Energized, Connected, and Grateful

A bit quiet on the blog front this month as I needed to prep two presentations for the Manor Mill Writers Retreat. I meant to blog a bit after the event, but I needed a bit of downtime. I also ended the day feeling energized to work on my creative writing, which I did, and I set aside some time to beta read and provide feedback on a novel from one of the writers in my network. So that was my November.

The retreat was fantastic - excellent planning and attention to detail, lovely hosts, a great lineup of interesting and informative speakers, and most importantly, high quality snacks.

I took exactly two photos.

In fairness, I did speak on two panels in the afternoon. I have a healthy ego, but taking selfies during a presentation would have been a bit much even for me.

I was not expecting great attendance at either panel, and was a bit taken aback at the turnout for the Substack for Writers presentation. The room (seen in part above) was nearly full and attendees were engaged, asking questions straight out of the gate. I hope to see some of them online building their communities. Attendance for the discussion on how writers are using AI was a bit smaller, but still healthy. We had a good conversation about how we use AI - intentionally or unknowingly - and the ethical and creative quandaries that should be considered when engaging in generative AI.

I dread public speaking, but left the retreat feeling energized, connected, and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to share information. It’s gratifying to feel I have something to contribute. I’m looking forward to both participating and volunteering next year.

I’ll conclude here with a funny story that can now be told.

I have mentioned previously that I do not enjoy sitting for photographs. Even in elementary school photos, I smiled through clenched lips, flinching as though the click of the camera shutter would be accompanied by a hard knucklepunch on my upper arm. I have also noticed this tendency in photos of my siblings and the younger generation of my family. We’re happily ignorant until about 2nd grade and then photographs capture the moment reality starts to sink in. I haven’t gotten any more comfortable as an adult. When someone pulls out a camera, I tense up. My posture stiffens. I get a pinched look on my face. I do have a few photos of myself that I don’t hate and in every one of them, I’d been drinking. If you want me to act naturally, you need to provide alcohol.

This is why I commissioned artist friends to create portraits for my website and Substack. I don’t have to look at my actual face, but the images look enough like me that you’d probably recognize me if you see me in person. When the retreat organizers asked for a photo for the event website, I pointed them to my favorite of the drawings.

They weren’t thrilled with the idea - presumably because the drawing wouldn’t match the other writers’ headshots (If you’ve ever seen photos of Serious Authors, you know the type of glamour shot I mean. I would rather die.). They asked instead if I could provide a photo. Now, I’m an agreeable sort, so I dutifully sent a professional photo, taken at work a few years ago. I’m not a fan of the photos that came from that shoot, but I had cleaned up real nice and wore a tie and everything. These weren’t simple employee badge photos but actual studio-quality professional headshots for our website, and they were recent enough that I looked basically how I look. I had even smiled. Mission accomplished.

And they used the illustration instead.

I tried to warn them.

A Parting Song
A solid R&B bop straight from the 70s, reminiscent of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love.” At 21, Sekou’s sound is older than he is. Watch below or listen on Spotify.