Writing and Drag Queens

So, what do those two have in common, you may ask. Well, I found a sure fire cure for writer's block (well at least for me).

I entered into my writer's group contest and have to have two books ready to go by September 1st. Just a short 6 weeks away! I was kind of stuck on Collie's story. Then this weekend happened.

Saturday was the 2nd Annual Network Neighborhood Bash in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My writer's group sponsored a booth there this year (at my nudging). We had a blast! It's a bit of Pride coupled with a Street Fair and there is so much energy you can feel the air vibrate.

Pretty young men and women paraded about, some modeling, some just being themselves and owning their beauty. A belly dancing young man treated us to a special scarf dance and then danced with a full troupe of belly dancing women who danced together, had their own solos (one complete with a snake that launched a new story idea), and one did a belly dance to country song! Then there was the Queens and Kings show. Our King was adorable, and the Queen's were fierce. California Queens be warned - Michigan knows how to be F-I-E-R-C-E too. (Yes, I am surprised by that as the area I live in is very homophobic).

So much color, so much fun, and so many interesting people. I met some transgendered women I hadn't met before, some trans people there I already knew that I hadn't seen in a while, and I got to catch up with a lot of friends from the LGBTQ community that I don't see often enough. Interesting conversations with all of them, and no, we don't have the same political views on everything. Which makes the conversations even more fun.

Top that up with a visit from one of the college students I know (although my brain was completely fried by then and I didn't spend enough time enjoying her presence as I should have). I also got to know some of my fellow writer's better and now understand why I was drawn to them in my first timid visit to the group meeting.

All in all, I feel like an energy vampire. I'm still vibrating a bit from all the energy, color and life, and my girls are all chatting up a storm.

Got writer's block? Visit a local LGBTQ summer event and you may find it vanish as you laugh, cheer and simply soak up the colors. It seems to work great for me.