I spent Saturday teaching two workshops and mingling with authors and readers alike at the Greeley Readcon Books and Brews. Funny enough, spooling up before the event, I suffered some butterflies at sharing the same docket as Todd Mitchell. If you don’t know, Todd Mitchell is a Fort Collins author of adolescent literature published by Scholastic. I’ve spent my seat time in workshop classes at conferences, sometimes I think ‘I could teach this’; sometimes I find a nugget of treasure. Planning my workshops filled me with nerves. Silly really, I taught 6th and 7th graders for eight years. Before that, high schoolers of all ages. I’m a rockstar teacher. I forgot that fact.

Stepping in front of a group of adults interested in my spiel was cake and pie. How did I forget I’m a teacher? Shrug, too much time with the Writing Staff. It’s all good. I had a great time and I think folks walked away with a nugget or two. Books and Brews could’ve been a boom or a bust. I think books and beer are a great idea, I didn’t know if the rest of Greeley would agree. Turns out, beer and books are a pretty good combination.

I sold a few books, but more importantly I spent a lot of face time with readers and other authors. I know I’ve let it slip mixing and mingling aren’t my cup of joe. In any case, I had a great time. It was the first time I’d really verbalized my process. Oh, I spoke to the Fort Collins Rotary a few days after my surgery last February, but I’d love a do-over. Between the medication and the crutches, I didn’t do a very good job. I think I’ll email them an apology after this post. Explaining to people what the book is about, how I got there and who helped me exhilarated.

Also, I’m a strong public speaker. Believe me, you don’t teach pre-teens and teenagers without some entertaining skills or they eat you alive. I have all of my pieces and parts. I’ve discovered something new about my writing. I love discussing it as much as I love working at it. After running two workshops, I remembered I also love teaching it. I’m not hitting a classroom anytime soon, but I can’t wait to head another workshop.