With Thrillerfest and RWA National this month, many aspiring writers will be attending these conferences. There are numerous writers’ conferences all over the country (check Shawguides for listings). I’ve taught at hundreds over the years. Seven straight years at the Maui Writers Retreat & Conference. Thrillerfest. RWA National—and many others all over the country.
I’ve seen a disturbing trend. Aspiring authors rush through the doors by the hundreds if there is an Agent Panel, while the published author who is teaching, let’s say, Developing Effective Characters, asks the five attendees to pull their chairs in a circle and let’s do a group hug for support.
Attendees sweat over their ten-minute pitches to editors and agents, but don’t focus on craft workshops. They’ll sit in their room in the evening agonizing over their pitch, instead of socializing and networking.
Ever hear of the cart before the horse?
Reality check: the odds of finding an agent who will sign you or an editor who will buy your manuscript at a conference are low. Very low. Despite that, agents would love to find that gem in the rough.
But you have to have a gem FIRST.
Be honest with yourself (a tenet of Warrior Writer). How many of you have spent thousands of dollars going to conferences, pitching, networking, marketing yourself on social media, and still haven’t gotten published? But you haven’t spent that much effort on LEARNING to become a better writer. You keep rewriting the same manuscript, or even write new ones (pretty much a new version of the old one craft-wise), but you’re basically moving deck chairs around on the Titanic.
Heck, there are even people who go to conferences and pitch an IDEA, thinking if the agent is interested they can go home and knock the book out in six weeks. Agents do NOT want to hear that.
Others think that the editor will probably want changes or make suggestions and clean the book up for them so why bother cleaning it up themselves? NOT.
Ever go to a museum and see students sketching the successful painters hanging on the walls? Writers need to do this too. Not only go to craft workshops, but study craft every day. How? Read. Analyze. Watch movies. Analyze. Shows. Analyze. Everything in them is done for a purpose. I’m shocked when I ask audiences how many have read X book or watched Y series or seen Z movie and no one raises their hand. Learn from the experts.
Now, I’m going to be very blunt and honest, a trait those who have attended my workshops can attest to: In Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear & Succeed, I teach a thing called the 5% rule. 5% of people are willing to achieve internally motivated change. This is statistically born out in a number of different fields from getting published to becoming a Green Beret to getting a black belt in martial arts. If you aren’t where you want to be YOU have to change. I’ve had people pitch the same thing to me ten times, supposing, I guess, that eventually I would change and see the brilliance in it. Teaching writing, I have seen only about 5% of aspiring writers actually truly learn craft and change. But when they do, it’s amazing how much better they get. I’ve had workshop attendees who have gone on to become NY Times bestsellers, multi-published, and very successful as writers. Not because I was a great teacher, but because they were great students who were willing to learn and CHANGE.
Just recently, as you will notice on my #writegoal page under the post about Point of View, I had a major breakthrough in that area. It came after spending a weekend reading several books and analyzing POV. This was after having published 40 books. Yesterday I asked an author friend for advice on craft. I gave my most recent manuscript to Elizabeth George for a thorough critique. And then followed her suggestions.
I could go on about this for a long time. In fact, this is what I do in my Warrior-Writer workshop, which is all about the author. Learning the mindset and habits of a successful author. And learning how to CHANGE. Change is not thinking differently. It’s not just making a decision. It’s SUSTAINED ACTION.
Bottom line for all you Thrillerfestees and RWA Nationalees—focus on craft.
Coming next: Maximizing a Writers’ conference Part II: How do I make the most of my time at a writers’ conference?
And, because there has to be, a picture of Cool Gus:
Cool Gus waking up
Tags: agent, conference, Warrior Writer, Writer, writers conference
First conference I ever went to was a National Conference and I had no pitch appointments. Actually, I held up walls and watched. One thing that amazed me was how many authors spent all their time focusing on practicing their pitches with each other. Hours, even days. They stood in line discussing, and adding, and changing their pitches. The next conference I went to was a small regional one, but again, I wasn’t ready to pitch. The first night, everyone stayed up late, stressing over their pitches. I actually sat and listened to about 20 of them so everyone could practice. I thought to myself – there has to be a better way. There is more to conferences than pitching.
Meanwhile, I attended many workshops on both craft and publishing. I meet many aspiring writers and pubbed authors. I learned a lot. It was great and completely stress free. Then I went to my next conference and I was pitching. I was stressed out and I sat in my room practicing my pitch. I practiced it on anyone who would listen to me. When I got home and my husband asked how the conference was, I didn’t have much to say because I spent two days agonizing over 10 minutes. Yeah, I got a request. And yeah, it got rejected. And yeah, I met no one new. I don’t remember the keynote speech. I don’t remember any workshop. Yet, I can think back to the first few conferences, and everyone since the (focus on pitch) conference and remember the speakers and what workshops I went to and who I met. Go figure.
Yes. I pitch. No. It’s not the focus anymore. I have my “orginal idea”, so I stick with that and enjoy my time with other writers learning my craft.
Awww, cute photo of Gus.
I’ve finished WDW and going back over it again. One thing I learned, I am a saboteur. So now when I’m about to destroy something I take a few moments to consider why I’m doing it.
For instance, I finished a mystery in readiness to pitch at National and a few weeks ago decided to rewrite the first chapter in first person (the ms. is in third limited) because I was convinced that mysteries are better written in first, and the story was no good because my voice was no good, and maybe it would be magically better in first. : ) Then I lost a week or two of work because I couldn’t decide. So I did nothing but shop and eat and read books.
I finally caught what I was doing, got rid of the new idea, and focused on polishing the original. So thanks to WDW, and you, for that. If someone likes the story and asks me to switch voice, I’d do it, but for now I’m happy with what I have.
As for conferences, I’ve spent a fortune. I’ve always had requests and then rejections, but I put more score on the contacts I make at the bar than I do on pitching. : )
Great advice–to focus on craft, rather than on pitches. Even if an agent or editor requests someone’s manuscript, it still must be very good to be accepted.
What a sweet picture of Gus! He certainly looks cozy there! Like a real cuddle-magnet!
Thank you for this post. I’m attending my first Thrillerfest and I haven’t got a manuscript, it will be a chance to just absorb as much as I can.
Terrific advice. The only thing I’d add (have a feeling you’ll get to this later) is to choose speakers over topic when attending workshops. I’m lucky to belong to a very active RWA chapter that schedules a variety of speakers at regular meetings, many of whom are published members of the chapter. I’ve heard a lot of writers speak, and not just at conferences. There are writers who I’d stand in line to listen to even if they were going to talk about ant farming. Seriously. Because I know before the talk was over, I’d learn something important about writing.
Oh, and wear comfortable shoes. And yes, guys, they should match the belt.
“If you aren’t where you want to be YOU have to change. ”
Thank you, Bob. This will be my mantra from now on. Because I need to do this.
Excellent post, Bob. And very true. Too many people want to have and be without learning and earning. They want the surface, not the substance.
As usual, you’ve nailed the reality! And great advice(someone said above).
And when the ms isn’t as great as it should have been, as it could have been, there’s also the problem that arises when the agent shops the ms around to editors but without being able to sell it (for all the above reasons).
Wonderful pic of Gus. He has that kind of the little boy look, like he just woke up–very slightly rumpled, yet alert.
Looking forward to Part II.
Gus’s looks are deceiving. I agree with the comment about picking workshops based on the speaker. I think I’d put it in the first draft of this post and took it out because it was getting long. If Thrillerfest is doing the agent speed-dating thing this year, it’s interesting. Hang in there. Everyone gets burnt out near the end. And don’t be intense. I know it’s hard, but be relaxed and make a little bit of small talk first. Also remember a pitch can be a learning experience.
Choosing speaker over topic makes sense, now that I think about it. The best speakers are likely to be people who are good storytellers, understanding the importance of pacing, beats and turning points to keep the audience engaged.
I did the agent dating fest last year at TFest – it was interesting. It was exhausting for both writers and agents. However, overall, I think both parties thought the format was good.
I was asked to interview writers and agents after the experience and everyone seemed to think that with a few tweaks, it was really a good way to do things.
Just have to remember to breath and bring water. Also, if they do it this year, make sure you give yourself a break – you don’t have to hit every agent – really target the ones that rep what you write. I had agents say no to me before I finished my one sentence pitch because it wasn’t right for them. I also had an agent stop me half way through and ask for the full, so it’s important to read the bios first.
Hope everyone has a great conference experience – I’m staying home this year.
McB, it’s true that some speakers are more entertaining than others, but that’s not necessarily the criteria I’d use. It’s more a distinction between knowledge and experience. Take me, for example. (No, not like that.) I know a lot about writing. Most people would be surprised by how much I know about writing — I don’t think I’m qualified to teach, even informally, so I don’t. But I’ve been listening and reading and learning for a very long time. If I could overcome the stage fright, I’d be capable of giving several rather knowledgeable talks about writing. I would not recommend anyone ever show up for such a talk. Because knowing isn’t the same as doing.
The vast majority of multi-published writers I’ve met are incredibly generous and willing to share not only their knowledge but also their experience with other writers. Especially in a setting like a conference, where attendees are almost exclusively other writers. They will tell you things, important things, about writing and publishing that you might not find on their blogs or websites. Information gleaned from years of experience doing what you aspire to do. That’s invaluable. Those are the people you stand in line for or, as in Bob’s case this year since he won’t be at conference, sign up to take classes from. [Do not even think about correcting my grammar here, Mayer.] If you’re at conference and are not sure who those people are, ask around. Someone will know.
But yeah, you have to be willing to learn. And change.
What I was thinking is, a person can be an expert in their field but have trouble communicating their knowledge. They’ll try to cram too much in or get bogged down in details, go off on tangents, assume the audience knows things it doesn’t, or dumb down their presentation, and so on.
oops. Sorry, I wasn’t really finished with that …
Anyway, some people can be really good at what they do, but be very bad at sharing it. The next person may have slightly less expertise, but be a much better teacher. The student will come away with more from the second than from the first.
McB, that’s very true and a good point. (I almost said “you’re right” but I know you’d never let me live it down.) Although, when I think about all the writers I’ve heard speak, I can’t remember any who were anything but composed and articulate and even charming — another reason you’ll never catch me up there being the glaring exception. So I guess I wasn’t thinking in terms of effective presentation style, but more the relative value of what they had to impart.
And it occurs to me I’ve probably just pissed off a bunch of less-experienced speakers. [sigh] Well, that’s me, completely lacking in both poise and tact.
“Well, that’s me, completely lacking in both poise and tact.”
If you’re trying to pick a fight, those words will do it. You are one of the smartest, and possibly the funniest, people on the Internet. And I know first hand that you know a lot about writing but are still pushing to learn more. Which goes
back to the being smart thing.
And if we keep this up, Bob will start saying, “Dont make me stop this car. “. It’s okay, Bob. We aren’t really fighting except
in BCB’s fertile writer’s imagination. And if you ask her to, she might stick around and provoke more interesting conversations.
Please?
Wow,
I just found you blog through Twitter and it is awesome! Thanks for the help.
I am going to Conventions as Press for my website Romanceinthebackseat.com
Thanks- can’t wait for part 2
Terry Kate
Yes, I pay her to say nice things about me in public. There’s no other possible explanation.
BCB – the “other explanation” is that what she said is the stone cold truth!!
As always, excellent advice. Change through sustained action is hard – have to fight the law of inertia as well as the tendency to freak out about what’s different. There’s a saying: “Where you are is where you’ve stopped.” Not sure where I first read/heard it – probably as part of a training exercise somewhere – but it’s always stuck with me, even when I try to forget it
Karel z – nabyek
We are facilitating a small business expo & conference Feb.3, 2010 in Stamford Connecticut at the Hilton Hotel. The theme is social marketing. We are doing close to $100K in advertising and we are looking to promote a social marketing workshop as well the following day. We have openings for keynote speakers, booksiging events, and workshop facilitators. Please contact us by phone at 203.894.8784.
do not know if first message went through so here it is again. We have openings for keynote speakers and workshop facilitators. Please call us at 203.894.8784 as soon as possible.
Thank you
andrew borge from
howdie, quite good reading and both funny and interesting post. Keep it up.,
howdie, quite good reading and definitely not bad post. Keep it up.,