Writers Talking
02 Aug 2008 1 Comment
in Just stuff Tags: conferences, writing
Third day of a writers’ conference and I’m ready to go home. I’ve also come back to the same conclusions I always reach–writers are better at writing than talking. It’s not so much that too much talk of writing and my eyes glaze. Love to talk plot, character, technique, structure. It’s fun to listen, too–sure is easier to talk than to do. But, the business stuff–that’s where my eyes glaze. These conferences always remind me I don’t care about the business stuff–that’s not why I started writing. I like writing. I like writers. The rest of it–well, it’s necessary, but not exciting, and I can’t do without it, but I sure as hell don’t have to talk about it any more than necessary.
Third day and I also want my bad habits back. I’m ready for sweat pants and my dogs and meals that are just snacks pulled out of the fridge. I’m ready for a writing binge so I don’t have to talk about it. Some times I do wonder if, as writers, we should talk less, and just keep the keyboard humming.
Reading for a good cause…
27 Jul 2008 Leave a Comment
in Just stuff Tags: reading
rea
2008 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing
The “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing has become one of the most popular events at RWA’s annual conference. Over 500 romance authors participate in this two-hour autographing event, and each year we raise thousands of dollars, which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide. Since 1991, RWA has donated over $600,000 to literacy charities.
The 2008 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing takes place on Wednesday, July 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Marriott, Yerba Buena Ballroom. (This event is open to the public.)
Writers in SF
21 Jul 2008 1 Comment
in Just stuff Tags: writing
Next week is the RWA conference in San Francisco, and it’s a bit sad when that kind of event looks restful. It’s not, but it’s sure as hell a change of pace, and that’s sounding very, very good. But, honestly, it’s a bit silly that every year when I go to one of these, I spend good money to not listen to workshops–but the bar is worth the price of admission, and I at least get to listen to Susan Elizabeth Philips, who is as funny and charming and smart as she writes. That is no small thing. Writers are often not what they write. Actually, writers usually aren’t what they write. There are a few times when I’ve met someone and they’re so much like their books, it’s just silly. Usually, it’s a disappointment–I’ve learned to be very wary of meeting favorite authors (or even finding out much about them, since if the fiction is good, much else should be ignored). But the real fun of conference is often to be found in the bar, because that’s where you find someone who’ll talk about the craft.
And that’s what gets me jazzed.
A late night with too little sleep and just enough to drink that regular boundaries get a bit slurred, and that’s the kind of madness where you can dig a little deeper into questions about what does matter. My suspicion is that this is my frustrated desire to have been a member of The Algonquin Club–or at least a waiter at the hotel, someone who could eavesdrop shamelessly, and don’t tell me that Parker and Benchley and the like didn’t know they were playing to an audience.
Conference, however, always makes me wonder why a couple of thousand women in one room do start sounding like chickens in a coop. That’s just not fair. And why is it that the two things you never pack are the two things you need most, while the five things you were sure you needed remain unused? My other fantasy of convention travel is to show up with an Amex card in hand and nothing more and buy everything as needed–that’s not happening this year, but that’s one of those someday promises. (Along with getting out of the conference hotel more, and also finding the time to take a real vacation.)
And there will be books–not that I don’t have a stack of twenty to be read (and two I’m wandering my way through). But, lord help me, I can no more resist a book that looks interesting than I can stay out of a conversation about writing. So much easier to talk about, than to do. Back to doing more now….
Moving Day(s)
05 Jul 2008 Leave a Comment
in Just stuff
My mother passed on this week. Which may seem to have nothing to do with my shifiting my web from a site to a blog, but it’s all related. I’ll be painting the bathroom cabinets this next week, too. It’s my way of coping with change–I throw myself into even more change. The house got painted the last big stress that hit (yep, every room except the kitchen…and the bathroom cabinets)…that was for a divorce. So, death in the family–ah, why not not think about it by futzing around with webwork that I’ve put off far too long.
So…big shift. (Or is that plural?)
What I hope this new site will be is a better, more active site–and much more posted about what’s going on currently, rather than past. I’ve two new manuscripts done (and making the rounds, and making the rounds). And a couple more started…one about half-way. I’ve gone back to my roots again with spooky stuff (never did get Poe and Bradbury out of my blood), and there’s new ideas to mix that up a bit–and I so wish it did not feel like running after a trend. But, hey, I’d be writing weird stuff anyway, since I’m not under contract.
So, here’s to change…may we meet it with grace, and only a little craziness. May it encourage us to growth, not to running away–and if we do run, may it be to better pastures, with some good sights on the way. And here’s to new homes and fresh paint.
