2005 Winter - Wisconsin Writers Association

Page 27Reports on the WRWA Fall Conference SpeakersFinding Faith in Yourself as a Writer—Barbara Fitz Vroman by Barb Jensen, PortageThe first speaker at the 2005WRWA Fall Conference was one ofour own members, noted Wisconsinauthor and writing instructor, BarbaraFitz Vroman. Barbara began bytelling about her past. Years ago as ayoung woman, married and living ona farm, she loved to write. She struggledto get the lawnmower startedand the grass mowed, and there werealways weeds in her garden. On abeautiful summer day, a neighborlady stopped in and said, “Barbara,what are you doing behind a typewriterwhen there are weeds in yourgarden?”Fortunately, Vroman joined theWisconsin Regional Writers’ Association,took classes at the RhinelanderSchool of the Arts, and realizedthat “Instead of a misfit, I was aswan. I could do something beautiful.When it comes to writing, if wedon’t believe in ourselves, we fail.Time is not wasted writing.”Vroman believes that writing is anact of faith. “As writer Norbert Bleisaid, ‘Writing is all about doubt. It’sharder than most people realize.’ Weneed courage to put words on paper,”Vroman said. “Some peoplewill hate my writing,” she said, “butthat’s okay. It will force critics tothink.”Years ago, Vroman allowed herchildren to interrupt her when writing.Now she believes mothersshould tell their children, “Don’tcome near me unless you are bleeding.”Vroman said, “By doing this,you are teaching your children thatthey need to honor their gifts just asyou need to honor yours.”Vroman cited Rick Jarow's analogyof a writer's relationship to hisor her muse to Greek mythology, theGreek God Eros (the Archer ofLove). Every night Eros came to thisking’s beautiful daughter, Psyche,whom he loved. He had requestedthat it be dark each time they met.Psyche’s three sisters insisted thatshe light a candle the next time hecame. She did and poof, he wasgone. Just like Psyche, we need tokeep an agreement to make time forand respect our writing muse. “Youcan’t write during commercials,”Vroman said.Vroman’s books are published bysmall presses or self-published. Nevertheless,two of her novels Tomorrowis a River (co-authored withPeggy Hansen Dopp) and Sons ofThunder, received The MilwaukeeJournal Leslie Cross Award for bestnovel by a Wisconsin writer in theyears they were published. She remindedwriters that many of ourmost famous authors, like MarkTwain and William Faulkner, werepublished first by their friends orself-published. Writers interested inself-publishing should check outprint-on-demand publishing. “It’sthe way to go,” Vroman said.“Instead of investing $8,000, like Idid for Sons of Thunder, the cost isonly $495. Plus I don’t have allthose boxes of books to deal with.The best part is that there is no bookkeeping.The company keeps recordsfor you.”Vroman talked about her new se-ries ofbooks, SmallCelebrations.Afriend toldher that shewas usingthose booksto read tohospice patients.At arecent class reunion, a minister usedone of her stories in his invocation.“We never know how far our wordswill go,” she added.Vroman is now collecting storiesfor a radio program she will be doingon WNRB 93.3, Wausau, where shehas been asked to read from her newbooks, Small Celebrations. Anyonewith stories about birds and animals,unexpected gifts, marriage, or nighthours is asked to send them to her atpearlwin@uniontel.net. She will beposting new themes on her web siteat www.barbarafitzvroman.comsoon.Vroman concluded with a complimentfor WRWA: “I was marriedright out of high school. The WisconsinRegional Writer’s Associationwas my college and tutor. Weneed to thank Robert Gard whofounded the organization. And alsothe dedicated people who have keptit alive through the years.”[Editor’s Note: Barbara’s speech andsome of this year’s Jade Ring winners(read by the authors) are available onCD. See Barbara’s ad on page 19.] #