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
Thursday
Last night ...
at the LUW chapter meeting, I had the opportunity to listen to a fantastic speaker, Angela Eschler. An author and freelance editor, Angela shared with us her knowledge of marketing. She sent us, via e-mail, a fantastic packet of information including lists of websites to check out, books to read and podcasts to listen to. I found her information most helpful, and not only that ... she's incredibly inspiring!
I gained plenty of very important points from the meeting, but two topics that were exceptionally applicable to me stand out in my mind. One, she spoke of being patient. She spent a good deal of time on this and it was just the reminder I've been needing.
She also said that if you plan on writing in more than one genre, a pen name is good idea to consider. So, this back and forth, pen name/no pen name game I've been playing is now official over. I will use a pen name for my romance novels, my real name for my fantasy and if I ever get around to publishing my children's books, I will use yet another pen name for those books.
On a side note, my proofreader, who is also a Marketing expert, is very support and inspiring to me and I don't know what I'd do without her.
Kristin
I gained plenty of very important points from the meeting, but two topics that were exceptionally applicable to me stand out in my mind. One, she spoke of being patient. She spent a good deal of time on this and it was just the reminder I've been needing.
She also said that if you plan on writing in more than one genre, a pen name is good idea to consider. So, this back and forth, pen name/no pen name game I've been playing is now official over. I will use a pen name for my romance novels, my real name for my fantasy and if I ever get around to publishing my children's books, I will use yet another pen name for those books.
On a side note, my proofreader, who is also a Marketing expert, is very support and inspiring to me and I don't know what I'd do without her.
Kristin
Monday
Book two of four is ...
finished! THE PROMISE is going to be one of those books that is hard to put down. I compare it to the second movie of the original Star Wars trilogy, the Empire Strikes Back. That particular movie was informative and a bit sterile, but you have to watch it to be able to put the first parts and the last parts of the story together. THE PROMISE is exciting and chock-full of information which I feel takes away from the characters a bit. I am more in love with THE TRAIT just because I love getting to know new characters, but THE PROMISE could definitely stand on it's own, just like it's predecessor.
On to THE NATION! Can't wait to share what happens with Brynn and Creed ... it is going to be unbelievable! (A - don't get mad at me for what's about to happen ... It can't be helped!)
On to THE NATION! Can't wait to share what happens with Brynn and Creed ... it is going to be unbelievable! (A - don't get mad at me for what's about to happen ... It can't be helped!)
Kristin
Thursday
The Trait ...
is done. Wow, book #8 and I am just getting started. THE TRAIT is like nothing I've written before. It is a romantic-ish fantasy book geared towards young adults, so it's clean ... clean enough for my 14 year old to read, no less. I have to say I completely enjoyed working within a different genre and I am so proud of this novel. I envision in my mind the characters all day long, as if they are friends or members of my family. I have completed the outline for book #2 of this series, and can't wait for school to start so I can start writing again, with NO GUILT! I also need a new keyboard ... desperately! The right shift button doesn't work, nor does the X, C or V. Note to self, soda pop and keyboards do not mix.
So, here's to Brynn and Creed. May they find all the happiness they could ever ask for in book #2.
Kristin
So, here's to Brynn and Creed. May they find all the happiness they could ever ask for in book #2.
Kristin
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