Confessions of a Conference Virgin

I have my first writer's conference under my belt!

What an awe inspiring experience. It was so interesting to see things through the eyes of an agent, and two publishers. I learned about classifying the genre of my WIP, and using my internal editor to my advantage. I also gained a valuable resource through an ATF agent that gave a workshop on guns, ammo, and the ATF's relationship to other law enforcement divisions.

I heard a beautiful keynote speech by author Pamela Cable entitled "Coming Out of the Darkness Into the Life of a Writer." What a powerful and thought provoking speech. She discussed using the hardships in your life as fodder for ideas in your WIP or for new imaginative stories. She was once homeless with two children, and today she is a wonderful, talented author, with a book called Southern Fried Women.

I was so excited to receive some very nice compliments on my WIP during an open critique. I also won a full critique of the first three pages of my WIP from an agent as a door prize. I look forward to seeing what advice she has for me. I hope to use it to push me in the right direction with my WIP.

Most entertaining workshop of all was given by a publisher from Ellora's Cave. She gave out a list of inappropriate terms to use for the human anatomy when writing sex scenes. I won't bore you with any since I already shot my load on the pirate ship... but I'll leave you with the thought of my favorite.

Lacy trailed her fingertips down his muscular chest, over his washboard abs, stopping just above the object of her oral affection.