The Irrepressible Writer is a hunter-gatherer. Because positive emotions come and go, and because they are “lighter” than negative emotions, I’m always searching.
A good writing conference is invaluable for positivity-creating experiences, and I had the good fortune to attend the magnificent Illinois-SCBWI Words In The Woods 2010 retreat/conference this past weekend. 
You can read about the benefits of attending conferences in many places, but my interest here is how you can use a conference to stoke up your positivity ratio
and build your upward spiral (not to mention nip your downward spiral in the bud!).
Of course, to benefit from the impact of positivity on the brain (broadening and building your intellectual and emotional capacities – creativity, problem-solving, resilience and more) you’ll want to attend in a fairly positive state of mind. So if you’re frightened, worried or generally in a “down” time, pre-conference is the time to really work hard at disputing your negative thoughts so that you begin the conference in an open, eager frame of mind.
Words in the Woods offered a perfect format of large-group presentations, small-group critique sessions, time to write, critique group meetings with our guest author, editor and agent, and informal one-on-one conversations, thanks to the generosity of the guests and respect of the participants. Why does the conference format matter? Because it stimulates the brain in different ways, creating opportunities for different types of experiences.
And each of those circulate positive experience and emotion – and therefore keep the brain flowing with creative juices. These are the words that come to mind when I recall the weekend: listening and learning, laughing, writing-talk, problem-solving, questions, questions answered, interest, compassion, commitment, work, love, life.
Not a negative word in the bunch. The result? An inward flow of positivity that will result in a wonderful writing week for me, I’m sure.
But positivity comes and goes, so I’ll try to hold on to it with a blog entry, pictures on my desktop (this one’s the hall-wall’s spread of affirming writing beliefs and practices – even looking at the picture creates a positive rush),
and staying connected to the old and new friends who represent the positive aspects of our difficult and rewarding writing life.
Because as Kathi Appelt said, “When you’re doing your life’s work, your life works.”
Wouldn’t you agree?
It sounds like such a great experience. I think I have a tendency to think, “I’m doing okay right now, I don’t need anyone’s advice,” forgetting that groups and conferences can help me build up my reserves of positive energy.
For sure, Lisa…And all the Twitter and Facebook in the world doesn’t substitute, for me, for the deep pleasure of in-person connection and connectedness. Social meals, walks in the early morning, writing talk, life talk – it’s all so nurturing. Retreat, anyone?
I love that quote by Kathi Appelt: “When you’re doing your life’s work, your life works.”
Conferences do bring an upwelling of positive energy where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.