Discovering the Writer Within

I’ve always loved writing. In fact, I distinctly remember when I decided that I would be a writer “when I grew up.” It was during Mrs. Sutter’s Language Arts class when I was in 8th grade. But what kind of writer would I become? 

The possibilities were endless in my 13-year-old mind. Fiction or screenplays?  Non-fiction or biographies? Or maybe I could become a journalist digging for truth like Woodward and Bernstein.

Unlike many childhood whims, my passion for writing didn’t wane. In high school and college, I sought out opportunities to explore all types of writing and discover what I enjoyed and what was just not my forte. Clearly I was more analytical and to the point – great qualities for a New York Times reporter, but not so great for a New York Times bestselling novelist. So it was that I began my career as a journalist – a business journalist, to be more precise, since I had to put my economics minor to use somehow – and traveled down the path to successful self-employment.

It’s no secret that I’m not alone in my love of writing. Just take a peek at the e-mail inboxes of literary agents, publishers, and HR departments at newspapers to confirm that fact. But for all those who are trying to make “a go” of it, there are an equal number who believe they have the next great American novel somewhere inside of them or who want to turn their passion for the written word into a career and don’t have the time to do so. They’ll tell you that the daily grind leaves them little time to focus on their writing, or commit to writing programs that may last several weeks or conflict with work and family schedules.

To all those writing wannabes, I say this: Don’t give up so easily.

At the 2011 Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 21, we’re bringing back our highly popular workshop program that offers opportunities for adults and kids alike. Adults will be able to explore their inner comedian, polish their journal article writing skills or get a taste of The Writer’s Center programming during a series of one-hour hands-on writing workshops, which take place all day. And in the Children’s Village, kids ages 5 to 12 will be able to write, bind and illustrate a small book to take home during our ongoing book arts workshop.

During the next few weeks, the festival will announce additional workshop subjects and instructors, and provide details about how to register in advance to guarantee a spot in your favorite workshop.

You can stay up-to-date on the workshops – as well as the many incredible featured authors we’re adding to the line-up – by checking the website (www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org), following us festival on Twitter (@GburgBookFest) or Facebook, reading our blog (gbf-blog.blogspot.com) or signing up for our e-newsletter GBF News (http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/#subscribe).

We look forward to seeing you at the workshops, and hope you, too, will discover the writer within.

Gail Norris is a self-employed communications and public relations consultant and the co-chair of the Public Relations Committee for the Gaithersburg Book Festival (www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org).