Thursday, January 9, 2014

5 Great Things About Being a Writer in Florida

#5:  You can write outdoors year-round. Sure, it's hot in the summer, but all you really need is a tank top and some shade. An iced beverage helps, but is not essential.


  
#4:  For various good reasons, Florida attracts vastly more than its demographic share of criminals, degenerates, and trashy imbeciles. Thus you need go no further than the radio, newspapers, and billboards to find terrific story fodder.

#3:  Florida levies no state income tax, useful for when you become a multi-millionaire from your writing.

#2:  Beta-testing your writing aloud is easy in Florida. Drive in any direction for five minutes and you will encounter an assisted-living facility. Walk in, find the rec room, and start reading. You will have an attentive audience. If you actually do get feedback, it'll be honest.

#1:  The state has wonderful groups and organizations for writers, especially the Florida Writers Association. The first time I went to the annual FWA conference I was a presenter—and a stranger. Afterward, I had new friends. Most of all, I was impressed by the we-are-all-cheerleaders-for-one-another spirit I found there.

Tomorrow and Saturday I'll be presenting at FWA's mini-conference in Bradenton, as will other experienced workshoppers from around the state. Gobs of aspiring writers will be there! If you stop by, I bet you'll make friends too.

[Photo of lonely beach by ES]

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8 comments:

  1. Right, I'm moving. Mainly for #3 and #4

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    1. Let me know when you get here; we'll have you over for a drink...

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  2. I moved here for #3 - still waiting for that to be important. And I love the beta-testing idea. My aunt lives in an assisted living home less than two miles from here. Never occurred to me they'd let me wander in and begin reading. Love it.

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    1. The downside is they all then want free copies of your book.

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  3. So many marvelous places to lives in Florida (I lived around the state five different times). For my money, Sarasota, Lido Beach, and Longboat and Siesta Keys are tops. (Unfortunately, I love winter sports.)
    But you nailed it with #1: FWA has guided and supported me beyond what I ever expected when I joined their ranks. The best!

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    1. I agree about the Sarasota area. It's also great to have SRQ right here.

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  4. i know my husband would love to move our family down to florida, if he can't get us to move back to his home in Jamaica. every winter, he threatens to go back bc to him the winter season makes no sense. so if he was to read this post, he'll use it as an excuse to move down to FL to support me even more. on a side note, have you ever thought about writing a sequel to You've Got A Book In You. Like a detailed guide about what comes after writing your book, focusing on professional editing, getting the manuscript submission ready, etc?

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    1. Let me know if you do make it down here! Your idea about a sequel to YGABIY is a good one, and hopefully I'll get to that sooner or later. Right now, though, I'm focusing on writing new fiction....

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