Terri Reed here sitting in a friend's room in the beautiful Dolphin hotel on the Disney property in Orlando counting down the hours until conference starts. Romance Writers of America will be holding its 30th anniversay conference starting on Wednesday July 28th. At 5:30pm on Wednesday in the Dolphin's Pacific Exhibit Hall, 500 of your favorite romance authors will be signing their romance novels in every subgenre. All proceeds from book sales go to ProLiteracy Worldwide and Orlando and Nashville literacy organizations. If you are in the area, please stop by and if you do stop in to this free event, find me and say HI. Authors are listed alphabetically.
I'll be signing my May 2010 release Covert Pursuit.
This year's keynote speaker is the fabulous, New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts. There will be numerous workshops including the one I will be doing titled RWA Leadership Development with RWA's Executive Director Allison Kelley, bright and early on Friday morning at 8:30am. The week will culminate with the prestigious RITA and Golden Heart award dinner and ceremony. I'll be wearing an ice blue strapless ballgown with a little bling in my hair (I couldn't bring myself to do an actual tiara).
Looking forward to see some of you there!
Christian Romance Authors with Fictionalized Tales of Intriguing Edginess
Showing posts with label RWA National Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RWA National Conference. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What I learned at RWA 2009!
by Debby Giusti
This year’s Romance Writers of America National Conference, held in Washington, DC, offered more than 150 workshops. Here are some of the tips I picked up as I enjoyed three days focused on writing.
Janet Evanovich opened the conference and talked about her ten-year journey to publication. Before the "Call," she analyzed romance novels and made lists of how the authors told their stories. Now Janet’s at her desk by 5:15 AM. She calls herself a “reduction sauce writer” because she reduces descriptions into three or four sentences that are easy for the reader to ingest. (Photo above shows Debby chatting with Janet Evanovich)
Analyze your writing, Janet suggested. What works? What do readers like? Asked about stumbling blocks, she said transitions are hard, but if well written, they make the book a page turner.
Toward the end of her talk, she provided a tidbit that hit home with me. She said an editor once told her, “Never save anything.” When as idea floats into her brain, she uses it for the work in progress. New ideas will come when needed so Janet says, “Don’t hold anything back!”
Best-selling author Brenda Novak talked about Emotion as the Heart of the Novel. Her tips? Keep the reader in the action. Start in the present and move forward in real time. Show don’t tell. Don’t repeat the obvious. Use specific details that create a picture.
Brenda suggested layering conversations with subtext to add richness. Blend the narrative with the dialogue. Show the reverse side to the extreme to make interesting characters, especially villains.
Sharon Sala, in her workshop From the Basement to the Penthouse: the ABCs of Building Suspense, said internal conflict is the character’s Achilles heel. The hero has to face his personal conflict and grow because of it. Sharon suggests having a story come full circle so it ends where it began. (Remember the opening beach scene in the movie Sweet Home Alabama? The movie ended with a concluding scene on that same beach years later.)
Sharon Page and Jessica Faust created an excellent handout for their workshop, The 15Minute Synopsis: How to Create a Selling Synopsis Fast. Their advice is to start with conflict. What’s keeping the hero and heroine apart? Make the problem clear and specific. Detail how they grow, and why they fall in love. Start with a sentence, expand it into a paragraph and finally a one-page synopsis.
As a guide for developing a quick synopsis, Sharon and Jessica suggested focusing on the set up of the hero and heroine and their conflict, the black moment and climax and what the characters have learned as well as their declaration of love.
Another keeper from Sharon: The synopsis is to sell the book, not summarize the story. Just as in your actual manuscript, use plot points to build romance. Open with a story question and end with a rich emotional conclusion that will stand out in the editor’s mind.
Donald Maass, the author of WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL and THE FIRE IN FICTION, encouraged writers to get their heroes down to earth. What’s the hero's weakness? Give him a funny quirk or a flaw he can’t correct. (L to R: Darlene Buchholz, Donald Maass, Debby and Missy Tippens)
Once again, Maass challenged writers to make the villain multi-dimensional. Allow him to get what he wants in the beginning, but later, he confronts the protagonist and should lose but not easily. A Maass tip: Have the villain on the page interacting with the protagonist at least five times within the story.
Revitalize dead scenes by increasing the emotion. Up the character’s anger to fury, delight to euphoria, loneliness to desolation. Weave your own personal experiences into the story to make them ring true.
Best-selling suspense author Andrew Gross was up bright and early on Saturday morning for an 8:30 AM, “He Said, She Said” workshop with Carla Neggers. He empowers his heroines and creates smart women who are pretty, but not beautiful. They overcome serious life obstacles, which make them stronger. Think iron fist inside a velvet glove for the gutsy heroine Gross does so well. He also gives the gals a hidden talent and lets them outcompete the male character. He added, while the female protagonist beats the guy, she never shows him up. (Above left, Debby with Andrew Gross)
The last workshop I attended was given by Grammar Divas Darlene Buchholz and Annie Oortman. Sporting neon pink hardhats, the Divas talked about the nuts and bolts of constructing a story with emphasis on grammar and word choice. These girls know their stuff, provide excellent handouts and are getting ready to launch a website. Visit them soon at http://www.grammardivas.com/.
The best part of the conference was visiting with friends old and new. Thanks to everyone who made the conference so special. (Steeple Hill authors with Executive Editor Joan Marlow Golan)
Please leave a comment and share any new writing tip you’ve recently learned. When we pool our resources, we all benefit.
Happy writing!
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
Janet Evanovich opened the conference and talked about her ten-year journey to publication. Before the "Call," she analyzed romance novels and made lists of how the authors told their stories. Now Janet’s at her desk by 5:15 AM. She calls herself a “reduction sauce writer” because she reduces descriptions into three or four sentences that are easy for the reader to ingest. (Photo above shows Debby chatting with Janet Evanovich)Analyze your writing, Janet suggested. What works? What do readers like? Asked about stumbling blocks, she said transitions are hard, but if well written, they make the book a page turner.
Toward the end of her talk, she provided a tidbit that hit home with me. She said an editor once told her, “Never save anything.” When as idea floats into her brain, she uses it for the work in progress. New ideas will come when needed so Janet says, “Don’t hold anything back!”
Best-selling author Brenda Novak talked about Emotion as the Heart of the Novel. Her tips? Keep the reader in the action. Start in the present and move forward in real time. Show don’t tell. Don’t repeat the obvious. Use specific details that create a picture.
Brenda suggested layering conversations with subtext to add richness. Blend the narrative with the dialogue. Show the reverse side to the extreme to make interesting characters, especially villains.
Sharon Sala, in her workshop From the Basement to the Penthouse: the ABCs of Building Suspense, said internal conflict is the character’s Achilles heel. The hero has to face his personal conflict and grow because of it. Sharon suggests having a story come full circle so it ends where it began. (Remember the opening beach scene in the movie Sweet Home Alabama? The movie ended with a concluding scene on that same beach years later.)
Sharon Page and Jessica Faust created an excellent handout for their workshop, The 15Minute Synopsis: How to Create a Selling Synopsis Fast. Their advice is to start with conflict. What’s keeping the hero and heroine apart? Make the problem clear and specific. Detail how they grow, and why they fall in love. Start with a sentence, expand it into a paragraph and finally a one-page synopsis.
As a guide for developing a quick synopsis, Sharon and Jessica suggested focusing on the set up of the hero and heroine and their conflict, the black moment and climax and what the characters have learned as well as their declaration of love.
Another keeper from Sharon: The synopsis is to sell the book, not summarize the story. Just as in your actual manuscript, use plot points to build romance. Open with a story question and end with a rich emotional conclusion that will stand out in the editor’s mind.
Donald Maass, the author of WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL and THE FIRE IN FICTION, encouraged writers to get their heroes down to earth. What’s the hero's weakness? Give him a funny quirk or a flaw he can’t correct. (L to R: Darlene Buchholz, Donald Maass, Debby and Missy Tippens)Once again, Maass challenged writers to make the villain multi-dimensional. Allow him to get what he wants in the beginning, but later, he confronts the protagonist and should lose but not easily. A Maass tip: Have the villain on the page interacting with the protagonist at least five times within the story.
Revitalize dead scenes by increasing the emotion. Up the character’s anger to fury, delight to euphoria, loneliness to desolation. Weave your own personal experiences into the story to make them ring true.
Best-selling suspense author Andrew Gross was up bright and early on Saturday morning for an 8:30 AM, “He Said, She Said” workshop with Carla Neggers. He empowers his heroines and creates smart women who are pretty, but not beautiful. They overcome serious life obstacles, which make them stronger. Think iron fist inside a velvet glove for the gutsy heroine Gross does so well. He also gives the gals a hidden talent and lets them outcompete the male character. He added, while the female protagonist beats the guy, she never shows him up. (Above left, Debby with Andrew Gross)The last workshop I attended was given by Grammar Divas Darlene Buchholz and Annie Oortman. Sporting neon pink hardhats, the Divas talked about the nuts and bolts of constructing a story with emphasis on grammar and word choice. These girls know their stuff, provide excellent handouts and are getting ready to launch a website. Visit them soon at http://www.grammardivas.com/.
The best part of the conference was visiting with friends old and new. Thanks to everyone who made the conference so special. (Steeple Hill authors with Executive Editor Joan Marlow Golan)Please leave a comment and share any new writing tip you’ve recently learned. When we pool our resources, we all benefit.
Happy writing!
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Conference Prep ~ RWA 2009!!!
by Debby Giusti
The Romance Writers of America National Conference runs from July 15 to July 19 and will be held in Washington, D.C. this year. I'm flying in on Sunday so yesterday I tried on clothes and decided what to take. The new airline baggage restrictions mean tightening my wardrobe and cutting back on non-essentials. (I noticed fewer ball gowns for the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night last year with more ladies opting for short dresses, which are easier to pack and take up less room in the suitcase.)
The photo above left shows Janet Dean, Missy Tippens and Debby Giusti ready to party! Debby's signing at the Literacy Book Fair above right. Below Steeple Hill authors gather to congratulate Linda Goodnight for her RITA win!
I'm packing mainly black and white items so I can mix and match. Two pair of comfy sandals and one pair of heels should get me through the week--a change from years past when I'd pack at least five pairs of shoes.
Black slacks should work with casual jackets for the workshops and transition with a trendy top for evening dinners out. If there's room, I'll pack a little black dress and evening pants with dressy tops for nighttime fun.
Tomorrow I'll head to the bank and get a wad of dollar bills for tips. Even though I rely primarily on plastic, cash is necessary for the airport shuttle, taxi fares and for splitting checks with other writer friends.
In the days ahead, I'll probably pack and unpack my suitcase a number of times until I get it just right. Can you think of something I've forgotten? What's the most valuable item you always include in your suitcase? Be sure to share your packing tips and any other information that would make this RWA Conference the best ever!!!
I'm packing mainly black and white items so I can mix and match. Two pair of comfy sandals and one pair of heels should get me through the week--a change from years past when I'd pack at least five pairs of shoes.
Black slacks should work with casual jackets for the workshops and transition with a trendy top for evening dinners out. If there's room, I'll pack a little black dress and evening pants with dressy tops for nighttime fun.
Although D.C. will be hot and humid, the hotel might be chilly so a sweater and shawl are a must. I might throw in a long sleeve shell for under my jackets just in case the hotel temp is really frigid.
I sometimes send books home via the mail so I'll tuck a small pair of scissors and strapping tape into my suitcase. Yes, the hotel should have a shipping office, but the lines can be long and having the box ready to mail speeds the process.
Since I like to read in bed, I'll include a reading light as well as extra hangars, sugar substitute and perhaps extra coffee packets for the in-room coffee maker. Sometimes I include small boxes of milk that don't
need refrigeration. I wrap them in zip-lock plastic bags and pray they don't leak while in flight.
need refrigeration. I wrap them in zip-lock plastic bags and pray they don't leak while in flight.Although the RWA registration packets are loaded with goodies, sometimes they don't include notepaper so a couple of spiral ring notebooks and a handful of pens and pencils are a must. I ordered a new batch of The Writer's Prayer and postcards, featuring my latest book cover for the Goodie Room as well as candy and other giveaways.
Tomorrow I'll head to the bank and get a wad of dollar bills for tips. Even though I rely primarily on plastic, cash is necessary for the airport shuttle, taxi fares and for splitting checks with other writer friends.
Remember to buy small 3-ounce toilette articles if you're including them in your carry-on luggage. I usually double zip-lock bag them and place them in the suitcase I check. Often I'll discard them at the hotel instead of bringing them back on the return flight, and the small size is perfect for a week long conference.
In the days ahead, I'll probably pack and unpack my suitcase a number of times until I get it just right. Can you think of something I've forgotten? What's the most valuable item you always include in your suitcase? Be sure to share your packing tips and any other information that would make this RWA Conference the best ever!!!
Hope to see you in D.C!
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Ritas vs. Elton John/Billy Joel
I make no secret that I'm a huge Elton John fan and yesterday I just found out that my favorite musical performer is going to be playing at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on July 18th with Billy Joel. I have wanted to see the two of them perform for more years than I can say. Last time they swung this way, I had 2 small children and 2 more had JUST permanently moved in with my husband and I. I went from a family of 4 to a family of 6 overnight and we just didn't have the funds for such a spectacular treat. (Never mind what it would have cost for a babysitter for 4 kids ages 7, 8, 9 and 10.) Well those 4 small kids have turned into teenagers and the funds are pretty much like water through my fingers. But unlike then, I do make time to treat myself with some things I love.Why is this important to a suspense writer? Why am I writing about this in my blog?
Because one of my other passions is reading and writing. One of the other treats I look forward to each year is the RWA National Conference and the RITA ceremoy. The RWA National conference is being held in Washington DC from July 15 - July 18. When I heard the news that Elton John and Billy Joel were performing I just about jumped out of my seat...until I heard the July 18th part. You guessed it. That is the same night as the RITA ceremony. This is the one night that romance authors of all genres recognize excellence in romantic fiction. And I look forward to it every year!
Right now I'm reading my RITA books and I'm loving them. I've discovered so many new authors by judging the RITA contest. I have one single title suspense book that I've had at my side since I started reading it and I know it'll be finished by the end of the day. This is a new author for me and I know I'll read more books by her in the future. The RITA ceremony, much like the Oscars for the movie industry, is a special night and a ceremony I've loved attending in years past. I love rooting for a book that I've read and loved. I love seeing the faces of people who've not only won the RITA, but who've finaled in the RITA contest. And I love seeing the unpublished authors who final and win in the Golden Heart contest.
But then...there is Elton John and Billy Joel. I can't be in Foxboro and Washington, DC at the same time. I'm hoping that as the day draws closer and the excitement about hearing who finaled increases, the sting of not being able to see my favorite performer will lessen. Right now I feel like I'm in a tug of war. The RITAS vs. Elton John/Billy Joel. 365 days in a year and my two favorite things are happening on the same night...
Until next time, many blessings. Lisa Mondello
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