This is the relevant stuff from the Autumn Newschat that just
went out. (I send 2 or 3 per year, and your info is never shared,
given, sold, or auctioned. To enlist:
http://bit.ly/18VfbvN
)
I was reading recently about Columbus and the egg. Sir
Christopher, post-voyage, was hanging out with the Spanish nobles when one of
them dissed him really bad. This dude goes, "That voyage? Discovering the
Americas? Not such a big deal, man. If you hadn't done it, somebody else around
here would have."
Well!
Columbus asks for an egg to be brought in. He challenges
anyone to stand the egg on end. No one can. Dude, you'd need a wizard for that!
Sir Chris taps it on the table, denting the shell so it
stands on end.
"What the hey?" go the nobles. "That is so
baby."
"It's easy once you've seen it done," remarks Sir
Christopher.
How do we know about this? Somebody wrote it down. I believe
it was the servant boy who brought the egg.
Which brings us to writing! Storytelling!
Lots of people think, like the nobles gaping at the wobbly
egg, that writing a book is hard, nay, impossible unless you've got
superpowers.
Wrong! Join me at any of these upcoming live events and
learn how to cut through the BS and write with zest, confidence, and quality.
Which really means, unleash your own latent superpowers. Invest now.
Writer's Digest West,
Los Angeles, September 27-29, 2013
This is a terrific conference for writers. In addition to
getting to pitch your work to lots of agents, you can learn from wonderful
authors and writing coaches. I'll be doing two presentations:
"How to Write a Dynamite Mystery or Thriller that
Sells" (Saturday p.m.)
"Quit Your Day Job—Seriously!" (Sunday a.m.)
They gave speakers a special discount code for their friends
(I believe it's 50 bucks off) (and you are my friend): WDCWSPKR
Writing is Easy and
Fun, Los Angeles, October 5 and 6, 2013
Workshop in two Los Angeles locations, October 5 (West
Hollywood) and October 6 (Santa Monica). Sponsored by my wonderful friends at
Kleis TV. Brisk, fun, and enlightening—at a bargain price. I guarantee it.
Florida Writer's
Association Conference, Lake Mary (Orlando), Fla., October 18-20, 2013
In addition to meeting wonderful writers, you'll have better
access to faculty here than at mob-scene conferences. I'll be on hand for:
"How to Write a Dynamite Mystery or Thriller that
Sells" as well as individual mentoring.
Also, hey, at last! On
Location: Rita Farmer Mystery #3 is available in a clean, readable version
on Amazon Kindle. Grab a sweater and get cozy while Rita, George, Daniel, and
Petey plunge into the rain-lashed forests of Washington's Olympic Peninsula in
search of missing loved ones, truth, and a sharp chainsaw.
According to the staff at Writer's Digest Books, sales have
been "very impressive". (Thank you again.) More important, I keep hearing
from readers who are using the book as one uses a jackhammer to destroy hard,
unwanted concrete, revealing the quality, fertile soil beneath. Joyful growth
awaits you!
Writer's Digest magazine will be featuring these upcoming
articles from me:
"Transform You Novel into a Symphony" (November /
December 2013)
"Seven First-Novel Gaffes to Avoid" (January 2014)
Zestful Writing: The Blog, is gaining traction, exploring
such questions as:
What does a relaxed jaw have to do with great writing?
Accomplishment or contribution? Who cares?
How can an accordion revive the human spirit? and more.
Also, did a guest blog gig for WD: "Tapping Your Inner
Villain":
Keep your eggs dry and that autumn wind at your back.
Tell me what you think! To post your ideas / comments, all
of which I read and try to respond to, click below where it says, 'No
Comments,' or '2 Comments,' or whatever.
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in.
