I am writing this blog post on the eve of the 2024 incarnation of the When Words Collide writing and reading festival, and there is nothing else I could possibly write about tonight. It is filling about 90% of my mind. Some of what is filling my mind is bubbly anticipation of talking about writing and theatre, but most of it is kind of nonsense. In fact, the thought that is currently at the top of my mind is that I actually didn’t realize that it was called a “festival”, not a “conference”. Was it once called a conference and it changed? Who can say?
It’s probably on the internet somewhere. But that’s not important right now.
Hey Erin, what are you doing at WWC? And how is this relevant to theatre?
I mean, what I’m doing at WWC is going to lots of fun panels and readings to get me inspired to write, competing with other artists and intellectuals in game shows and Quiplash games to entertain the general conference public, staying up way too late with other cool nerds, and generally immersing myself in the world of writing and reading for 72 hours.
Perhaps more importantly, I’m presenting two interactive sessions with blog favourites, Claire and Megan, on the very important topic of writing theatre. We are, in fact, the only scripted theatre related sessions during the weekend. (The Kinkonauts are doing a very cool improv thing, but improv is a whole other art form, thank you very much.) We’re doing one classic presentation on writing/putting on your own play, which we’ve been presenting in one form or another since 2018, and a newer hands-on workshop where we introduce people to our collaborative creation process. As discussed in last week’s Theatre Thursday, collaborative creation is FCT’s bread and butter, you know we’re going to bring that to a writing event.
This year, When Words Collide has quite a few active sessions on writing, which is great. There’s even a drop-down space where attendees can write and decompress whenever inspiration strikes!
I’m also doing a few other little things. Like I said, I’m competing in a trivia based game show that Kevin has created/hosted. I won last year, so I need to defend my fancy pumpkin trophy. Also, I need to be a woman forcing my way into nerd spaces in a bubbly and cute way. I’m also participating in Kevin’s Quiplash session for *entertainment*. And, finally, I’m speaking on a panel for fanfiction writers, which I am psyched about. Writing Riverona made me legally qualified to speak on it, but my years of writing Newsies, Rent, and The Babysitter’s Club fanfiction made me spiritually qualified. (Don’t go looking for it.)
Why Do You Love When Words Collide? (Or Specifically Talking About Writing, I Guess?)
I feel like this maybe might have come through above? But there is something that is just so inspiring and comforting about being around people who like the things you like. I remember the first year I “attended” WWC (aka, I visited Kevin at the hotel and crashed a few parties), I was so surprised that it was a place for me. But it truly was. It’s kind of a place for everyone I’ve ever invited there.
I’ve also never walked away from WWC and not been inspired to immediately get to work on a project. A ton of great work has come as a result of being in this great place.
I want to go to this place!
Of course you do. A few logistics:
- WWC is a Calgary based festival, which takes place in the Delta South in the August of each year.
- Conference passes are very affordable. (Like, less than $100.)
- That said, you usually need to buy your pass early. Like, before the release of all the session details. You go to this festival for the vibes, not necessarily for the speaker line-up. But the cool thing about art is that it’s subjective, so you will absolutely learn things no matter who ends up presenting. Plus, the conversations with your fellow attendees! That also gives you a lot.
- Presenters really run the gamut. Writers, editors, agents, book designers, book sellers, theatre artists, industry specialists. Widely published commercial writers, wildly published indie writers, poets, people who have just gotten their first book deal, former English teachers. However, session blurbs and presenter bios are available when you arrive, so you can make the choice that is right for you.
- There is a Merchant’s Room where many of the presenters have their books and even some other merch on sale. It’s nice to support your favs.
- Interact with people. Socialize. Take advantage of the experiences outside of the formal learning opportunities, that’s where this adult educator feels like the learning really takes place.
Now, I’ll be completely honest. This year’s When Words Collide is 100% sold out. However, I’ll be sharing a lot of the experience over my stories on Instagram and I’ll post a recap here. If you’re a writer or just writer-curious, I hope I’ll be able to convince you to join next year! Let’s get to work talking about writing, my friends!