I've returned from Colorado Springs, unpacked, recuperated and taken the time to go through my paperwork from the conference. I went there not knowing what to expect and left feeling inspired, smarter and most importantly -- READY TO WRITE!
The first day, I was overwhelmed. This feeling diminished as I began talking to people, listening in on sessions and comparing my writing journey to the journeys of others. One of the most important lessons I learned while at PPWC is that I can play with other writers. I have completed many novels, they are good and I will sell them. I have had more success in the few short months of truly "shopping" my work around than some have had in the years ... YEARS they have pursued publication. I left with the resound resolution that I will never give up and I will never stop writing.
This is Margaret. I had the pleasure of sitting right next to her during dinner Saturday evening. She is an amazing woman with an incredible personal history. She is smart and witty, and I will never forget what she said during our "Monkey Business" session about the "F-word". I am glad I got to know her.
I also got to talk with Ginger Clark (Agent), Shelly Shapiro!!! (Editor) and Kevan Lyon (Agent). I had my work read by Leslie Wainger (Editor), I had lunch with Laura Hayden (Author) and I listened to A.C. Crispin (Author), Jeffrey Deaver (Author) and Laura Resnick (Author) speak. I sat through two incredible and semi-spooky sessions with Deborah LeBlanc (Author), and I pitched to Kirby Kim (Agent). I met so many great people ... I will tell more about them in part 2.
Kristin
Tuesday
Thursday
Rebecca Shelley - LUW April meeting recap ...
Last night at our monthly league meeting, I had the pleasure of listening to and learning from a fantastic author, Rebecca Shelley. She is the author of the Red Dragon Codex and the Brass Dragon Codex, both books, "Super awesome!" in the eyes of my children.
I was excited to pick up autographed copies of both novels, but even more excited about the extensive knowledge, advice and encouragement I received from Rebecca's speech.
Rebecca spoke to us about Researching and Submitting to the National Market. The tips, tricks and avenues she talked about did two things for me; one, I will submit all my queries via e-mail, and in batches. She offered a template that she uses with a really good success rate, and as soon as I return from CO, I will begin to implement a similar query process. She also alleviated my doubts of submitting solely to agents and avoiding editors. Aside from Thrillers, a genre which I haven't written in nor do I plan to ever attempt to break in to, editors in most other genres don't always require an agent to receive and review a submission.
So there you have it. It was an awesome meeting ... I left feeling completely inspired and I thank Rebecca immensely for her encouraging words and most valuable lessons.
Now, on to the BIG writer's conference. I am so excited! I don't know how much sleep I will get tonight, but my flight takes off early, so I am off to bed.
Kristin
P.S. On a funny side note, I got to read a pretty graphic (Yes, even graphic for me!) short story from a fellow leaguer, one that made me blush ... I think I was taken off guard when he unexpectedly handed it to me for review, and when he stood to read it during open mic ... I blushed again!
I was excited to pick up autographed copies of both novels, but even more excited about the extensive knowledge, advice and encouragement I received from Rebecca's speech.
Rebecca spoke to us about Researching and Submitting to the National Market. The tips, tricks and avenues she talked about did two things for me; one, I will submit all my queries via e-mail, and in batches. She offered a template that she uses with a really good success rate, and as soon as I return from CO, I will begin to implement a similar query process. She also alleviated my doubts of submitting solely to agents and avoiding editors. Aside from Thrillers, a genre which I haven't written in nor do I plan to ever attempt to break in to, editors in most other genres don't always require an agent to receive and review a submission.
So there you have it. It was an awesome meeting ... I left feeling completely inspired and I thank Rebecca immensely for her encouraging words and most valuable lessons.
Now, on to the BIG writer's conference. I am so excited! I don't know how much sleep I will get tonight, but my flight takes off early, so I am off to bed.
Kristin
P.S. On a funny side note, I got to read a pretty graphic (Yes, even graphic for me!) short story from a fellow leaguer, one that made me blush ... I think I was taken off guard when he unexpectedly handed it to me for review, and when he stood to read it during open mic ... I blushed again!
Friday
Where have I been?
I've been preparing for the big Writer's Conference I am attending in a few weeks. Oh my! There is too much to do, and NOT enough time each day. I have been working on pitches, and yes ... I am pitched right out. I am in pitch-overload and quit pitchy! 7 out of 11 of my pitches are to a point where I feel I can send them to my proofreader, but the other four are giving me a serious case of indigestion. Seriously ... how many times can one use the when formula without sounding like a broken record? (Only one of my perfected pitches is a true-to-form when formula. The others are very good variations.)
Anywho, I am excited to go. I can't wait to hear the speakers, sit in on readings and pitch my novels. I hope to get some good feedback at the conference. I also want to send a quick shout out to these and this (in diet) and plan on living on the two/combination of the two until my plane lifts off the ground.
Kristin
Anywho, I am excited to go. I can't wait to hear the speakers, sit in on readings and pitch my novels. I hope to get some good feedback at the conference. I also want to send a quick shout out to these and this (in diet) and plan on living on the two/combination of the two until my plane lifts off the ground.
Kristin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)