GCLS Days 4 and 5

I just didn’t have anything left yesterday, not even for a Sunday Stuff blog. I was so tired. So here now is the recap for the last two days of my conference.

The final full day started off with the dynamic Lynn Ames, a talented sapphic author, presenting the keynote address. Her history as folded into our history was fascinating. Her call to arms, so to speak, was inspiring and has me thinking about what more I can do to fight the good fight, especially as how we have lost so much of the ground that was previously and preciously gained.

I found myself tearing up on more than one occasion during her speech and I was not alone. That has been a common feeling during this convention-–not feeling alone. I felt so welcomed and seen this whole time. I was pulled into conversations even when I was very okay being by myself. So many women wanted to make sure no one was left isolated.

I’ve made some contacts, but even better I’ve made some new friends. And I’ve solidified some of the fledgling friendships I had started with my writing group. It’s been so great to get to know them better. I am looking forward to getting to know them all better.

At the end of the day was the awards ceremony. It was a true celebration and recognition of all the hard effort that goes into writing a novel and other creative written works. The awards are called “Goldies” and one of the books I voted for, “Broken Beyond Repair” by Emily Banting won the fan-favorite category.

Even better, one of the authors I write with on Sunday afternoons, Catherine Young, won the Goldie for her debut novel, “Love and Duty”.

That was so exciting and I’m so happy for her! One of my table mates at the ceremony said to me “That could be you next year.” What a thrill that gave me, at least for a moment. Then my inner critic who loves to fuel my imposter syndrome thoughts started whispering nasty things…he is such an asshole. I shut that down immediately, mostly.

I have some work ahead of me though. Fortunately, I feel re-motivated to get back to it. I only have 19 more days until the move, and it’ll take a couple of weeks to settle in, especially as my BFF will be visiting, but in six weeks I am knuckling down and giving myself until the Pink and Brandy concert at the end of September to get my subplot outlined, written, and integrated into my manuscript. (Any of my readers who want to encourage and hold me accountable are welcome to drop me a line any time.)

Our closing speaker Sunday morning was Leslie Herod, Colorado State Representative from the city of Denver. She is the first openly queer African American woman to be elected to our legislature. She said that what we do as sapphic authors in telling queer stories is more important than ever. I want to be one of the storytellers who tell a story someone else wants or needs to read.

Thank you all for letting me share my experiences and tell my story.