More than Writers

At the recent MAIEastern European Publisher’s Forum, I attended a session for writers, led by the novelist Steve Lawhead and his wife Alice. In their introduction Alice told us of the time when they had been to a Writers Conference in America. The speaker in the last session was both tired and nervous. ‘Have we got the volume right?’ he queried adjusting his microphone for the tenth time. ‘Louder’ came a shout from the back row of the raked seating. ‘Funnier’ suggested an attendee nearer the front. The harassed speaker tried to regain control. ‘In our final session, we’re going to consider how we can make our writing more culturally appropriate , fresher and ... His ‘demob happy’ audience pelted him with suggestions.. ‘Newer’ ‘Lighter’ ‘Wilder’ ‘Bolder’ ‘Stronger’ ‘Amazing-er’ I think the poor man retired in confusion at that point! A funny story to relax us and break the ice that morning. But it made a very important point. As writers it is so easy ...