Things I learned at Mountain of Authors
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Have I ever mentioned I LOVE the public library?
No matter what city I've lived in, I have never been disappointed. These people love books. They are books' biggests fans. Yesterday I attended a writer symposium/panel/event. Not sure what its label should be, but there were a couple panel discussions, time to visit with other authors, talk with industry professionals, and then the keynote speaker, Stephen Coonts.
Best comment of the day goes to Stephen Coonts. [and I'm paraphrasing here because I don't write fast enough] A classic is a book written for the general audience of its time. If you haven't written a book for popular consumption, you haven't written a classic.
Lessons:
I suck at marketing and promotion. Or, I take that back...I never really budgeted for it at the get go. I made sure I had a great editor and an awesome cover artist.
Reminders:
Know where you're going in the story. Have a destination. And like we've been talking about in my critique group recently, write the climax of the story first.
Know the audience and the market for your story.
And one last thing:
I think I'd like to go take a few creative writing classes. I've been a homebody for the last several years... barely getting out except to do the grocery shopping and an occasional outing with friends or the man. I'm feeling antsy, which is probably why--in a matter of a month or so--I've volunteered with the FRG, signed up for RWA and the local chapter, and committed myself to doing a bit more than is usual. I even got the kids registered with CYS--almost, which is the Child Youth Services on Post. I've been avoiding it, but the kids are anxious to do stuff, too. Play sports, get out of the house. And with the CYS comes access to some childcare. So, it will be good to step outside the comfort zone a little. Start next fall off with a class at a community college.
Anyhoo, that's all for now.
Hope you have a great week,
With Love,
Bethanne
No matter what city I've lived in, I have never been disappointed. These people love books. They are books' biggests fans. Yesterday I attended a writer symposium/panel/event. Not sure what its label should be, but there were a couple panel discussions, time to visit with other authors, talk with industry professionals, and then the keynote speaker, Stephen Coonts.
Best comment of the day goes to Stephen Coonts. [and I'm paraphrasing here because I don't write fast enough] A classic is a book written for the general audience of its time. If you haven't written a book for popular consumption, you haven't written a classic.
Lessons:
I suck at marketing and promotion. Or, I take that back...I never really budgeted for it at the get go. I made sure I had a great editor and an awesome cover artist.
Reminders:
Know where you're going in the story. Have a destination. And like we've been talking about in my critique group recently, write the climax of the story first.
Know the audience and the market for your story.
And one last thing:
I think I'd like to go take a few creative writing classes. I've been a homebody for the last several years... barely getting out except to do the grocery shopping and an occasional outing with friends or the man. I'm feeling antsy, which is probably why--in a matter of a month or so--I've volunteered with the FRG, signed up for RWA and the local chapter, and committed myself to doing a bit more than is usual. I even got the kids registered with CYS--almost, which is the Child Youth Services on Post. I've been avoiding it, but the kids are anxious to do stuff, too. Play sports, get out of the house. And with the CYS comes access to some childcare. So, it will be good to step outside the comfort zone a little. Start next fall off with a class at a community college.
Anyhoo, that's all for now.
Hope you have a great week,
With Love,
Bethanne
