I must admit, all this daily blog writing, posting, and
commenting feels like it’s occupying all my waking moments. I keep thinking “I
could blog that”. “I should tweet that.”
What I’m supposed to be doing is writing a book!! And getting ready for a writing
workshop. The countdown is on, just 7
days left until we leave the stinking desert and head for the chilly, foggy
Oregon coast.
Having been at this writing gig for a while now, I’ve
attended a fair number of workshops geared toward writing for children and
teens. I’m a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators which has always been a top notch
organization, much better than some other groups who shall remain nameless. I’ve attended several of their conferences in
my region, but have yet to attend either of their national conferences
yet. Some day…
But anyway, there are benefits to attending workshops, as
well as some draw backs, so if you’ve ever wondered about it, read on-
Top 3 Benefits – encouragement, exposure, and education
Just being in the presence of a like-minded group of folks
can really encourage you, remind you that you aren’t the only crazy one out
there, pecking away at your keyboard in the lonely wilderness. You can make great friends at workshops. You
can also gain valuable exposure to agents and editors you might otherwise never
cross paths with. The insight you can gain from meeting these folks face to
face is invaluable, especially if you are lucky enough to have them critique
your work or hear a pitch. It’s scary,
but it’s worth it.
 |
| Get your feet wet~ |
Top 3 Drawbacks- discouragement, expense, and misinformation
That said workshops can sometimes be discouraging too.
Sometimes you just aren’t writing the kinds of stuff everyone else is or the
stuff the agent is telling you is “hot” and you start thinking “what am I doing
wrong?” That’s when you have to remember that you have to be true to yourself
above all else. It really doesn’t matter
what the fad de jour is. If you aren’t writing what you love, it will
show. Workshops can be expensive, but so
can other hobbies and personal pursuits.
I look at workshops as an investment in my writing career. It will pay
off in the long run if I listen and learn all I can. And lastly, my biggest
peeve about workshops is misinformation.
There are lots of agents/editors that will stand up in front
of writers and tell them how to write. Many writers are thirsting to be told, hungry
for the magical pill that will make them desirable to agents and editors, and
that’s fine. I just get annoyed when
someone tells me for the umpteenth time “Don’t start your book with a character
waking up in the morning” and then pulls out the Hunger Games as an example of
a great first page. What is it? Katniss,
waking up in the morning!! Writers,
please, please, remember, agents and editors are just people with their own
likes and dislikes. It doesn’t mean you have to do everything they say. In fact, you could easily make yourself crazy trying. Write what you love and other people will love it too.
Cross that bridge when you reach it~
Have you been thinking of attending a new class or conference of some kind? What's your experience been?
First off, I'd like to say that I'm jealous you will be heading to Oregon Coast. Take the time to enjoy the beaches in between workshops. It's my favorite place on earth.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with your benefits and drawbacks list. They are pretty aligned with the professional conferences I attend. The best part of conferences for me is the networking and learning about what other people are doing in the field.
However, when looking at everything, there are far more benefits than drawbacks. It seems you have waded through the misinformation from your previous conference experiences, and ended up on the positive side of just believing in what you love to do. Like you said, if you are not passionate about what you write or how you are writing it, it will show.
It's not as if, as a reader, you can pick out specific places within the first few chapters where you can say, "oh, they hate what they are writing." However, you can definitely get that sense. There have been plenty of books that I have put down after the first couple of chapters and never finished - disappointed in what I thought was a lack of "passion" - no matter the subject.
Have a fabulous time in Oregon, at the conference, and if you get a chance, pick up some salt water taffy for me. :) :)
I will Marissa! I know a great candy shop in Cannon Beach :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful conference! I do my best thinking with other people - all together in the same room. I wish you much curiosity and learning.
ReplyDeleteI will :) Thank you so much for commenting.
ReplyDelete