Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, award grant, publication, etc)
I am honored to have my short story, A Little Bit of Magic, nominated by YARN (The Young Adult Review Network), for the Pushcart Prize. Thank you to Laura McCaffrey, the fiction editor at YAReview.net for believing in my story and being an advocate for Young Adult fiction. (And thank you to Lindsey Lane for mentoring me with A Little Bit of Magic! It takes a writing village!)
How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?
When I moved from Upstate New York to Austin, I was thrilled to be introduced to the Writing Barn. I have since taken one-day classes, weekend intensives and six-month classes. I have also worked one on one with Bethany for mentoring on my manuscripts.
We have recently moved to Kansas and—thank goodness!— I am able to continue to take classes online. I have learned so much about the craft of writing, and have also become part of a wonderful, supportive writing community.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
Forever! Just kidding, although sometimes it does feel that way! I have always loved writing but, you know, life! I have made my writing a priority for the past six or so years. I have completed two middle grade manuscripts, which I am currently querying. I have had two short stories published, both of which I worked on at the Writing Barn.
What fears/hopes did you have before attending the WB class, intensive/or working with Bethany privately? (And Cathy, feel free to mention Nova, Carrie and your work with me!)
It was very scary to share my work with others but also so important. The feedback I received at the Writing Barn always helped me improve my writing. I learned that other writers feel the same fears and insecurities as I do.
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
The Writing Barn helped me believe in myself as a writer. Everyone I have met at the Writing Barn is so brave in their writing and are wonderful examples of pursuing what is important to us, what fills our bucket!
Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?
Bethany has, from day one, been a constant source of information and encouragement.
I have met many wonderful people that I am able to stay in touch with through email and social media. Through a class at the Writing Barn, I met two women who I have been in a critique group with for years now. Even though two of us have moved away from Texas, we continue to meet monthly online and have also reunited at the Writing Barn for a weekend retreat full of writing, silliness and support.
Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?
I learn something new in every class I’ve taken, no matter where I am on my writing path. Also, if I’m in a writing slump, a class often gives me the energy and excitement I need to get writing again.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build an develop your career?
For me, it is important to have small as well as big writing goals. And to celebrate accomplishing those goals, even if it is just writing some words every day.
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
Find a writing community. Don’t give up. Find the joy in writing! Remember why you write.
More about Trista:
Trista is a writer as well as a bookseller at a wonderful indie bookstore. She writes middle grade novels as well as short stories. As a special education teacher for twenty years, Trista’s goal was to help students find books that sparked a love of reading, and now hopes her writing will find a place in the hearts of children and adults alike. She received an honorable mention in the 2017 Katherine Paterson Contest for Young Adult and Children’s Writing through Hunger Mountain-VCFA Journal of the Arts. She’s recently relocated to Wichita, KS with her not-so-youngest son, a grumpy hedgehog, and fluffy companions Mia and Sammy.