Thursday, August 28, 2008

THE 2008 RETREAT ENDETH

Dinner with Aprilynne and Sarah

And then if that wasn't enough Sarah Rees Brennan and her agent Kristin Nelson.
We did alcohol high above the Honolulu lights.
Then it was time to bid farewell to our retreat buddies over a decadent brunch...


It was a stimulating and mind blowing week.
My brain is full of what I must do.
Now I will be chatting with agents and editors socially and learning more about the business end of publishing.
It's way cool so now is the time to ask your questions. Oh and if you want to read another take on the conference try KIM ROGERS BLOG FOR OUTRIGGER

10 comments:

Robin Lemke said...

Although I know, intellectually, that you can learn for the rest of your life - after writing a book like Lottery I'm just surprised that there would be a lot for you to come away with from a writer's conference. Would you mind sharing some of the things that stood out to you, that you want to go apply?

Joanne said...

I'm with Robin, what stood out to you? Was there something you learned that you'd been completely unaware of until now? A surprise? Thanks for sharing.

BClark said...

What a wonderful week you have had, just the recharge you probably needed. Some times we are so stuck in a rut with no road signs to help. Being out, talking with people who have been there and done that helps kick start our brain. Good for you and heres to you on your next best seller.

ORION said...

I find it so interesting that just because a writer gets published they make a decision that they have no need of conferences and retreats. First of all I'm a debut author. The teachers at the retreat are NYT bestsellers of 10 or more books. They've been at it for years and have picked up tricks and learned what they need to do to move from one book to another and sometimes one genre to another.
I was able to look closely at the POV of my novel and see what would be more compelling in my narrative- I learned much more about what attracts a reader or what pulls them out of the story. I got more out of this retreat than I have out of any other. This was all information I was finally ready to hear.
As far as the conference. I'm here because I'm speaking but I'm also chatting with new writers- encouraging them (hopefully) and chatting with editors and agents socially. I'm learning what they are looking for and also what I can do as an author to make my agent's and editors lives easier...

Chris Eldin said...

Sounds like (and looks like!!) you're having a great time! Hope you come away with what you need.
:-)

suzanneelizabeths.com said...

I like your comments about the value of writer's conferences and retreats....I hand't considered that you could get so much out of them beyond 'schmoozing'.

ORION said...

yeah Suzanne,
I was able to chat with other authors and hear about their books in the works. The book store affiliated with the conference has all the writing books all laid out and you can thumb through them and see what might be useful. Writers tell me about the ones they have thought were especially good.

Holly Kennedy said...

I wish I could have gone this year but I've been so crazy busy at my end that I can't believe the retreat is already done!

Sandra Cormier said...

I'm glad you had a great time and met even more interesting and wonderful people in the industry.

I'll bet Tooloose was ecstatic when you got back!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had agood time and WOW, how's Aprilynn?
hugs
kimmi