R.L. Herron's Blog, page 11

Why Write a Book in the First Place?

There are Stories to Tell. I had lunch last week with two old friends I haven’t seen in over thirty years. It turned into a great afternoon, catching up on half a lifetime. Both of them seemed surprised and impressed to learn I have published five books of fiction. They wanted to know if I […]

Where Do Story Ideas Come From?

Where to Start? One of the most common questions a published writer is asked is where they get their story ideas. New writers sometimes think ideas just pop into an author’s head … or else they use some secret formula. Many newbies think if they could learn this magic technique they could write best-sellers, too. […]

What’s in a Book’s Elevator Pitch?

An Elevator Ride Doesn’t Last Very Long Every author has been in the position where someone asks them to describe his/her book. It happened to me several times at a book-signing last Saturday (although, if you read my previous blog post, it didn’t happen as often as I hoped it would).* What’s your book about? […]

Why Do Book Signings?

Boston Public Library (photo courtesy Pixabay) I think it’s a safe bet to say most authors will be offered an opportunity to do a book-signing at some point in time. It can be quite flattering to be asked … until you realize what it really entails: Long hours of sitting on a hard chair, usually […]

Do You Let Your Dialogue Do The Talking?

Bring Your Story to Life I’ve never met a fiction author who hasn’t wanted the reader to get completely lost in the words he put on the page (for a writer there’s no better feeling). You want the reader to suspend his disbelief. As every writer knows (or soon learns), it’s important for readers to […]

Why Book Trailers?

  The Official Book Trailer for “Street Light” They say every indie author needs to have a book trailer to promote his/her work (do you ever wonder who “they” are?) Well, I’ve made one for each of my books. Yep … each one. So, whoever “they” are should be deliriously happy with me. Reichold Street. […]

What is the Science of Writing?

Flowers in the Basket I’ve said it before. Good writing is part science and part gift. The gift part is something only a lucky few are born with. There are only so many Stephen King’s, J.K. Rowling’s, Brad Meltzer’s or James Patterson’s, after all. The science part is something everyone can do. It’s called reading. […]

Sometimes You Have to Blow Your Own Horn

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BLOW YOUR OWN HORN (photo Pixabay.com) My new book STREET LIGHT will be available on Amazon this week. Doesn’t seem like much of a headline, does it? I’d like to be running full-page ads in every major newspaper. Alas, no budget. So, instead, I’ve sent most of them a press release […]

Are You One of the Lucky Ones?

THERE IS NO WRITING FOUR-LEAF CLOVER (photo Pixabay.com) I keep studying the craft of writing. Every day. I even attended another writers’ conference last week … the Rochester Writers’ Spring Conference at Oakland University … trying to learn more about the social media aspects of marketing my work. Took a lot of notes. Met some […]

Are Writers’ Conferences Worthwhile?

Writing Conferences are NOT This Hard!

 

Going to a writing conference isn’t going to help you much with rock climbing (at least I don’t think it will … you never know), but a great reason to attend one … perhaps the best reason … is simply to meet other writers.

If you’re anything like me, the non-writers in your family look at you like you’re nuts when you simply stare at your computer screen because the right words just won’t come.

However, a fellow writer would understand a period of writer’s block and empathize with your lack of sleep while your characters won’t speak to you. They understand how difficult writing can be.

Besides gathering their empathy, it helps to hear about their successes … and their failures. Believe me, I know. If nothing else, it verifies you’re not alone.

If you don’t attend a regular critique or writers’ group, I think it’s important to find a good writing conference once in a while, with some real, live human beings with whom to share your experiences, joys, and heartaches.

Improving Your Craft

I’ve attended local area conferences before, and I’ll also be attending the Rochester Writers’ Spring Conference at Oakland University this Saturday, April 25, 2015. The emphasis of this particular conference is social media for writers.

What’s in it for me? I already have a well-followed blog, a web site, a Book of Face page, an author page on Goodreads, an Author’s Database page, a page on the Twitter, and a media page.

What am I going to learn that I don’t already know?

That’s just it … I won’t know until the session ends, but I’ve never attended one of Mike Dwyer’s conferences where I didn’t learn something of value.

I think it has a lot to do with wanting to improve my craft. I often have a “light bulb” moment while at the conference, even if I’ve heard the speaker or topic before. Something will just click and maybe even solve a problem I’ve been having with my writing.

Plus, when other enthusiastic writers and editors surround you for a day, how can you help but leave inspired?

Don’t Be Shy

The number one tip when attending this, or any, conference is don’t be shy. If you truly want to get anything out of it you have to be willing to talk to people.

Remember, most of the people around you want to improve their craft, get published and sell their books … just like you. So a great opening line is, “What do you write?” Writers loved to be asked this question because it lets them talk about their work.

Do Your Homework

Before you arrive at a conference, it’s important to have educated yourself about the speakers. Do your homework. Research to see what they’ll be speaking about, so you don’t waste your time.

For the Rochester Writers’ Spring Conference I already know who the speakers are and the subjects they’re going to be covering. I also know which ones I think will interest me the most.

Be Choosy

Remember to find a conference that fits you. Don’t go to the Western Writers of America if you want to learn more about the proper way to be using social media to promote your work.

Come to Michael’s conference this weekend instead. You’ll learn a lot, meet some fascinating people and I’ll be sure to say hello.

 

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My books have garnered some terrific reviews. You can see the stories I have available by using the Amazon link below.

You’re also invited to visit my website, BROKEN GLASS, or like my Book of Face page. You can also follow my shorter ramblings on The Twitter.

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Comments posted below will be read, greatly appreciated and perhaps even answered.

 

Filed under: Award-Winning Fiction, Book Promotion, Writing Conferences Tagged: book marketing, Rochester Writer's Conference, using social media