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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Funny...

Dear Mom,

I decided after this letter, that my writing to you might be less frequent. All that talk about following your dreams has me thinking I need to work harder in pursuing my goal—my dream. I’ll keep you informed.

I have four books that sit unfinished. I have a complete rough draft for two, and the other two won’t take much to have a complete draft, but the real work is in the rewriting, revising, and editing. It seems as soon as I’m near the end with one story, I start another thinking it will help me finish the last one. I’m wondering if this isn’t just an excuse. Or a deep hidden fear. I’ve decided to work right through the fear—wherever it takes me. Having made that decision, I signed up for the Missouri Writers’ Guild conference, “Just Write” taking place April 8-10.

All—okay, almost all—socializing will be put on hold until after the conference. I have work to do!

It’s funny, I make a decision to do something—especially focusing on my writing—and more ideas come to surface. Even though this makes no sense to me to start another blog when I’m telling you my letter writing will be less frequent, I’ve learned to listen to that inner voice regardless of how ridiculous it seems.

Lynn, What’s for Dinner? popped in my head after a conversation with my friend Kim. It’s haunted me ever since. I’ll be killing two birds with one stone. Wait, that’s really an awful saying isn’t it? I’d never kill one bird with a stone, much less two. The purpose of what I’m doing is twofold: writing and figuring out what’s for dinner. As an added bonus, I’m helping others figure out what to have, if they desire.

There are other What’s for Dinner blogs out there so it’s not an original idea like I had first thought, but mine will have it’s own unique style.

I’m sure I’ve learned to cook through osmosis from you, and I’ll be sharing some of your dinner ideas that I remember when I was little.

Check out Lynn, What’s for Dinner? (lynnowhatsfordinner.blogspot.com). Follow me daily or any time you need an idea about what to have for dinner.

Bon Appetite!