What Writing Chapters And Conferences Are Missing

 Earlier this week, I had the chance to meet with a few authors talking about starting up an RWA Chapter in Oregon. One of the ideas that was floated around was what they were all missing with the discussions in writing chapters today. The big take-away was a lack of just talking about the craft. The focus all seems to me on selling digitally, new marketing techniques for self-pub authors and how to essentially do this all on your own. The joy of just talking about stories was just missing.

I bring this up because one of my authors spent sometime this morning talking with her editor about her upcoming book. When she talked to me about the conversation, she was amazingly excited! You could hear it in the passion in her voice. She spoke about how she and her editor really spent time talking "story". The conversation did not focus on sales or what the data said was the best approach.

This is truly what chapters are missing today. This is what conferences are missing. 

While I did not attend the NINC conference, what I found interesting was the focus on all of the social media posts and pictures I saw. Pictures all focused on companies promoting sales. Even people who attended just sent out comments about how cool it was to listen to the head of XYZ company talk about a new approach to increase sales. I saw no posts about people talking about how excited they were to attend sessions on things such as "new ways of looking at character development" or other similar craft ideas. Even seasoned published authors love sessions like this to just get them to re-think their own writing. 

I will continue to say this for a while. This is why I am so encouraged for people such as Megan Crane, Maisey Yates, Jane Porter (I know I am missing one other key name and I am sorry). and their push for this new RWA Chapter. 

The hope is this will really lead to a great HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

RWA Updates

Hey everyone in the PNW.

I had the great chance to sit down (ok, via Zoom) with Megan Crane and a group of great authors talking about reinvigorating the RWA scene. We know there are NO RWA chapters in Washington State. We know there are a lot of you who want to reconnect. Megan is pushing for a great opportunity. She is working to build a new RWA community here in the Pacific NW

While the chapter is based out of Oregon, she wants to reach out to everyone. She and the entire team (Yes Jane Porter and Maisy Yates are right there with her) are pushing to look forward and not backwards. The team wants to get back to what RWA was really about. Talking about GREAT ROMANCE. Talking about CRAFT. And more importantly, not just sitting around and complaining.

I am 100% backing them. 

1) I believe in the romance and women's fiction genre.

2) I believe there is a place for everyone.

3) I believe the only way to grow as a writer is to be a part of the community.

So, with that said, if you are a writer in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, (I'll even throw in Idaho and British Columbia) and you BELIEVE in the romance and women's fiction genres; you DESIRE to be a part of a community that values writing and the craft, then this is the place for you.

Reach out to me directly if you want contact information. Reach out to Megan Crane or Jane Porter if you want more information.

I was so rejuvenated after this meeting. I felt alive again about the romance genre more than I have been for a while (and I am pretty stoked about it already). 

DO NOT let this opportunity go away.

And, if you are not in the PNW, but still want to be part of something AMAZING, please reach out. 

When You Make A Mistake, It Is Not Our Fault

Here we go again...

I always have to laugh when I pass on a project someone submits to me because what they sent was not something I acquire. I was answering submissions this last weekend and had several authors who clearly did not read my submission guidelines on my website (or other public sites that I have that information posted). I get that sometimes small mistakes happen. Not a problem.

But then we get things like this.

I rejected an author who sent me this thriller type story but was really pitching a screenplay and the author hoped to turn that into a novel. Not romance. Not women's fiction. So the answer is no.

The reply was: "

"Well, it sounds that this story is too much for you and you're into books about nothing."

No, this is not that I am into stories about nothing. No, this is not that I am not interested in big and bold stories. It is that I am not into this genre the author is pitching and I do not represent screenplays.

I get it, rejections suck. I hate writing them and you hate getting them. However, when you reply to a rejection out of frustration such as this, the odds of you ever getting where you want will be slim to none. 

Just think before you type.

Are You Ready To Make The Jump To Professional Writing?

There are a lot of you out there who have been writing for some time. You love the craft. You love creating characters. You go home each day, after a hard day of work and get right to work on that story. It is your passion and your chance to just let those creative juices flow. You have your critique group watching your back and guiding you along the way. And then you type those two magic words.

At that point, suddenly your world is turned upside-down. Those critique partners, your friends and your family are immediately on your case to get the book published. They are hard at work sending you links to editors and agents. They are talking you into going to conferences to pitch to every person who is out there who will listen. They are already talking about building a website and marketing your book. 

And you aren't feeling it yet. You are felling more like Kevin! Stop the madness!!! This is beyond sensory overload.

I am here to tell you something plain and simple. You don't have to be ready yet. It is fine to tell your friends that you are still in that learning mode. You just are not ready, and they have to deal with it. 

Mentally and emotionally, you have to be ready to make this jump. You have to know that the writing you used to do is going to change. You can't just say "you aren't feeling it today" when you have an editor on your back about a deadline. You have to be ready to give up part of that writing time to marketing and publicity. 

I would also add that you need to have the backing of your family to make this jump. You are now taking on a second job and they need to be there for you. That might mean picking up the slack around the house, or simply giving you the space and time to write. 

Financially you need to be ready, especially if you are going to take the self-publishing route. Publishing your book takes money. You now have to get out there to conferences (cha ching) to tell people about your book. You now have to get promo items to give away at those conferences (more money....)

Hopefully you get the idea of what I am talking about. Just take the time to know when you, are personally ready. I promise, you will be much happier in the long run.