Truckee Arts Alliance interview in The Truckee Turntable: Spring into new collaborations

 

I was recently interviewed for the Truckee Turntable newsletter. You can read the entire interview and below I have an excerpt.

Did you know that Truckee has been designated as a special cultural district in California, one of just 14 such districts?

A High Sierra District, Truckee boasts world-class scenery and a rugged high alpine location that catalyzes and inspires art and culture.  Truckee’s rich history includes:  the Transcontinental Railroad, the infamous Donner Party, Charlie Chaplin performances, and the 1960 Winter Olympics.  The main features are Truckee’s historic downtown which is home to numerous galleries, workshops and events and Donner Summit which provides numerous trails and vista points highlighting our tremendous historic and cultural heritage.

TCD:  What advice do you have for aspiring writers looking to improve their skill or pursue a career in writing?

TERREY: Here are three tips I keep in mind. First, writers at all levels of experience can find that necessary yet elusive motivation by joining a writing community where they can share their work and goals in a safe environment. Second, even the best writers hire a writing coach or editor to improve the effect of their writing.  Finally, use calls for submissions as deadlines to get work done, but don’t look towards this kind of outside validation for the worth of your writing. I think each of us must nurture a faith that our writing is a worthwhile endeavor in itself.

TCD:  Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?

TERREY: Yes! I just wrapped up a three-part workshop series on how to get published that featured a collaboration with 8 guest authors that was so fun. Participants were able to hear these author stories and ask them questions about their own projects. Right now, I’m working with visual artists Troy Corliss and Sara Smith to offer creative writing as part of their Teen art classes funded by an Upstate California Creative Corps grant. And looking forward, I am coordinating a pop-up poetry event in Truckee as part of the Sierra Poetry Festival and the Nevada County Common Reads program. I’ll be reading poems with June Sylvester Saraceno at the Truckee Library on April 3.