I had a great experience this weekend of attending a workshop hosted by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Chapter in Raleigh, NC named Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. RWA and its affiliate chapters around the country offer the most excellent professional association for writers out there. Including extensive professional development opportunities to learn the craft and magic of writing.
I attend these things to learn, to be reminded of what I’ve learned and to network with new friends. I was thrilled to meet three of my fellow Rebel Ink Press Authors: Donna Steele, and Nancy LaPonzina and some other aspiring and successful authors in the group. (waves frantically Hi-ya guys)
The workshop organized by the group was by Bob Mayer. He is a West Point Graduate, former Green Beret and Best Selling New York Times Author. Owner of Cool Gus Publishing. Author of … I don’t know…. six frickin’ pages on Amazon of NYT best sellers.
It was a treat to say the least. I had been trying to get a chance to attend a workshop and meet Bob Mayer as my writing friends had been raving over his presentations for well, longer than I care to admit, as the years roll by. My old home group First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW) finally hosted his workshop last year but timing was off for me and I couldn’t attend from Chattanooga, TN.
Anyway if you have the opportunity, don’t wait. Go Go Go. Don’t make me drag you.
The morning was a much needed review of his principles in The Novel Writer’s Took Kit, From Idea to Best Seller.
Number one topic was Goal Motivation and Conflict. A similar song to Debra Dixon’s G,M,C. Okay sometimes a door is just a door. But I need to chant the Goal, Motivation, Conflict mantra in my sleep. Don’t laugh, you do too, I’m sure.
Then we spent time talking about what we can learn from screen plays, TV and Movies that will help us grasp the big picture view of the stories we write and take them to the next level. I was reminded of Alexandra Sokoloff’s Screen Writing Tricks for Authors. Yeah I ran into that door again, Screen Writing Tricks with Alexandra…another workshop hosted by FCRW. And another great reminder of constructing a story your readers won’t be able to put down. I’d been deconstructing several shows and movies lately for the same reason. To emulate great story showing.
An afternoon of marketing discussion reconfirmed what we all know… What the hell do we know? Just write another good story. That’s the best way to market your other stories. And perhaps doing so will help you stand on a figurative hill and hope to be struck by lightening.
Speaking of which. I’m off to write #AMWRITING
Check out my books on the book tab of this website or any of the cover hot links in the side bar. Happy Reading.
Eden Glenn 