Gabrielle Burton

GABRIELLE BURTON

 

 

Another big plus of the Pima Writers' Workshop is the availability of the presenters. Usually after their talk they go to the bookstore where they sign books and talk to the attendees. Often they are around at breaks and lunch time.

 

This year one of my highlights was a brief conversation with Gabrielle Burton in the lunch line. She is so positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging.

 

Her talk, "The Long and Winding Road", started the day on Friday. She warned us that it may be a long difficult road, but not to become discouraged. She encouraged us to take everything positively and to enjoy every success along the way.

 

Perhaps the most quoted line of the conference was hers: "Cream doesn't always rise to the top."  

 

Some of her advice that I took away was:

     1.  Don't settle for nearly the right word.

     2.  Write as if your reader is dying or in prison.

     3.  Put your time in writing. Even if difficult, get something down.

     4.  Read.

     5.  Develop a tough skin, but be gentle to others.

     6.  Try not to be competitive.

     7.  In the long haul, we want to help each other be all we can be.

 

 

Gabrielle Burton's latest book is Impatient with Desire: The Lost Journal of Tamsen Donner.

 

For more on her see:  www.gabrielleburton.com