Daily Word Goal: 500
Today's Total: 0
I'm so excited! I just finished up my conference registration and sent it in the mail today.
This is the first conference I've ever been to, and other members of my critique group are going as well, so I won't be all alone and paralyzed with fear. Strength in numbers, yes?
And the very best, most exciting part of all? I got word that my picture book manuscript made it through the critique lottery and I have a tentative critique all lined up with a children's book editor.
I can't wait to get it ripped to shreds and see just what I'm doing wrong. I'm being serious about that. I have a fairly good idea about what works and what doesn't in novels, but picture books? I'm a total novice in that art form.
The bad news: No writing today. I did jot down a scene idea that came to me first thing this morning. Most of the day was taken up with excursions with my husband and son to antique malls to look for beads (my new obsession). I spent the day either doing family stuff or tearing beaded necklaces apart and tinkering with my beading stuff.
Tomorrow: Easter. We have no plans, so hopefully I'll be productive.
-k.
Showing posts with label writers conferences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writers conferences. Show all posts
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Gearing up for first conference
Daily Word Goal: 500
Todays's Total: 0
Well, sadly, between story time at the library, not feeling well, and some illustration work that took precedence, I got no writing accomplished. However, I'm happy to report that I did get some writing-related tasks accomplished. Namely, I have put together a submission packet for a regional SCBWI writing conference. Not only will it be my very first one ever attended, I'm actually entering one of my picture book manuscripts in the critique lottery. Fingers crossed for me. There are two picture book editors I'd love love love to give me words of wisdom. Hopefully my mss will be one of the lucky few that gets a critique slot.
Nathan Brandsford had an interesting post the other day about cognitive bias and how it relates to writers.
I commented that when I was young, naive, full of myself, (LOL) I thought that I was 'da bomb' when it came to writing. Then I got older, wiser, and a hell of a lot more cynical. Now I'm the polar opposite of smug and cocky. In fact, I'm so far on the other side, my writing is paralyzed by self doubt.
Today at the library, while my son was running amok, I checked out a few of the first pages of some of the newer MG fantasy novels. What surprised me was that, while they were all good, I didn't see myself as being that far off quality-wise. They might be the big leagues, but I'm an up and comer in the farm system. If I keep working at it, I might just get called up sooner than I thought! (Baseball reference for my Cardinals-crazy husband, who I know is reading this blog... right honey?)
Anyway. It was a good moment for me. A little swagger returned.
Lastly, those published books were breaking all the no-no rules people keep telling you not to do when you start your book. I saw a prologue. One book started off with world-building description. Etc. All rules can be broken if they're broken well.
Whew. Lots of random thoughts tonight. Now I'm off to catch up on Shear Genius and go to sleep. I think I'm coming down with my son's cold. Hopefully it's just allergies.
-k.
Todays's Total: 0
Well, sadly, between story time at the library, not feeling well, and some illustration work that took precedence, I got no writing accomplished. However, I'm happy to report that I did get some writing-related tasks accomplished. Namely, I have put together a submission packet for a regional SCBWI writing conference. Not only will it be my very first one ever attended, I'm actually entering one of my picture book manuscripts in the critique lottery. Fingers crossed for me. There are two picture book editors I'd love love love to give me words of wisdom. Hopefully my mss will be one of the lucky few that gets a critique slot.
Nathan Brandsford had an interesting post the other day about cognitive bias and how it relates to writers.
I commented that when I was young, naive, full of myself, (LOL) I thought that I was 'da bomb' when it came to writing. Then I got older, wiser, and a hell of a lot more cynical. Now I'm the polar opposite of smug and cocky. In fact, I'm so far on the other side, my writing is paralyzed by self doubt.
Today at the library, while my son was running amok, I checked out a few of the first pages of some of the newer MG fantasy novels. What surprised me was that, while they were all good, I didn't see myself as being that far off quality-wise. They might be the big leagues, but I'm an up and comer in the farm system. If I keep working at it, I might just get called up sooner than I thought! (Baseball reference for my Cardinals-crazy husband, who I know is reading this blog... right honey?)
Anyway. It was a good moment for me. A little swagger returned.
Lastly, those published books were breaking all the no-no rules people keep telling you not to do when you start your book. I saw a prologue. One book started off with world-building description. Etc. All rules can be broken if they're broken well.
Whew. Lots of random thoughts tonight. Now I'm off to catch up on Shear Genius and go to sleep. I think I'm coming down with my son's cold. Hopefully it's just allergies.
-k.
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