Getting ready for the Maine Crime Wave

The official start to spring has come and gone. Yes, there's still snow on the ground. It's actually snowing as I type. We've pulled out the baby carrier for hiking. Brin is just about big enough to sit in it. As we pass from one season into the next, my thoughts turn back to writing.

Progress on Safe Word edits remains slow and steady. The manuscript needs so much work, but the frame work of a story I want to tell is there. Details need to be added. Characters need to be developed. The action needs to be tightened. But there is a story there.

In less that a week I will be heading down to Portland for the Maine Crime Wave. I went last year and had an amazing time. It's a great opportunity to meet published authors and people who love writing about crime. I don't have a manuscript to pitch other than in concept. Wolf Creek won't be released until September, so I can't really do much marketing for it. Besides it is an LGBT urban fantasy. So what do I hope to accomplish?

First and foremost is always meetings people who love writing. I even printed out some business cards this year to hand out. I'm horrible when it comes to networking, but it's great to have something to give people who ask about my writing or my website.

Second is to keep developing my writing skills. There are some great authors speaking. I even signed up for 15 minutes with an agent so I can pick his or her brain about writing a kick-ass query letter. After the dismal - read non-existent - response to my attempts to sell two novels to agents, I need the help.

Third, I just want to have a good time.

It means leaving my husband and daughter for the day and getting up at a ridiculously early hour to drive, but I am looking forward to spending a day focused on writing.