What a great start! Last evening, before and during dinner I was privileged to have casual conversations with two great writers whom I greatly admire–Robert Morgan and Jane Smiley, both so pleasant and unassuming.

Then, after dinner, Sy Montgomery, the non-fiction group facilitator, joined the other two writers for an incredible discussion of the conference’s theme, a sense of place. Here are a few highlights–

• Robert Morgan read from an article he recently wrote for Epic Magazine about growing up in the Green River Valley in Western North Carolina and how that physical landscape pervades his work
• He also talked about the “landscape of language” and how it the luster of language is equally important to a work
• Sy Montgomery is a writer I haven’t read but now definitely plan to and share with my nature-loving friends. She is a naturalist and writes often about ocean life. She spoke about discovering new languages when encountering new landscapes often alien to humans–like breathing underwater. She spoke eloquently about the transformative power of her underwater experiences.
• Jane Smiley spoke about learning of the importance of place when reading David Copperfield and how truly great novels are often dependent, at least in part, to setting, which is tied to theme.
• Robert Morgan mentioned the paradox of writing that can be regional, even local, that is at once extremely specific and accessible to readers universally.
• Robert Morgan also spoke about how it is sometimes counterproductive to actually visit or re-visit the place of which one is writing–sometimes better to let it live in one’s imagination.
• Sy Montgomery talked about seeking out people who have lived in a place and interacted with it to discover new things about it.
• She also said, “Pour yourself out like water and feel yourself with place.”
• Robert Morgan mentioned that it is important to include details but just enough to accomplish what you need to accomplish

All that and more in just an hour! I am certainly getting my money’s worth.

That was day one. I have much more to say about today–Day Two, but it will have to wait. Tonight we have the banquet, reception and Jane Smiley ‘s reading. Stay tuned!