Writing geek

I am a writing geek. But I love it. I'm a the Nationals Writers Workshop in Portland this weekend and I am just so inspired. I'm taking these great workshops with award winning writers and just am in awe. Our keynote speaker this morning was Jim Amoss, Editor of the Times-Picayuane in New Orleans. He talked about his experience, and his staff's experience of reporting in the days after Hurricane Katrina. The slides he presented, the stories he told of how his staff kissed their families good-bye and then they stayed behind. How they had to flee their office on newspaper delivery trucks with only what they could fit on their laps. He spoke of how reporters came upon a Wal-mart to get food and water, only to see cops and others looting. With no one to take their money, the reporters then became part of the story if they took food and water. So they left empty handed. I can't imagine how hard it would be to put down the bottle of water after 36 hours of surviving a storm to go back and do the story and not become the story. I don't know if I could have done that for a 99 cent bottle of water. I've met a writer and educator whom I admire greatly, Chip Scanlan. I tried to remain cool and calm as he autographed a book for me but I don't think I succeeded. I feel inspired and ready to get one of my 30 by 30 goals off the computer and into reality - start writing my book. Wish me luck!