What I Learned at the Missouri Writers' Guild Conference

Dear Mom,

I had the pleasure of attending the MWG writing conference this past weekend. It was more than I expected with fine folks like keynote speakers: Claire Cook and Christina Katz. I had attended their workshop where I became inspired and learned a lot. Just listening to their keynote speeches caused you to walk away inspired.

I also attended workshops with Jane Friedman, Karen Docter and Shawntelle Madison. Of course, I learned more.

It was a privilege to pick up Karen Docter, Ann Collette and Sarah LaPolla from the airport. I was nervous, but these ladies put me at ease right away. On the way home I had another privilege of taking some other fine ladies to the airport: Ann Behar, Debra Hess, Rhonda Penders and Michele Mortimer.

Ten things I learned from this conference other than writing tips and tools:

1) That volunteering is rewarding, but then I already knew that…
2) To have fun! Yes, Lynn. FUN.
3) I’m a book addict. I told myself that I wouldn’t buy a book—any book—this seminar, but I left with eight. I ran out of the bookroom before I ran out of money. Is there a 12 step program for this?
4) That I need to love my writing and it doesn’t matter if anyone else does… well, it’d be nice if a few people loved it too.
5) I need to work on my first page of every manuscript I’m working on. And probably the second, third, fourth…
6) Writers, agents and publishers are all helpful and kind. I’m so blessed to be among this class of people. Seriously.
7) There’s so much I don’t know. Understatement.
8) I worry too much. I worry that I worry, that’s how much I worry. I need to just keep #2 in mind.
9) Social media is important, but I need to schedule and limit my time and keep my main focus on my writing. Focus.
10) I can’t win a contest or get published if I don’t enter. So I need to do what this piece of jewelry says that my friend, Sioux made and in case you can’t read the words: Write-Submit-Write.

Congratulations to all my friends who were awarded at the conference. And thanks to everyone who participated and volunteered.

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Missouri Writers' Guild Writing Conference: Write Time! Write Place! Write Now!'

Dear Mom,

It will be a busy weekend as I attend the Missouri Writers' Guild Writing Conference: Write Time! Write Place! Write Now! Keynote speakers: Claire Cook and Christina Katz.

I'm looking forward to learning more on the craft of writing, and mingling (the hardest part for me being an introvert) with other writers, publishers, and agents. But I'm always willing to step out of my comfort zone because you just never know what's waiting for you around the corner.

If you're interested in getting a little peek of what's happening at the conference, you can check out The Writers' Lens that will be doing a series of live web chats with the conference speakers.

I'll check back in after the conference and let you know how it went. Write on...

Friday the 13th

Dear Mom,

Friday the 13th sparks memories of you. You gave birth to me on that day--the day you said we both nearly died. For whatever reason, I considered it to be a lucky day. We lived.

When you died on Friday the 13th, my thinking changed a little. Okay, a lot. I figured as a child, I must be unlucky and somehow caused your death. But over time I wondered whether it was your way of saying, "I'm off to a better place - it's my lucky day." I held on to the idea of Friday the 13th being lucky.

Since Norm and I share the same birthday, we decided to get married on that day. Wouldn't you know, the year we made it official, it was Friday the 13th.

Friday the 13th is a lucky day for me. I think it's all in the attitude. What do you think about Friday the 13th?

Here's a little history on Friday the 13th - the top four from Google search:

Wikipedia
Urban Legends
National Geographic
Time

Calling All Poets and Writers

LESS THAN 15 DAYS REMAINING
to enter International Women's Poetry Contest -

SIBELLA POETRY MAGAZINE's International Women's Poetry Contest 2012

Yes, YOU should really consider submitting a few of your original written pieces
of poetry into this year's contest. Why not? What if you are one of the winners?
You'll be so glad you entered 1 or 2 of your poems into the contest!!!

Deadline for ALL submissions: April 20, 2012 (Friday).

Go online to view easy-to-follow entry guidelines, then hurry
and submit your words of inspiration into the contest this weekend!
www.SibellaPoetry.com

Here are 2 links that instantly open both our magazines -

http://spring2012.sibellapoetry.com/
http://spring2012.sibylmagazine.com

Be sure to tell a friend who you know writes poetry to submit her works into the contest!

All of the above came from a friend, Joan Marie. Joan is a fantastic artist. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious. She taught all of my kids, and well actions speak louder than words. All my kids are fantastic artists too. Joan knows I write, and although I've written a few poems (that appealed to me), poetry is more of a challenge for me. Oh except when I was in high school. I have an old notebook that my older sister saved (thank you) filled with poems. Clearly I was heart broken and dreamed of a world of peace and love.

I loved the cover of this magazine. The line underneath it "Poetry created to set the soul aflame." I can picture Joan switching the word poetry for painting. Or writers, replacing the word poetry with writing. Anything creative is created to set the soul aflame, I think.

And y'all don't forget about that short story contest for Southern Writers Magazine.

No Fooling, I'm in Sasee

Dear Mom,

Since I've been in this critique group with Sioux, Linda, Tammy, and Beth, I've been feeling a little not-up-to-par with them as they all have been published in Sasee or Chicken Soup for the Soul and a ton of other places.

It does help that I submit my writing and that's what I've been making an effort to do. After reading Sasee's editorial calendar, I jotted down what I could write for the magazine and went to work.

I absolutely love to write. But of course there's a thrill to see something I've submitted get published. Some writers I know do the "Happy Dance" and I was no exception.

My article, We Don't Always Get What We Want, is in the April issue of Sasee. If you haven't been to Sasee, you should check it out. You'll also spot Linda's article, He Married Me Twice.

So I'm celebrating and feeling, well... quite Sasee! No fooling.