RWA Conference

It's been a few weeks since the Romance Writers of America conference. It was held in DC this past July. It was an amazing experience. I got to meet so many wonderful authors, agents and publishers. Granted there were a few sangs, such as a flood, car accident and even the death of a family member on the last night it was still great. I plan on going next year if at all possible. I learned so much about the industry it was mind boggling but in a way that got me very excited despite the many, and I mean many hardships writers face. My favorite part was hanging out and just talking to everyone, and there were lots of people to talk to. It was my first conference but I jumped right in. If anyone knows me that's how I am. I do not let the fact that I know no one deter me. As it turned out I knew quite a few people and had not expected them to be there. I had two friends up for awards and made several new friends. I encourage anyone who is thinking about going, or wants to know about the publishing industry to go. Aside from the great people, the workshops are amazing. As it turns out I got to talk to two very wonderful ladies, whom I admire very much. First off I got to meet J.R.Ward, her talk about being a writer was bluntly honest and motivating. Second, I got invited to Nora Roberts' pre-Rita party. She was just so gracious and has one of the coolest personalities. It was a real treat to attend. Now off to more work. After crazy events and more travel than one person should have to do in three weeks this MS is finally going out this week.

In case you are wondering that is a picture of my talented blond friend Sharon Wray, who won first place in the Kiss of Death contest for best Single Title with J.R.Ward in the middle and me in the black and white at the RWA literacy signing.

Working it out. Revisions

Revisions. I love revisions, no really I do I think they are great. I know many writers who hate this part but I love this way more than just blank white pages. Doing revisions is where you get to really add the depth and detail you generally are missing from a spew manuscript. Everyone starts with a spew, this is the version you first spit out then leave in the back corner of a closest for a while, let it simmer enough so you can forget some of what you have written. When it has fermented enough you get to go back and polish and turn it into something magnificent. I am now on round two of revisions of my manuscript but I won't start till Monday. I still need at least one more day away from it then back to the grind. I have a deadline you know and you don't ever want to miss those!

Reaching "The End"

I have finally done it. I have written two those two magical words many hope to achieve and never do. I am a writer, no really that is not a joke for those of you who know me when I first got started. Its official once you complete a full manuscript of over 90,000 words you have earned the right to be called a writer. For those of you who don't know, that's a full book, the kind you get to pick up at the airport, or grocery store for that matter. At the moment I am riding high on that euphoric feeling of completion. Awe, and amazement. I did it, and still it does not seem real. Many say 'I want to write a book some day'. Let me tell you about 'some day'. Today is some day and if you have a story in you get it out, breathe life into it. Don't wait to reach 'the end'.