Interview with Christie Michelle

When did you attend your first BWRC?
I attended my first conference in 2006.

How many have you attended?
This was the first conference I had ever attended, and I’m so glad that I did because it has truly changed my life.

What is your most memorable BWRC moment?
There were many points of the conference that provided me with enlightenment and ephipanies throughout. There were moments of clarity and moments of reflective thinking. The most important moment came at the end of the last class when I decided that I didn’t want to write a book and was pretty adament about it. I believed that the process may have been more than I could bear. I left thinking that maybe I wasn’t a novel writer and that maybe I should go back to screenwriting. I had never written a book before and I had a greater respect for those who did. The ‘ah ha’ moment came during the plane ride home where I decided that I would at least start to practice the things I had learned from Anita Bunkley. She had given me some strong tips to go back with. I realized that my story was really a part 2 and that there was a part 1 missing. That was a hard pill to swallow.

Have you networked with anyone at the conference and has that contact continued?
I met some remarkable people at the conference that have become friends and some are great contacts. I found that there are so many talented people out there and this forum gave them the opportunity to meet others who inspired them to grow, to finish their novels and to share some great ‘how to’ methods.

Did you do any writing while attending the conference?
I did not write at the conference, but I poured many emotions into what I had written trying to determine what I was going to do with this material I had.

Has the BWRC helped you to accomplish any writing goals?
I am close to publishing and hope to be done with my book in hand during the conference. It’s called “Men & Sex = Power, Pleasure & Pain” The conference allowed me to hear the struggles of the other writers and helped me know that I wasn’t alone. I was in the great company of some powerful people who needed the same push that I needed. I was able to do something I had not ever done in my life and that was to actually let people read my writing. When I arrived home, I couldn’t wait to figure out what I was going to do, but I did it! I started with a blog and posted a chapter weekly for my new friends to read and they have encouraged me through the remaining 64,000 words I have since written in my book. I know that had I not attended the conference, I would be just another writer with a dream. The conference has helped my dream turn into a reality. The love and support of the people I met has inspired me to believe in myself and my destiny. I have laughed and I have cried over the course of my novel, but I’ve gotten there and BWRC was the springboard for making my dreams come true.

If you plan to attend the 2008 BWRC, what brings you back?
The director, Tia, is the first thing that brings me back. Her love of and support for my novel has been unshakeable. Tia has helped increase my confidence in myself and my writing. For me, that is something that I’ve never had in my life from friends or family. Also, the other friends that I have met that continue to encourage me along the way.

What would you say about BWRC to influence someone who’s thinking about attending?
If you don’t attend, you’ll miss out on the moment in time that will inspire you to be greater than you already are. There are plenty of conferences out there with things that you can get, but to be able to walk away with goals, questions, decisions, and admiration for those you meet is a rewarding experience.

Anything else you’d like to add?
There is a moment in all of our lives that opportunity knocks. BWRC knocks down the false indicators in our lives that hold us back and allows you to believe in yourself first. I’ve always known I was a writer, but the BWRC helped me to truly know that I am a writer.

Christie Michelle
Blog address: www.lilmamaszone.blogspot.com

For more information about the Black Writers Reunion & Conference, visit www.blackwriters.org. The conference will be held June 20-21, 2008 with pre-conference sessions on June 19. Early registration ends December 17, 2007.