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May 18, 2007
Life Gets in the Way
About a month ago, I registered for the Pennwriters Conference taking place this weekend. I was looking forward to attending a few of the panel discussions and lectures and to interacting, in general, in a productive environment. (I was also hoping for a great cup of morning coffee and some engaging conversation throughout the weekend.) Instead, here I sit, at my work computer. Why? Well, as luck would have it, life got in the way.
For many, many reasons, I was unable to attend the conference. So, if you feel sorry for me in the least (and if you were lucky enough to be in attendence), would you be so kind as to leave your comments, thoughts, impressions, and suggestions concerning your agent appointments, the presentations, the meals, and whatever else you'd like to include? If you are a speaker, let me know how your session went. Did you field any excellent questions? Those of you who attended or hosted the critique sessions in the evening, how did they go?
Conversely, if you weren't able to participate in the conference, like me, then feel free to wallow in your sorrows here, too. Others of you might like to share conference-going tips and suggestions we all might benefit from hearing.
In thinking about all the buzz I'm missing, I'm reminded of the following quote:
"I have made it a rule of my life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy...you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in."
-- Katherine Mansfield, 1888-1923, Writer
So I don't regret the way life's course took me this weekend, nor am I going to waste time wallowing. I've vowed to accomplish several mini-goals with my unexpected time. In fact, I crossed one off of my list before I posted this very message.
Thanks for visiting! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Best,
Judy
Posted by Judy at May 18, 2007 05:28 PM
Comments
Yeah, I'm wallowing too. I've checked out several conferences and the squares on my calendar seem to be full for each and every one.
Whenever the fullness of life, especially the parts that aren't dictated by me, gets in the way of the stuff I want to do, then I think of retirement. I know it is a long way off, but seriously, there is a reward out there for raising a family and doing all this stuff. We can do it all, just not all today. Blessings for your busy life!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy/ Lessons from the Laundry at May 19, 2007 09:14 PM
Judy we missed you very much at the conference! You are such an enthusiastic and positive energy. That's why I knew it was okay to call you at 8 p.m. on Friday night to tell you about my excellent meeting with an agent -- I knew you'd share in my excitement!
I thought the conference was very good, though I was only able to attend Friday. In past years I've felt a bit on the fray at the PW conference because I am not a genre fiction writer and a lot of sessions and speakers seemed to be coming from a romance or science fiction bent. But this year felt broader to me, from the agents and editors to the speakers and the attendees themselves. I think more and more maintstream writers are becoming members in PennWriters, and the conference reflected that.
Julie
Posted by: Julie at May 21, 2007 05:12 PM
HEy Judy,
we definately missed you this weekend. It was fantastic to see all the people I know mostlythrough blogs, email and occasional meetings. The opportunity to meet agents and editors and to be critiqued by them was fantastic, too. Next year, let's road trip to Lancaster...
Posted by: kathie at May 22, 2007 10:05 PM
Congratulations to Julie, Kathie, Jennifer, and Beth for receiving manuscript requests from agents and editors. Good luck in revising your materials, making them the very best of what you have to offer. Your readers will love your work, I'm certain!
Congratulations, too, to Jennifer and Madhu for winning awards for your writing contest submissions! That's fantastic news -- yippee, hoorah!
Posted by: Judy Schneider at May 24, 2007 09:38 AM
Judy, thanks so very much for all your help the past few days. No one gets as excited for other people's successes, pushes them forward like you (and the rest of Fatplum) and I can't thank you enough. Your expertise and friendship is priceless!
Posted by: kathie at May 25, 2007 09:03 AM
I'm sorry you missed the conference. I was a speaker for the conference and I must say that Pennwriters really knows how to host an event. What a great organization!
My sessions were attended by a really fun group each time and the critique session was wonderful. There are some great writers in Pennsylvania. Some of the work I read was really good.
Posted by: Lee Lofland at May 25, 2007 04:32 PM
Lee, thanks a bunch for stopping by. I heard your sessions were both informative and hugely entertaining! I'm definitely going to buy your book!
For those of you who weren't at the conference, Lee is the author of the upcoming title, Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers. It's a Writer's Digest book in the HOWDUNIT series and will be available in August 2007.
Lee, if you're having a signing in the area, feel free to post about it on this site!
Hope to meet you at the next conference! Good luck with the new book!
Posted by: Judy Schneider at May 25, 2007 11:30 PM