Full to the brim

I didn't expect to go so long between blog posts, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Last weekend, I was in Seattle with a couple of my marvelous critique partners for the Emerald City Writers Conference put on by the Greater Seattle RWA. I'd heard good things before going, and you'll only hear raves from me. It was amazing, from the masterclass with Damon Suede (!) to keynotes by Damon, Beverly Jenkins, and Elizabeth Hunter (sadly, I missed most of hers due to  my early flight), to the sessions (taxes and productivity have never been so fascinating) to the social stuff. I met fun, funny, smart, talented folks. And I took a big leap by pitching for the first time.

Hoo boy!

Five minutes from introduction to possible request for all or part of a manuscript? Yikes! But I did it (even though, as I predicted, I didn't look at my notes even once), and got a request from an agent I really like for the first 3 chapters and synopsis of Mine Would Be You. I'm giving them a last look before sending them off, but I was seriously flying high coming out of that room. It's not a promise that she'll want the whole manuscript, or will make an offer of representation, but it's a step forward. It pushed me to stretch and grow in ways I hadn't imagined. 

That masterclass I mentioned? It was on characterization, and it was phenomenal. I can't say enough about it, truly. Damon Suede is one of those rare writers who can really teach. Not everyone can, but he's got that skill oozing out of his pores. I can't wait to put his ideas into play with my stories. 

So with all of that, plus getting caught up at my day job, and starting NaNoWriMo (celebrating 3 years of writing fiction!) two days ago, things have been busy. 

My head and heart are full to overflowing, and I'm ready to tackle new challenges. What do you want to try on for size?

Cheers, and best of luck!