Spending Time with Other Writers Motivates Me

This past weekend was the Desert Dreams Writers' Conference here in Arizona. I was the coordinator for the conference, so it was a different experience for me from the typical conference. I ran the entire time and had people say my name and call for help more times than you can imagine. But in the midst of all that, I still came away motivated and captivated and energized.

Friday night started with Sherrilyn Kenyon's keynote speech. I don't read a lot of her books, but as a person, she is one of the kindest, most sincere people I've ever met. Her story is incredible. She is so motivational. My husband turned to me and said that if I came away with anything from this conference, it should be her message that you just have to keep writing. I also love her comment about what she's called "soul-sucking demons" that challenge her writing (aka her critique partners). I laughed at my two critique partners sitting next to me. They DO keep me honest but sometimes I want to throw up my hands at them. Of course, I always go back and really listen to what they say and I am absolutely convinced that I wouldn't be where I am without the girls.

The entire weekend was like that. Moments of encouragement and motivation. Speaking with an editor or agent who was actually excited by my projects. Listening to other authors who've published, or who've just gotten agents or just made their first sale. It lets me know that, despite the fierceness of this business, you can keep on keeping on and you might just make it. I absolutely believe in my writing -- most of the time -- and that's what will see me through the madness.

Now, the hard part. I'm in the midst of serious edits on my manuscript. The story is finished (YAY!) but I need to make it "more". I have to make sure the layers are there, that the pacing is right, that my characters have arcs. I need to make this a "big" novel. One that will make a reader say "Yes" when she picks up the book and reads the first paragraph. I need my readers to know my characters and feel their world. So, back to edits with a renewed sense of reason and conviction.