2013 Conferences
For today’s post, I thought I’d put together a small collection of
writing conferences. The season of writers gathering together is about to begin! Can’t you feel the fluttering stomachs and hear the clicking of keys? The scratching noise of pens on paper echoes in the air, mixing and tangling with the spoken word. Ah, what a wonderful time of year!
These congregations take place across the country and the world, so anyone and everyone can get to a local event. If you are still on the fence about attending, let me tell you from firsthand experience, a conference can work wonders on your confidence and help you grow your understanding of the industry and introduce you to a menagerie of other writers. It is one-hundred percent worth the investment of money and time. Check out the following list and find which is best for you:
The San Francisco Writer’s Conference February 14-17th
The Chicago Writer’s Conference Dates TBD
The Midwest Writer’s Workshop Dates TBD
The Writer’s Digest Conference April 5-7
The Scbwi Conferences Summer in LA, Winter in NY, International in Bologna
The Dallas – Fort Worth Writer’s Conference May 4-5
The Pacific Northwest Writer’s Conference July 25-28th
Have you been to a writing conference? Which one was it? How was your experience?
Do you have any conferences to add? Let me know!
First Draft Myths
Over the holidays, I finished up the first draft of my newest story, and realized when I was done that people tend to have misconceptions about those preliminary versions. There’s a lot of expectations and assumptions that readers and authors can sometimes feel as they read a work in progress. I thought it might be a good idea to try and help clear some of those up.
Myth: Readers will fill the gaps on their own
Truth: If there’s something confusing about your draft, which in all likelihood there will be, readers won’t know where you were going. And that’s okay. Sometimes these questions can prompt new ideas of how to fix a hole.
Myth: You’ve written characters as deeply as you can
Truth: The amount of time you put into creating these characters was well worth it. But readers will probably suggest you go deeper. Maybe with your MC, a sidekick or perhaps everyone.
Myth: The plot is exactly as it will be
Truth: Traditionally, the backbone of your plot will remain the same from start to finish. Along the way, readers will help you build up the meat and details to create something you may not have seen coming in the first draft.
Myth: Problems my readers find are bad
Truth: When you have people reading your story, they are seeking out what works and what doesn’t work. When they come to something that isn’t working, this isn’t a bad thing. It’s a great thing! Now you don’t have to stumble around unsure of what needs help.
Myth: As the author, you can see the whole picture.
Truth: Writers should be well aware that they are the closest individual to their story. As such, summaries, queries, blurbs, and yes, even the first draft can be difficult to properly assess. It helps to step back so you can try to view it better.
What myths about drafts have you heard or experienced? How did the truth help moving forward?
What Can Be Learned from Best Picture Nominations
Even though the movie industry is separate from the book industry, I believe they go hand-in-hand when it comes to general creativity and current trends. As such, there can be several things to learn from award season when a year’s worth of films is transformed into a handful of high-quality contenders. This year’s nominees are as follows:
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
Right away, it’s obvious that historical fiction played a huge part in cinematic stories this year. Movie-goers were wrapped into the possibilities of getting a window to the past and witnessing what that era or event might have been like. I would say this is due to people’s desire to understand the unknown. There are events, like those from Les Mis, Lincoln and Django, that are impossible for those of us alive today to know how that era truly looked and felt. However, these period adaptations help us 21st century folk relate to the past.
Argo and Zero Dark Thirty perform a similar function by providing insight to historical events we may know about, but perhaps aren’t aware of the whole truth. Adding clarity to the unknown, these stories highlight facts and demystify rumors about the recent past.
What Writers Can Learn: Exploring the truth and the unknown in historical fiction is no longer “high-brow”.
Another common thread in this group is the slice of life style narrative that centers on the everyday struggles of a character as seen in Amour and Silver Linings Playbook. What these stories share is the difficulty of overcoming a seemingly insurmountable obstacle and the power of the human connection. In dark days, people gravitate towards each other for security and support and these stories strike a chord in every scene.
What Writers Can Learn: There is conflict in every[one’s] story and as such, it can be uplifting to know you’re not alone.
The final grouping is the semi-fantasy category where the majority of Life of Pi and Beasts of the Southern Wild would otherwise fit in the aforementioned category of “slice of life” if not for a mesmerizing fantastical element. The imagery and settings are breathtaking and even so, these focused stories that follow Pi and Hushpuppy are really about the incredible and inspiring main characters.
What Writers Can Learn: Seek deeper inspiration for readers than just how your story shapes a character or how a character shapes the story.
Did you see one, a few or all of these films? Share your thoughts about what writers can learn from them!
On the Lighter Side
Have you ever read something so cut and dry that it’s like slogging through a pile of cow pies? Even if you like the story concept? We’ve all been there. It happens.
Humor is what makes good stories great and helps give the narrative heart. It creates a sense of voice, for one thing (which as well all know is integral to a good story), but it also can alleviate tension or tragedy. Since I recently saw Les Mis, I feel like it’s a good example here. Obviously, the story is tragic, but the innkeepers provide a much needed break for the teary eyed audience. Even in a dark tone story, humor can be essential.
But not every character is a bundle of hilarity. Just like not every person can whip out a one-liner at any situation. That doesn’t mean the text has to be bland as well. Perhaps they’re unintentionally funny, or their interactions are awkward and uncomfortable enough to give the reader a giggle. It’s one thing if your character is supposed to be as dry as sand, but those are few and far between compared to the types of characters that like to joke around, or use humor as a defense mechanism, or a flirting device.
Basically, I’m suggesting that you use humor in your writing at any chance you get. In descriptions and dialogue, in varying ways by different characters. Now you’re probably wondering, what does that mean? Well, there’s really no way for me to say, here’s a sentence that has no humor and here’s one with humor because everyone’s sense of humor is different. There’s a range of silly things from slap-stick to highbrow comedy and each level can be funny, sure, but one joke may appeal to some but not others. It’s as subjective as stories themselves. And that’s precisely why they’re so diverse and enjoyable.
Thankfully, because humor is something that ties people together, you are most likely to entertain the majority of readers with even mild humor. If you have a knack for being funny, use your talents! However, if you don’t believe you are a funny person, but want to include humor in your story, read books written by comedians, or watch your favorite sitcom, cartoon or comedy film. Moreover, there’s inspiration for humor even in the most mundane things. Think of all the jokes built around banana peels. Believe me, you can write humor. You’ll laugh at how easy it can be.
What’s your favorite funny character? Or your favorite funny book?
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
