Putting My Brave Face On for Writer's Conference Time

I'm getting excited to attend my favorite conference, LDStorymakers. It's always fun to see blog/Facebook friends in person, learn from great teachers, and get new inspiration. Additionally, this year I have the opportunity to attend a pre-conference dinner given for authors and artists by my publisher--a real chance to rub elbows and clink water glasses with many whose books I know and love. It still amazes me that I am part of the Covenant Communications family.

What, if any, opportunities might come from conversations at either the dinner or the conference? I might overhear a couple speaking of a collaborative project, be privy to someone's next great idea, or make a new friend. Personally, I'm looking for a few at the conference who might be available to become beta readers for me and test-read my next book.

None of these scenarios will pan out if I don't get brave enough to instigate or participate in conversations with strangers and pedestal-topping well-knowns. Yes, we writers and wannabes have to occasionally leave the comfort and security of our desks to get bold and mingle!

Remember: Folks are typically downright friendly and interesting. Let's get the full experience and benefit from writer conferences and events by putting on a brave face. It gets easier each time we do. One day, we might score a big networking connection or a fast friendship, but if not, we probably had more fun by stretching and growing than listening in from the corner.

Writer Conference Networking Connects with Marketing

You know when you learn of a great marketing idea and wish you'd thought of or could get in on it? While I'm finally doing a collaborative novella, twelve authors took it a step further by joining together to do a similar-themed book-a-month series. It's a great idea, and I'm happy for them. But yeah, I'm more of a band-wagon participant than an instigator. For now.
 
What I need to remember is that a year ago I was a solo book writer--period. Now my critique group is working on a collaborative novella project--all because one of them suggested it. Again, not my idea, but I was happy to be included in an opportunity that offered new potential to expand my reader base. It doesn't matter who the innovator is, and maybe it won't ever be me. The important thing is that I'm gaining experience and finding more people to network with, and that can lead to new marketing opportunities.

To my writer friends who haven't been to a conference event and want to find a way to connect with other writers, there's nothing like the pump-up you get and the variety of people to meet from a writer's conference. I whole-heartedly recommend that LDS authors of fiction and non-fiction plan to attend the LDStorymaker conference held in the Spring in Utah or the Midwest Storymaker conference in Kansas. And a big thank you to those who volunteer their time to put it on. You are amazing! Can't wait to go!

Attention Freeloaders: It's IndieReCon Time

"Free" isn't always a good word. Sometimes it's attached to something else--like a 90 minute time-share presentation or having to buy the small drink and fries that will blow your diet to get it. But in this case, FREE is a very good word.

If you've ever wanted free, excellent advice and education about writing, publishing (especially self-publishing) and the marketing industry--whether or not you plan to self-publish--this is your chance. And you can even attend in your jammies!
 
IndieReCon 2015 runs April 15-17 on your own device. All you have to do is register. If you can't make it in real-time, return later to read the articles that apply or interest you most.

Yes, I'm signed with a traditional publisher, but I'll be there. Why? Because who knows when I will have hybrid opportunities. Why? Because I've learned some good things from past conferences. Why? Because many topics apply to all authors and I'm still a novice. I can use professional advice on creating a bestseller, planning social media campaigns, writing serials, self-editing, Pinterest, author rights, advertising/marketing, and much more. You can look up the schedule ahead of time and mark your favs. Enjoy!

LDStorymakers Conference Highlights

Author's Incognito Mix and Mingle Attendees

Roommates: Alex, Renae, Emily, Angela

It's like a drug. Bursts of enthusiasm and creativity pulse through your body. There's the high of seeing friends and making new ones. You fight to keep all that good info tucked into your gray mass because there is so much to soak up. Thank goodness for notes. That's what a good writer's conference can do for you.

Speaking of notes, Ali Cross and RaShelle Workman put on a great class with lots of notes about self-publishing. My toes are dangling over those waters so I'm in an info-gathering mode there. I'll let you know what happens.

Josi Kilpack delivered what is needed in a first chapter with her class Bait and Hook. Many of those needs: active voice, strong verbs, a great first line, dialogue, conflict that matters, and enough of a cliff-hanger to lead readers to chapter two. I found it interesting how much time she spends on her first chapters. Her critique group gets those pages over and over but they don't always see the rest of the book. Why? Not only do we only get one chance to make that first impression, first chapters are often used as bait/advertising to hook readers to buy the book.

One last highlight I'll mention today was Sheralyn Pratt's class on Creating Compelling and Believable Action. One of her tips was to do what you write. This meant that for her to write that skydiving action scene, she needed to experience it for herself. Whoa! That gives realism relevance. Fun to listen to and great info. That's what a good conference can do for you. 

First Chapter Contest Award

  Wow! Just came back from an awesome writer’s conference—LDStorymakers. You know what they say: The more you learn, the more you learn you don’t know. It’s a mixture of that and recognizing concepts I’m “getting”. Though harder to implement, I can recognize more of what needs work in my current project. Sometimes it’s overwhelming because it takes revision after revision . . . . I think it’s impossible to catch all those things in one sweep or even to write thinking of all the concepts in my head. Practice, practice.



Historical Winners-Me and Scott Lockwood

  Drum roll please. There must be some things I’m getting right because I got great news when they announced the chapter contest winners. My Historical Fiction chapter won 1st Place in that category! It feels like all the effort was worth it. One of the biggest perks is that 3 LDS publishing companies will view my manuscript immediately instead of placing it in the slush pile of entries.

My best critic and supporter, Melissa Cunningham

Judgment Day. Four judges evaluated my submission and gave feedback. This is always a touchy subject for the entrants; it can really vary. Typically there is a harsh judge and an easy judge. This time the harshest judge left comments indicating his/her reasoning or train of thought that led to their rating. Thank you, whoever you are. Now I can make a better decision of what to fix because of those reasons and not wonder if the judge ate something disagreeable for breakfast.

  Writing Tip: When we get feedback from a judge, a critique group, or even a friend, try to evaluate it in the perspective of what you have learned about the concept instead of emotional attachment to the writing. Can this feedback strengthen the writing?

  Head Back next Monday for specific tips and information from a class or two. 

A Strange Day

Yesterday, while I was having breakfast with Brandon Mull and Lisa Mangum (among others at my table), my husband was called into his boss's office to hear the news that he was one of 400 to be layed off at ATK. While I was having my query letter reviewed my Kirk Shaw and listening to 'story ideas that rock' from presenter John Brown, my husband was packing things from his desk and shelves. As I hob-nobbed with famous authors and author-to-be's and we clicked photo ops with friends old and new, the press interviewed my husband about his feelings of being let go after twenty-five years of service. With my buddy, Melissa Cunningham, we dined out with such delightful company as Jeff Savage, Tristi Pinkston, and too many to name while my husband and last child at home heated something in the microwave.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Book Academy Conference at UVU, pushing to the back of my mind what was going on at home. But it's strange to be gleaning wisdom to make me a better writer and having such a good time when traditionally I should feel upset.
There is a peace about our family situation and I have faith we will be taken care of, but it makes me want to pour all that gleaned wisdom into the final edits of my novel and make it the best I can even more than before. Attending two conferences in two weeks has put a fire under me that I don't want to quench before the manuscript is sent off. The conference did for me what it was intended to do. My goal is to have the MS complete by the end of October. There--I've said it out loud.
Anybody out there want to say their goal out loud?
Happy writing, my friends.

Roundup Wrapup

The League of Utah Writer's (LUW) Roundup Conference had a lot to offer this past weekend and I'm going to be blogging about that in my next few posts, maybe even more often than once this week since there are so many great things to pass along. I hope you'll stay tuned and benefit from the notes I took. Think of it as a free mini-conference. Things struck me differently this time than my first conference last spring--probably because I am in the final stages of getting my MS ready to send out.

One thing that left a lasting impression was the closing remarks by Ed Smith. He said something like, "Go back and make use of what you learned today. Otherwise, your time and the presenters' time has been wasted." So true!

I need to implement those hard things I learned so that my novel will become more polished before submitting. I need to work on this blog and perfect that query letter (thank you, Elana). The motivational shot in the arm should flow down to my typing fingers for a little while because I know what I need to fix in order to get desirable results. It isn't easy and it takes time but if we can get to our 100% (as Elana says), then we can push forward with confidence and have a greater chance at success. May you have the desire and energy this week to go out and make use of what you know you should do is my hope as we encourage one another. Happy writing!

I took 3rd place in Creative Nonfiction at LUW!