Unexpected Writing

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Yesterday I spent the day writing and putting together a book I didn’t plan on writing. Due to some things said during the Women’s Retreat I attended on Saturday, I began to think about a journal focused on some of the things about which women in my group talked.

I have a major conference coming up in four weeks. I don’t have time for a new project. My list of things to do for the conference is so long, I don’t think I can complete it.

Despite what I have planned, the Lord has a way of making thing difficult if I don’t follow through with what He has planned. When I got up yesterday morning, no matter how hard I tried, I could not focus about anything I was planning to do until I completed the journal. Today’s picture was used for the cover.

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I’m announcing a new book will be posted later this week on my author’s page. I’m doing all the publishing myself, so for right now it can only be purchased from me.

I feel I’m doing things backwards because I’m still working on a way for payments to be made on this website, so for the time being, use my contact page to request a book and we will work out the payment.

Catalogue shopping

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This week, after some procrastination, I had to get my act together and figure out what to give fellow volunteers as gifts as the end of the school year approaches. Too tired to force myself to go shopping and eyes burning from looking at my computer screen, I turned to catalogues.

What frustrates me about both paper catalogues and computer shopping is I always wonder if items will be as wonderful as they look in the pictures. In some areas I have trust issues and believing advertising is one such area.

Paging through the two catalogues I have (since I obviously get so many of them), took quite a while between dozing off. Again, I faced a dilemma. With the diversity of personalities, what would be the right gift. Since I’m being lazy right now, I didn’t want to figure out different gifts for different people. In addition to the lazy factor, is the time factor. I need to get this done to be sure I will receive them in time.

I finally found a gift for which I wouldn’t have to spend too much and I thought everyone would like. Although I’d like to spend more, since I plan on giving to at least eleven other volunteers I must set limits.

I got on the computer and placed the order. Now all I need to do is watch for it to arrive and pray I don’t have to go shopping at the last minute.

Conference Musing

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I’ve never forgotten when I heard Jeff Gerke say “The only writing rule a writer can’t break is ‘don’t break faith with your reader.’ But if you break a rule, break it well.” The quote might not be exact because it has been a few years, but it is close. I thought of Jeff while at the Write In The Springs conference last Saturday.

In class after class the rule “Don’t use the same noun or verb or phrase in proximity to itself.” has been drilled and drilled and drilled into my brain.

Margie Lawson, our presenter for Write In The Springs, demonstrated several ways to use words or phrases respectively to better touch our readers’ emotions. And not just repeat one or twice, but three, four, or five times. Experimenting with these techniques during the conference was fun. Coming home, looking at my WIP, and playing with the different ways we learned was not only fun, but greatly improved my WIP.

Hurray for breaking the rules!!!!!

 

 

It’s Spring Baseball

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I made a mistake and forgot to publish this last week, so I’m publishing it this week.

The 2018 Baseball Season is just a week old. The Colorado Rockies have been on the road in Arizona and San Diego for the week and has a record of four wins and three losses.

Those of us in Colorado have been looking forward to the home opener. A sold-out crowd of more than 50,000 fans have tickets to the game including myself and my husband. At the game last year, the temperature was over 70 degrees.

The weather has been good most of the week. Today it was in the sixties. Tomorrow, at first pitch, the predicted weather will be 35 degrees with snow falling. Along with the snow, the temperature will fall to about 20 by the end of the game. In addition, the accompanying wind will create a wind chill of ten to fifteen degrees lower than actual temp.

Most fans still plan to attend with plenty of cold weather gear. In 25 years of existence, the Rockies have never canceled a home opener and do hold the record for the coldest home opener.

The big question is will they set a new record this year or will they have their first postponed home opener? Since this is published a week late, I’ll tell you they did play the home opener game. Unfortunately they lost. We got to Coors Field early for the opening day festivities and then the game was delayed due to weather. The temperture at first pitch was 27 degrees. We didn’t stay for the whole game because after being at the ball field four and a half hours in the cold, I wimped out and said “Let’s go home.”

Why Conference?

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One of the most common questions I’m asked by new authors is “Why should I go to writing conferences?”

Their reasons for thinking conferences are not something they want to do are many. The most common reasons are:

  • They are too expensive.
  • I’m just a beginner. I’m going to feel foolish with all those published authors.
  • I’m just a beginner. I could never talk to a publisher or agent.
  • I wouldn’t know what to do or say.
  • I don’t have anything ready to show an editor or publisher.
  • I’ll feel out of place and be alone because I don’t know anyone.

If you are a just starting your writing journey, here are some answers to those comments.

Too expensive. Yes, some conferences are very expensive, but others aren’t. Not only is the conference itself have a cost, but there is also the cost of travel, possibly housing, possibly childcare, and other incidental costs to be prepared. So, let’s look at options. One-day conferences are less expensive than those lasting multiple days. If you need to start with something small, do so. Conferences close to home have less additional costs. Talk to other writers, check writing websites, or go on google and find out what is in your area. Some conferences have full or partial scholarships or reduced tuition if you are willing to help at the conference. Working can be a plus for new writers. It helps to get acquainted with writers and those involved in the publishing industry in your area. Get creative. If you really want to go, talk to the conference organizers. Tell them about your desire. They might know of a way you can come for less money.

Foolish talking to published authors. I won’t deny there are some rude, narcissistic authors, but they are not the norm. Most authors are excited about the craft of writing and enjoy helping newbies. Most will find time to talk to you and encourage you on your writing journey.

Could not talk to a publisher or agent. Think about it. If there aren’t any writers, the publishers and agents don’t have jobs. They can’t depend on their current best-selling authors to be around forever. They are always looking for next new sensation to become a best-selling author. They are real people who are in the business because they like working with people. Believe me, publishers and agents are not scary monsters. Go in prepared with the right attitude and they are fun people to talk to.

Don’t know what to do. Yes, conferences can be confusing with all the activity. But the organizers know how hard it can be for first time attendees. Everyone on the staff has badges or shirts that clearly identify them. They can and do help attendees find their way around and figure out where to go and what to do. They will frequently help figure out who the new author needs to talk to. And it’s not just the conference staff. Frequently others who’ve been at that conference before will see someone looking bewildered, stop, and offer help.

Nothing to show. It is always good to have a manuscript or at least an article. But if you don’t, you can talk about your plans. Ask for suggestions. How can you make the idea the best it can be? Is your idea overworked? If so, how can you make it unique? There is so much you can learn, having something to show is not a requirement. The contacts and networking can be of incredible value down the road on your writing journey.

Out of place and alone. If you look statistics, most writers are introverts. That doesn’t mean we don’t like people. We just prefer them in small groups and need quiet time to recharge our batteries. I won’t deny that makes conferences difficult for introverts. I can attest to this because I power my way through the noise, crowds, and constant activity of 3-4-day conferences. Then I turn off the phone and hide for about a week to recover. The important thing to remember is you are not alone. Those other introverts at the conference are also looking for someone with whom to connect. Everyone at a writing conference reacts positively to the question “So, what do you write?” It starts the conversation in a safe place and allows us to connect on common ground. It allows to have the very small group discussion we enjoy and feel welcome in. Don’t tell the conference leaders this, but I also recommend sometimes sneaking out for an hour and find a place to be alone and get a little rest. And before I get attacked by some of my friends, yes, I know there are some writers who are extroverts and love all the activity of a conference.

I’m sure you’ve noticed I haven’t said much about classes at the conference. When writers consider going to a conference, it’s easy to look at the class offerings and determine if there are classes about the writing areas we need or want. I’ve rarely been asked the why go to a conference question concerning the classes. The only time I’m asked that was regarding a specific conference, such as which of these two conferences has the best classes for me considering where I am as an author.

Find a conference, go, learn, and enjoy the time with other writers