It's almost like getting a small taste of a great dessert and then not being allowed to eat the rest. Or it's like being told you can never have anymore - at least not for a while.
That's what it felt like being with 2000+ Writers last week at the romance Writers of American National Conference in New York.
Being at a conference like that can be invigorating and it can be discouraging - both at the same time.
Invigorating because you're around so many dynamic writers.
Discouraging because...you're around so many dynamic writers.
And you...rather...I felt less than dynamic.
You see, I've been doing this for more than fifty years. Oh, I've been published in almost every venue except novel-length. By now I should BE there...wherever "there" is.
That's my Holy Grail - getting a book...not written - I've done that already - in fact several times...getting a book published.
Published by one of the "legacy" houses.
I loved being at National, around so many wonderful writers. My head was swimming with ideas and then I came home and wanted to keep on writing.
I wanted to revise one book, work on another and then do research for a third.
But soon reality set in and I went back to my day job...
For a while longer.
So one day I'll be eating that dessert everyday, all day.
One day I'll have that book with my name on the spine.
One day...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
RWA 11 Wrap Up
I can't say enough about RWA 2011. Everything about my four days there was wonderful - from the workshops to the people.
The high points of the conference for me were Sherrilyn Kenyon's keynote address and Candace Haven's Fast First Draft workshop. Both were inspiring. Both women have a new fan- me!
And that's what I needed. I needed time away from everything else to BE a Writer - to be with Other Writers. To be with people who understand what it's like to wake up in the morning with your head so full of ideas you have to write them down - you have to get them out.
Writers need to be around other writers. We need the validation that we're not nuts (well, maybe not totally). I've been missing my RWA Chapter meetings lately and RWA National was the perfect way for me to regain that connection.
The high points of the conference for me were Sherrilyn Kenyon's keynote address and Candace Haven's Fast First Draft workshop. Both were inspiring. Both women have a new fan- me!
And that's what I needed. I needed time away from everything else to BE a Writer - to be with Other Writers. To be with people who understand what it's like to wake up in the morning with your head so full of ideas you have to write them down - you have to get them out.
Writers need to be around other writers. We need the validation that we're not nuts (well, maybe not totally). I've been missing my RWA Chapter meetings lately and RWA National was the perfect way for me to regain that connection.
The other high points were finally seeing Phantom of the Opera on stage and traveling to The Village/Chinatown with Kathy Kulig and meeting other erotic romance writers. Yes (big sigh) I have written one of those things - the truth is out. Lori Perkins of Ravenous Romance was a gracious hostess, taking the writers who read from their works and hangers-on (like me) out for a wonderful Chinese dinner afterward.
Would I go to RWA 12 in Anaheim?
I'm definitely thinking about that.
I'm thinking of inviting my daughter now from Seattle for that.
I'm thinking about a workshop.
And, best of all, I'm thinking about writing - and actually writing.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Pictures from RWA NYC - Wednesday and Thursday
Bubba Gump's Shrimp - great food before a great show: Phantom
Agent/Editor Appointments - nervous, noisy writers
St. Martin's book signing - FREE BOOKS!!!
Shannon Delaney signing for a fan.
Phantom...
How could one go to New York and not see a show? We got tickets to Phantom of the Opera for last night. I'd never seen Phantom in the theater - only the movie. It was one of the greatest experiences. We left the theater humming the songs - cliche but true.
RWA 11 Day 3
There were two stand-outs today: Sherrilyn Kenyon and Candace Havens.
I had the great idea to run to the bathroom right before the lunch program. Who was coming out but Kenyon - beautifully petite with dark auburn hair. The New York Times best selling author said to those of us standing in the proverbial ladies room line that she was nervous about speaking in front of the 2000+ crowd but she needn't have been. She was so wonderful - she brought many of the attendees to tears, including me. After hearing how she grew up and how she finally convinced herself to live her life-long dream of being a writer, I have no excuse not to do the same thing. And her father also told her the same thing mine told me: "You'll never support yourself writing."
Candace Havens is another one who won't let writers rest. She feels we shouldn't go a day without writing at least 20 pages. Her Fast Draft workshop was one of the best I've ever attended. Havens is an author who continually gives back to other authors. She's bright, witty and dedicated to her craft. If you can catch one of her sessions, go. If not, go to www.candacehavens.com.
I ended the day at the St. Martin's Publishing Party at the Flat Iron building. Way cool. I mean WAY cool - the building, the people. I met a lovely editor who liked my name and I immediately asked if she wanted to buy my book. I spoke to an agent who thinks I'll be able to sell The Change. I sipped wine, ate shrimp and rubbed elbows (and bottoms - it was crowded) with editors, agents and authors. I even shared a crowded elevator with vampire-author, agent Lucienne Diver. And the building itself - wow, what an architectural wonder.
I love this city. This evening was lovely, breezy and cool - New York at its best.
I had the great idea to run to the bathroom right before the lunch program. Who was coming out but Kenyon - beautifully petite with dark auburn hair. The New York Times best selling author said to those of us standing in the proverbial ladies room line that she was nervous about speaking in front of the 2000+ crowd but she needn't have been. She was so wonderful - she brought many of the attendees to tears, including me. After hearing how she grew up and how she finally convinced herself to live her life-long dream of being a writer, I have no excuse not to do the same thing. And her father also told her the same thing mine told me: "You'll never support yourself writing."
Candace Havens is another one who won't let writers rest. She feels we shouldn't go a day without writing at least 20 pages. Her Fast Draft workshop was one of the best I've ever attended. Havens is an author who continually gives back to other authors. She's bright, witty and dedicated to her craft. If you can catch one of her sessions, go. If not, go to www.candacehavens.com.
I ended the day at the St. Martin's Publishing Party at the Flat Iron building. Way cool. I mean WAY cool - the building, the people. I met a lovely editor who liked my name and I immediately asked if she wanted to buy my book. I spoke to an agent who thinks I'll be able to sell The Change. I sipped wine, ate shrimp and rubbed elbows (and bottoms - it was crowded) with editors, agents and authors. I even shared a crowded elevator with vampire-author, agent Lucienne Diver. And the building itself - wow, what an architectural wonder.
I love this city. This evening was lovely, breezy and cool - New York at its best.
Remarks from Day 2 RWA 11
Some of the most encouraging comments from Day 2.
From yesterday's Opening Session:
Steve Berry: "History matters..."
Tess Gerritsen: "Stephen King is an inspiration..."
Diana Gabaldon on giving away portions of your writing: "Taste the wares...the first one's free."
Steve: "We are at the moment when things (publishing) are getting bigger...books aren't going away..."
Tess: "I knew I was a writer at the age of 7..."
From The PRO Retreat:
Cherry Adair (PRO Mentor of the year): "Eighty percent of the population wants to write a book. Five percent of that eighty percent actually start. Two percent of that five percent finish. You are part of that 2% of the 5% of the 80%."
And Gabaldon also mentioned something about doing a reading of a passage in an historical novel - the passage was about the Earl of Rochester teaching Nell Gwynn how to give a blow job....I'm searching for the video for that one...the..uh...reading. A video of the reading...
From yesterday's Opening Session:
Steve Berry: "History matters..."
Tess Gerritsen: "Stephen King is an inspiration..."
Diana Gabaldon on giving away portions of your writing: "Taste the wares...the first one's free."
Steve: "We are at the moment when things (publishing) are getting bigger...books aren't going away..."
Tess: "I knew I was a writer at the age of 7..."
From The PRO Retreat:
Cherry Adair (PRO Mentor of the year): "Eighty percent of the population wants to write a book. Five percent of that eighty percent actually start. Two percent of that five percent finish. You are part of that 2% of the 5% of the 80%."
And Gabaldon also mentioned something about doing a reading of a passage in an historical novel - the passage was about the Earl of Rochester teaching Nell Gwynn how to give a blow job....I'm searching for the video for that one...the..uh...reading. A video of the reading...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)