Wednesday, April 20, 2011

While Spring Happens . . .

I had a great weekend at the SCWBI Western Washington Conference. I hope to blog about this soon. For now, I'm busy editing.

Outside the plum tree is in blossom, and the garden calls to me.

Soon.

Monday, April 4, 2011

My Overflowing Brain

This past weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Whidbey Island Writers Conference. I'm so happy the conference is up and running again. We met in Coupeville this year, and I had a great time feeding my writing soul with words from amazing writers like Garth Stein, Mandy Hubbard, Michele Torrey, Deb Lund, and many more.

We had a great fireside chat in a beautiful house overlooking Lake Pondella where Mandy Hubbard told us of her journey and amazing perseverance in getting her first novel published (something I needed to hear). Michele Torrey talked about theme (a favorite subject). She read the first paragraph of several books so we could hear the voice of each work. She has a great reading voice! Deb Lund brought out the actors in us all as she used her great collection of cards to find ideas for story direction and act out emotions. I love this because writing does have to get the heart and emotional level of the character.

I'm back recharged and ready to go again. I love my Whidbey connection. I cannot believe it's been ten years since I first volunteered. Back then, I wasn't even sure what genre I wanted to write in. Deep down I knew I needed to write fiction, but I was terrified to even admit that to myself. My journey thus far has taken me where I never thought I would go. I can't wait to see what the next ten years bring!