Anyone who wasn't at least lurking at WriteOnCon missed an amazing experience, but the good news is there are archives so you can read the talks with agents, editors, authors and just plain cool peeps.
I have rarely been so inspired, both by the content and the outstanding energy and quick-thinking of the organizers. If you're a writer or book-lover and don't follow their blogs, do it. You won't be sorry. I'm going to put links at the end of this post should you need them.
There were so many incredible presenters and high points, I don't know what to point out. Among things that inspired me: Give Yourself Permission by editor Molly O'Neill. Agent Joanna Volpe's query critiques. Live query crit with agent Natalie Fischer. An amazing panel with Anica Rissi, Joanna Volpe, Suzie Townsend and Mary Kole. Chat with agent/author Regina Brooks.
Well, I could go on and on, so I hope you do the same and read whatever you missed. (P.S. If you stayed away because it was billed as kidlit, there was a ton of super info for writers of any kind.)
In the midst of this extravaganza, I received a package from New Zealand with this *jumps up and down* dragon spell book. Blogging buddy Wen Baragrey sent it as my prize in a contest, and it couldn't be more perfect. It feels like a spell book, tiny and heavy. And, for those who don't know, I have a YA fantasy currently on the backburner that features a dragon ruby. So, woo-hoo. I just love mysterious signs and portents. Who knows what spells I may cast now?
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And then, and then...I had another wonderful prize in the mail. I won a drabble contest on Bish Denham's blog and she tatted a bookmark in the form of a flamingo. She even has a name, Florence, and a little sister on a ribbon. Is she not the most amazing creature? My book reading will take off, for sure.
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I guess if there is a theme to this post, it's that we can all be inspired and supported by one another. The social networking community is a community even if we don't meet people face-to-face. And, by the way, the organizers of WriteOnCon have only met online and, yet, they pulled some 11,000 other people to check out the event.
As promised, here are the links to their blogs.
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Go make friends. I'm so glad you're mine.
27 comments:
Oh, look at the little spell book, all the way over the other side of the world! :) I'm so glad you like it, Tricia. I loved it, it's so much cuter in person than in photos. I'm so pleased you won it!
Wasn't WriteOnCon brilliant? The best bit being that you can still go back and view all the video's and real all the articles. It was a fantastic idea and I'm so glad they're going to do it again next year!
That spell book looks so cool! I'm totally jealous!
My brain is in overload from all the inspiration from WriteOnCon and SCBWI-LA. I'm hoping it all sinks in and leaves me a brilliant writer :)
Wow! What a perfect ruby dragon for you. A flamingo is always helpful, too. I see you gave us the highlights from the conference. Thanks, I'll check those out. H
Presents from New Zealand! How very cool! And I loved writeoncon, too!
Gorgeous dragon book! I have dragons in a wip, too, but no rubies. Just a giant pearl. Dragons kick butt, don't they? ;)
I'm still catching up with some of the videos for Write-On Con, but I've already learned a ton!
Wen: The little spell book is happy (I hope) in its new home and will help me make all sorts of magic or mischief.
Sherrie: Ha! Yes, I know what you mean. My brain is trying to sort it out and I'm just kind of in a daze.
Donna: Aren't they wonderful? I keep looking at the both..
PJ: I know! I almost put up a photo of the mailing package. I love getting something from far away. She included candy called pineapple lumps that's popular there, too. I feel like I had a trip.
Tere: I didn't even know dragons were going to feature so largely in that WIP until I got going and they really became a force. I fell for them quite madly.
Congratulations!! The spellbook sounds awesome! and the flamingo is super cute! (I have flamingo!fear but that's just so darn cool it doesn't bother me!)
I LOVED Molly's Give Yourself Permission. It was a perfect way to begin the conference. Loved it. I had such a great time. There are still a few posts I missed because of work but I'm so glad they're keeping things up and running for those who missed parts.
I am loving the dragon book!!! (Yes, I think the universe is telling you something...your book with a dragon needs you!)
I still cannot believe what those girls were able to put together at WriteOnCon. Totally amazing.
And Free!!!
So, is it query time yet?
Shelley
WriteOnCon put a spell on me too. It was so amazing. The energy, the sharing, the expertise, the humor. It was motivating on many levels.
Amalia: Flamingo fear? I haven't heard of that, but then I've never spent any time around real flamingoes. But Florence is so cute and non-threatening. :)
Palindrome: I thought it was such a good way to start with positivity and faith in ourselves. I can't believe how much I got out of everything.
Shelley: I'm sure my dragon would be friends with your dragons. :)
It seems like every time I get closer to querying I think of something else that needs fixing or changing. But I got lots of good ideas from the conference.
Paul: I'm still flying. I had no idea it would be so wonderful and useful. So fine.
I had a crazy week and only lurked a bit on WriteOnCon. Thank you for reminding me to go back and see what I missed. What I did get to was wonderful.
I LOVE the dragon book. As for WriteOnCon...I have so much more reading to do. It was great!
WriteOnCon sounds like a wonderful experience, Tricia. And 11,000 people checking it out is impressive+.
Liza: Oh, I'm sorry you couldn't be there 'live" but, really, do go check out the posts. So much good stuff.
Bish: I'm still floating on the whole experience.
Lee: It is mega-impressive and all volunteer from organizers to presenters. The whole event just shined.
Nicely said, Tricia. I didn't participate for lack of time, nothing else. I appreciate the links and heads-up. I don't know how these writers/bloggers have time to do all this, plus write novels.
That spell book looks fantastic, congratulations on both prizes! It's been a crazy, insanely busy couple of weeks here, and on top of it, my computer has been acting up, so I'm behind. I'll come back to check out the links, they sound very interesting and helpful. Thanks!
It was great, wasn't it! I only caught a few session but the ones I saw were so good.
Hi Tricia. I saw your comment about my query win on the WriteOnCon blog. I wanted to stop by your blog briefly and say thanks, but now that I see how cool your blog is I had to become your newest follower!
Nice to meet ya!
One thing though - it's Lisa and Laura Roecker, not Laura and Lisa. Yes Laura does all the work, but Lisa is the rock star. I'm just sayin.
Yvonne: Oh, please, do work your way through the posts, videos and chat transcripts whenever you have time. You will find many gems in there.
WordsCrafter: Ack, I hate when my computer acts up. I just got it back from a tune-up and hope I'm good to go for awhile. Please do make time to dig into that site. so good.
Talli: It was amazing. Truly.
Matthew: Congrats to you, again! To anyone reading this, Matt won a critique from agent Joanna Volpe for his most excellent query.
I'm so happy to have you as a follower! I think I'm already following you but I best check. Lately, I've been overwhelmed and losing track of the many blogs I love to read.
LiLa--how could I get it reversed, huh?
I'm so glad you're mine too, Pat! :o) WriteonCon was amazing. I can't believe how much work those gals put in to it. To hear what the attenedence was blows me away. I didn't use the forums or comment very often, but I adored reading/watching the live chats, reading the posts, and watching the vlogs.
Have a great week!
Love the spell book and the tatted flamingo. Congrats on your splendid booty! Now, what about those pineapple lumps? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
WriteOnCon was amazing! We are so fortunate to be part of such a giving, supportive community. And to say Elana, Shannon, Casey, Jamie, Laura and Lisa are awesome is positively inadequate. I hope they can feel some of the love and appreciation rolling in their direction.
Writeoncon was AWESOME! I was so impressed with all the time and effort that went into it. And there were some awesome presentations.
That flamingo is super cool.
I was there and learned a lot. I especially loved the agent interviews. Very telling.
I love Bish. I need to visit her. I haven't been by since floating back into the blogging world. The bookmark is way cool and beautiful, too. I covet that thing!
Dang if you aren't winning lots of prizes lately. :)
Jackee: :D
VR: Ah, the mysterious pineapple lumps...They are like fruit-flavored taffy enrobed (confectionary term, right?) in milk chocolate.
Natalie: I just adore that flamingo. :)
Robyn: *waves* I got soooo much out of the agent chats. I began to see through their eyes, which is a wake-up call as a writer.
Florence is the best bookmark ever.
WriteOnCon was so awesome! And I love the flamingo! Lol!
Hi L.J. Nice to see you, and, yes, WriteOnCon was extraordinary and Florence is a most wonderful bookmark. :)
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