golden, red and brown.
Lying still and layered
upon the sacred ground.
I come from the linear space,
between two walls of brick.
Muffled inside the layers,
silent, dark and thick.
I come from blossom’s bowel,
intoxicated with scent.
Quiet, still and waiting,
tucked in tight and bent.
We shared, and applauded our courage. Then it was all over, and time to head home. I drove north in a daze, drunk with all I had consumed. Tears waxed and waned with passing exit signs. Relief found me a good hour later, parked in front of my house, and not at Canada’s border.
Still digesting. More to follow…
Wow, what a profound and moving post — that poem is wonderful! I’m so glad this conference was a time of learning and growth for you. Isn’t it a gift to be able to be with other creative people? Thank you for sharing, Julie!
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Hanging with kindred spirits is like coming home! So grateful we could – and we had some gooood laughs!
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Congrats on your first confrence. What a wonderful post. Your poem was so beautiful. I’m looking forward to reading more about your experience.
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Me too, it will just take a while (parents flying in tomorrow!).
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p.s. Your new blog header looks fantastic
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Thanks Jen!
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It takes a lot of courage to listen to feedback especially at a conference. The poem is wonderful.
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Sometimes I wish they had been a little rougher. With just a few minutes offered I prefer they leave out the buns and go right for the meat!
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You just continue to evolve and inspire! Good job, Julie.
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Thanks Meg. Got that blog going yet? I’d like some insight on the life of a sub!
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This is a deep poem – ten minutes, wow! Looking forward to your more… I really appreciate Karen Grencik, I am glad you had an opportunity to hear her. Humility was your secret weapon!
Did you feel comfortable in what you wore?
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Forgot to mention my ‘wardrobe’! Casual, but nicer than just a T w/jeans. Sweater was very necessary – some rooms were freezing!
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Thanks Joanna. Karen Grencik is amazing – generous, gentle and sincere!
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That’s very moving, Julie. I can’t wait to see what transpires for you next *hugs*
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Still kinda dizzy! Thanks Catherine.
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Tantalizing – I want to know more about that evocative questionnaire!
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Don’t believe I am at liberty to say. Simple but deep questions one needs time to ponder. It was the second time she had done the session, and even Karen was a bit nervous, but ready to catch the falls. Lovely woman!
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🙂
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It sounds like a powerful conference, Julie!
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‘Twas for me!
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This is beautiful.
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Thank you, beautiful woman.
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Beautiful poem, Julie. Glad to hear the conference was even more than you thought it would be!
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Pleasantly surprised is what I would have answered if I were not so energetic!
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ah! but i sense a stirring, coming from a very deep space, fresh wind that will whir the leaves and create something …wondrous …I can’t wait to see/read/experience more of what this conference gave birth to….that was already there of course.
So good to read your account and poem and be glad for you.
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Your poem is exceptional!
Soooo nice to meet you 🙂
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Thanks for the encouragement Penny – I need take the time to learn more about poetry! And let me say, now that I’ve had the pleasure, your pictures do not do you justice – you are so beautiful!
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Julie, I am so glad you had such a positive experience at your first conference. There is so much depth to you poem. Can’t believe you wrote it in 10 minutes. It’s beautiful!
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Thanks Pat. I am sure the reach came from being ‘broken open’ by Karen Grencik. What I’d like to know is where it came from!
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Very nice poem, Julie. I went to my first conference in 2011 and found it so affirming of everything I’ve been spending my time on. It’s nice that you had such a great experience.
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Thanks -I like the way you’ve put that, Carrie. I need to digest further to realize all the effects! One of the best sessions for me was First Pages. More on that later!
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Beautiful poem! I’m glad you were able to attend this conference!
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Thanks Tina, it was well worth it to go, something you just can’t know beforehand!
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Congrats on the conference! I like your poem! 🙂
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Thanks Erik, I will say the poem scares me a little though. I don’t write poetry – always found it difficult to understand the ‘rules’. But this exercise certainly got me interested in learning more!
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Wow, what a lovely poem! I am really kind of scared of poetry, too. Glad to hear that Karen was such an inspiration to you. She is my agent and I feel so blessed to have her support and partnership along the publishing road.
And you should definitely keep writing poetry!
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Thank you Amy. Glad to hear you have such a wonderful human being for an agent!
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I got chills reading this post Julie. It was so amazing to meet you, and now I love you even more. I can’t believe you don’t write poetry, as that poem is stunning, and moving, and gorgeous!
I’m still digesting too, but I know it was the best conference I’ve attended so far.
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Your comment means a lot to me, Julie. I feel even more lucky having met you and laughed with you, to be part of this wonderful community you have brought together. I hope to see more of you before it’s time for the next conference!
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Lovely poem- that really comes speaks to the heart. It sounds like an amazing conference!
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I have nothing to compare it to, but I’ll take Julie Hedlund’s word for it! Thanks Laura.
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I LOVE your poem, Julie! Really beautiful! Sounds like you made the most of the conference!
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Thank you Susanna. With my parents visiting I haven’t had the time to reflect yet, but I think I ‘squeezed’ it good!
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I’m so happy you had such a great conference experience, Julie. You got so much out of it because you put so much into it– BRAVO!
And your poem is beautiful.
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Thanks Dana – sometimes it’s hard to acknowledge your own effort!
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I love your poem! So clearly moving. 🙂
And congrats on your conference. Write it all down while you still remember and then sort it out later.
Love,
Clarbojahn.
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Thanks Clar – hope the speed notes are legible; haven’t had a chance to go over them yet!
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