My special guest today is fellow Ellora’s Cave author, Wynter Daniels. Wynter was lucky enough to attend the recent RWA conference in Florida and is here to tell us about both that and her latest release, Getting Even With Warren.
Thanks so much to Shelley Munro for inviting me to guest blog here! I want to tell you about my trip to the RWA National conference in Orlando. This was my first, but I can assure you, it won’t be my last.
Aside from the awesome parties, the plethora of free books and the great info at the publisher spotlight sessions, there were the workshops. Before I attend a conference, I make myself a spreadsheet of my schedule including which workshop of the 7 or 8 being offered at any given time. My organized self sighs contentedly at the neat chart I tuck into a folder.
Then I arrive at the conference and I blow that all to hell! I listen to the buzz from other authors, scratch one program off in favor of another. The time rolls around and I change my mind yet again. The offerings were great this time and I would love to give you a detailed recap from each workshop I attended. But that would make a ridiculously long post, so I will try to give you a pearl from each of my favorites.
Linda Howard’s Twelve Steps of Intimacy is always a crowd pleaser. If you ever have the opportunity to attend this program, go for it. You won’t regret it. One thing that stands out – leapfrogging the steps can intensify or shake up the intimacy experience.
Donald Maass’ Fire in Fiction II program was standing room only. The pearl there – imagine the standout emotion from your scene then recall a moment in your own life that exemplifies that emotion. Include the details of what you were feeling at the time to give your writing better impact.
Nora Roberts, aka J. D. Robb, was the keynote speaker at the opening luncheon. She spoke about the incredible changes in technology in the thirty years since the first RWA conference in 1980. Manuscripts were typed on typewriters with carbon paper and research was done at the library. She said she’s heard people say it was so much easier to get published back then but she disputes that. Getting published is supposed to be hard. Hard makes it that much more special when you achieve it. She also talked about the huge number of opportunities available today like e-publishing. She credits the camaraderie of RWA members for helping writers survive and flourish in a difficult field.
I also listened to sessions on police procedure, upping the heat in romance and diversifying an author’s portfolio and attracting the biggest audience for your books. Overall, the conference was a winner and did I mention free books?
CONTEST: Please leave a comment and I will draw one name to receive a free copy of my latest ebook from Ellora’s Cave, Getting Even with Warren.
Here’s a little about the book and a link to an excerpt:
Widow Macy Halstead learned of her much older husband’s voracious appetite for cheating shortly before his death. Now it’s too late to get back at him. When she meets his bi-racial illegitimate son at the funeral, a mutual attraction flares. She leaves with him and the two share a night of hot passion.
Alex Jackson set out to get back at the father who treated him like dirt. Bedding his old man’s widow fit the bill—until he forgets his reasons and realizes he really likes Macy. But after a steamy fling, she seems to have second thoughts. Can they overcome their initial agendas and explore the possibility of a relationship?
You can find Getting Even with Warren HERE.
Bio: Wynter Daniels is the naughty alter ego of contemporary romance author Dara Edmondson. She lives in Central Florida with her husband of more than twenty years and their two nearly grown children. They are all the slaves of two very demanding cats. After careers in marketing and the salon industry, Wynter’s wicked prose begged to be set free. She currently writes for Ellora’s Cave, Loose Id and Red Sage Publishing.
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August 9th, 2010 at 2:47 am · Link
It sounds as if you had a wonderful time at the conference, Wynter.
Did you go to any publisher spotlights? And did you have any fan-like moments with your own favorite authors?
August 9th, 2010 at 4:09 am · Link
Great recap and I picked up some new hints right here.
August 9th, 2010 at 4:44 am · Link
Wynter, it was great to see you at the RWA conference. Thanks for sharing your pearls from the workshops you attended. There were so many great workshops offered this year, and the ones I went to were excellent. Congratulations on your new release! It sounds like a hot read!
August 9th, 2010 at 6:00 am · Link
Shelley – I attended the Kensington spotlight. Basically they say they are very open to new authors and are seeking new voices. Being a privately owned company, they have more leeway about what they can publish.
Thanks, Nessa – glad to help;-)
Thanks for stopping by, Catherine. It was great to see you at the conference, too!
August 9th, 2010 at 7:22 am · Link
I’d love to go to the RWA sometime everyone says it awesome
August 9th, 2010 at 7:29 am · Link
It was completely awesome, April. If you ever have the opportunity, go for it!
August 9th, 2010 at 7:35 am · Link
Sounds like you had a lot of fun at the RWA conference :)
August 9th, 2010 at 10:42 am · Link
RWA sounds like a blast.
I love the concept behind Getting Even w/ Warrren! I don’t think I’ve seen this premise before. I’ll have to check it out.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:57 am · Link
RWA is both fun and a great opportunity to learn more about writing. Great networking opportunities, too.
Thanks for dropping by!
August 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm · Link
Thanks for that snippet, Wynter. I really need to start writing some longer books.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:28 pm · Link
Thanks so much for inviting me here, Shelley! Getting Even with Warren is a Quickie, but packed full of hot fun!
August 9th, 2010 at 2:01 pm · Link
Sounds like you had a great time at the conference Wynter. Wish I could attend one of the many book conferences over there in America. Hmmm maybe one day!
The cover for Getting Even With Warren is awesome. Congratulations on the release.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:46 pm · Link
Thanks, Bec. I hope you make it to one someday.
August 9th, 2010 at 3:31 pm · Link
I’ve heard so many great things about this year’s conference, especially Nora’s speech. Wish I could have been there!
August 9th, 2010 at 3:44 pm · Link
Great report. I didn’t manage to make it to either the Linda Howard or Donald Maass workshop. Both were on my list, but there is just so much to do! I did make it to Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ workshop. I highly reccomend that one for next time.
August 9th, 2010 at 4:06 pm · Link
Thanks for that info, Charlie. SEP’s program was on my list, but time conflicts nixed it.
August 9th, 2010 at 6:16 pm · Link
Hey Wynter. I had a similar issue – I had a lovely Outlook calendar all printed out with everything I wanted to do each day, and probably 80% got scribbled out and rewritten while onsite! Glad to see some snippets from workshops I didn’t get to, though – thanks!
August 9th, 2010 at 6:18 pm · Link
Thanks, KC. Good to know I’m not alone in my delusion of organization!
August 9th, 2010 at 7:10 pm · Link
I would like to go to a RWA conference but I haven’t been able to yet. Sounded like you had a ball.
lorettaC
lbcanton@verizon.net
August 9th, 2010 at 7:34 pm · Link
And an additional hint to all first time RWA attendees, find an experienced friend to help you sort through the incredible offerings and focus your energy before you set foot on the convention floor. Ms. Daniels helped me tremendously with a strategy that really worked!
August 9th, 2010 at 11:33 pm · Link
Wow, Wynter, that’s an intriguing set-up for your story!
As for conferences, I’d love to attend one sometime, just to go all fan-girl on you authors! ;)
August 10th, 2010 at 12:53 am · Link
It sounds like you had a great time at the conference and got to listen to some of my favorite authors. I think it would be so hard to choose which workshop to attend. I think your new book sounds like a great read.
August 10th, 2010 at 5:20 am · Link
The RWA sounds like a really fun event. I really wish I can attend but then I probably would have to save like mad!
August 10th, 2010 at 6:15 am · Link
Glad I could help, Karen.
For anyone interested in a more reader-friendly conference, I would recommend the Romantic Times conventions. Loads of fun, lots of free books and some events geared specifically to readers.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:18 am · Link
This was a great recap, Wynter. Thanks for sharing. It was great seeing you at RWA.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:39 am · Link
It was wonderful meeting you at the Ellora’s Cave reception, Wynter! I agree, great conference.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:57 am · Link
Hi Viola! Same here.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:00 pm · Link
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT
And the winner is….Fedora!
Wynter will email you privately. I hope everyone will return to visit my upcoming guests, and don’t forget your comments give you an entry into my quarterly draw for a $25 Amazon voucher.