Hugo House

Last night, I attended my first ever Works in Progress event at Hugo House in downtown Seattle. Hugo House, as billed by the sign on the side of the building located in Capitol Hill, is a place for writers; ANYONE who wants to write is welcome, previous publishing credits not required. HH is a fantastic local resource for Seattle authors; they offer classes and lectures, bring in guest speakers, and like last night, offer open-mic type nights twice a month to anyone who is looking for a place to read their work and be heard by a very positive audience. If you go to their website here, and check out Works in Progress, there is a big note that this is not a Critique; strictly Non-Judgemental listening...and hey! There's booze! That sentiment was enough for me and off I went.

I had no intention of putting my name in one of the two mason jars on my first visit; the first jar capping out at 12 names; promising those authors who showed up early that they would get the chance to read; and the second jar for everyone else time permitting. Just listening is fine too; which is what I did; but that didn't stop me from having butterflies for every single other person who went up to share their work. It's a very brave thing to stand in front of a microphone on a hot August night and (Welcome to Seattle; no A.C.) present something inherently personal to a crowded room full of strangers. But perform they did; to kind, uproarious applause. There's a lot of writing happening in Seattle; poetry, prose, fiction, essays...some finished, and some definitely not....ranging from the political to historical to sci-fi.

I surprised myself last night with my gut reaction to the evening. For the longest time, I've been adverse to communing with other writers...maybe out of a sense of competition, or insecurity about my own work. Back when I was writing my first book, I felt such a strong sense of competition with not only other writers, but the whole world... that I couldn't watch T.V. or even read new books; overwhelmed by the possible dread of seeing something that too closely resembled a plot line I was working on-- that would have just been soul shattering.  I had cut myself off from everyone and all other media so I wouldn't stop creating...for fear that I would be derailed and stop altogether. This was also at a time when I felt like my work was a life raft...and quitting would have been very, very bad for me.

So maybe there's been a change since completing Lost Souls; published or not; I know I've done something big; and continue to do something big with my work on Hellbound and Equinox. I don't feel the need to compare myself anymore. In my mind, I've already won, and now I can go out and enjoy other work and getting to know other writers.

 It was incredibly thrilling just to be there feeling the energy of all these other people that have the same passion that I do. At no time did I feel bristly or like I wasn't smart enough to be in the room. I got to know a few of the people around me-- a lot of first time visitors as well. There was one guy who had written a beautiful poem that he was gearing up to present that evening, another boy who hadn't written anything in over 2 years, but was hoping for inspiration; and a woman about my age who also writes speculative fiction-(!!!)-- and we had fun chatting during the break. Through my nerves, I didn't get her information, but I'm hopeful she will attend the next one and we can make a connection then. Everyone was fun and engaged and open...creating a really cool atmosphere for creative growth. So positive in fact, that maybe I might be mustering the courage to go back in two weeks and present myself...maybe.:)

Get to work!--and, Bonne Chance!