08 Thursday Sep 2016
Posted in Colorado Gold Writing Conference, Uncategorized, Writing
Colorado Gold, that is. It’s time for the annual gathering of writers at the Denver Stapleton Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec Street, Denver. Tomorrow night, 9/9/16, many authors, including moi, will sign their books from 8 pm to 10 pm. The public is welcome to come see us, ask questions, buy books. Hope to see you there.
04 Thursday Sep 2014
Posted in Uncategorized, Writing
…will be gathered starting tomorrow at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers annual Colorado Gold conference. They’ll come from all over the country to meet, greet, and share information about the maddening, wonderful profession of putting words together to express ideas, create characters, connect with the world. And I’ll be one of them.
Those of you scribblers who have never attended a writing conference might well consider doing so. I hid myself in my garret for years, swearing I’d not show any of my writing to anyone until I made a sale. I learned how much I’d missed when I attended a Bouchercon mystery convention and discovered my tribe. I’d always thought I had several screws loose, and then I met other writers. We could hardly hear each other speak for the sound of all those rattling fasteners clanking in the room. I met authors who shared what they’d learned and were more than generous to unknowns like me.
The members of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers continue in that tradition. I look forward to each September when I know I’ll be spending time with people who are as passionate as I am about getting those words on the page. We’ll share rueful stories about how hard writing is, and how crazy the publishing business is, and how much we still love what we do.
This year’s conference has sold out, which is a testament to its informative panels and opportunities to talk with editors, agents, and other writers. Start thinking about attending next year’s conference. (http://rmfw.org/) Regardless of where you are in the many stages of becoming a writer, you’ll be investing in a glorious celebration of the joy and the pain of writing.
I can’t wait for tomorrow.
P.S. Edge of the Shadow, Wisdom Court Book One and A Signal Shown, Wisdom Court Book Two are available in paperback form at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1waXExa and http://amzn.to/1rOCuXj
And as paperbacks at B & N: Book One, http://bit.ly/1ouI35u and Book Two, http://bit.ly/1lBUn9v
The links for the ebooks are in the previous post.
15 Monday Oct 2012
Posted in e-books, Mysteries, Writing, Yvonne Montgomery mysteries
Tags
It’s been too long since I’ve posted, but that’s because things have been moving along. I’ve actually begun the process toward digitizing my mysteries, Scavengers and Obstacle Course. I’ve sent money and everything. It should take about three weeks and a little longer for the second, and then I’ll start through the learning curve of getting them both up on sites, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I’ve also decided to make one more attempt to get my first Wisdom Court book, Edge of the Shadow, in front of a publisher. I’d just about decided to self-publish, but after the excellent panels at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference, I thought that, before I start my own business, which is what self-publishing would be, I’ll give it another shot. Writing time is at a premium anyway without adding more stuff I’d rather someone else do. Like publish my book(s). So, into the breach, my hearties, more polishing, queries, synopses–the activities that build my character (no, not characters, character.) Have I mentioned how many additions I have on the structure that is my character? I’ll write a tone poem about it some day.
As for now, since I’m getting sleepy, I will send my best hopes to all you writers out there. May your manuscripts glow with the care you’ve given them, may agents and publishers wonder where you’ve been all their lives. As a great writer once said, “Live long and prosper.” Surely Spock wrote as well as he did everything else. (Ack, I’m trying to get my fingers to separate properly. Oh, the hell with it.)
Good night.
10 Monday Sep 2012
Posted in Technology and Writing, Writing
Today feels like the first day of school. I swear I smell chalk in the air, and if I imagine a high-gloss shine on the floors I can almost detect the scent of wax, too. After a weekend at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference, I’m as eager as a gap-toothed third-grader with the whole world before her.
Thanks to thought-provoking panels and excellent speakers, my backpack is once again loaded with sharpened tools and inspiration. Sure, sometimes kids gathered in motley groups on the playground to mutter about recalcitrant agents and authoritarian publishers. Everybody looked nervous at hearing more details unfold about changes in the industry. But it’s hard not to gain optimism from people who struggle with the magnificent fascinations and frustrations of creating worlds and populating them with the characters who live inside us. We writers–of all levels and accomplishments–are generous toward one another, sharing techniques and celebrating each others achievements.
Today I look at my to-do list and mentally roll up my sleeves. I can solve those problems with chapter fourteen, and I will find a way to get my work out there again. I may be alone in my garret but I’m one of many who work to interpret the world through imagination, creativity, and experience.
I have work to do, stories to tell, readers to find. It’s the first day.
