The best conference for when you're on a budget!
Once again, I learned many new ways to look at my writing. The day started off great when I opened my goodies bag and found a copy of the 2012 Writer's Conference Anthology and found Decisions by yours truly in the contents section.
Adam Wilson, editor with Simon & Schuster, gave a talk on the editing world. He gave great advice, as well as noting that distopian (spelling?) fiction is hot right now. That fits in with Dolus, though it's far from ready to publish. I didn't sign up for the pitch times with him (not feeling any of my manuscripts were ready), but I approached him at the end of the panel and he told me if I met him after lunch, he'd be happy to answer specific editing questions.
Another panel focused on being psychologically correct with characters. I didn't get much from this panel that I didn't already understand. Example: if you're character's described as overenthusiastic, but does a lot of things indicating depression, the "mask" better be part of the story line or sacrifice the trait not integral to plot.
"Realistic Dialogue." Lots of notes were taken, such as the halting and circular nature of natural speech, how understanding the physiological, sociological, and psychological aspects of the character can make it sound true, keep the number of participating characters low, only using descriptions that advance the plot or reveals the character, watch how much specific lingo is used, and make sure no one sounds the same.
"Breaking and Entering" covered what's needed to begin the process of submitting to agents and editors, as well as listing who does what job and how in depth a writer should research them. Hint: Very, very, very thoroughly.
I joined the wonderful Gini Koch for her panel on "World Building vs. Info Dumping" and felt very sorry I missed her one on synopsis writing.
The meeting with Adam went great and he did his best to assist with my pacing concerns, but he pointed out that it's all relative. He told me to send him the first 10 chapters of a novel and he'd make notes - not consider it for publication, just to help me sort it out with his opinion. Since all editors are very busy people plus his editing experience, I am very honored and excited. I know it might take him months to find the time, but even if it takes him a year or two, I'll remain grateful.
Afterwards, I spend time talking with Molly Bolden (Bent Pages), Heather Graham (Author), and another nice lady who's name escapes me now. Which makes me feel bad. We spoke mostly about books on the market and now I have new titles to add to my list of 'buy when I have money.'
The conference ends with a rooftop social. Unfortunately, medicine kept me from enjoying the wine, but the company was great. I met other awesome writers, got a lead on possibly joining a local critique group. I assisted Jeanne (I know I spelled that wrong!) when she approached the agent who rejected me last year. The agent accepted her pitch and wanted a copy of her manuscript and she wanted to thank her, but I saw her divert to the cheese and crackers on approach. So I walked up to the agent myself, reintroduced myself (like lots of agents, she meets tons of people at conferences, so never expect them to remember you and hide your excitement when they do), waved J over, and talked a lot. Then Gini joined us. They kept trying to talk me into attending Heather Graham's NO conference, but with my money limitations (another story), I doubt I can make it. During the course of conversation, I mentioned that I incorporated her comments as best as I could, put submissions on hold as I try to improve, and Adam's offer of assistance. When the library kicked us out and the group broke up, she told me "Next time you see me at a conference, if you really think you've improved, I want you to pitch to me again and I'll give you another shot."
YES!!!
So, lots of high notes. I recommend attending any conferences you can in your area. And if you live near Houma, LA (or can travel there), the Jambalaya's $30 fee ($35 after deadline and at the door) is well worth it. It covers the continental style breakfast, coffee and water all day long, lunch catered by Rouses (a local based grocery chain), and wine with cheese and crackers at the social. With that consideration, I think all the writing stuff is free.
