Philadelphia Writers’ Conference 2008
Well, another writer’s conference has come and gone and I am, once again, pumped up and ready to make some characters come to life. I met some great new friends and got to catch up with friends I met last year. This year’s conference was filled with great workshops by local and national authors, editors and writing professionals.
Opening Remarks
The conference got started with an opening session talk by Michael Smerconish, columnist for Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer, and author of Flying Blind: How Political Correctness Continues to Compromise Airline Safety Post 9/11, Muzzled: From T-Ball to Terrorism True Stories that Should be Fiction and Murdered by Mumia.
His topic? Be Brave: Write What You Believe. Sometimes the story that need to be told are right in front of you and we overlook them looking for something grand. It’s the little everyday stories that people remember most.
The Pitch
The first day of the conference proved to be my best day personally. For it was on this day that I pitched my book to an agent for the first time…ever! E-VER! I was so nervous and talked myself out of it more than a few times. Finally it was my turn to take my place in the 5 minute hot seat. Five minutes. That’s all you get.
I sat down, introduced myself and was greeted by the nicest agent. Her energy definitely made me fill more at ease. The beginning of the conversation went a little like this:
Me: I’m a little nervous. Do you mind if I read from my paper?
Agent: No, go right ahead. Why are you nervous?
Me: This is my first time pitching. (Damn, should I have told her that? Do I look totally unprofessional?)
Agent: Really? You’ll be fine. Just relax. So, tell me about your book.
I proceed to talk about my book and answer questions about characters. She’s nodding her head. Does that mean she likes the idea? Stop talking with your hands!
So this goes on for what seems like forever. The good thing is the nerves have settled down and I can actually hear myself speaking. The story is pitched the questions are answered and I’ve successfully stopped myself before the babbling completely take over.
The end of the pitch? Here’s how that went.
Agent: Your story sounds interesting. I’ll tell you what, (she reaches down to get something) send me the first 3 chapters of the book. (She hands me her card.)
Are you freaking kidding me!!!!! You want to see more?? THANK YOU JESUS!!!
Instructions and other guidelines were given, but I’ll spare you the exciting details. All that needs to be said is that she wants to see more of my book. I have a lot of work to do. The book is finished, but it needs to be edited. This is one opportunity I will not let slip through my fingers. For me, outside of my pitch being excepted, the most important things is that I followed through. I didn’t give in to the fear and self-doubt and I followed through. Whew! God is Good!
On to the workshops.
If I had to pick workshops that I enjoyed most, I would have to pick the Romance workshop with romance writer Susan Meier. Not only was this workshop funny and informal, it was FULL of valuable information that can be used across any genre. After the first day, I believe everyone left feeling less confused by subplots vs. story threads. A lot of writers, me included, didn’t know the complete distinction between the two. Now we do and now we know how to move our stories forward.
The second workshop I really enjoyed was Literary Short Stories by Kathleen Volk Miller, co-editor of the Painted Bride Quarterly. I missed the first day of the class because I chose a different workshop, the following two days more than made of for it. I learn some real world information to tighten up my short stories and excellent tips and advice about submitting.
Last Remarks
The conference banquet, which signals the last night of the conference, was great. The keynote speaker was Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down. He told his story and gave great advice about finding yours.
What did I take away from the weekend? Don’t be afraid to tell your own story. Don’t be afraid to write what you know. Don’t be afraid to write what’s within you to write.
Filed under Pen to Paper | Comment (0)PWC or Bust
I am anxiously awaiting this year’s Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. Last year was the first time I attended and it was intense. There were so many great workshops that it was hard choosing which to take. When it was all said and done, I was exhauasted, but in a good way.
I had the opportunity to meet local writers and authors like romance writer Alice Wootson, horror writer Jonathan Maberry, and paranormal and romance writer Leslie Banks. I had the pleasure of taking Ms. Banks workshop and she was the bomb! She made time for anyone who had a question and all of her workshop classes were lively and real. After picking up a few of her books at the conference, I am addicted to her stories.
This year is going to be no different. I still haven’t figured out which workshops to take, but I know I will have my butt in a chair taking notes. Lots and lots of notes.
If you are a budding writer and have never been to the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference, you should diffinitely attend. It’s a great experience.
Filed under Pen to Paper | Comment (0)This Year I Write My Novel
Writing has always been a passion of mine. When I was little I would use construction paper and yarn to make my own books. I would scribble write my own stories and do the illustrations. Thus, my love a fair with books and writing began. In junior high school I wrote a story (don’t remember what it was about) that caught the attention of my English teacher. She wanted to enter it into a contest, but needed me to finish it first. Finish it first… Finish it… Ok, I never finished it. Follow through has not been my friend. While procrastination stalks me to no end. Sometimes… you know, when it’s not “busy”.
High school wasn’t any different. I wrote all the time, or at least when I wasn’t playing my violin, running track, or working. My BFF Monique would tell my practically everyday since the ninth grade, “Stop playing around. You’re a writer. You need to write.” Granted, she could have been telling this as a way to make me put the violin down (she was 1st chair and knew how the violin was supposed to sound), but I knew she was right.
By the time I went to college I was writing all day, everyday. I was surrounded by artsy folks and they all did something creative. It was like second nature to write a few poems and recite them at a poetry slam the next week. Life was good, the words were flowing and I was having fun in my safe place. Then life happened and other creative pursuits took the place of writing.
So, last year I decided I was ready to reclaim my first love. I picked up Walter Mosley’s book This Year You Write Your Novel at the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. I read it in one day. I was, after all, pumped up and motivated from 3 intense days of workshops. I was ready to make it happen! I found the manuscript I completed 6 years ago (I know, I know) and read it again. Half way through I realized one thing. It was horrible. It was incomplete. It was outdated. It was time to rework it and give it a new life.
First, I have to figure out the plot. Then I have to really get into the heads of my characters. Figure out what makes them tick. Now…I’m ready. I’m going to rewrite it chapter by chapter. Nurture it. Polish it. I’m ready! I’ll even do the rewrite long hand since I spend most of my time on the computer. It will give me a chance to write and edit. When the chapter is done, I’ll type up the changes. My write plan is Flaw-Less. Hmm…but, if I just write it with the laptop I won’t have to do it twice. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’m going to start over with a new document and piece old with new. That will work! Back flawless! Back to writing my first novel! Right after I play 1 more game of solitaire.
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