I was gone for almost a week to a writing conference at Mount Hermon (near Santa Cruz, California). I’m home now and almost caught up on all the email, bills, and other untidy parts of Real Life.
I had hoped to blog before I left about my latest Sam The Plumber column. Sam has decided to become an agent, and naturally, he thinks that I should be his client, despite the fact that I already have one. You can read about Sam’s antics here.
The April issue of my Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine was due on Tuesday, April 7, which was the night I got back. It quickly became clear to me that I was going to miss that deadline. It’s just too much fun at a writing conference to be working on actual writing. The April issue will therefore come out one week later, on April 14. That should be just in time for you to enjoy as you wrap up those pesky taxes (if you live in a place where taxes are due April 15.)
I really enjoyed the conference. Here is a shot of my buddy John Olson and me at the autograph party on Monday night. I am the cool and sensible guy on the left. I don’t know what John is grinning about. Probably he’s just happy that he has four books to sign and I have none. Thanks to Tosca Lee for shooting us on her iPhone.
It was great to meet you Randy. I really appreciated the critique of my manuscript. I did a little more honing of my single sentence pitch as the week went on. Now it reads:
A conflicted ex-Marine fights to prevent his abusive father from forcing innocent people to commit atrocities.
You were totally right about Mount Hermon – it exceeded my high expectations. Thanks for the help. Hope to see you there next year as well!
Huh? I thought the guy beside you was Joel Osteen. Maybe I’m getting him confused with the Russian dude in the tux. That guy was just way over my head.
It’s a scientifically proven impossibility to get any writing done at a writer’s conference. I know. I did manage to pitch a novel a couple times, make a last minute speech for critique which was not the one I worked on for two nights while Everyone Else was sipping sodas and having fun, sneak PB m&ms into Rachel Williams desk and pray she finds them before the squirrels (or Dave), pose for some really dreadful photos, finally meet in person some of the coolest writers on the planet including the fabulously chic yet earthy Mary DeMuth, and learn another thing or two about the publishing biz from the gracious poker-faced Sue Brower.
Mt Hermon is a bit draining. But now that I’ve had a couple hours of sleep, I’m ready to hit the keys and start the next novel. I’m thinking a spin-off of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I’ve got an idea for a battle to the death between undead versions of Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine.
I want to share that there is another writer’s conference coming up July 27th-July 30th in Canby, Oregon. Randy will be there also. It has been labeled as one of the best in the nation. Look it up on the web at Oregon Christian Writers org. (Google it)
I took a coach’s class from Randy there and it changed my whole world. He is outstanding as a teacher, and leader. He has great ideas, and practical ways to make your marketing world shine.
He seems to be a pretty good fiction writer too. 🙂
Awesome pic. John B Olson is one of my fav authors, too! Glad you had fun at the conference. I hope to go next year as I’ve heard it’s fantastic!
Glad you’re back.
Haha, looks like you had a good time!
So who won the Zondervan/Mount Hermon writing contest? I know Camille was a finalist (congrats Camille!) but haven’t heard who the other two were, nor who the winner was.
I love your humor column, Randy. Sam the Plumber is a trip!
I’m reading your current e-zine. I Twittered about it too. So if you get ANY new subscribers today … well, you can pay me in chocolate! ;0)
Hey Randy. I sat by you at the ACFW early bird conference in 2008 and already receive your ezine. Just wanted to let you know that I saw your link on Twitter via the very talented Tricia Goyer.
Loved both the column and the newsletter!
I’ve just got to comment on this line from your newsletter: “Your spouse could leave you.” OR your spouse could leave you while you’re in the middle of edits on a novel about a spouse leaving and your editor could ask you to highlight the forgiveness aspect with a whole new scene that focuses on just that!
This is one crazy world we live in. I can’t wait for the next one.
Yep, that picture of you is the epitome of sensibility!
what happened to analyzing Star Wars characters? Over?
This is the first time I logged on the blog. I’m glad I blog-logged. It’s fun here. If indeed that is you on the left in the photo, I know I’m in a good place. Or at least a fun place. Which, when it’s good fun, is good.