Don't miss a freebie, deal, or new release.Join Now!
banner with headshot and name

Conferences. Podcasts. Fun.

Writing Life4 Comments

Create Something Magical conference banner

One of the fun things I get to do every year is give in-person workshops on Scrivener to writing groups and at conferences. I don’t have many booked yet for 2016 because we're moving from Boston to Sacramento this summer, but this weekend I’ll be at the Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference in Iselin, NJ to present two Scrivener workshops.

If you’re in the area, the book fair/signing on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin is open to the public. I’ll have copies of Scrivener For Dummies, Blind Fury, and Blind Ambition on hand, and there’ll be lots of other great authors too. I’d love to see you there!

Also, if you’re a fan of podcasts, I was recently a guest on the Writing Renegade podcast hosted by Carl Plumer. I talked. He talked. We both talked at the same time. 😉 It was fun. We discussed Scrivener, writing romance, a bit about self-publishing, and book covers. And it’s not too long. Just shy of 30 minutes. Check it out if you get a chance.

By the way, if your group or conference would like a Scrivener workshop, either live or via video, please contact me.

Have a fun St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow and a fabulous weekend!

Georgia on my mind (RWA13)

Writing Life
Out for a run with Laura Griffin in Anaheim.

Out for a run with Laura Griffin in Anaheim.

Next week is the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Atlanta. I have so much to do!

I think my wardrobe shopping is done. I just need to determine each day’s outfit, try it on, and take a picture for Evernote so I won’t forget what I planned to wear. (Yes, I’m THAT type. You’re surprised?) This is how I stay organized and limit what I take to one carry on suitcase and a tote bag. That’s right, I get two cocktail dresses, heels, five days of professional wear, evening outfits, workout clothes, toiletries, and all my shoes into one bag.

Rolling the clothes is key. As is limiting shoes. Luckily, I’m not a shoe hound. 😉

Newbie me with AJ Brower in Orlando.

Newbie me with AJ Brower in Orlando.

Despite all the prep, planning, and expense, I love conference. I learn new things about writing and the publishing industry, make new friends, and catch up with old friends. I come away energized (after about a week of recovery sleep), motivated, and inspired.

This will be my fourth year attending Nationals, and every one has been worth it. Each year has had different personal theme associated with it, and this time is no different. The 2010 conference in Orlando was the first year I’d attended a writing conference of any kind. I hardly knew anyone outside my local writing chapter in the beginning, but by the end I'd made several friends that I still keep up with.

Romantic Suspense Golden Heart® finalists in NYC

Romantic Suspense Golden Heart® finalists in NYC.

The second year in New York, I was a Golden Heart® finalist. The whole week was an absolute whirlwind, but a lot of fun. I  had made a  bunch of online friends in the intervening year, and it was neat to meet many of them in NYC.

My first year as a published author!

My first year as a published author!

Last year in Anaheim was a biggie. It was my first year attending as a published author (though not in romance), and the number of people I knew from previous meetings, my online classes, or online writing groups was staggering.

This year will be my first time presenting at the national conference. I’m giving a workshop on Saturday morning called “E-books Made Easy with Scrivener”. I expect I’ll see many familiar faces and learn lots of new ones. I’m excited!

If you’re going to Atlanta, I hope to see you there. 🙂