A lot happened between August and February \u2013 and as the San Miguel conference approached and I\u2019d signed up and booked my flight, I was second-guessing my decision. I knew I really shouldn\u2019t be leaving my desk again so soon after arriving home from Europe, and was suffering the panic that comes from being behind on the work of the next book, the many unanswered emails, and all the unattended-to obligations in my life. But I had committed, and so one dark early morning I flew away from snowy, frigid Toronto, worrying about all I\u2019d left behind.<\/p>\n
As soon as I drove into San Miguel I knew that Roberta\u2019s description had been spot on. San Miguel de Allende is a glorious, somehow spiritual place that has become known as an artists\u2019 retreat. The cool mountain air and narrow streets of ancient cobbles, the beautifully preserved, brightly painted rustic architecture and the mountainside vistas inspire unbridled creativity in this beautiful little colonial city. Visual artists come for the clear light, writers for an existence that can both stimulate and calm the senses, musicians for the vibrancy in the air itself. There are regular art shows and literary readings and chamber music and jazz festivals, along with all the glories of traditional Mexican food and cultural events. Within the first few hours of arriving I felt the tension lifting from my shoulders. Whatever I had left unfinished back home would still be waiting when I returned. I mentally committed to taking in all I could from the conference, and from San Miguel de Allende itself.<\/p>\n
![\"Performances](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0276sized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPerformances at Instituto Allende<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Street](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0378sized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStreet Life<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Okay. So there was<\/strong> a lot of fun, as Roberta promised, but in the five days and evenings of the conference, I attended panels and workshops on memoir, screenwriting, agents, the new face of writing and publishing, social media, and all manner of approaches to writing techniques. There were amazing guest speakers who are not only influential writers, but also important thinkers who have changed the face of society\u2019s views on everything from cultural writing to women\u2019s rights through their own beliefs. I listened to so much exciting information I could hardly fall asleep at night, my brain almost audibly whirring with all I\u2019d heard, my heart, at times, pounding with thoughts on my own choices \u2013 right or questionable – in my writing career.<\/p>\n In between workshops and lectures I absorbed San Miguel de Allende and its glorious churches and galleries and markets, and made my way into the countryside. There I found tiny Santuario de Atotonilco, a small, ancient church so completely covered from walls to ceiling in faded religious murals that it is known as the Sistine Chapel of Mexico. There was also time to visit the neighbouring town of Dolores Hildalgo, where, in 1810, local priest Miguel Hidalgo launched Mexico\u2019s fight for independence. Another highlight was a glorious afternoon at a ranch thanks to my author friend Laura Fraser (www.laurafraser.com<\/a><\/span>), drinking margaritas and dancing to the live band.<\/p>\n Santuario de Atotonilco<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Between experiencing San Miguel de Allende and welcoming the fresh rush of creativity brought about by the motivation I took away from the workshops and panels and speakers, the trip was more than successful in all ways. I\u2019d like to think that my time at the conference created different brain paths in my way of thinking about reading and writing. I made new friends and bought books by writers I hadn\u2019t yet read. Here\u2019s a huge thank you to all the wonderful, warm, helpful organizers and volunteers at the San Miguel Writers\u2019 Conference and Literary Festival, and here\u2019s a push to any of you reading this, whether beginning, emerging or established authors, or simply readers who love being in the writing world. Check out the conference (www.sanmiguelwritersconference.org<\/a><\/span>) \u2013 and if you can \u2013 sign up for 2016. There will be fun, I promise, and so much more.<\/p>\n![\"IMG_0339sized\"](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0339sized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Santuario](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0300sized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"IMG_0307sized\"](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0307sized.jpg\")
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![\"Catedral](\"https:\/\/lindaholeman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/IMG_0406sized.jpg\")
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