Here we are presenting:
And here I am with my Knight Agency Sistahs who were at the conference, from left to right, Diana Peterfreund, me, Janet Louise Campbell, Kwana Minatee-Jackson, Maureen McGowan, Deidre Knight, Cathy Chant, Jessica Andersen:
Then, there was a costume party to "Bring Fiction to Life." A lot of people came as their favorite character or as a character they'd written. Since my books aren't out yet, it didn't make much sense to go as my sorority sisters, so I went as an admired writer-idol...Jaqueline Susanne.
That's me on the left with Elizabeth Mahon (as Lady McBeth), Kwana Minatee-Jackson and our very busy conference chair, Pam Claughton:
So, for those of you who are writers and you go to a conference, what's the best thing you bring out of the weekend? What is it that inspires you to get home and write your heart out?
Marley = )
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6 comments:
Conferences are inspiring in so many ways! (I'm so sad I couldn't make it to NEC this year.) Here are some of my top thoughts from my first conference:
1. Listened to Jenny Crusie say that: a) every time she finishes a page she thinks it's crap, and b) that getting published is just about having a manuscript ready when lighting strikes.
2. Attended a workshop by my all-time favorite author, Julia Quinn.
3. Learned that Lisa Gardner has just as many procrastination issues as me.
4. Realized that writing does make a difference in the world, thanks to Barbara Samuel.
5. And, the most important thing I took away from my first national conference, was that everyone (editors, agents, NY Times bestselling authors) are all people, too. Most of them even nice ones. =)
Without the inspiration that I get from conferences, I would have a much harder time keeping myself motivated.
I've only been to two conferences so I'm definitely not an expert. I love the atmosphere and just being around people who "get" what I'm doing. I love sitting around talking about books with other writers. And like TLC, it was eye-opening to see that agents & editors are real people too, after putting them up on a bit of a pedestal!
I love your costume, Marley!
xo,
Steph
Oh, it looked like great fun! I was at that conference last year, and these pictures brought back wonderful memories.
Just being with people who are "as weird as I am" stimulates my brain, so I always come home from conferences full of inspiration and ready to write. I don't think it's any one thing as much as the overall experience. But going back a few years, editorial requests certainly got me rushing home to write! :)
Marley, Sha-Shana mentioned she met you and you were wonderful :)
What I really get out of conferences is that whole literary atmosphere...I plotted two whole books sitting in the lounge at Nationals last year and got them vetted by Heather in our room.
:)
Conferences and writer's groups always remind me that I'm not alone. Also that I may be crazy, but someone else is always crazier. I need that...
I love going to conferences! They can be very inspiring and get your juices flowing.
I also love when you meet kindred spirits there -- like the buzz girls!
You also get to hear cool speakers, like The Meg, at RWA nationals in Atlata last year. That was awesome.
And, one of my top conference moments was at our Emerald City conference last October, when an editor who'd been my dream YA editor for two years gave me a huge hug and told me, "I knew you were going to sell!" She didn't buy my book, but she'd been rooting for me. I almost cried, guys.
Hugs,
Heather
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