New England RWA conference
I attended the New England RWA "Let Your Imagination Take Flight" conference last weekend. It was held in Salem, which was a nice location, though the hotel had issues.
Still, I had a great time and I realized as I was driving home at night that the conference experience for me is about soaking up other writers. Yes, I go to workshops and learn, yes, I've pitched at pretty much every conference I attended. (Not this one, I have an agent now. Whew.) But mostly what I learn is from talking to other writer's present.
I love to hear about their process. I love to hear how Anne Stuart always writes her book from front to back because she doesn't usually know the ending. She doesn't do outlines, she just starts writing. I loved how other writers in her "chat with" workshop put together their stories. I don't think one of them does it the same way. I shouldn't be surprised, heck, I don't even write each book all the same way.
I also like talking to people who've never come to a conference before. There was a woman there who attended conferences for her profession and expected something like that. "You people are having FUN!" she said. "This is so much better. It's not like you're not learning or paying attention but the vibe is so good."
I agree. I think that's why I like conferences. I get hooked on the vibe.
So, I am signed up to go to RWA National at the end of June. I figure after the eldest's graduation from high school, I will have earned a break. :)
As for what I'm working on:
1. new novella targeted to Samhain's announced superhero romance anthology. I've only written two chapters and I can tell, this story will be a JOY to write.
2. Finishing up minor edits of ghost hunter story for my agent.
3. Super-secret, ultra-cool non-fiction project that I can't talk about yet because nothing is signed, never mind sealed or delivered. But this could be BIG. REALLY BIG!
Still, I had a great time and I realized as I was driving home at night that the conference experience for me is about soaking up other writers. Yes, I go to workshops and learn, yes, I've pitched at pretty much every conference I attended. (Not this one, I have an agent now. Whew.) But mostly what I learn is from talking to other writer's present.
I love to hear about their process. I love to hear how Anne Stuart always writes her book from front to back because she doesn't usually know the ending. She doesn't do outlines, she just starts writing. I loved how other writers in her "chat with" workshop put together their stories. I don't think one of them does it the same way. I shouldn't be surprised, heck, I don't even write each book all the same way.
I also like talking to people who've never come to a conference before. There was a woman there who attended conferences for her profession and expected something like that. "You people are having FUN!" she said. "This is so much better. It's not like you're not learning or paying attention but the vibe is so good."
I agree. I think that's why I like conferences. I get hooked on the vibe.
So, I am signed up to go to RWA National at the end of June. I figure after the eldest's graduation from high school, I will have earned a break. :)
As for what I'm working on:
1. new novella targeted to Samhain's announced superhero romance anthology. I've only written two chapters and I can tell, this story will be a JOY to write.
2. Finishing up minor edits of ghost hunter story for my agent.
3. Super-secret, ultra-cool non-fiction project that I can't talk about yet because nothing is signed, never mind sealed or delivered. But this could be BIG. REALLY BIG!