I’ve been posting about my now not-so-recent 2010 Missouri Writers Guild convention. I wanted to tell you the rest of by story. Better late than never, right?

 After the first night, I knew I was going to like the group. We had so much fun, laughing and just being silly. I really clicked with a few of the writers. Saturday was the BIG day. The day we were pitching to the agents. I was as cool as a cumber that morning. I had it all down and I was going to do a fantastic job. I was so sure of it! Well, let me tell you I should have been more humble.

 I went to the fist session and it was all about pitching. I sat there while author Dakota Banks gave us tips and tricks. She was calm and gave great advise. At that moment all the self-doubt in the world fell on me. I was a mess! I was so nervous, I rushed to my hotel room just to look up my query letter and jot down notes. I glanced at the laptop clock and holy cow it was my time to pitch! I ran from my room and down the stairs.

Argggg!

 I got to the two “wardens” of pitching completely flustered. I gave my name, she looked at her list and gave me a “sorry but your late” smirk. That’s when I was informed that they gave my time away! I was so stunned and shocked. Any confidence I had left was shattered. I was “granted” another time and waited nervously. I wasn’t leaving, no way was I missing my chance again.

 I walked into the room and sat across from Suzie Townsend, Junior Agent with Fine Print. She was young, pretty, and fashionable. I was so nervous, I stuttered a greeting. The proceeded to ramble incoherently to this girl who just smiled and nodded. She said thanks and to send her 3 chapters. But, she asked that from everyone not just me, so it didn’t really mean anything exceptional. I left there almost in tears.

 I retreated to my conference friends, my head hanging low. Later that day, I pitched again to  Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Agent with Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation. It was better, not stellar, but better. The only reason it was better is because author and president of Missouri Romance Writers of America, Kimberly Killion, helped get my head together. She was super nice and spent some quality time with me. I was and am so grateful.

Kimberly Killion

 After the pitching nightmare I settled into the courses and had a great time. I learned a lot and loved every minute of it. The then president of MWG, Emily Hendricks, was so great. She was funny and charming. She invited me to the dinner that evening. There I was asked to be the “Member-at-Large” for the Missouri Writer’s Guild! I couldn’t believe it and was thrilled. Not really knowing what that entailed I of course said YES! We took pictures with the 2010-2011 board and should be in the journal soon. I will let you all know the details of my newly appointed position, as soon as I do.  

Disclaimer* I am not a full member of the MWG, only an associate member because I am not “published” …yet!

Keep Writing!

Brandi

May 11, 2010

Agent Rachelle Gardner (Literary Agent) just posted a great Pitch Post, check it out.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/05/secrets-of-great-pitch.html

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I mentioned before that I attend the MWG 2010 conference and it was great. This is another keen story of what went down that weekend. I was able to meet some GREAT Missouri writers and marvel at their poise and prose. I know I sound like a nerd, but I am, so there.

 I met Jennifer Brown while at the conference. She is the author of HATE LIST, an edgy young adult novel. I am reading it now and it’s great. I am so impressed with the way she intertwines the past and the present. I can’t write like that. My writing is so immature compared to hers. I have a lot of work a head of me to be able to write anything as lovely.

 Not only is Jennifer a super writer, but an ultra cool girl. Jane (conference friend) and I were chatting at happy hour. I was sipping my vodka and diet while we complained that the Durry Inn wouldn’t sell drinks. Seriously, they don’t sell drinks. You get a drink voucher for three drinks per night you stay and that is all. It’s totally insane, but totally not the point of this story. We were standing there talking and there was a woman standing alone near us. She was propped up against a pillar, looking content and sipping her drink. Being the super social that I am, I called over, “Jennifer, you can come talk with us.” I waved her over with a big smile. Little did I know she was a real author, not just a wanna be like me.

 We all talked and laughed and had a great time. It’s funny how the whole thing happened because she writes young adult and I was feeling like a teenager that weekend. Being in a new crowd always makes me feel like I am fourteen standing in the lunchroom without a specific table to run to or a group of friends calling me over. I hated that feeling. It’s still so easy to curl up in a corner or pretend like I’m reading so I don’t seem as desperate as I really was. Isn’t that ridicules! I am a strong, pretty, confident woman and still can be that insecure teenager in a heartbeat. *sigh* Maybe we don’t ever really grow up, just grow older.

 The novel HATE LIST is tapping into those buried memories of High School. I know it’s good, when I can actually relive some of it. I wish I would have the book as a teen. Maybe I could have used it, like some kind of book therapy. It dives into the mind of a teenager, which is of course the scariest place to be. The insecurities, envy, hate and utter confusion of being a kid is laid out for the reader. It’s honest and true. Everyone should read it, young and old, because it’s an exceptional account of real feelings and real emotions in an all too real school shooting.

I give HATE LIST 5 out of 5 Bran Stars!

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I attended the Missouri Writers Guild 2010 conference this past weekend. It was great! I was so pleased with the people, the courses, the food, and the fun. I met some amazing authors and aspiring authors.

As soon as I sat down Friday afternoon, Jane and I clicked. She is an aspiring author writing a paranormal/romance novel. I think it was that genre. Actually the more we talked to people the more confused we became about genres. I thought mine was a paranormal romance, but it’s not for many reasons. I would say it is a paranormal Christian book.

Paranormal Christian isn’t a recognized genre, but I’m going start it with TRUE SIGHT. That is what I write, paranormal novels with a Christian tone. I don’t’ choke the reader with Christian beliefs but it’s in there. Our world is filled with good and evil, I’m helping put it on the page. I know this is what I am meant to do. Don’t ask me how, I just know.

My greatest inspiration is the Bible. It is the best supernatural book ever written! Burning bushes, parting seas, angels, half-god baby boys what is more supernatural?   

Typical “Christian” books have very specific rules. Rules that say you can’t curse, have sex, drugs and all the nasty real parts of life. I took a course this past weekend called “Writing the Faith Based Novel”, presented by Bobbi Smith. Bobbi Smith is a HUGE author of romance novels and has written two Christian books. She was super nice, very faithful woman and honestly just being around her I felt like a whore in church. Here’s how it went.

Bobbi

“We are going to give away this book, who wants it?”

Me

Hand waving like it’s on fire, “ohohoh me me me!”

The room decided to pick a number between one and ten, after like a million iterations we were finally down to me and another lady. We picked again and we were both away from the number evenly.

Me

“Aw Hell!”

Bobbi

“Did you say Hell?” crooked look in my direction.

Me

“Um, yes” giggle and twist in chair, eyes to the ground.

What the hell? I am 32 and can say what ever I want, but just then I was 8 and standing in front of Sister Mary Margaret getting in trouble for calling Elizabeth a poo-head at recess.

We are all blessed and made in his image; therefore a part of him is me (probably not the part that calls people a poo-head). He made me how I am and I love it. I don’t argue, to hell with that!  By the way, I won the book. The sinner is the winner! Hell Yes!

Ted Dekker

I curse, sin, and pray. What does that make me?

Just me, Brandi, the perfectly imperfect me.

 What has he made you?

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Hey everyone,

I haven’t posted in six days. I have been so busy trying to get my manuscript complete before we go to Killer Nashville. What better blog then to discuss the conference. 

Website:  http://www.killernashville.com/

J.A. Jance is the guest speaker, she has written a slue of crime novels, including the J. P. Beaumont Series, Joanna Brady Series, Ali Reynolds, thrillers and some poetry.  It should be a great presentation.

Lucienne Diver / The Knight Agency and Jill Marr / Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency will be there for pitch sessions. I am so nervous to pitch my book! I have worked on my tag line and have a good description of the book read. I just hope I “sell” it. I am so proud of “True Sight” hopefully they will be intrigued enough to want to read more.

I really don’t have a clue what to expect, I have been reading on-line what and what not to do. You would be amazed at what some authors have done. Like, sliding your MS to the agent in the restroom, leaving it on their pillow!  I mean come on people that is just creepy.

The schedule will be hectic; there is two/four breakout sessions each hour. How will I choose?  I want to go to all of them. Most are themed with crime/thriller, like “Written in Blood: DNA, Blood Analysis, and Reading Blood Spatter “sounds very cool, I might have to check that one out. I am sure I will be exhausted by the end of the weekend, but happy.

I heard the place will be crawling with FBI and police, I better stay in line or I might be the next subject in a true crime novel.

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