The Romance Writers of New Zealand annual conference started today, and I’ve spent the day at workshops with Jennie Crusie, Anne Stuart, and agent, Kristin Nelson. It’s been a fantastic day, and I’ve arrived home with my head stuffed full of information. The food was delicious, the company great (I sat next to Nalini Singh and pumped her a little about her upcoming books. Unfortunately, I didn’t get her to spill any secrets but her new series sounds wonderful) and also caught up with lots of other members I haven’t seen for a while.
I’m not attending the full conference since my budget had to give somewhere and the lure of sand, sun and Hawaii beckoned rather loudly, but I have the weekend to put the things I’ve learned into practice.
Jenny Crusie suggests a writer let loose on their first draft and write what they want. If that includes thirty pages on china painting then so be it. Prologues, epilogues and flashbacks are all the kiss of death. Don’t do them. Anne Stuart says under some circumstances they’re okay, but Jenny was busy doing throat-cutting motions in the background.
I’m off to have dinner and relax with a glass of wine now. I think all Fridays should be like this 
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August 17th, 2007 at 4:53 am · Link
Oh this sounds wonderful!! I wish we would have a Canadian version of RWA conference. I know most people just fly to the US, but it would be very cool to have a Canadian slant on things.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:03 pm · Link
Don’t the Canadian chapters have conferences?
I’m really envious of all the conferences in the US. Whenever we travel in that direction, I try to get to one.
August 18th, 2007 at 6:41 am · Link
Oh how cool!!!! And to sit next to Nalini. How AWESOME.
August 18th, 2007 at 1:56 pm · Link
Jenny Crusie’s workshop was really good – lots of good advice and “ah-ha” moments. I love workshops like that.
LOL about Nalini. We were unpublished authors together. She’s doing SO well. We’re all thrilled for her!
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:25 am · Link
Hi Shelley – I found you!
The conference was fantastic, wasn’t it? And it was great talking with you at the cocktail party!