What I Learned At Conference
Ten days ago I attended my first writer’s conference. It wasn’t National. It wasn’t Regional. It was the Lone Star Writer’s Conference in Houston, Texas.
What convinced a North Carolina gal to go to Texas? I used to live there. I was a member of ARWA and SARA, the local RWA chapters for Austin and San Antonio. I have wonderful friends there who attended conference with me. I have wonderful friends there who did not attend conference with me. I have wonderful memories of living there.
So it was pretty much a no brainer.
The big draw was an awesome workshop schedule presented by Alexandra Sokoloff, a screenwriter and author. Ms. Sokoloff shared the secrets of plotting and structure used by screenwriters and showed us how to easily adapt them to fiction novels. I’ve been dissecting every TV show and movie since the conference, and it’s amazing how spot on she is with her assessment. The structure is carried out so flawlessly that most people don’t even realize it.
The second big draw was agent/editor appointments. I’ll be honest. I’m not convinced having an agent is necessary at this point in my fledgling career. I’m preparing to launch a couple of indy published thrillers on Amazon. I’m more interested in the small digital presses. Would I like to add a NY Times ranked novel to my portfolio? You betcha. But I don’t believe that’s going to happen right away. I prefer to build my platform slowly, learn the ropes and then pursue the Big Six. When that happens, I want an agent.
During the conference, I met with Kelli Collins, senior editor with Ellora’s Cave and the only editor present. She requested the first novella in my paranormal romantica trilogy. She also offered some invaluable advice about my story line which I’ve taken to heart. I’m tweaking the plot for the second and third novellas and I can honestly say, it’s something I would read even if I hadn’t written it.
To my surprise, I discovered agents and editors don’t bite. Neither do screenwriters/authors. The NWHRWA chapter hosted a charming buffet social on Friday night. The energy, great conversation, delectable food and gracious chapter members made it a truly memorable event. By the time the workshop was over at 6pm, many of us met for a group dinner at the hotel and adjourned for wine and chocolate in a private room. I laughed. I learned. I vowed to go back next year.
So what did I learn at conference? The tools for writing are everywhere. Knowledge is assessable. But the exhilarating motivation of networking and sharing your dreams with like minded individuals at various stages of their careers is priceless.
Well done, Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America. Well done.
Deb Sanders aka Alexis Thomas
http://DebSanders.wordpress.com - Paranormal Suspense
http://AlexisThomas.wordpress.com - Paranormal Too Hot for Hell
For more information on Alexandra Sokoloff and screenwriting tips for authors, visit her site, http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/
What convinced a North Carolina gal to go to Texas? I used to live there. I was a member of ARWA and SARA, the local RWA chapters for Austin and San Antonio. I have wonderful friends there who attended conference with me. I have wonderful friends there who did not attend conference with me. I have wonderful memories of living there.
So it was pretty much a no brainer.
The big draw was an awesome workshop schedule presented by Alexandra Sokoloff, a screenwriter and author. Ms. Sokoloff shared the secrets of plotting and structure used by screenwriters and showed us how to easily adapt them to fiction novels. I’ve been dissecting every TV show and movie since the conference, and it’s amazing how spot on she is with her assessment. The structure is carried out so flawlessly that most people don’t even realize it.
The second big draw was agent/editor appointments. I’ll be honest. I’m not convinced having an agent is necessary at this point in my fledgling career. I’m preparing to launch a couple of indy published thrillers on Amazon. I’m more interested in the small digital presses. Would I like to add a NY Times ranked novel to my portfolio? You betcha. But I don’t believe that’s going to happen right away. I prefer to build my platform slowly, learn the ropes and then pursue the Big Six. When that happens, I want an agent.
During the conference, I met with Kelli Collins, senior editor with Ellora’s Cave and the only editor present. She requested the first novella in my paranormal romantica trilogy. She also offered some invaluable advice about my story line which I’ve taken to heart. I’m tweaking the plot for the second and third novellas and I can honestly say, it’s something I would read even if I hadn’t written it.
To my surprise, I discovered agents and editors don’t bite. Neither do screenwriters/authors. The NWHRWA chapter hosted a charming buffet social on Friday night. The energy, great conversation, delectable food and gracious chapter members made it a truly memorable event. By the time the workshop was over at 6pm, many of us met for a group dinner at the hotel and adjourned for wine and chocolate in a private room. I laughed. I learned. I vowed to go back next year.
So what did I learn at conference? The tools for writing are everywhere. Knowledge is assessable. But the exhilarating motivation of networking and sharing your dreams with like minded individuals at various stages of their careers is priceless.
Well done, Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America. Well done.
Deb Sanders aka Alexis Thomas
http://DebSanders.wordpress.com - Paranormal Suspense
http://AlexisThomas.wordpress.com - Paranormal Too Hot for Hell
For more information on Alexandra Sokoloff and screenwriting tips for authors, visit her site, http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/
1 comments:
Thanks for sharing about your experience with a local writer's conference. I attended one near me this past June, and I also realized that editors and agents are "real people." They were not these temperamental goddesses ready to rain on my fledgling manuscript. :)
Good luck with your indie launch!
Post a Comment