When I started writing my first book in 2006, I had no idea the work that would go into it. As with many first time writers, I though it would be easy. After all I am a reader and the words just flow from the page. Since then I have discovered, at least for myself, that it takes a lot of work. I’m not willing to settle, therefore I continue to polish. My current intention is to publish traditionally. To me that means, first getting an agent, then working with that agent to publish and sell my books.
Over the years I have continued to attend writers conferences. Even before the Hawaii Writers Conference closed in advance of the event in 2009, I started attending other writers’ conferences. In the past I have participated with the San Francisco Writers Conference. The most current conferences I have attended are Wordcrafters in Eugene and this October I will again attend the Surrey International Writers Conference.
First I want to talk about Wordcrafters. Located in the hometown of the Oregon Ducks’ University of Oregon, it draws on the diverse culture that surrounds it. The first year the key notes were Terry Brooks and Elizabeth George. This last year, among others, Kevin O’Brien, Gail Tsukiyama and Nancy Holder shared the art of writing with attendees. For me this conference is like coming home.
At the Surrey International Conference once more I have the opportunity to pitch my book. Each time my dream blossoms that this will be the right agent and the right presentation to finally find the road to getting published. It is always the opportunity to live the writer’s life.