Monday, October 24, 2011

More as the Story Develops...

This is going to be quick...

Let me say my time at the Surrey International Writers Conference was --- what shall I say ---

FANTASTIC.

The writer that went into that conference on Friday morning no longer exists.

As the conference continued I found myself getting more and more focused; so much so that I noticed on Sunday I was no longer taking notes that read as general writing advice and was, instead, making notes like:
Raise character name's stakes by doing this.
Give character name a ticking clock.
Lose character name's backstory and give vital info through dialogue with character name.

Yes, I met and shared conversations and meals with authors I truly admire. I took workshops from many authors, editors and agents who are not only gifted at their jobs, but can teach.

And --- one more thing...

The agent I pitched to was intrigued by my novel's title (and wanted the story behind it), said "You'd be a perfect fit for...and named a publishing house", loved that it's the potential beginning of a series,  and wants me to send her the first 50 pages.

As I said to someone over the weekend, I haven't won the race, but I'm off the warm up track and the door opened on the starting gate. (I may have read too many Dick Francis in my life -- sorry, I digress)

SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!

9 comments:

  1. That's fantastic news Elspeth. I'm hoping you'll share a little something of what you've learned :-)

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  2. Wonderful! Are you going ahead and sending off your 50 pages in the next few days? Fingers crossed for you!

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  3. That is SO good to hear. Make sure you get those pages sent off. So many writers don't follow through.

    Terry
    Terry's Place
    Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

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  4. Yay! Elspeth, sounds like the conference did you a world of good.

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  5. excellent excellent news - you are off! I love racing analogies almost as much as gardening ones...

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  6. Excellent! Great to hear you got so much out of it and are moving ahead! Bask in it and do great work!

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  7. Sarah; That is the plan -- I'm just not sure when! Writing is coming before blogging these days.

    Elizabeth; Thanks! And YES, this is NOT something I'm going to procrastinate over!

    Terry; I heard that at the conference. I find it unbelievable, but yet believable at the same time.

    Pat; It really, really did. I'm hoping to make it a yearly affair.

    Jan; I AM off! (in so many, many ways...) Thanks for your kind words, dear one.

    Kit; I intend to work and then bask. Although don't sharks bask? I don't want to be a shark.

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  8. Great job, not many people get through that kind of pitching to agents. Congrats!

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  9. Oh my gosh, Elspeth! Congrats on such a good time, and the news that came with it!

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