Hi all,
I'm still de-programming myself from the CRW-sponsored, Romancing the Rockies Conference held in Denver this past Friday and Saturday. Hence, the title of my blog today. Conferences are Good, Bad, and Ugly; usually all not at the same time, thank God!
Let's start with the Good. If you've never attended a romance writing conference, you're in for a treat when you do. And, if you're a groupie like moi`, you'll be blown away by all the authors you meet. You bet I made sure to have a signed copy of the latest books from Linnea Sinclair, Susan Wiggs, and Jeanne Stein. I can't wait to delve into them! Conferences also afford you a wonderful opportunity to network with authors, agents, editors, and other members of your RWA chapter; not to mention catch the latest and greatest writing tips from amazing writing experts like Margie Lawson. How awesome is she! Okay, admittedly, I've got a huge learning curve to master in terms of the writing craft, but at least I know what I don't know (I think). It's also good, good, good to smoos and network with the best of `em!
Now, for the Bad (hope the other shoe didn't hurt when I dropped it). There are so many incredible speakers, discussing so many incredible topics, in so many different lecture areas --- you can't make them all! Very frustrating to have to pick and choose, but one does what one must. There's always a "handy handout," rich with detail as to time, place, and subject. It's decision-making time, for certain. At the end of the day(s), you leave smarter than when you arrived; more informed than when you arrived; and certainly more aware ... of all that you don't know! Ah well, welcome to the world of writing.
Yep, here comes the Ugly. No offense intended to agents and editors (who graciously give of their time and expertise to travel from their, often far-away, offices) waiting for us at their hastily set-up judging tables, but for me ... the Ugly of conferences is the moment you take a seat in front of an agent or editor, and hope something comes out of your dry mouth, other than cotton fluff, which they've all heard before! I guarantee you, it's a humbling experience. I also guarantee you, if you schedule agent and editor appointments, at least you can count yourself A TRUE BRAVEHEART! "Oh we brave few" ... you get my point. You might not have an offer from any of your appointments to send in a partial, but you at least can leave, head high, shoulders straight; knowing you did it.
Just like spaghetti westerns of old (be still my heart at the mere thought of Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at conferences should be whole-heartedly embraced by romance writers. How can you not, with Clint waiting!
Shalom,
Jo(anne)
www.joannesundell.com
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