feature screenplay called “Rooted,” a dark drama. Josh Conrad, a camper and Writers Work conference veteran, appreciates that Sayre is along for the journey like everyone else. “I enjoyed the community at the conferences and that Tracy was so positive and so much of a go-getter, and not just like, ‘Here, I planned this event, enjoy,’” Conrad said. “She’s a very active participant and always encouraging everybody to meet each other and to find new ways of approaching writing and building a community.” The community continues online; everybody who’s been involved with a Writers Work program has access to a private Facebook group where they can ask each other questions, let people know what they’re working on and share motivation. The Writing Camp for Adults has its own private Facebook group, where campers can hold themselves and each other accountable between meetings. Toward the beginning of the summer, one assignment was for campers to choose a daily goal (like writing for 30 minutes before work or revising two pages of a screenplay) and to post “Did it” when they accomplished that goal each day. Creating accountability over the summer was one of Sayre’s main reasons for starting the camp, since she’s noticed that writing groups tend to fall apart during the summer because of vacations and hectic schedules. Participants agree that they needed this camp to keep up a creative routine. “I think it’s easy to let the summer go by and not get anything done,” Conrad said. “So when Tracy said that she was thinking about a writing camp, I was like, ‘Yes, please.’” The camp was a “trial run” for a program structured around weekly events, Sayre said, and people’s excitement about it inspired her to develop it further. “Once I was actually doing the Writing Camp for Adults, I really fell in love with this program,” Sayre said. “Having a weekly creative event to look forward to was really nice for me.” She is now planning a similar program that starts in September based on the idea of the fall semester, capturing the “back-to-school” feeling that “this is the year everything’s going to change,” Sayre said. She wants participants to be motivated by thoughts like “This is the year I finally finish my novel,” or “This is the year I finish a first draft.” The fall program will include events like apple picking and a literary tour of haunted spots in New York City at Halloween time. Sayre wants people to not only get some writing done but also just get out, experience new things and “fill your well” as an artist. “Most importantly,” she said, “I want people to leave my writing events with a new friend.” Anyone interested in the fall semester program can sign up for the Writers Work newsletter on writerswork.org or like the Writers Work Facebook page for updates. Wish you could have been at the beer writing class? Sign up for Sayre’s Aug. 27 beer writing class at Q.E.D. Astoria, 27- 16 23rd Ave. It takes place from 1 to 3 p.m., and the $40 ticket includes beer. Purchase a ticket at qedastoria.com. Once I was actually doing the Writing Camp for Adults, I really fell in love with this program.” Tracy Sayre Founder of Writers Work Writers Work conference Writers Work conference Photo by Amy Stockhaus Photo by Amy Stockhaus 40 I BOROMAG.COM I AUGUST 2016 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
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