Okay, I have a little something to tell you, but Shhhh….it’s a secret. Did you know that a lot of agents and editors are friends with each other? Not only that, but writers are friends with other writers? I know, weird.
I have probably already quoted this, but I’m going to quote it again. Josi Kilpack said something to the effect of, “Don’t go throwing the sand in the litter box, because the sandbox is small.”
The writing community is small. You shouldn’t be saying mean things about other writers, agents or editors. I don’t care if they have cooties or if so and so keeps bothering you with his weird turned up mustache. These are the things you need to keep to yourself (or your best friend over a tub of chocolate pistachio supreme – but that’s it!). It’s not something that should be gossiped over, discussed over the pulpit at church or even announced over the local high school intercom (plus they probably don’t even know what you are talking about).
Plus agents, editors and writers will find you are hard to work with and will not want to touch your MS with a ten foot pole (or even a snotty wadded up tissue…I’m just saying).
So remember, the next time you have a bee up your bonnet, ants crawling up your pants, or even birds sitting in the tree you just parked your car under. Do not - repeat - DO NOT open that mouth. Just keep it shut, because you never know where those words will end up at.
Just remember what Mom said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” (Was that just my mom? Well, she is wise.)
Showing posts with label editors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label editors. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Exciting Adventures of WIFYR or Writers, Editors, Agents and Armpit Butter
Where do I start about last weeks adventures?
Last week was the BYU WIFYR and it was amazing!!!! I meet a bunch of wonderful new friends, scared off a couple of published authors (never hug someone when they aren’t expecting it…but it does make for a fun story), and I decided this is what I really want to do.
Monday through Friday, my critiquing buds and I headed to BYU early each morning (after a delightful breakfast of Mcy-D’s). From 8:30 until 12:30, we sat in separate groups learning from the best authors around.
I got to work with Janette Rallison, author of My Fair Godmother, Just One Wish, and many others (my daughter is in the middle of Just One Wish and has informed me how wickedly awesome it is…every morning, noon, and night. Yes, my friends, it is that good). She is so funny (Both Janette and my daughter). =)
We had a great group of gals (I mean… we were chic lit. Not many guys wanted to venture into our class room, especially since we were laughing so dang hard every ten minutes). They (our group) were a hoot. And the talent in that class was incredible! It was an honor to read their work and have them critique mine. I’m sure one day I will see them published and be able to say, “Yes, I was in a five-day critique group with so and so. We are like this.” * fingers crossed* And they will say, “I don’t think we are as good of friends as you think we are.” (Erin, that one’s for you!) Ah, good times, good times.
From 1:30 – 2 we got to mingle with any agent, editor, or author that was scheduled for the mingle sessions.
Then came the break-out classes ranging from plotting to finding time to write. I learned something from each class I attended. I loved the class taught by Louise Plummer about anxiety. Because…well… I have it. I learned a lot in that class. Oh and that fantastic class by Sharlee Glenn about being a writer anyway. Loved it!
I think the best part about the conference is that people enjoyed what I had written. Plus, I accomplished the goals I made for myself a year ago. Whoo hoo!
Was the traveling, money, and lack of sleep worth it all? All I can say is, if you haven't had a chance to come to this conference, start saving your pennies. It is well worth it!
Last week was the BYU WIFYR and it was amazing!!!! I meet a bunch of wonderful new friends, scared off a couple of published authors (never hug someone when they aren’t expecting it…but it does make for a fun story), and I decided this is what I really want to do.
Monday through Friday, my critiquing buds and I headed to BYU early each morning (after a delightful breakfast of Mcy-D’s). From 8:30 until 12:30, we sat in separate groups learning from the best authors around.
I got to work with Janette Rallison, author of My Fair Godmother, Just One Wish, and many others (my daughter is in the middle of Just One Wish and has informed me how wickedly awesome it is…every morning, noon, and night. Yes, my friends, it is that good). She is so funny (Both Janette and my daughter). =)
We had a great group of gals (I mean… we were chic lit. Not many guys wanted to venture into our class room, especially since we were laughing so dang hard every ten minutes). They (our group) were a hoot. And the talent in that class was incredible! It was an honor to read their work and have them critique mine. I’m sure one day I will see them published and be able to say, “Yes, I was in a five-day critique group with so and so. We are like this.” * fingers crossed* And they will say, “I don’t think we are as good of friends as you think we are.” (Erin, that one’s for you!) Ah, good times, good times.
From 1:30 – 2 we got to mingle with any agent, editor, or author that was scheduled for the mingle sessions.
Then came the break-out classes ranging from plotting to finding time to write. I learned something from each class I attended. I loved the class taught by Louise Plummer about anxiety. Because…well… I have it. I learned a lot in that class. Oh and that fantastic class by Sharlee Glenn about being a writer anyway. Loved it!
I think the best part about the conference is that people enjoyed what I had written. Plus, I accomplished the goals I made for myself a year ago. Whoo hoo!
Was the traveling, money, and lack of sleep worth it all? All I can say is, if you haven't had a chance to come to this conference, start saving your pennies. It is well worth it!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Gotta Write!
Last Friday I entered a delightful world. It was a world of authors and editors and lovers of books. It was a world of fantasy, magic, and wonder, as well as a world of reality, substance, and authenticity. It was a timeless world, where word is king, and imagination can take you anywhere. United by our love of storytelling we gathered from everywhere to a special place of sharing.
This was my first adventure into the magical land called LDS Storymakers Convention. I found this place warm and delightful. I met supportive friendly people with stunning ideas and amazing talent. I attended fascinating presentations taught by people who were brilliant and interesting.
I brought home a brand new bag of tools, which is bulging with new things; new ideas, new knowledge, new skills, and new friends. If you were a presenter, I thank you for sharing your time and talents. If you were an organizer, I thank you for the hours of preparation, for the attention to detail, and for that special touch of fun which was liberally sprinkled throughout the conference. If you were a participant, thank you for bringing your unique contribution and creating an unforgettable experience for me.
Writers are an interesting bunch. We are diverse on many levels, yet we have much in common. We have something to say and we need to say it. We gotta write. We don’t just love to write; we gotta write. Deep inside we have a craving that is only satisfied when we write. For me it not really about money, or even about being published. It is about having a voice. It is about making a difference. Sometimes I wonder if I chose writing, or if it chose me.
Thanks to my incredible critique group who are always there for me. I adore them and I appreciate their love and support, and their valuable advice. It was great fun to share the Storymakers experience with them.
Gotta go! Gotta write.
Linda Garner
This was my first adventure into the magical land called LDS Storymakers Convention. I found this place warm and delightful. I met supportive friendly people with stunning ideas and amazing talent. I attended fascinating presentations taught by people who were brilliant and interesting.
I brought home a brand new bag of tools, which is bulging with new things; new ideas, new knowledge, new skills, and new friends. If you were a presenter, I thank you for sharing your time and talents. If you were an organizer, I thank you for the hours of preparation, for the attention to detail, and for that special touch of fun which was liberally sprinkled throughout the conference. If you were a participant, thank you for bringing your unique contribution and creating an unforgettable experience for me.
Writers are an interesting bunch. We are diverse on many levels, yet we have much in common. We have something to say and we need to say it. We gotta write. We don’t just love to write; we gotta write. Deep inside we have a craving that is only satisfied when we write. For me it not really about money, or even about being published. It is about having a voice. It is about making a difference. Sometimes I wonder if I chose writing, or if it chose me.
Thanks to my incredible critique group who are always there for me. I adore them and I appreciate their love and support, and their valuable advice. It was great fun to share the Storymakers experience with them.
Gotta go! Gotta write.
Linda Garner
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