It started as a joke.
One of my sons offered his stuffed sheep as a travelling companion when I packed for Write! Canada in 2012. I have a sheep of my own (named Acton) but he’s big enough to count as carry-on luggage.
Taking a break between flights in Montreal
Wilhelm, on the other hand, stands maybe 4 inches tall. And he’s cute as all get-out.
He came along. We had some fun on the way.
Then I decided to smuggle him into the first conference session, just so I could say he’d been there.
I listen at Write! Canada. To the faculty, to my fellow attendees, and to God. This theme showed up early: Look. Listen. Recapture wonder and curiosity.
Look at that face. Could it get more wide-eyed and wonder-filled?
Wilhelm rode in my shoulder bag all conference, peeking out as a visual aid to remind me of the lesson. Unprofessional? Maybe. Quirky? Yup. Conversation starter? Definitely.
We came home with two new books on writing. Have you read either of these? I confess I haven’t read the fantasy one yet, but my review of Unleash the Writer Within is here, and I highly recommend this book.
Cec Murphy’s book is excellent; I have it, but not the other one since I don’t write in that genre. The cover looks intriguing
Carolyn, Cec Murphey’s book is a keeper for sure. The other one looks more like a reference book, so I may never read it cover to cover, but I still hope to write more speculative fiction as well as continuing my suspense, so I’m sure I’ll be dipping into it when the time is right. Enjoy your editors’ conference!
I think it’s great you took him along! How fun for your son to know that you enjoyed his toy so much!
Thanks, Jen. Did I mention the son in question was 20 at the time? 🙂