Monday Roundup

Hope everyone had a great Father’s Day! Wizard’s was nice. BLB and his girlfriend came by and we had fun.

The workshop I gave on Saturday was a great experience. I wish I’d thought to take pictures, but I was too distracted by a fairly wicked case of nerves (I was the afternoon speaker so I had to wait hours!). I expected a small turn out due to Father’s Day weekend but people kept showing up. What’s really awesome is many old friends came and that meant so much to me (okay–I tried to talk them into leaving before my workshop–but they know me and ignore my special brand of insanity.) Once I got onstage and looked out at all the round tables filled with OCC/RWA members, I realized why I was more nervous than usual. I’ve belonged to this chapter since long before I was published, and I desperately wanted to share something of value with them. They have supported, inspired and consoled me through the years and that is not something I take for granted.

So I did the workshop to the best of my ability. I told the brutally honest story of my career, and how learning to better utilize tropes the conception, execution and marketing of my books was one of the things that helped me resurrect my career and gain some success. From there I went on to teach the process as I’ve learned it. For those who are wondering, tropes are easily recognizable themes used over and over because they hook readers; and they are in almost all stories and movies. Examples of tropes are marriage of convenience, ugly duckling, forbidden love, secret baby, good brother/bad brother, revenge, blackmail, fish out of water, etc.

When I finished, I was surprised at how many people stopped me or came up to me to tell me they really liked the talk. And I got some great feedback if I want to develop the workshop further which is great. It was a truly awesome experience and I always love talking to other writers and readers

I also managed to finish my galleys (final proofreading) for HER TEMPORARY HERO and review a contract. Now I’m writing, writing writing!  Man I’m cutting it close but life has just been a runaway train lately.

Enough about me! Bailey is visiting! Wizard picked him up and brought him home. Here’s a cellphone picture of him in his toy basket.

 

 

I think he needs MORE TOYS!

How was your weekend?