Last evening I attended a writer's and illustrator's panel held at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ. Janette Rallison, ANWA member and author extraordinaire, participated, as well as four other panelists, who if I named I would then feel obligated to link up their websites and blogsites so you could see who they are and the work they have done, and, well, frankly, that would just take time, and I have paused in the middle of reworking chapter 20 of my novel to write this blog and am in no frame of mind to pause further, though I will take a breath right now.
I enjoy these kinds of author events, or any kind, really, even though it requires sitting through questions like, "I have a folder of all these story ideas, which one do I choose?" How should they know? And for the 28,000th time, "NO. Editors do not like it if you send in text and illustrations together." How many times did they address that last night? (I don't know, but my eye's starting to twitch) Fine, there may be special situations for those that are already established illustrators..., but AHHH...!
Okay, I'm better now.
I just like being in that setting...authors who know of what they speak, me gleaning, gleaning, gleaning...and dreaming, dreaming, dreaming. I like being at Changing Hands surrounded by books with their beautiful, shining, beckoning covers that call to shoppers to part with their cash. Maybe someday people will part with cash for my book(s). If they want to get on the waiting list at the library that's fine, too, or wait till it comes out in paperback, I understand.
I'll admit I was a tad emotional as I drove away last night, thinking of how I love my story and my main character and the world I'm creating and I can't wait to be able to share it and for people to read it and love to read it like I have always loved to read other people's books and so I had to stop and buy some chocolate.
[today's post also appearing at valerieipson.blogspot.com]
Yes Valerie it's difficult to explain except to fellow writers but at some point you fall in love with your characters. They become real and the best compliment anyone can give an author is to say I really liked "character name" and talk about that character as if he/she was real.
ReplyDeleteGood post! I love going to conferences because I leave feeling recharged.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous. You got to listen to the divine Janette. She is awesome. Conferences are da bomb.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog.
Wish I would have known about last night, I would have joined you. It is QUITE annoying when a wanna be writer asks such eye twitching questions. Get used to it Valerie, soon you will be on that panel and will get those questions, and I will be in the audience and wink at you. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your book.
I am so envious! I wanted to be there, too! I laughed when you mentioned the "questions." Yeah, they do make your eyes twitch after about the 3rd or 4th time, don't they! I'm with you on the chocolate thing too...thanks Valerie!
ReplyDeleteFun! AND on chapter 20... how much further do you have to go?
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew the answer to that question, Christine. The further I get, the further out the end appears! I know I'll be doing lots of revising and cutting when the time come.
ReplyDelete