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Nancy O'Rourke's avatar

Thank you for another fabulous visit with you. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the juggling that goes on for writers--their writing and their other work. All relatable. The AWP sounds like a fabulous event. So wish I could be there--though given the current climate, not so much. With you in spirit, for sure.

Another activity your readers might be interested in, is the upcoming CNFC festival--this year's online conference. https://creativenonfictioncollective.ca/reconcilingtruth/

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Becky Blake's avatar

Thanks @Nancy O'Rourke for sharing these details about the CNFC conference. Lots of amazing online panels available from April 2-5, and no need to travel south of the border!

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Mel Williams's avatar

As always Becky, your posts are the highlight of my email inbox. This one has me pondering what I might put on my own name badge: Would I be able to define myself as a multihyphenate on a Venn diagram? This may be a fun, yet challenging experiment in self-identity. Your post also reminds me of our student-teacher intersection and how grateful I am for this relationship. :) Enjoy AWP! Looking forward to perhaps a future post about your experience on learning in community, and the overlap of your writing, reading and teaching. Pictures of feet on trippy hotel carpets welcomed too. Might be a new trend?

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Becky Blake's avatar

Hi Melissa, I'm grateful for our many past intersections too. I will try to include some of my learning from the conference in future posts. There have been many inspiring moments!

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Beth Kaplan's avatar

I too have those three threads in my life, Becky. It's hard when only one of them, teaching, makes any real money, although even that, not much; really, my main income comes from being a landlady, renting out part of my house. Luckily, I do my best not to judge myself as a writer or teacher by the amount I make - the only way to keep sane. Would love to go to AWP too but not perhaps for the next four years.

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Becky Blake's avatar

Hi Beth, I hear you about eschewing travel south of the border for the next four years. As someone who lives in Texas at the moment, Los Angeles is just a hop, skip, and a jump to the left. :) PS. When I lived in Toronto, I would have LOVED to have had you as a literary landlady!

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Michelle Cho's avatar

I am so tempted to go AWP but have made the difficult decision to stay away in light of what’s happening down there (Canada-US relations). That said, I’m so glad you’re going and can’t wait for your next post.

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Becky Blake's avatar

Hi Michelle, I totally get and respect this decision. I can tell you it's a hard time to be a Canadian living in Texas, but I'm hoping that AWP will be a nice break from politics for a few days. Thanks for reading and being part of this CNF community! :)

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