Sharon Skinner's Blog, page 10

Recent Author Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016

Cirque du Livre 2016: First Page Panel with Tom Leveen

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Here is a quick recent author appearances recap. First, I attended the Cirque du Livre Writers Conference in Mesa, where I presented on with Alan Black, Deena Remiel, and Tom Leveen on topics that included creating antagonists readers love to hate, the best path forward on your publishing journey, and my process for developing a strong reader pitch. I also co-presented a first page read panel with Tom Leveen, where we gave on the spot critiques to writers. Of course, I also attended some great sessions on dialogue (Tom Leveen and Bruce Davis) and marketing (Deena Remiel and Alan Black) to name a few.

The Fabulous BrickCave Staff: Jenn LaBuz, Claudia Romero and Amber Gallagher.

Cirque was a blast. Everyone learned and laughed and had a great time. Much collegiate camaraderie was shared. Overall it was a very positive and rewarding experience. In a fantastic turn of events, I was basically scouted and recruited to teach classes for the ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Stay tuned for more about that, as we nail down the details.

Steampunk Writing panel with Gini Koch & Beth Cato, moderated by Edward Pulley.

Immediately on the heels of Cirque came the multi-headed fantabulous beast known as Phoenix ComiCon where I had five panels, including one on writing Steampink with Gini Koch and Beth Cato, wonderfully moderated by Edward Pulley. I also had the opportunity to present with a diverse group of panelists, including Mark Rude, Ryan Dalton, Tim Shafer, Brenda Cranson, Cassandra Van Valkenburg, Na’amah Segal, Anita Marie Abundis, Jonathan Elliott & Cynthia Randall. This year, my panels covered a diverse range of topics, including Urban Fantasy, writing from the female perspective, King Arthur in contemporary lit, magic, middle school and YA fiction, and, of course, Steampunk.

Tried to get a book blurb from this guy, but he was too far gone in the throes of an ether binge.

It was another huge year at PCC. The fans showed a lot of love and new readers were excited abut the books, as well. I had more than one person buy The Healer’s Legacy and begin reading it, then return for The Matriarch’s Devise before the Con was even over. Or, as in one case, to have a family member pick up the second book as a birthday gift.

I sure didn’t expect these guys!

As much as I love meeting and talking with my wonderful readers, I have to confess these events take a lot of energy and time. I haven’t written anything but this blog post in nearly a week. So, I am happy to get this posted and move back into focusing on my writing projects.

With Cirque du Livre Organizer & Publisher, Bob Nelson.

In addition to my other roles and responsibilities, I recently assumed the position of Regional Advisor for the Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Arizona. Over the next few weeks, you can find me working with a group of wonderful SCBWI Arizona members and volunteers to provide programming for our Arizona region. Many of these events will be open to both members and nonmembers. You can check out those upcoming events here.

And remember, my upcoming appearances are always posted here.

Till next time, may you always find the perfect words for all you wish to say.

The post Recent Author Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016 appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.

Recent Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016

Cirque du Livre 2016: First Page Panel with Tom Leveen

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Here is a quick recent appearances recap. First, I attended the Cirque du Livre Writers Conference in Mesa, where I presented on with Alan Black, Deena Remiel, and Tom Leveen on topics that included creating antagonists readers love to hate, the best path forward on your publishing journey, and my process for developing a strong reader pitch. I also co-presented a first page read panel with Tom Leveen, where we gave on the spot critiques to writers. Of course, I also attended some great sessions on dialogue (Tom Leveen and Bruce Davis) and marketing (Deena Remiel and Alan Black) to name a few.

The Fabulous BrickCave Staff: Jenn LaBuz, Claudia Romero and Amber Gallagher.

Cirque was a blast. Everyone learned and laughed and had a great time. Much collegiate camaraderie was shared. Overall it was a very positive and rewarding experience. In a fantastic turn of events, I was basically scouted and recruited to teach classes for the ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Stay tuned for more about that, as we nail down the details.

Steampunk Writing panel with Gini Koch & Beth Cato, moderated by Edward Pulley.

Immediately on the heels of Cirque came the multi-headed fantabulous beast known as Phoenix ComiCon where I had five panels, including one on writing Steampink with Gini Koch and Beth Cato, wonderfully moderated by Edward Pulley. I also had the opportunity to present with a diverse group of panelists, including Mark Rude, Ryan Dalton, Tim Shafer, Brenda Cranson, Cassandra Van Valkenburg, Na’amah Segal, Anita Marie Abundis, Jonathan Elliott & Cynthia Randall. This year, my panels covered a diverse range of topics, including Urban Fantasy, writing from the female perspective, King Arthur in contemporary lit, magic, middle school and YA fiction, and, of course, Steampunk.

Tried to get a book blurb from this guy, but he was too far gone in the throes of an ether binge.

It was another huge year at PCC. The fans showed a lot of love and new readers were excited abut the books, as well. I had more than one person buy The Healer’s Legacy and begin reading it, then return for The Matriarch’s Devise before the Con was even over. Or, as in one case, to have a family member pick up the second book as a birthday gift.

I sure didn’t expect these guys!

As much as I love meeting and talking with my wonderful readers, I have to confess these events take a lot of energy and time. I haven’t written anything but this blog post in nearly a week. So, I am happy to get this posted and move back into focusing on my writing projects.

With Cirque du Livre Organizer & Publisher, Bob Nelson.

In addition to my other roles and responsibilities, I recently assumed the position of Regional Advisor for the Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Arizona. Over the next few weeks, you can find me working with a group of wonderful SCBWI Arizona members and volunteers to provide programming for our Arizona region. Many of these events will be open to both members and nonmembers. You can check out those upcoming events here.

And remember, my upcoming appearances are always posted here.

Till next time, may you always find the perfect words for all you wish to say.

The post Recent Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016 appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.

Upcoming Appearances, Panels, and a Freelance Article

I have two major events coming up quick. The first is the debut Cirque De Livre Writer’s Conference in downtown Mesa, Arizona May 27-19, 2016. I will be doing panels, signing books and hanging out with a lot of great authors, editors, illustrators, booksellers, screenwriters, etc., etc.

Here are the event details: Cirque de Livre

Here is my list of panels:

Saturday 5/28 1:00PM Panel: The Best Path Forward: Self-Publishing vs. Agent vs. Small Press–Lost Dutchman CoffeeHouse
Saturday 5/28 4:00PM Panel: The 30-Second Elevator Pitch (15 is better)–Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery
Saturday 5/28 6:00PM Panel: Creating an Antagonist Readers Love to Hate–Lost Dutchman CoffeeHouse
Sunday 5/29 10:00AM 1st Page Read–Inside the Bungalow

And here is a nice write up about it on ‘s site:

The next appearance is at Phoenix ComiCon at the Phoenix Convention Center June 2-5, 2016. I will be doing panels and signing in the Brick Cave Books Booth #416.

Details here: http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

Here are my panels:

Friday 6/3 10:30-11:30AM Panel: Myth, Magic, & Middle School: Young Adult Fiction Rm North 226A
Friday 6/3 12:00-1:00pm Panel: Contemporary Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 10:30-11:30AM Panel: Legendary Ladies  Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 12:00-1:00pm Panel: Urban Explosion Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 4:30-5:30pm Panel: So, You Want to Write Steampunk? Rm 104B

With all of this going on, I have not been a very good blogger, I’m afraid. But I leave you with a link to fabulous mystery writer C. Hope Clark’s latest post on her Funds for Writers site.

The Biggest Error of a New Freelance Writer

TTFN!

The post Upcoming Appearances, Panels, and a Freelance Article appeared first on SharonSkinner.com.

Upcoming Appearances, Panels, and a Freelance Article

I have two major events coming up quick. The first is the debut Cirque De Livre Writer’s Conference in downtown Mesa, Arizona May 27-19, 2016. I will be doing panels, signing books and hanging out with a lot of great authors, editors, illustrators, booksellers, screenwriters, etc., etc.

Here are the event details: Cirque de Livre

Here is my list of panels:

Saturday 5/28 1:00PM Panel: The Best Path Forward: Self-Publishing vs. Agent vs. Small Press–Lost Dutchman CoffeeHouse
Saturday 5/28 4:00PM Panel: The 30-Second Elevator Pitch (15 is better)–Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea & Gallery
Saturday 5/28 6:00PM Panel: Creating an Antagonist Readers Love to Hate–Lost Dutchman CoffeeHouse
Sunday 5/29 10:00AM 1st Page Read–Inside the Bungalow

And here is a nice write up about it on ‘s site:

The next appearance is at Phoenix ComiCon at the Phoenix Convention Center June 2-5, 2016. I will be doing panels and signing in the Brick Cave Books Booth #416.

Details here: http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

Here are my panels:

Friday 6/3 10:30-11:30AM Panel: Myth, Magic, & Middle School: Young Adult Fiction Rm North 226A
Friday 6/3 12:00-1:00pm Panel: Contemporary Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 10:30-11:30AM Panel: Legendary Ladies Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 12:00-1:00pm Panel: Urban Explosion Rm 227A
Saturday 6/4 4:30-5:30pm Panel: So, You Want to Write Steampunk? Rm 104B

With all of this going on, I have not been a very good blogger, I’m afraid. But I leave you with a link to fabulous mystery writer C. Hope Clark’s latest post on her Funds for Writers site.

The Biggest Error of a New Freelance Writer

TTFN!

The post Upcoming Appearances, Panels, and a Freelance Article appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.

US Navy Boot Camp Spontaneity: Improbable, Not Impossible

Having a spontaneous moment at The Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, MD.

Spontaneity is not really my strong suit. With as busy as I am I have to be proactive. In order to manage all of my responsibilities I need to plan ahead. So, it is difficult for me to do anything on the spur of the moment these days. There was, however, a time when I was not as structured, when I did impromptu things, to use a cliché, at the drop of a hat. The odd thing is that the last place I would have expected to experience that kind of spontaneity would be US Navy Boot Camp.

Disclaimer: Posed picture. We didn’t actually polish the floors in our dress uniforms. (I am far right.)

I don’t recall what week of boot it was, but I do know it was during a Field Day. Field Day was the day that the barracks had to be cleaned from top to bottom. Bathroom (head) stalls, showers, sinks and even and toilets had to be scrubbed inside and out. At the end of the day, everything—absolutely everything—had to gleam like it had been French-kissed by Mr. Clean himself. Especially the deck (floors).

Navy Boot Camp, circa 1977. That’s me on the far left.

You would be amazed at the things that would be looked at and touched with those ultra white cotton gloves during an inspection. And, oh, how they insisted one should be able to see her reflection in the shine of that well-trod deck.

We were in the final stretch on a particular Field Day. Our hands were red from scrubbing and rubbing and wiping and polishing. Our Unit Compartment (barracks room) was squeaky clean and gleamed like starlight on fresh snow. Some of us drifted into the break room. Women sat on the metal picnic tables and benches or leaned against the bulkhead. (That’s a wall for you landlubbers. Already, we were being indoctrinated into the language of our military branch.)

There was small talk. Some joking. Camaraderie between women who had up to that point been more inclined to self-select into small cliques. Then someone started tapping on the table, drumming her fingers and then hands. Someone else started humming. Air blown into an empty soda bottled created a base line. A jangled set of keys added percussion. Feet tapped. Hands clapped. Voices chimed in. It wasn’t a specific tune, just a gathering of voices and bodies making sound. Making music.

The room filled with it.

Someone climbed onto a table and danced. Another joined her. Women swayed and moved to the rhythm and sound. We were, for that moment, women of the past, present and future. Women whose differences had melted away. Women, each of whom, without being told, added her own component to complement the whole.

And the whole was music and movement and more than a bit magical.

In that time and space, we were transported, if not transformed.

It ended the way it had started. Slowly. One-by-one, women drifted away from the space we had entered mentally, emotionally and physically. No one laughed or commented on what had taken place. I never heard it mentioned afterward. It was as if, though experienced together, the event for each was also private and needed no discussion or explanation. The overall feeling of what had transpired seemed reverential.

It was an oddly spontaneous affair that took place in an extremely structured environment. And it was an amazing experience that I am thankful to have been a part of and one that I still carry with me.

Our fearless leader, Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Theresa Brunasso, accepting the Captain’s Honor Flag on behalf of our Training Unit 3051.

h/t to the women of US Navy Training Unit 3051.

The post US Navy Boot Camp Spontaneity: Improbable, Not Impossible appeared first on SharonSkinner.com.

US Navy Boot Camp Spontaneity: Improbable, Not Impossible

Having a spontaneous moment at The Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, MD.

Spontaneity is not really my strong suit. With as busy as I am I have to be proactive. In order to manage all of my responsibilities I need to plan ahead. So, it is difficult for me to do anything on the spur of the moment these days. There was, however, a time when I was not as structured, when I did impromptu things, to use a cliché, at the drop of a hat. The odd thing is that the last place I would have expected to experience that kind of spontaneity would be US Navy Boot Camp.

Disclaimer: Posed picture. We didn’t actually polish the floors in our dress uniforms. (I am far right.)

I don’t recall what week of boot it was, but I do know it was during a Field Day. Field Day was the day that the barracks had to be cleaned from top to bottom. Bathroom (head) stalls, showers, sinks and even and toilets had to be scrubbed inside and out. At the end of the day, everything—absolutely everything—had to gleam like it had been French-kissed by Mr. Clean himself. Especially the deck (floors).

Navy Boot Camp, circa 1977. That’s me on the far left.

You would be amazed at the things that would be looked at and touched with those ultra white cotton gloves during an inspection. And, oh, how they insisted one should be able to see her reflection in the shine of that well-trod deck.

We were in the final stretch on a particular Field Day. Our hands were red from scrubbing and rubbing and wiping and polishing. Our Unit Compartment (barracks room) was squeaky clean and gleamed like starlight on fresh snow. Some of us drifted into the break room. Women sat on the metal picnic tables and benches or leaned against the bulkhead. (That’s a wall for you landlubbers. Already, we were being indoctrinated into the language of our military branch.)

There was small talk. Some joking. Camaraderie between women who had up to that point been more inclined to self-select into small cliques. Then someone started tapping on the table, drumming her fingers and then hands. Someone else started humming. Air blown into an empty soda bottled created a base line. A jangled set of keys added percussion. Feet tapped. Hands clapped. Voices chimed in. It wasn’t a specific tune, just a gathering of voices and bodies making sound. Making music.

The room filled with it.

Someone climbed onto a table and danced. Another joined her. Women swayed and moved to the rhythm and sound. We were, for that moment, women of the past, present and future. Women whose differences had melted away. Women, each of whom, without being told, added her own component to complement the whole.

And the whole was music and movement and more than a bit magical.

In that time and space, we were transported, if not transformed.

It ended the way it had started. Slowly. One-by-one, women drifted away from the space we had entered mentally, emotionally and physically. No one laughed or commented on what had taken place. I never heard it mentioned afterward. It was as if, though experienced together, the event for each was also private and needed no discussion or explanation. The overall feeling of what had transpired seemed reverential.

It was an oddly spontaneous affair that took place in an extremely structured environment. And it was an amazing experience that I am thankful to have been a part of and one that I still carry with me.

Our fearless leader, Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Theresa Brunasso, accepting the Captain’s Honor Flag on behalf of our Training Unit 3051.

h/t to the women of US Navy Training Unit 3051.

The post US Navy Boot Camp Spontaneity: Improbable, Not Impossible appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.

Writing Support: Priceless!

Sometimes, the writing chugs along like a well-oiled airship and sometimes it clanks and stutters like a rusty steam engine. And then there are those other times, when the writing isn’t the challenge, but the turbulence of life and the business of books take over and challenge me to navigate my way through the choppy air while trying not to look down.

[image error]

Photo Credit “Barta IV”

This is when discipline and good time management skills truly come into play. A large measure of proactive planning doesn’t hurt, either. But one of the key elements is the ability to let go and to delegate whenever possible. Writing may seem very solitary at times, but to do it well takes positive writing support from a cadre of individuals. Whether you work with beta readers, editors, publishers, agents, book designers, assistants, or just plain cheerleaders of your work, you need to be able to let those people do their bit to help carry the project forward.

I’m lucky to have a lot of great people in my corner, including fabulous fans, who cheer me on and look forward anxiously for the next book. I am thankful to all my writing supporters, you help me soar and carry me forward even when I feel like things are flagging. Thank you!

APPEARANCES:

Next stop, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore Birthday Bash! This Saturday, May 7, 2016, I will be there signing and talking about books and writing with a fabulous group of authors. My spotlight panel is in the afternoon, but I will be there all day, hanging out with wordsmiths and book lovers and soaking up the bookstore and story auras. Oh, and there will be cake!

Here are the deets:

On Saturday, May 8, 1993, a new store opened in Clairemont Square, dedicated to the staff’s passion for books of “Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem.” Today, more than twenty years later, that passion continues. We invite you to join us on Saturday, May 7, for our annual all-day celebration, featuring some fantastic spotlight authors, a celebration of our still new to us location, and, of course, cake!

10:00 AM: Mystery Morning

Authors Gregory Harris, Linda O. Johnston, Kwei Quartey, and Lida Sideris

11:00 AM: Middle Grade Magic

Authors Cameron Baity and Benny Zelkowicz

Noon: Young Adult Author Panel

Authors Elizabeth Briggs, Jennifer Brody, Tobie Easton, Eric Laster, and Sara Wolf

1:00 PM: Discussing Dragons

Authors Marie Brennan and Todd Lockwood

2:00 PM: Suspense Spotlight

Authors Kelley Armstrong, Daryl Wood Gerber, Elena Hartwell, and Gavin Scott

3:00 PM: CAKE!

3:30 PM: Fantastic Speculations

Authors Marie Andreas, Gini Koch, Jonathan Maberry, and Sharon Skinner

 

The post Writing Support: Priceless! appeared first on SharonSkinner.com.

Writing Support: Priceless!

Sometimes, the writing chugs along like a well-oiled airship and sometimes it clanks and stutters like a rusty steam engine. And then there are those other times, when the writing isn’t the challenge, but the turbulence of life and the business of books take over and challenge me to navigate my way through the choppy air while trying not to look down.

[image error]Photo Credit “Barta IV”

This is when discipline and good time management skills truly come into play. A large measure of proactive planning doesn’t hurt, either. But one of the key elements is the ability to let go and to delegate whenever possible. Writing may seem very solitary at times, but to do it well takes positive writing support from a cadre of individuals. Whether you work with beta readers, editors, publishers, agents, book designers, assistants, or just plain cheerleaders of your work, you need to be able to let those people do their bit to help carry the project forward.

I’m lucky to have a lot of great people in my corner, including fabulous fans, who cheer me on and look forward anxiously for the next book. I am thankful to all my writing supporters, you help me soar and carry me forward even when I feel like things are flagging. Thank you!

APPEARANCES:

Next stop, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore Birthday Bash! This Saturday, May 7, 2016, I will be there signing and talking about books and writing with a fabulous group of authors. My spotlight panel is in the afternoon, but I will be there all day, hanging out with wordsmiths and book lovers and soaking up the bookstore and story auras. Oh, and there will be cake!

Here are the deets:

On Saturday, May 8, 1993, a new store opened in Clairemont Square, dedicated to the staff’s passion for books of “Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem.” Today, more than twenty years later, that passion continues. We invite you to join us on Saturday, May 7, for our annual all-day celebration, featuring some fantastic spotlight authors, a celebration of our still new to us location, and, of course, cake!

10:00 AM: Mystery Morning

Authors Gregory Harris, Linda O. Johnston, Kwei Quartey, and Lida Sideris

11:00 AM: Middle Grade Magic

Authors Cameron Baity and Benny Zelkowicz

Noon: Young Adult Author Panel

Authors Elizabeth Briggs, Jennifer Brody, Tobie Easton, Eric Laster, and Sara Wolf

1:00 PM: Discussing Dragons

Authors Marie Brennan and Todd Lockwood

2:00 PM: Suspense Spotlight

Authors Kelley Armstrong, Daryl Wood Gerber, Elena Hartwell, and Gavin Scott

3:00 PM: CAKE!

3:30 PM: Fantastic Speculations

Authors Marie Andreas, Gini Koch, Jonathan Maberry, and Sharon Skinner

 

The post Writing Support: Priceless! appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.

Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me?

You are a writer. You either write, or you want to write. And if you are truly serious about it, you study and hone your craft.

You go to the library and check out all the writing books. Especially the ones written for your chosen genre. You read about plot and character development. You learn about manuscript formatting and submitting to agents. You learn the difference between active and passive writing.

You also go online. You find Predators and Editors and lots of other useful websites. You find listings of writers’ conferences and you wonder, “Why should I shell out my dollars to go to a writers’ conference when I can find so much writing information for free? What’s in it for me?”

I have been studying the craft of writing for over 20 years. I have a BA in English and a Masters in Creative Writing, and I still attend writers’ conferences. Now, you might think I’m crazy, or have too much time on my hands. You might be right on the first count, but definitely not on the second.

At any rate, one thing all of my research has taught me is that 1) there is always more to learn about the craft and business of writing, 2) a writing conference isn’t just a place to learn, it’s also a place to network and meet other brave (or maybe crazy) souls doing this writing thing, and 3) even the smallest thing you get from a writers’ conference can make a huge difference for your writing.

I attended one small local writing conference many years ago that took place a short distance from my home. There were a lot of interesting panels there, and I learned a ton, but the best thing I got out of the weekend was the answer to a dilemma I had been wrestling with for months: What is the title of my book, really? I found the answer in a small discussion group where, long before I had learned about the “elevator pitch” and I finally honed my own for my book, someone asked me what my story was about.

That is how my working title, Kira’s Chance, which said little to nothing about the story, became The Healer’s Legacy, which not only speaks volumes about the story, but also ended up informing the entire trilogy.

Since then, my mantra on writing conferences has been, “If all I get out of it is some emotional support and camaraderie, and maybe a fantastic title or idea, it will have been worth it.”

Writing is often a solo experience. Being around other like-minded individuals provides not only validation that hey, maybe you’re not so crazy to want to do this, after all, but also spending a day or two focused on the craft and business that we are so passionate about stirs the creative juices. It’s almost as if there is something in the air, an electric charge that buzzes from one writer brain to another.

One of my key annual conferences is the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) summer conference in L.A. Every year, I get to hang out with a group of authors and talk about the writing journey. We listen to panels, attend workshops, and stay up late into the night talking about books and submitting and the ups and downs of this crazy art form we have chosen to pursue.

Sometimes I hear something new, sometimes I hear things I already know, and sometimes I am reminded of things I knew but had not been applying. Not to mention that I have gotten some of my favorite story ideas while attending writing conferences.

And I have met some of my best friends at writers’ conferences. People who understand the agony and the ecstasy of this journey. People who encourage and support me through my love/hate/love/hate cycles of the writing process. People I might not have otherwise met, but am extremely lucky to have in my life.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to attending a writers’ conference, whether I opt to go to a single workshop, or run from session to session without taking a break, I know what’s in it for me. And it’s always something worthwhile.

The post Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me? appeared first on SharonSkinner.com.

Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me?

You are a writer. You either write, or you want to write. And if you are truly serious about it, you study and hone your craft.

You go to the library and check out all the writing books. Especially the ones written for your chosen genre. You read about plot and character development. You learn about manuscript formatting and submitting to agents. You learn the difference between active and passive writing.

You also go online. You find Predators and Editors and lots of other useful websites. You find listings of writers’ conferences and you wonder, “Why should I shell out my dollars to go to a writers’ conference when I can find so much writing information for free? What’s in it for me?”

I have been studying the craft of writing for over 20 years. I have a BA in English and a Masters in Creative Writing, and I still attend writers’ conferences. Now, you might think I’m crazy, or have too much time on my hands. You might be right on the first count, but definitely not on the second.

At any rate, one thing all of my research has taught me is that 1) there is always more to learn about the craft and business of writing, 2) a writing conference isn’t just a place to learn, it’s also a place to network and meet other brave (or maybe crazy) souls doing this writing thing, and 3) even the smallest thing you get from a writers’ conference can make a huge difference for your writing.

I attended one small local writing conference many years ago that took place a short distance from my home. There were a lot of interesting panels there, and I learned a ton, but the best thing I got out of the weekend was the answer to a dilemma I had been wrestling with for months: What is the title of my book, really? I found the answer in a small discussion group where, long before I had learned about the “elevator pitch” and I finally honed my own for my book, someone asked me what my story was about.

That is how my working title, Kira’s Chance, which said little to nothing about the story, became The Healer’s Legacy, which not only speaks volumes about the story, but also ended up informing the entire trilogy.

Since then, my mantra on writing conferences has been, “If all I get out of it is some emotional support and camaraderie, and maybe a fantastic title or idea, it will have been worth it.”

Writing is often a solo experience. Being around other like-minded individuals provides not only validation that hey, maybe you’re not so crazy to want to do this, after all, but also spending a day or two focused on the craft and business that we are so passionate about stirs the creative juices. It’s almost as if there is something in the air, an electric charge that buzzes from one writer brain to another.

One of my key annual conferences is the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) summer conference in L.A. Every year, I get to hang out with a group of authors and talk about the writing journey. We listen to panels, attend workshops, and stay up late into the night talking about books and submitting and the ups and downs of this crazy art form we have chosen to pursue.

Sometimes I hear something new, sometimes I hear things I already know, and sometimes I am reminded of things I knew but had not been applying. Not to mention that I have gotten some of my favorite story ideas while attending writing conferences.

And I have met some of my best friends at writers’ conferences. People who understand the agony and the ecstasy of this journey. People who encourage and support me through my love/hate/love/hate cycles of the writing process. People I might not have otherwise met, but am extremely lucky to have in my life.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to attending a writers’ conference, whether I opt to go to a single workshop, or run from session to session without taking a break, I know what’s in it for me. And it’s always something worthwhile.

The post Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me? appeared first on Sharonskinner.com.