Twitter

Just wondering if anyone here at the conference is on Twitter. If you are - just use #taos in your tweets. Maybe we can arrange a tweet-up sometime this week. In the meantime -- here's a pic of my new friend K2 - one of the llamas I met on yesterday's trek.

Memoir - Barbara Robinette Moss

I used the 5 hour plane trip to read MOST of Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter and realized somewhere over Kansas, I could have been Barbara's sister.

Just wish I'd glanced at her suggested reading list earlier. Plan to spend today "hydrating", reading Drinking a Love Story, and checking out the PowWow. Tomorrow we're taking a llama trek.

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Monday.

Brenda Mantz from Virginia

Open Mic at the Conference

Hey fellow writers!

After lunch each day of the conference, we'll have a featured reader (one of the scholarship recipients) AND an open mic (5 minutes MAX. no exceptions)

Five minutes spoken would be about 3 pages of double spaced, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins. Of course if you read really really fast, it could be more, but then no one would really hear your work.

And, if you've never read your work aloud in front of an audience, this is a good place to start. First, you probaby don't know most of us anyway, and if you return to the Taos Conference, most of us will have forgotten your reading... in other words, it's ok to mess up. And on that note, even if you DO mess up, we've all been there, we're all writers, we will understand. We will forgive you and applaud you anyway.

Some tips for reading aloud:

1. Don't forget to breath. Seriously, we don't want you to pass out.

2. Take it slow. Read each word, ennunciate. pause.

3. Project. Even with a microphone, you need to speak up.

4. Look up... you'll see cues from the audience like when they can't hear you, so you'll know to (see number 3)

5. Relax. Have fun. We're all writers.

It's great fun to hear fellow writers read their work aloud, and I do hope you will plan on giving it a try... we'll have sign up sheets probably in the Conference Lobby-- the same place you can sign up for trips to the DH Lawrence ranch, the Harwood, the Pueblo, etc.

Looking for a ride from Albuquerque on 7/12

I'll be arriving in Albuquerque at noon on Sunday July 12. I'm wondering if I can catch a ride into Taos around that time. I'd be happy to pay for snacks and gas! 

Best,

Natalie

nateaton@comcast.net

Show Your Name Badge and Save

Several businesses in Taos are offering conference participants a special welcome...

Visit our sponsors, and for special discounts show your nametag and tell them you're here for the Taos Summer Writers Conference

3 Dog Art Taos 10% discount on dog and cat accessories, treats, animal related home décor and human stuff too like hand crafted jewelry from local artisans!!

Located at: 120g Bent St., Taos, NM 87571

Hours: Daily from 10-6

Phone: 575-751-1718

The Bean Northside 10% discount on bakery items, restaurant and the world’s best coffees, of course

Located at: 900 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571

Phone: 575-758-7711

The Bean Southside 10% discount on bakery items, restaurant and the world’s best coffees, of course

Located at: 1033 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571

Phone: 575-758-5123

Desertblends of Taos 20% discount on personal care products using an Ayurvedic blend of infused, wildcrafted sage and herbal extracts from the sacred mountains of Taos, New Mexico.

Located at: 130 Bent Street, Taism NM 87571
Phone: 575-758-4000

I love Taos 10% discount on clothes from infants to 5X
Located at: 115 East Taos Plaza, Taos, NM 87571
Open 7 days

Phone: 575-758-8565

Jackie’s Trading Post Gallery 30% discount on the best in Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo made art, crafts, pottery, weavings, and vintage collectable Southwestern Jewelry.
Located at: 126 W Plaza, Taos, NM 87571
Hours: 10-6, closed Tuesday
Phone: 575-758-1651

Taos Adobe Quilting 10% discount on quilting fabrics, collections by local artists, and more
Located at: 102 Terisina Lane, Taos, NM
Hours: 10:30-5 M-S, 12-4 Sunday
Phone: 575-751-321

Taos Togs 10% discount on children’s and infants wear with a SW flair
Located at: Terisina Lane, Taos, NM
Hours: 10:30-5 M-S, 12-4 Sunday

Thunder Lizard 10% discount on beads and things

Located at: 1803 S Santa Fe Hwy, Ranchos De Taos NM 87557
Phone: 575-751-1752

Taos Spa and Tennis upgrade to a hot stone massage (at no extra charge) with the selection of the Sagebrush Inn and Conference Center Massage package

Located at: 111 Dona Ana Drive, Taos New Mexico 87571

Appointments available seven days a week from 10:00 am until 7:30 pm. (6:30 pm Saturday & Sunday). Come early to soak in the hot tubs, sauna or relax in the steam room.

Phone: 575-758-1980 Ext.0 for appointment

Need Ride from Alb.--Sunday AM 7/12

Hi Folks,

I'm signed up for Summer Wood's workshop on place.

I'd like to catch a ride with anyone driving from Albuquerque on Sunday morning. Of course, I'd share gas bill with driver (and other passengers?). I can get to you anywhere in Albuquerque.

Productive writing wishes to all,

Cathy

Taos Summer of Writing and Love

You may or may not know that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the movie Easy Rider (some of which was filmed in Taos, and starred Dennis Hopper).

While some of you may be saying "So what!" I'll just say that while you're in Taos, it is a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the city wide celebration going on. Lots of activites, art shows and the like... so when you're not taking advantage of all the special litarary events at the Taos Summer Writers Conference.....

like the keynote address by best selling author Wally Lamb...

check out the town of Taos,

and the Summer of Love events.