Becoming A Writer Seriously

Call it a gift for Three King’s Day, the traditional gift-giving day in many Latin-American countries. A Writer’s Vacation in Mexico. This will be a gift for the future. You’ll be following in the footsteps of other notable American writers who have spent valuable creative time across the border, including such diverse writers as Jack Karouac, Katherine Anne Porter, William Faulkner, William F. Buckley, Sam Shepard and Langston Hughes.

You have a variety of choices, including conferences sponsored by expat writer’s groups in Lake Chapala and San Miguel, but I’ll focus on two very different options right here in Puerto Vallarta, where I spend considerable time.

The Puerto Vallarta Writer’s Conference, now in its third year, this year features an in-depth seminar with self-publishing guru Dan Poynter. Scheduled over the weekend of February 8-10, the event offers three half-day presentations by Poynter, along with festive social events and the very popular Sunday afternoon book sale & signing by the beach. Cost is $85.00 after December 30 [save $10 with registration before then]. More information at http://www.pvwritersgroup.com. Registration is limited to 75. The group’s website offers advice about lodigng and such for writers flying down for the event.

For a much more intimate and hard-working option, consider Karen Blomain’s week-long writing workshop. Karen, a published poet, active playwright and recently-retired professor of creative writing, has been holding sold-out writing seminars at international locations for quite a number of years now. Karen, along with playwright Michael Downend, will offer morning workshops, with afternoons and evening free for personal writing, wandering the inviting streets of bayside Puerto Vallarta and festive dinners with fellow attendees.

Participants will receive an optional reading list when they reserve a space by placing the required deposit of $300.00 by December 31, 2007. Total cost includes accommdation in a Bed & Breakfast, plus two meals a day — single in a room $1100; two sharing room, $750 each. [I’ll be paying about the same for a weekend conference in San Francisco, so Karen’s workshop is a bargain by comparison.] Workshop is limited to 15 participants on a first reserve basis. Contact: FloodStageWrkShp@aol.com.

Did you know that Puerto Vallarta has emerged in the past few years as one of the world’s ten most popular international destinations? Now you can indulge, while telling yourself that it’s all devoted to your professional career. And you will find an active writers’ group [meets every Saturday morning] which will offer instant friendship.

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