I've been making sooper-cool progress via way of my >>MINI Goddamn Deadlines<< and I'm actually ahead of schedule. As of today, I am done with chapters 1-19 (of 32, I THINK). If I can continue along this trend, I should be done by mid-August. Well, assuming the ending UNDO doesn't kill me, first. Could happen.
If all that wasn't enough to leave me terror stricken… there's this new thing…
Come the end of September, some of my CRITS gals are going to this conference thing called Moonlight & Magnolias down in Georgia. I absolutely thought nothing of it at first.
Good luck, have fun ladies. See ya when you get back. *waves*
It's a romance writer thing and I write science fiction. Sure, Pendomus has romantical-type elements, too…
BUTNow, the CRIT gals have asked me to take a closer look at it.
Beyond the high comedy that would ensue upon meeting these ladies in person; it turns out some great agents, editors and speakers will be there.
Oh, gawd.
Don't know why, but it scares the absolute bejeezus out of me.
Maybe it's where I am in my process? My inner perfectionist demon hasn't been satiated yet, so the idea of meeting agents in person is crazy-daunting. Maybe it's because I've never been to something like this before? Maybe it's just because I'm a big pansy. Yeah, that's probably it.
Then another part, the schizophrenic voice in the back of my head, tells me this is perfect timing. I'm going to be querying anyway. This could be an extension of it…
Plus, after years of travel drought, I've had the fortuitous timing of having gone to both Arizona and Colorado. Each one offering experiences I would need to attempt such a voyage on my own. *gulp*
Terror is a part of any great adventure, right? Things worth having don't come without a little fear…
So, here's where I am:
What are your thoughts?
Should I stay home where things are safe and cozy?
or
Should I go and [quite probably] make a fool of myself being the sci-fi freak at a romance gathering?
15 comments:
Go to the conference!
Oh, what a silly question, of course you should go! It's scary, yes, but it's absolutely a wonderful opportunity you should take if you get the chance...and it looks like the chance is waving at you. :)
Swallow those nerves and go have some fun!
Plus, you know, you don't want to be sitting at home thinking I could be there right now...
Focus on your goals and get it done...then go to the conference. At least, that's my vote. ^_^
Go, Go, Go. If you don't It will most certainly become a regret. If anything it will be a learning experiance. Trust in yourself.
You already know my thoughts on this. I'd better see your ass there! Gina and I are already planning drunken co-vlogs. You will be assimilated into the madness. Bwahahahahaha!
Seriously, I hope you can make it. :-)
Oh, Carissa, please come!!!
Besides the fact that we will have an EPIC time, you will MAKE FRIENDS in the publishing business.
That. Is. HUGE.
In this business, like so many others, it's not what you know, but WHO you know.
These agents and editors don't only do romance, you know.
But say you make great friends with a romance editor. She likes you a lot. She recommends your work to her buddy at Tor, who just happens to be a high-muckety-muck. You get to send your manuscript directly to them instead of the slush pile.
Connections are everything if you want to do this the traditional way. This is the PERFECT time for you to grab a pitch appointment. And this is seriously the most affordable conference I've seen.
Go. Make friends. Make connections. It's worth it. :)
Gina
Mwah! You guys are all awesome. Oh, lordy… Takes a deep breath. Drunken v-logs. Wow. Can we play Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night" in the background? HA! ACK!
I think you should go if you want to, but I don't think you NEED to go in order to get published. Your work speaks for itself, and I believe to my core that you will be published without the need for incurring any networking costs. But what do I know? I'm just a super-fan eagerly awaiting my signed copy of your book! ;)
@ Gina- This sounds like it would be super cool to go to… If for no other reason to see how it operates. You mentioned something about setting a pitch appointment. How do I do that, if I decide to go to this sucker? HA!
@Sherry- you are too damn cute. I <3 you.
GO!! You're totally ready. And, by meeting agents/editors in person, you'll get lots of requests, which will only make getting your foot in the door w/your queries that much easier. Plus, you'll have so much fun!!
You already know what you've decided, don't you? So hush.
My advice; you never know where or when you're gonna find the right audience for your book or THE person who's gonna publish it. Who knows, it could be different enough from everything else there to get attention.
Worst case scenario: You go to Georgia. You spend money, You meet people; and nothing happens.
Basically, it boils down to; "Can you afford it or would you rather spend the money marketing and mailing your transcript to publishers?"
Four reasons to go:
A huge amount of writers I know met their agent at a conference.
A lot of sci-fi writers attend romance driven conferences (i.e. RT). Linea Sinclar, Anne Aguirre, etc. You might find a community there.
Eventually you're going to need to do something about that pesky pitch sentence--that sentence of 35 words or less that sums up your story. Some people find that easy, some people find that horrible. But the exercise of doing it really, really clarifies the book's plot in your head. You suddenly understand the conflict, theme, even protagonist in a much clearer way. Usually we do it after the book is finished, but coming up with one before the book is finished may help you focus on future plot developments and themes.
And fourth, sometimes it's nice to just be among a whole crowd of writers. Doesn't matter what they write.
Yeah, what they said. No denying that these things are intimidating for first-timers, so why not take the opportunity to attend with super cool and supportive friends. Have a blast!
I second everything everyone has said!
You should go, no doubt about it. This year, I had the chance to go to the London Book Fair, a big event for publishers and agents and writers to mingle... and I chickened out. But at least I didn't have a book ready, while YOU DO! (almost) So make a new GODDAM GOAL and wake me up.. before you go go... so I can cheer you on like mad. ^_^
Definitely go for it. Regrets are awful. Don't let them happen to you.
And on another note, that's perhaps the creepiest picture I've seen this week...or perhaps for several weeks.
Definitely go for it :) And best of luck with the writing. Sounds like you've got a great productive system going here.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Thanks for your comments, guys! You have me convinced! :D
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