When I think of learning at conferences, I think of workshops. I didn't realize how much I'd learn in the lobby.
It amazed me how much information seeped in just from speaking to other writers. And I'm not talking about craft secrets or anything like that. I'm talking about small clips of conversations that settled into my brain and left an impact. Here's a sample:
-When I met a writer, I asked what they wrote. Four out of five said paranormal. And paranormal is still a hot genre. I just didn't realize how many wrote it! (Not a formal poll--just my interpretation.)
-The published writers I met shared their ups and their downs. They struggle with many of the same things I do, which surprised me.
-The agent I pitched to said three words that changed my mind about my submission strategy. Three words!
-Agents who blog and who have a massive web presence will give an author different advice about platforms than agents who don't.
-One best-selling author made a huge impression on me. She was at the literacy signing, and my friend and I walked past her table. She stopped us, waving her bookmarks, and we had a nice conversation. She went out of her way to make a personal connection with us, even though the room held thousands of people. Guess who bought her book? We both did. Lesson learned? You're never too big to not hand-sell your book. And people buy books from authors they like.
Wondering who the author was? Well, let's just say I plan on buying Jenna Petersen's books from now on. Talk about a funny, genuine, and inspiring lady.
When you return from conference, spend an hour or two and think about the little conversation tidbits that left an imprint on you. Analyze the people who impressed you and figure out why. This is the information that will stay with you forever.
Has a tidbit of information ever completely changed your course?
***I want to thank everyone who follows my blog. I've noticed new names over the past month. Thanks so much for taking the time to subscribe. I really appreciate your support. ***
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss unexpected feelings about a conference.
Happy Writing!
Great info, Jill. It's amazing how the little conversations in life can impact us in huge ways.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you, Jill. Yes, I learn in the workshops at conference but I get so much more from the conversations I strike up with fellow writers and industry professionals. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI want to be there. I want to be there! I WANT TO BE THERE! SOunds unreal :)
ReplyDeleteOh and it's a pleasure to follow your blog:)
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteHeather: It is! Two innocent conversations shifted my way of thinking. The new info clicked in place and there was no turning back.
Connie: Hi! There's nothing like a spontaneous conversation to get interesting news. :)
Tabitha: I know! I felt the same way last year. And, by the way, RWA does have an Australian conference. I believe it was a few weeks ago in Brisbane. Our RWA chapter supports writers of many genres, so you might want to look into it even if you don't write romance!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Agent STeve Laube pointed out my glaring lack of dialogue in the first eight pages of my historical. LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove your post. I can't wait to see what I learn when I go.
So, are you going to tell us those three words that changed your strategy? :-)
I haven't really learned anything that has changed my course.
ReplyDeleteBut I like the inspiration I get from being there. It makes me want to rush back to my room at night and write. :)
Commitment stands out in my head. Though I don't believe anyone has actually said that to me, it just comes through hearing all the individual stories and how you can't succeed if you give up.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think I need to take a diary with me to log all those tidbits so I don't forget in the rush of the conference.
great post, jill. in fact, all of these conference posts have been great. :)
ReplyDeletethere's an award for you over at my blog today. :)
I've found little tidbits even in blogging that have changed me perception or way of doing things. I can't imagine how much could be learned at a conference.
ReplyDeleteHi Jill, Great post. I wonder if you wrote down all those little tidbits as the conference carried on. I'm trying to think of some right now....a month later and am drawing a blank. I do remember the Harlequin editor I met with (who does not rep my genre, but agreed to take an appt. because she didn't have anything better to do!) Upon hearing my 2-sentence pitch, she commented I might not have enough page time between the two romantic leads. Harlequin wants them together throughout the majority of the story and mine separate during the middle section of the book. So, I might not have written a romantic suspense novel according to Harlequin standards...but rather, a novel "with romantic elements." That's an important distinction when identifying potential agents/editors, even writing contests. So, that was my takeaway. Patrice
ReplyDeleteJessica: Smiling and cringing for you. It's sooo hard to hear criticism sometimes! And yes, I'll share. I submitted my first books to the HQN Romance line but, a year later, I felt inspirational would be a better fit so I began submitting to Steeple Hill. A few months ago I received a very encouraging rejection from HR. I contemplated submitting to both. The agent said "stick to one."
ReplyDeleteJennifer: I know what you mean. It's such a rush being immersed in all things writing!
Eileen: Yes, commitment. It's incredible to see and meet writers who are so committed. The diary is a great idea!! I hope you take notes and share them on your blog!
Jeannie: Thanks! I'll come by and check it out!
LazyWriter: I feel the same way. I'm astounded at the valuable information I've gotten from fellow bloggers.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Patrice: That information is a gem for a few reasons. It can help you decide if you want your next book to be classified as romantic suspense, and therefore keep the hero and heroine together in almost every scene, or you can continue as is and label your book suspense with romantic elements. Aren't you glad she was straitght up? I know I value honesty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
I'm just loving this month's focus on the conference, Jill! Thanks for sharing all that you've learned and experienced. It comes at the perfect time for preparing for ACFW. I wish you were going! I seriously want you to think about going with me next year!!
ReplyDeleteThese posts are so much fun. You sure got your money's worth out of your recent RWA conference, and we're getting dividends too.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about learning outside of the workshops. Just being in the lobby with that much creative energy and excitement, catching snippets of conversations, engaging in writing and life discussions...ah, bliss!
Jody: That would be a dream come true! We'd have a blast!
ReplyDeleteErica: I agree--I definitely got my money's worth! In many ways, I get the same experience with fellow bloggers. It's the comments and support I value the most!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for taking the time to give such a great recap. Really good stuff and so true how we can learn from the little things in life or at conferences. I'm wondering what those three words were....
ReplyDeleteHey, Jill! It's nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great reminder to just be observant of the world around us. You never know when something life changing will happen in the most mundane of places (like a bathroom, elevator, etc).
Great info and more good advice. I spend lots of time looking at agent blogs and publishing blogs and websites and searching for information on the internet before I began my own blog. That wasn't too long ago. Since then, simply writing to and hearing from other writers, I've learned and experienced far more than I didn't in years past with all my other tactics. We can learn so much from each other, especially if we try to form relationships. I suppose that's a great thing conferences are good for. I'm going to keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me with your wisdom. I think what really impacts me about you is that you are intentional about relationships. It's a very beautiful quality.
~ Wendy
Thank you for sharing this information. It is true: people buy from people they like. This is a good reminder to carry with us as we establish ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI may have missed it: what do non-blogging agents say about platform that differs from blogging agents? If you don't mind sharing, I'd love to know that.
Thank you for your helpful post.
Writers and authors are among the most generous people I know. When I attended the RWA conference in 2008, one published author I admire, Deeanne Gist, spent fifteen minutes during the Literacy Autographing sharing tonz of great publishing tips with me. Jillian Hart, whom I'd met online, invited me to her room and blessed me with half an hour of her time. These wonderful women may have long forgotten me, but I'll remember their kindness the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteTess: "Stick with one" when I mentioned I'd been submitting to two different Harlequin lines. I feel so much better about my path because of those words.
ReplyDeleteKristen T.: Welcome! It's amazing what happens when we open our eyes, isn't it? I was on my way to a zoo bathroom recently when I ran into a couple I hadn't seen in years (we lived in different states then different towns). Eyes open! :)
Cindy: Oh, I agree. My focus was more "me" based before I began blogging. Now, I'm just happy to be a part of the writing community!
Wendy: Well, I've learned the hard way that if I don't continuously make an effort with new friends, the friendship doesn't have a chance to take off. It was much easier in grade school!
Regina: Welcome! From my perspective, it seems as if agents who aren't all over the web with blogs/Facebook/Twitter/etc... don't think unpublished writers should focus on platforms until they're published. Every agent (web obsessed or not) will say to get your craft to the highest level before worrying about it, but the agents all over the Internet seem to expect authors to get their platforms in place sooner rather than later.
My opinion is that it takes a few years to build even a mid-sized platform, so we should work on both our craft and our platform to be prepared.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
You make me wish I could go to a conference again. I arrived so late at the one I went o that I was the only one in the lobby just about. (sigh) that's so me.
ReplyDeleteI always felt that way about conferences. Reading about all of this, though, makes me crave one. I wish my local writer's group were a better one. (Sigh)
ReplyDeleteAnd it seems like even in the 90s most everyone wrote paranormal...and that was when it was taboo to write it. What is it with novelists and the paranormal?
Keli: I know! Writers are the coolest people ever. I love them. And I just saw Deanne Gist's latest at our local library--funny you mentioned her!
ReplyDeleteT. Anne: Yeah, sometimes things don't go according to plan. And I think we've all been in a situation where we had high hopes but were disappointed. The next time will be more fun!
Stephanie: Our local RWA chapter is awesome. Can you drive to Toledo, Ohio every month?? We'd LOVE to have you! :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jill, I'm just so thrilled you are blogging about conferences. WOW! That's a lot people. I've never been to such a big conference, someday though.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks for taking the time to answer my list of questions on the last post. I really appreciate how you went out of your way to learn more about the conference I will be attending and giving me some great tips to take along.
I can't express my thanks enough, but I'll give it a shot... THANK YOU!
Great advice here, Jill! I think the best writing advice I've received in awhile was: Write what you WANT to know.
ReplyDeleteI want to know what the three words were!!!
ReplyDeleteDiane: You're very welcome! It's terrifying attending a writer's event alone. You're going to have a great time. Hey, it's old hat to you now, right? :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa: Ooo, that is good advice! I'm snagging it.
Katie: "Stick with one." In reference to my submission strategy. I'd been submitting to two Harlequin lines. Not anymore!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I will be going to my first conference next month!!!!!!! I'm VERY excited about it! I can't even begin to tell you. Good frelling grief! I'm nervous and happy and excited and don't know what to bring or what to wear or...or...or...
ReplyDeleteI'm a worry wart.
Anyway! NOW I'm even MORE excited. I didn't think that was even possible. Apparently, it is.
SM Blooding: Welcome! I know! I was so excited and nervous, too. A few tips on what to bring and wear--wear business casual, something in between louge clothes and business suits. And I don't know how large the conference is, but if you're flying in and it's a big one, I suggest bringing a flat rate shipping box to ship your free books home in. It'll free up space in your luggage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
These cobferences sound so exciting. I hope to make it to one some time.
ReplyDeleteHi Jill. The advice that really affected me was to turn off my internal editor while writing. I worked at a literary agency for a couple years, and found that I could hardly write at all during that time because I was thinking so much about editing (as opposed to writing). I had to get away to write (and then publish) my first romance.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that I think is so crazy important is to start looking at rejection letters as a step in the right direction. Once I gave up feeling glum about rejection letters, I stopped getting so many.
Great blog!
Conferences sound like an adventure! :)
ReplyDeleteNancy: I hope you can too!
ReplyDeleteLisa: Welcome! It's great to hear advice from someone who's been there. Talk about on-the-job training. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at an agency. I know I'd come away full of wisdom! And yes, rejection is part of this. The last rej. letter I got made me so happy I posted it on my bulletin board for a week! They're not all bad.
CMOM: Welcome! The conference I attended is high on my list of favorite things ever. But I'm obsessed with writing, writers, and the whole she-bang!
Thanks so much for stopping by!