What is fortitude?  Strength of mind that enables One to encounter adversity with courage.

Of the 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac, the Ox embodies that trait. Fortitude. 18 days ago, we entered a new lunar calendar year. The Year of the Ox.

The story goes like this:

When the Buddha invited all of the animals-in-creation to come to him, the Ox was the second to arrive. He was beaten only through the cunning of the Rat who had made the journey riding on the Ox’s back and then hopping off last minute.  But the Ox arrived ahead of all the other animals for one simple reason….the Buddha had called him.

We -the presenters, the volunteers, the  sponsors, vendors, the board members of the San Francisco Writers Conference, BookShop West Portal, and the Women’s National Book Association-we have arrived for the simple reason . . . that Michael & Elizabeth and Barbara & Linda have called on us.

We are here to help you on your writer’s journey. In this industry, we can’t all get there first, but, through perseverance, we can make our dreams come true.

My co-presenter Elisa Southard and I have 3 wishes for you:

• that you’ll have fun while learning this weekend;

• that you’ll make new friends and help each other; and

• after the conference when you’re home working on the craft, that you will summon the Ox and hear him say to you: “Prosperity shall be yours through hard work and fortitude.”

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