Thursday 25 October 2012

Grace Hood is welcomed today!



 Coming Undone
Today I welcome fellow TWRP author, Grace Hood. 

She's got a fantastic update for us today about how writers can learn from others.

I’m just back from the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference, subtitled “Put Your Heart in a Book”, and I feel energized. Inspired.

It was a bit of a trek for me, since I live in Maine. Driving was out of the question (the traffic south of Boston would have been horrendous, and scary), and I don’t much like flying. So I took the train, along with two of my local RWA chapter mates. We had so much fun people-watching, and chatting, and brainstorming, and chatting. As soon as we got to our hotel, the real work began. All those friends to greet, all those dining and drinking plans to make – it was hard work, I tell you. Writing has got to be just about the best job in the world.

Susan Wiggs presented the pre-conference workshop, “From Idea to Printed Page”. I love her novels, the characters become so real to me. Luckily, one of our freebies was “Lakeshore Christmas”, a perfect book for the holidays. Her presentation dealt with building characters, giving them quirks and foibles. I thought Ms. Wiggs suggestion of becoming the character’s therapist was brilliant.

One of the best ways to meet people at conferences is to volunteer. I got to moderate the workshop given by Tasha Alexander, “Strategies for Effective Research”. She writes delightful historical mysteries, which require some amount of research, as you can imagine. Her first piece of advice – don’t get lost in the research! Do just enough to get grounded in your story world, then write the book. You can fill in other details during revisions. Her second piece of advice – don’t put every interesting detail you learned into your story. Your reader doesn’t need to know how medieval armour was fashioned, just that your hero was strong enough to wear it.

My head is still spinning from all I learned. The breakfast keynote speaker was Sabrina Jeffries, the luncheon speaker was Heather Graham, and we had readings from Mary Jo Putney, Susan Wiggs, May McGoldrick (the fabulous wife/husband duo of Nikoo & Jim), and Heather Graham.

Is it any wonder I’m energized and inspired?

I must say, however, that the best part for me was reconnecting with writer friends I see only at conferences. There’s nothing like hanging out with people who speak the same language, share the same fears and have the same (or similar) dreams.

What are some of your conference memories? Or if you haven’t been to one, what are you most looking forward to at your first conference?

 Blurb for Coming Undone:


Career-minded Lara doesn't find forty all that fabulous. Her carefully plotted path to success is on target and she isn't about to let romance derail her. Except the hot, new advertising whiz steers her libido into overdrive.
Ryan lives to shake companies up and do whatever it takes to meet his goals. But the saucy affirmation-chanting minx challenging him awakens a more carnal desire.
A battle of wills may be what she wants, but he intends to push her boundaries until her inhibitions come undone.

Buy link:
  http://bit.ly/V6LMYP


Thank you for coming with your exciting news, Grace. Being at a writers' conference is not something I've done, yet, but it sounds like something I should be doing.

Slainthe!


12 comments:

  1. Good morning/afternoon, Nancy. Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog today. I would HIGHLY recommend attending a writer's conference, to absorb the energy if nothing else. Personally, I enjoy the smaller, regional conferences more than National, being kind of shy.

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  2. Such wonderful speakers at that conference. I love Susan Wiggs's Lakeshore Chronicles series. Her characters come alive and are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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    1. They were wonderful speakers, and so inspiring. No one gets handed their career on a silver platter!

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  3. Sounds like an amazing time! I haven't had the opportunity to attend a conference yet, but I know I'll love it when I finally do get the chance to go. And I want to take a train too....I think that'd be fun and probably give me many story ideas! lol

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    1. The train ride WAS fun. Saw some interesting characters, and decoding the body language of a couple of young French ladies was hilarious!

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  4. I haven't attended a writer's conference yet. But I like the idea of starting with a smaller conference first. I love the idea of becoming your character's therapist as a way to discover interesting character traits!

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    1. Hearing the therapist suggestion was a "lightbulb" moment, for sure. I've done character sketches and questionnaires up the wazoo, but playing the therapist to a character could take the story in a new direction.

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  5. Just checking in after a hectic day of grandchild-sitting. It's lovely looking after a 1 year old but more physically tiring that writing! About to hit that keyboard now.

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  6. Grace,
    I'm sorry I didn't get down to NJ. I also love attending conferences. I think, so far, my best memory was getting a call after the conference from an editor who wanted to read a book I proposed to her. After I wrote the book I sent it off to her and I'm still waiting, but it was so exciting to talk to my dream editor on the phone.

    Michelle

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  7. That is an exciting story, Michelle/Jillian. Fingers crossed that you'll hear from your dream editor!

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  8. Thanks for coming yesterday with your great update, Grace. Best wishes to you.

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    1. Thank you for letting me hang out with you and your visitors yesterday.

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