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Post by sapphiresavvy on Oct 26, 2009 17:07:05 GMT -5
I finally gave up on Yahoo being a worthwhile blog. What better way to kick off my new home, than with short blog about the Nimrod writer's conference; sapphiresavvy.blogspot.com/I didn't go into detail about what I experienced there, but more of a general impression overall. I'd be happy to talk about specifics here if people are interested.
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Post by The Late Mitchell Warren on Oct 26, 2009 17:42:24 GMT -5
I've thought about joining a writer's conference before but historically speaking I don't tend to get along with others writers. You, K and G are the exceptions. I have a natural reluctance to share info with others writers about my work, until it's compltely finished. Then I consider it market research. I guess my question is, what does one get out of a writer's conference?
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Post by sapphiresavvy on Oct 26, 2009 20:51:47 GMT -5
Whatever they throw up there... LOL
Seriously, my good expectations (time to show off my work, hobnob with great writers) were WAY off. On the other hand, my bad expectations (no one will be there but Oklahoma hayseeds) were also way off. I discovered new talents I hadn't been aware of before, whose voices I was thrilled to hear. This, in turn, gave me a giant boost because I've been feeling--I am not kidding--like maybe your work has to suck to get published. Here I saw these amazing talents getting published and rewarded for their originality. That was really refreshing.
I was supposed to get a 15-minute editing session, and I was a bit disappointed in that: all the girl could say was, "I liked this. I really liked it. I don't have a lot to say because I liked it so much." Not exactly the professional counseling I was hoping for.
On the MEGA-plus side: During his talk, Peter Beagle said, "If there's one thing I recommend, it's writing to the authors you love." So, ever the optimist, I wisecracked, "What's your address?" to laughter and applause.
And....
He gave it to me!
I think I should ask for a blurb for LADY DRACULA.
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Post by karlsie on Oct 27, 2009 2:08:38 GMT -5
Very nice blog, Savvy. It has a quiet, refreshing feel to it and is so very much you. I've been to a few conferences and usually enjoyed them, even though i've never gotten a chance to introduce my work at one, either. The last one i went to soured me a bit on writer's conferences. The writing of a lady was sponsored; one who settled in my home town during the pipeline era and who i never did like. She was Cambridge educated, and on that basis alone, became the expert darling of literature. She was in the process of writing her first novel after successfully producing a cook book, and assaulted our ears with about twenty-seven pages of her pubescent masturbation techniques. By the time she was through, i was wincing, but the legislators loved her and patted her back, leaving me wondering what the hell they knew about writing.
It sounds like you went to one of the more constructive ones. Managed correctly, writing conventions can produce a tremendous energy charge, put you in touch with talented people and fill you with ideas for exploring your craft. I'm glad you went. The David has a piece on books banning in contributions right now that i said i would like to hold for a special on authors, writing and publishing. I really like your coverage of the convention, and it would please me greatly if you went into a little more depth on such things as special work shops they held, your experiences within them, and some details on the seminars; the words that impressed you most. It would be a smash up article and a great human interest piece.
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Post by sapphiresavvy on Oct 31, 2009 16:02:21 GMT -5
Eww! Sounds horribly nasty.
I was slightly annoyed to see a certain teacher who rejected me, the ONLY SEMESTER i was rejected from the Iowa Workshops, and who is considered the greatest of poets, was not only there but he read crap.
Other than that, however, I was really happy with the convention.
I'd be more than happy to put together an article for you! When are you thinking these author articles will run?
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Post by karlsie on Oct 31, 2009 19:22:48 GMT -5
Since The David already has a piece in, i'd like to run the special sometime within the next few weeks. Much depends on how soon other members can have something together. Most of the time, if a theme isn't centered around a holiday or other occasion where timing is important, i like to wait until i have enough submissions to fill the page before publishing.
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Post by sapphiresavvy on Nov 1, 2009 11:52:21 GMT -5
Oh crud. I am in the middle of revisions for my agent. But I will definitely try to get on a good article. I'll have it to you as soon as I can, then.
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