WRITING WORKSHOPS AT PAT CONROY LITERARY CENTER 

I cannot say enough good things about the Pat Conroy Literary Center in Beaufort, S.C. Attended an affordable writing workshop there by Michel Stone, author of The Iguana Tree and Border Child; she offered these helpful tips when writing about an unfamiliar place, skill, occupation, etc.:
- consult experts
- research, research, research
- go, watch, listen
- become curious - ask questions

In order to elicit empathy from readers - whether writing articles, non-fiction, or fiction - it is important to tap into familiar emotions, but then also observe others to convey unfamiliar emotions. As Atticus says more than a few times in To Kill a Mockingbird: "We have to climb into someone else's skin and walk around in it." Good writing taps into the human condition.

Thrilled that there is this resource for writers as it is important to continue growing, stretching, and fine-tuning. Pat Conroy was a support, encouragement, and inspiration to writers in life - and the Center in his name will continue to do so even though he is no longer with us.
The Pat Conroy Literary Festival is October 19-22.