Hope everyone had a great Father’s Day! Wizard’s was nice. BLB and his girlfriend came by and we had fun.
The workshop I gave on Saturday was a great experience. I wish I’d thought to take pictures, but I was too distracted by a fairly wicked case of nerves (I was the afternoon speaker so I had to wait hours!). I expected a small turn out due to Father’s Day weekend but people kept showing up. What’s really awesome is many old friends came and that meant so much to me (okay–I tried to talk them into leaving before my workshop–but they know me and ignore my special brand of insanity.) Once I got onstage and looked out at all the round tables filled with OCC/RWA members, I realized why I was more nervous than usual. I’ve belonged to this chapter since long before I was published, and I desperately wanted to share something of value with them. They have supported, inspired and consoled me through the years and that is not something I take for granted.
So I did the workshop to the best of my ability. I told the brutally honest story of my career, and how learning to better utilize tropes the conception, execution and marketing of my books was one of the things that helped me resurrect my career and gain some success. From there I went on to teach the process as I’ve learned it. For those who are wondering, tropes are easily recognizable themes used over and over because they hook readers; and they are in almost all stories and movies. Examples of tropes are marriage of convenience, ugly duckling, forbidden love, secret baby, good brother/bad brother, revenge, blackmail, fish out of water, etc.
When I finished, I was surprised at how many people stopped me or came up to me to tell me they really liked the talk. And I got some great feedback if I want to develop the workshop further which is great. It was a truly awesome experience and I always love talking to other writers and readers 
I also managed to finish my galleys (final proofreading) for HER TEMPORARY HERO and review a contract. Now I’m writing, writing writing! Man I’m cutting it close but life has just been a runaway train lately.
Enough about me! Bailey is visiting! Wizard picked him up and brought him home. Here’s a cellphone picture of him in his toy basket.
I think he needs MORE TOYS!
How was your weekend?
June 16th, 2014 at 5:17 am · Link
This is wonderful! We all knew you’d have a fantastic workshop. It must have been fulfilling to have all the comments afterward with ideas for further shops.
Glad Wizard had a nice Father’s Day.
Bailey looks like he’s after just the right toy and it’s at the bottom of the basket.
Looks like my modem may be shot. I had a huge reply to you earlier and it all died away. Using hubs iPad right now. So I might be going silent for a little while.
Have a great day.
June 16th, 2014 at 8:27 am · Link
Yay! I’m so happy for you that your workshop went well. (Knew it would, cuz you’re awesome and junk.) Also glad you guys had a nice Fathers Day and that you’re getting the work done. I know that’s been a big weight on you. You’ll get this last bit done and then you can take a breath. :hugs:
Awww, Bailey! Aren’t the best toys always at the bottom? Or maybe that’s the best game – he takes everything out of the basket and then watches you put it back in. ;o)
Nothing going on here. Same ol’ Same ol’. Read some, watched golf, thought about my manuscript (which I’m supposed to be editing), and listened to the rain. We lead the exciting life here. LOL
June 16th, 2014 at 11:17 am · Link
Viki so sorry about your modem! I hope it’s a simple fix. Sometimes it turns out to be a royal pain.
I was very glad to know I didn’t bore everyone or waste their time on Saturday
Bailey loves checking out all his options in the toy basket before choosing the one he wants.
June 16th, 2014 at 11:21 am · Link
B.E., thank you for your confidence!
Sounds like a nice weekend. Had to laugh at the “thought about my manuscript” I do that a LOT then feel guilty. but I also thing that time away, letting it all stew for a while, is an important part of the process.
Bailey spreads his toys out everywhere–right now he has three on the chair in my office, where he’s snoozing right now. Such a rough life, LOL!
June 16th, 2014 at 11:22 am · Link
The question becomes, does Bailey pick up his toys and put them back in his basket when he’s done?
See? Told ya so! I knew you’d excel at your program. I hope you will further develop it and submit it to Nationals. I’d go in a heartbeat and not because I <3 you!
Mostly quiet weekend here. Had a breakthrough on the current WIP. Discovered I needed some name changes in a secondary WIP. Tying up loose ends for RWA San Antonio and the NRCA reception.
Now…back to work for both of us!
June 16th, 2014 at 11:30 am · Link
Silver, that would be great if Bailey did pick up his toys! At home, he only gets a few toys at a time so it’s not an issue. Here I just let him have fun
Oh thank you! Some people asked me if I’d submit the workshop to Nationals–especially if I add the power point presentation I want to do on the Marketing section. So I might we’ll see.
That’s a quiet weekend? LOLOL!! Sounds productive to me. Hope you got to spend quality time with the baby!