The highlight of the June ’08 SBWC for me was Wednesday night’s award presentation to Sue Grafton. First I liked that it wasn’t just Sue standing up and giving us a talk. The format of having the guest speaker sit with somebody and chat seemed to engage the audience. I hope they use this “in conversation with” format more in the future.

Second I liked what Sue said at the end of the program about how a writer isn’t a real writer until they realize not everything they write is good. It’s true. Being a writer is like being an Alcoholic. An alcoholic can’t start on the road to recovery until they admit to having a drinking problem. But once they begin getting help and work on staying sober, they get healthier and healthier. Once a writer admits they need help and attends a workshop, writers conference, or the SBWC Café, their writing will get better and better.

Like working the 12 steps, getting your writing critiqued regularly can lead to serenity. It’s hard being a writer. We have our own 12 steps to learn.

1. Write, write, write
2. Hook your reader
3. Show don’t tell
4. Keep it simple
5. Kill your darlings
6. Build the story up with tension and unanswered questions
7. No reader-feeder
8. Use appropriate grammar and spelling
9. Get critiqued
10. Read work by other writers
11. Give your readers a satisfying ending
12. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite

They work, if you work them! We may not be recovering, but we are rewriting.

Sue didn’t allow her presentation to be recorded, so here’s a clip of the tribute to her at the SBWC talent show that also took place that night.

Find more videos like this on The Santa Barbara Writers Conference
P.S.: My suggestion: U is for Underground.