Throughout your life, you experience life-changing events — your graduation, the first day of your dream job, your wedding, the birth of your child, traveling abroad, grandchildren, and more. Your career might offer you life-changing opportunities as well. As a writer, I was lucky enough to have such opportunities — every single year.
In the summer of 2009, at the start of my writing career, I took a beginning novel writing course through the University of Wisconsin Division of Continuing Studies Write-by-the-Lake Writing Workshop & Retreat. It transformed me.
Our instructor, Christine DeSmet, encouraged us to have fun with our writing. After all, she pointed out, if we enjoy our story our readers will, too. Christine helped me to realize that Leo Townsend is the real hero of Carpe Diem, Illinois. My classmates were equally amazing; three of them are now my closest friends.
I went back to Write-by-the-Lake every year (except the year my daughters graduated). I told anyone who listened that Write-by-the-Lake was heaven on Earth. I wasn’t exaggerating.
During the week of the retreat, we’d meet in the mornings for instruction and critiques. In the afternoon, we’d head to the Memorial Union Terrace for brats, pitchers of Spotted Cow, and hours of writing with Lake Mendota as our backdrop. We’d discuss pantsing versus plotting and adding fatal flaws to too-perfect characters.
We’d brainstorm story ideas and share favorite books on writing. Reluctantly, we’d go home, but we’d be inspired and eager to write.
In the spring of 2010, I went to my first UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies Writers’ Institute. That year Laurie Scheer took over from Christine DeSmet as director. Christine, together with some colleagues, had started the Institute twenty years before.
In 2010, the event was held at the Pyle Center in Madison with about a hundred writers in attendance. Within a few years, four hundred people registered for the conference, causing Laurie and her talented administrator, Laura Kahl, to move it to the Concourse Hotel. In 2013, Laurie asked if I’d be interested in moderating a panel discussion with small press publishers. I agreed, even though the thought of speaking in front of four hundred people kept me up at night.
Kristin Mitchell, me, Karyn Saemann (my editor)
One of the panelists was Kristin Mitchell of Little Creek Press. Kristin and I hit it off, so I hired her to publish my books. The next year, we celebrated by releasing Carpe Diem, Illinois at the Writers’ Institute.
At subsequent Institutes, Laurie invited me to teach workshops, participate on panels, and run the author book fair. She also enlisted me to help writers practice their agent pitches, something I discovered I have a talent and a passion for. Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of writers make valuable connections with agents. Both Christine and Laurie helped me to create workshops and an online class. It’s because of them that I discovered I love to teach writers almost as much as I love to write.
The best part about the Writers’ Institute was the attendees, many of whom would come back every year. The Institute became a writing family reunion. We shared our struggles about finding the time to write or landing an agent. We celebrated when a manuscript was finished, an agent showed interest, or a book was published. We inspired each other.
And now that’s all coming to an end.
The University of Wisconsin is eliminating the Division of Continuing Studies writing program. Online classes and critique services will continue through the summer of 2021, but all in-person events will cease to exist.
Last week, Laurie Scheer and Laura Kahl sent this email:
“Our Writers’ Institute and retreats are discontinued. We are sad about the end of programs that began 30 years ago and reached thousands of writers who are now published and have accomplished many other great things in writing.”
I’m sad, too. I will miss working with Christine DeSmet, Laurie Scheer, and Laura Kahl and being offered the life-changing opportunities they gave me and countless other writers. I’m also angry. I know this has been a difficult year for the University of Wisconsin. I can’t begin to imagine all the challenges UW has had to face. But I’m angry that a world-class, publicly-funded institution can’t scrap together enough money to offer programs to the broader community, many of whom are UW alumni (like myself) and Wisconsin taxpayers.
There is a bright spot — several writing instructors, myself included, are discussing ways to fill the void. There will be writing workshops and retreats because we writers are tenacious after all. But it won’t be the same.
Many, many thanks to Christine DeSmet, Laurie Scheer, and Laura Kahl for everything they’ve done for the writing community and for me. I’ll always be grateful.
Where you can find me:
My new writing digs — Tofflers Pub & Grill in New Glarus, Wisconsin. You’ll find me there most days writing (and having the occasional burger). If you’re in town, join me!
Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference (online) – Friday, November 6, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (EST). I just learned that I’ll be teaching my workshop “The Formula for Setting that Agents, Editors, and Readers Love.” I’m looking forward to connecting with writers from around the country!
Thank you for all of your enthusiastic encouragement to developing writers, Kristin. It has meant much to me.
Hi Della:
You’ve made my day!
How is your writing going?
Kristin
I’ve completed 50K of an epic saga (1910-1955) about two, intertwined Chicago Russian Jewish immigrant clans focusing on women’s social and political issues.
Della:
That sounds terrific! Keep me posted about your progress.
All the best,
Kristin
I’m as bummed as you are, Kristin. Val Biel and I have already cried in our online beer about the loss if UWWI. I started in 2011, so we three and many others are of the same “generation” of writers who’ve learned so much and met so many great people at the conferences in the past 10-12 years. If you and your instructor colleagues offer something to fill the void, I’ll be there!
I’ll be sure to keep you posted, Chris!
I’m sad too. It seems so shortsighted to abandon rather than postpone. So glad I got to meet you there.
Have you moved to New Glarus? I just moved from there back to England. Wishing you the best.
I saw that you moved back to England — your pictures are glorious!
No, I haven’t moved to New Glarus. Jessica, my younger daughter, is working full time as a seamstress at a bridal shop there and she doesn’t drive, so I’m her chauffeur. It’s great for me. I’ve found a restaurant that will let me hang out from 10-5 whenever I want so it’s giving me the opportunity to turn my writing into a full-time job.
All the best to you, too. Kristin
Thank you so much for writing this, I’m sad and angry too. I’m also glad you brought up the 2009 class because it got me determined to become a writer, just like you. PLEASE DO come up with a new plan for writers In Madison because I need continued encouragement and ❤️!
You’re welcome. I’m sorry I didn’t call you on Friday — my day got away from me. Give you a call tomorrow night? 7:30ish?
Sure, sounds good.
Sad news.
I’ve attended both Weekend With Your Novel and the Writers’ Institute multiple times. These events taught me about writing, publishing, and I met fantastic people who became friends. I hope you can work with the other instructors and piece something together so we can keep the magic and motivation going. Let’s also reach out to each other and connect.
Hi Bruce:
I’ll be sure to keep you posted on any new writing events in the area.
How are you coming with your writing?
Kristin
Kristen,
Please keep me in mind. I’m lonely and feel lost without the conference. I’m getting depressed, but I have a new book coming out this fall. I’m interested in the online novel writing class. I can help, too. Don’t forget about me. I need to be included. Love,
Hi Steve:
I’m definitely keeping you in mind as our many in our writing community. I’m meeting with several instructors through Zoom later this week to discuss future writing events. Also, it looks like Tim Storm might be offering a virtual writing retreat in November. I’ll be sure to keep you posted! In the meantime, YOU HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT THIS FALL!!! Congratulations!!
Sending you hugs, Kristin
Kristin,
I was too heartbroken to write at first. At a time when new writers and new voices need to be lifted more than ever, it is a deep grief to have this preeminent conference and year-long resource gone. True community takes years to build and an instant to demolish. I have marked my writing career by UW’s Writing Institute. First attending as a not-yet published author, and now with four published books, and, like you, teaching classes as well as benefiting from the writing community. I would like to see a new Midwest writing conference blossom. Would love to be involved. Heather
Hi Heather:
I’m so glad to hear that you’d like to get involved in any future Midwest writing conferences. I’m meeting with several writing instructors tomorrow (through Zoom) to discuss our options. I’ll be sure to keep you posted!
Kristin
Thank you for writing about the program’s sudden death. There are, as you note, lots of survivors. I count this as a loss for literacy, creativity and honest assessment. I am stunned by what I would call an uninformed decision. Good luck to all.