I wanted a joyful pic to share today. Typed Joy into google images and came up with nekkid pics of some woman named Joy. On the second page, there was a nekkid pic of Spock and Kirk.
Oy. Well.
While I don’t usually have a problem with two hot, nekkid guys in a pic… well, it’s Spock and Kirk. Spock and Kirk.
So forget the joy pic.
I’m excited. This afternoon I leave for the conference. It’s only about a thirty minute drive for me, but like every year, I book into the hotel and just stay. It’s a mini vacation. Three nights at a pretty nice hotel with suites and a continental breakfast.
I get to hang with good friends. See some I only see once a year even though we don’t live far from each other. Stay up really late catching up with them or listening to an editor on New York time tell us all the ins and outs of the biz. (There is a difference in NY time and OK time. While I’m a night owl who does her best work at night and adjusts fairly easily, I’ve watched people slowly drop off in the hotel suites while our NY friend is still going strong. We’re stubborn folks and don’t want to miss anything so we tough it out. (g) It wouldn’t be so hard if the workshops didn’t start at eight and there’s breakfast and all that before… )
There aren’t many speakers I’m interested in this year. While I used to write all over the place and tried to hit every workshop offered, I’ve settled on Urban Fantasy for now and there aren’t any speakers in that genre. There is an agent’s workshop I’m looking forward to. She’s doing anonymous critiques and those are always helpful. The agent herself is a good one, but she’s not taking appointments. 🙁
No matter. I promised myself I’d have more than one book ready to go when I target an agent. I plan to hit it hard once I do. ( I know, I know! I’ve written six novels! Well, those were learning experiences… until they go through massive rewrites, they’ll never hurt anyone’s eyes again. I have three that could be polished off within this year, so we’ll see.)
I also entered a few manuscripts into the contest. Entered some poetry as well. My poetry never does well, but I usually take home an award placement for fiction. Last year I got first out of 108 entries in short, short fiction. I’ve won that category twice. Love writing flash fiction. I’ve taken home first places in mystery novel, romance novel, middle reader novel as well as short stories in mainstream and horror genres.
So, I do pretty well in this contest. I’ve learned not to expect any wins though. Few years back, I got overconfident and expected this one manuscript to do really well and nothing. Didn’t even rate an honorable mention. That same manuscript won first place the next year, tho.
Sometimes, my work gets ripped to shreds. Not so much these days, but every now and then. Putting your work in front of a stranger is the best way to get true feedback. Entering contests is the best anonymous way to get honest feedback. I encourage new writers to enter. If they’re lucky, they’ll get a judge who really offers good advice.
Okay, I’m rambling. Most of my mind is going over the lists of everything I need to bring. (g) Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back on here Sunday or Monday with my answer to Rachel’s topic. I’ve taken her idea and turned into a dark science fiction piece. I’ll have to slim it down and the twist is still eluding me, but I’m taking some quiet, hotel room down time this weekend and it’ll come.