A conversation at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference spurs reflection from a psychologically-attuned attendee. Click on the link below.
Reflections on PPWC’s 21st conference: Fumbling Toward Normalcy | 1600 Words A Day.
Category Archives: Conferences and Classes for Writers
Literary Rambles: Agent Spotlight: Kate Schafer Testerman
I met Kate Testerman at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. She is actively seeking clients. Click on the link to read about her background and interests.
Another View of the Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference
From another Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference attendee, here’s a rundown of a different experience.
One Writer’s Experience at the 2013 Pikes Peak Writers Conference
Yesterday, I returned from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. As usual it was an amazing experience. Here are some things I took away:
1. I heard top agent Barry Goldblatt critique first pages read by attendees. Now, I have a much better idea where to start my story. I had way too much dialogue up front. Not enough was happening. I need to start at a more dramatic moment. Actually, that’s easy. I just need to skip more pages.
2. The night before the conference started, my roomie, an amazing writer, had reviewed my own first page and synopsis. Together, we pinpointed the organizing principle of my protagonist’s personality. I now can see the thread stringing the pearls of my plot together. It was always there, but not as clear to me as it was to her. That help was priceless. (You know who you are–thank you!)
3. I spent some time with other writers and an agent chatting in Zebulon’s Library, an intimate bookless conference room near the restaurant. It was a different and relaxing way to meet people and share information.
4. I met an energetic, fascinating, famous, and powerful professional writer in the bar. Her example was a gift. Most immediately applicable of the many things I learned from her is a working method. She uses a bluetooth microphone and paces around her office, dictating, during working hours. She logs 4000 words a day. Okay, I ordered a bluetooth microphone this morning. Reviewers say it works with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which I like and have trained. This week I have assignments to turn in and errands to catch up on, but this weekend, I am going to finish my novel, or at the very least, come close. I am one of those strange people who finds it much easier to rewrite than to do the initial draft, so this is going to work. It will also help my sciatica (caused, in my case, by too much sitting) heal and increase my calorie burn.
5. I heard an accomplished thriller writer discuss his Stanislovski-style method of characterization. I couldn’t do it the way he does. (He actually shoplifted once  as part of his character research.) I can, however, use my imagination to immerse myself more deeply into my protagonist’s mind. He emphasized the characters’ feelings, but, more than that, the responses of other people to the way a given character acts. Coming home, I found myself observing people in the airport more closely.
6. I heard a professional nonfiction writer, an architect, giving advice about how to break into writing. I have been broken in for quite some time, but his talk reminded me of avenues to publication I have not explored in a while, and I will be watching them more carefully in the coming months, making notes for possible projects.
7. I attended two panels where literary agents answered questions commonly posed by attendees. I was able to see people who represent the kind of book I am writing. When I am ready to submit, I will be able to associate their names, faces, and personalities with information I find online. Â I will also be able to say what impressed me about them. (One of my major goals this year is finding appropriate representation for my work.) By the way, don’t be discouraged if you get rejections from agents. They get more than 1000 queries a week and ask for few sample pages (even fewer full manuscripts).
8. I heard a famous thriller writer extol the virtues of self-publishing (though Amazon). It’s not for me, but, hey.
9. I added to my list of books to read.
10. I met many wonderful fellow-writers, ate great food, took a walk in the Garden of the Gods, sipped Blue Moon, had a massage, and watched Eat, Pray, Love on Saturday night in our room. (Husbands will not share that one.) What could be better?
Writing from the Peak: Rocking the 2013 Pikes Peak Writers Conference.
Best Business Advice for Writers: March 2013 | Jane Friedman
Every month, Jane Friedman publishes a wonderful collection of links containing the best business advice for writers. Here’s the post for March 2013, and you can access previous months from the same location. Use your time and money effectively! Take a look.
Best Business Advice for Writers: March 2013 | Jane Friedman.
Network Effectively
Here are some sensible networking tips for virtual or real-life marketing.
Networking Necessities, Niceties and No-No’s – exploreB2B.
YA Debut Author Anne Blankman’s Route to Publication
How do you get published? The answer is different for every writer. Here’s one author’s story. Your route will not be the same, but you will pick up some valuable information about the road. Don’t forget to check out other interviews in this excellent blog’s archive.
Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire: An SAT with YA Debut Author Anne Blankman.
Mo Willems’ Keynote at Winter SCBWI Conference
Picture book advice from master Mo Willems.
Click the link below.
Follow the SCBWI 2013 Winter Conference, Here, Now!
If you write books for children, join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Their huge Winter Conference is going on right now in New York City. Click on the link below and follow the conference through the eyes of a crack team of official bloggers. You will find out what to expect when you attend your first international conference. The next one is in Los Angeles in August, but the organization sponsors more intimate regional events as well.
Twelve Picture Books in Twelve Months
If you are a picture book writer, you may be interested in this exciting community. It isn’t free, but it isn’t expensive either, and it offers the benefits of support, motivation, and information. I am going to sign up!
One Way to Wonder 