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2013 San Francisco Writers Conference

So last month I  hopped a five hour flight to San Francisco to attend the 2013 San Francisco Writers Conference.  It was my second time attending the conference and I must say that the experience was well worth the time and money. The conference had great seminars, inspirational speakers, fantastic networking opportunities and, for those seeking publication, lots of access to agents and...

Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month) 2011

It's almost that time of the year again when maniacs all over the world sign up on a website (www.nanowrimo.org) and vow to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th.    And when I say all over the world, I mean all over the world.  There are Wrimos (Nanowrimo participants) in Africa (including, but not limited to, Israel and other countries in the Middle East), Asia,...

Thrillerfest VI

Last month, I attended Thrillerfest - an annual conference put on by International Thriller Writers - for the very first time.  The conference was held in New York City at the Grand Central Hyatt Hotel, July 6-9, 2011. Thrillerfest is an event devoted to thriller writers and thriller enthusiasts.  Every year, bestselling authors such as R.L. Stine, Ken Follett, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Diana...

Scriptfrenzy – It’s Almost That Time Again

To do, or not to do, Scriptfrenzy this year?  That is the question. For some of you, the question might be: "What the heck is Scriptfrenzy? "  Scriptfrenzy is a wonderful event where writers all over the world sign up on a website - - and vow to write a 100 page script within 30 days from April 1 to April 30th. It could be a stage play, a movie script or a script of an episode of your favorite...

Writers Resources: Audio Downloads of Writers Seminars

You might think of me as Johnyta come lately, but I recently discovered a wonderful resource for writers:  audio downloads of writers seminars.  The Romance Writers of America ("RWA") offers audio downloads of the seminars given at its annual conferences in 2008 and 2009.  www.rwa.org  The seminars are given by bestselling authors, editors of large publishing houses and the like.  The...

Finding The Time To Write

As usual, I am trying to do way too much.  I'm working on editing my romance novel so that I can send a polished product to the editors and agents who have requested to see it.   I started drafting a science fiction script for Scriptfrenzy.  I'm working out and doing what I have to do to make sure I have healthy food choices available to me so that I can continue my weight loss...

My Experience at the Silken Sands Writers Conference

I've just returned from the Silken Sands Writers Conference in Pensacola, Florida.  The conference is held every other year (they alternate years with the Southern Magic Conference given by the Birmingham Chapter of Romance Writers of America).  I had the most wonderful time at the conference and learned a great deal.  Although the Gulf Coast Chapter Romance Writers of America is a...

A Woman in Search of a Genre

 I recently attended the San Francisco Writers Conference and one of the things I learned was that, in order to effectively pitch a novel to an agent or an editor, a writer must be able to specifically identify the genre of the book as well as the demographics of the audience who will want to purchase it. It is not enough to say: "I'm writing fiction and the book will appeal to everyone." ...

The Benefits of Attending a Writers Conference

A couple of weeks ago,  I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference.  It was a great experience.  I had been to the Maui Writers Conference several times before.  I always came  back from those trips refreshed and renewed and having learned a lot about the craft of writing.   I didn't have high expectations for the San Francisco Writers Conference.  I doubted that  it would be able...