So, I’m a lazy hobo and never got around to posting about the Backspace conference. Yeah, I know. I’m nearly a month behind.
So, Day One at said conference, I was terrified outta my freakin’ mind. I mean, I was at a Writer’s CONFERENCE. With other writers. I know I should’ve felt like I’d be at home, but I was petrified. First thing on my agenda was my Two Minutes Two Pages session with two agents and a bunch of other writers. I think this was probably what had me so scared, because I had to sit in a little conference room at one of those long business tables and read from one of my stories. Out loud. As one of the youngest people there.
Yeah, I thought I would die.
Well, it actually went really well. I got great feedback, both were interested (did I mention one of two said agents is the one that requested BOE? That added on to my dread) and I got one of the best responses. The rest of the day I was perfectly fine. I attended some panels, had lunch with mom, went back to a few more panels, and left. In the midst of all this, I met several people, occasionally was dragged around by Heather to meet people. That night I hung with Heather Brewer, Jackie Kessler, A.S. King, Lisa McMann, and a bunch of other new friends at the cocktail reception thing. That was great fun.
As you can guess, Day Two wasn’t nearly as terrifying.
I got up, went to the Conference, attended some panels, chatted with some new friends, had lunch with Heather and a bunch of other writers (and mom. Can’t leave her out), went to some more panels, socialized some more (I met and befriended a humorous editor at Cosmo), then went back to the room and crashed a little while before going on this night city-lights tour thing.
I learned a lot, yet didn’t. It’s hard to explain. I learned a few things, added a little to stuff I already knew, and then got a lot of refreshing.
But it was a great experience, all in all. It felt weird coming home. No more breakfasts, lunches, or dinners with fellow writers or authors. No more excitement. No more constantly busy city full of amazing people.
I was back to being small-town girl, Angel Young, that wants to be an author.
It’s a hard fall, coming back down to reality.
Now, let’s hope I hear good things on that manuscript soon.
~Angel
1 comment:
Mainly what you were doing was Networking for the future. Making contacts, getting to know people, establishing that you are more than a kid wanting to write, but rather, a Writer who WILL write. Also, you put yourself inside Writer's Air or Writer's Spirit, call it Writer's WonderLand, where all things are Writers and Writing. You were learning to call yourself a WRITER, because that is what and who you ARE. All else revolves around that center. You are a hurricane and you are the eye in the center. Networking is very important for you at this stage because you will learn to love contacting people who can help you by you offering them something to help them; your stories or books.
This is for your MOM, so drag her over to your computer for me, please. "Mom, you did a great thing for your daughter, Angel. You are a great Mom! I hope you enjoyed the visit to New York City too and found it a wonderful experience. I hope you got to enjoy some of what your daughter Angel has gotten herself into--ha ha ha. I know that had to be expensive. I salute you for your bravery in the face of today's high prices and your strong belief in your daughter."
Okay, to both of you. Angel, I think if you are willing to do the hard work of rewriting and honing your stories necessary to being a writer, you are going to learn to be an excellent writer, with an actual shot at earning a living as a writer. Make your Mother proud by achieving that goal, for I can just see both your smiles the day you get your first book published. You two take care and God bless you. Both of you were very brave in my mind to make that trip to New York. I am certain, one day that trip will pay dividends greater than the cost of making that trip. Yippeeeeeee!!!!
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