Conference Prep—Nerves and Pitching
As we continue the series on getting prepared for a writing conference this week, we’re going to look at two aspects which are diametrically opposed and yet intrinsically linked: nerves and pitching our work.
In 2001, the excitement of attending my first writing conference outweighed any nerves I felt about walking into a totally unfamiliar setting. You see, I’d never heard of such a thing as a writers’ conference before I received the brochure in the mail for the 2001 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers’ Conference. So I didn’t know what to be nervous about. I’d never heard of “pitching” (except when it comes to baseball, which I don’t watch). I had no clue who any of the people on the faculty were (published authors, editors, and agents). I was just excited about the educational aspects of it. So it wasn’t until after I checked in and got settled into my room that the nerves hit.
- I was about to spend four days surrounded by a bunch of people I’d never met.
I was going to have to walk into a cafeteria full of people I didn’t know and find a place to sit.
I was about to attend a bunch of sessions with people who’d probably been doing this kind of thing longer than I had.
What if I didn’t understand what was going on?
What if I asked questions that made me look stupid?
What if no one liked me?
What if I had to eat my meals alone?
What if I left the conference and no one remembered having met me?
And on and on the insecurities went. Even several years and several conferences later, some of those same nerves would hit me before each conference. Fewer as the years go by, but still, those old insecurities and fears raise their heads (just check out the post from last year’s pre-conference series, “Is This Seat Taken?”).
And that doesn’t even begin to get into how nerve-wracking it is to think about and prepare to pitch your work to an editor or agent.
This week, you’ll be getting some insights and advice from three ladies I highly respect and greatly admire in the industry: Deb Raney, Lynette Sowell, and Ane Mulligan. So I hope you’ll stop by every day, because I know these ladies will have some wonderful things to share that will help you get over those nerves (or at least deal with them) as well as getting ready to pitch your work to the editor and/or agent of your dreams.
Fun Friday–Favorite Animated Films
“Animation isn’t the illusion of life—it is life!”
~Chuck Jones
A lot of animated movies were mentioned in the comments during the “favorite musicals” series. Even though animated movies are usually musicals, to me they’re a whole different genre. So today, I’ll pay tribute to my favorite animated movies.
Because we view animated films differently as adults, I ended up choosing my top five based on not just story and music and characters, but on nostalgia factor as well. So the top five I chose are those that I loved when I was a kid—those that we had the records for (some of you might remember, the LP jacket had a flip open picture book attached with images from the movie—for those of you who don’t remember the days before VCRs and DVDs, that was all we had!). So if you do happen to notice that movies like Beauty and the Beast or the Pixar films aren’t mentioned, that’s why—they got bumped in favor of nostalgia. And, yes, these are all Disney films. Who else was making them back then?
5. Robin Hood (1973, Disney)
Featuring the voices of Roger Miller (Alan a’Dale), Peter Ustinov (Prince John), Terry-Thomas (Sir Hiss), Brian Bedford (Robin), Monica Evans (Marian), Phil Harris (Little John—also Baloo from The Jungle Book), and Andy Devine (Friar Tuck). This was my first exposure to the legend of Robin Hood, and while there are many other incarnations I’ve enjoyed (especially the 1938 Errol Flynn film and the current BBC TV series), this is the one that they all get compared to. Oo-de-lally!
4. Bambi (1942, Disney)
Featuring the voices of Hardie Albright (young Bambi), Stan Alexander (young Flower), and Peter Behn (young Thumper). I don’t remember the first time I saw this because I was only two years old. But my mom likes to tell the story about when they took my older sister (who was four) and me to see it. Mom knew what was coming and was prepared to comfort my sister, but didn’t realize that at two years old, I would understand—and suddenly burst out in tears crying, “The mama died!” Even now as an adult, I still get all choked up at that point in the movie.
3. Sleeping Beauty (1959, Disney)
Featuring the voices of Mary Costa (Princess Aurora), Bill Shirley (Prince Phillip), Eleanor Audley (Maleficent), Verna Felton (Flora), Barbara Jo Allen (Fauna), and Barbara Luddy (Merryweather). Who doesn’t love the story of curses and true love fighting a dragon to get to the woman he loves (even if he has only met her once)? Actually, my favorite character in this is Merryweather. I always kind of identified with her the most because (a) I looked a little like her and (b) she seemed to be treated like the “little sister” of the three good fairies.
2. Cinderella (1950, Disney)
Featuring the voices of Ilene Woods (Cinderella), Eleanor Audley (the Wicked Stepmother), Verna Felton (Fairy Godmother), James MacDonald (Gus/Jacques/Bruno), and William Phipps (Prince Charming). I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who hasn’t at one point in her life had the Cinderella fantasy. Though I do have to say that this version of the story was replaced by Ever After as my favorite Cinderella-legend movie, I do still love Jaques and Gus-Gus:
1. Lady and the Tramp (1955, Disney)
Featuring the voices of Barbara Luddy (Lady—oh, look at that: she did the voice of Merryweather too!), Larry Roberts (Tramp), Bill Thompson (Jock and others), Bill Baucom (Trusty), Verna Felton (Aunt Sarah), and Peggy Lee (Darling, Si and Am the cats, and Peg). I may never have mentioned this on the blog before, but we had Cocker Spaniels when I was growing up—and the one we had from the time I was two until I was in junior high looked very much like Lady in this movie. Once again, this is a movie that, like Bambi, can get me blubbering, so I don’t watch it often, but it’s still my favorite—come on, how many movies and TV shows since this came out have spoofed the famous spaghetti scene?
Tracy Ruckman’s Advice to First-Time Conference Attendees
Conference season has arrived, and so have the nerves. The reservations are made, but your first writers’ conference is still weeks away. Utilize this time to make your first conference experience the most enjoyable, and the most useful.
1. Write two pitches for your project. Whether you’re writing the all-American novel, or a short magazine article, you need an “elevator” pitch and a longer one, usually called a “back cover blurb.” Condense your project into 25- and 50-word pitches. It’s not an easy task; take your time to get it right.
2. Practice giving the pitches. If you have critique partners, practice on each other. If not, practice with your spouse, your kids, your dog. Get so comfortable giving your pitch that it becomes a natural response when an editor asks, “What are you working on?”
3. Create a “one-sheet” to use as handouts to editors and publishers. If you have access to Microsoft Publisher, or any other type of graphic arts program, you can create a crisp layout conveying your ideas. You’ll find a One-Sheet handout on my Web site at www.tracyruckman.com.
4. Order business cards. Several companies offer affordable options for cards so you won’t have to break the bank (such as VistaPrint). Ordering two sets of cards provides a safety measure—you can give out the cards with your complete information to editors and business contacts who need all that information; distribute the more generic cards, with your email address and website, but no other personal information, to strangers who ask about your work.
5. Research the publishers and editors who’ll be attending the conference. Most conferences provide a list of professionals giving workshops, keynotes, appointments, and critiques so make use of the information. (The list for the ACFW conference can be found here.) The conference may also provide a “most wanted” list from each participant, so you’ll know in advance who’s looking for your type of manuscript. Visit websites to learn about their current authors and projects, what types of projects they may be seeking and to get a general feel for the company.
6. Keep writing. A daily writing schedule—working on the project you’re pitching or a new one—will keep you focused.
7. Prepare your wardrobe. Check the conference information to determine how formal or how casual the event will be, and then make sure your wardrobe matches. You want to appear professional and together; others will get their first impression of you from your wardrobe so you don’t want to over- or under-dress. Some conferences host an awards banquet; find out if it’s a formal occasion before you arrive.
8. Keep your expectations in check. You’ll probably have time with agents, editors, and publishers and some may even be interested in your work. But if they aren’t interested, this isn’t the end of your career. Attend workshops and seminars, take notes, and seek advice. Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing, and know that the education never ends.
9. Stock up on thank-you cards. Immediately after the conference, you’ll want to send notes to all who helped you, advised you, offered critiques or assistance.
10. Most of all—enjoy the experience. Know this is a time to learn, listen, study, but it’s also a time to make new friends and contacts for the future.
© 2008 by Tracy Ruckman
To request permission to reprint, visit www.tracyruckman.com.
Tracy Ruckman is a full-time freelance writer, editor, and photographer living in south Alabama. She hosts weekly contests for writers and photographers on her blog at www.pixnpens.com. You can also find her on the Web at www.tracyruckman.com. Sheʼs an avid Alabama football fan, ready for the season to get started already, and loves to rib Kaye! Roll Tide!
Georgiana Daniels’s Secret to Conquering Conference Nerves
With only a handful of days left until conference, the wigglies are already buzzing in my tummy as I anticipate the good times to come at the ACFW conference. You see, last year was my first conference experience and despite all the talk on the loop and with friends, I had no idea what to really expect. Would everyone but me know the secret handshake? Would I have a flashing sign on my forehead to alert everyone I was a newbie? Would I grace every hosted meal with all the vivaciousness of a table decoration? There was only one thing that could make this self-confessed introvert overcome her fears and face the conference—okay, maybe two: the possibility of making that “magic” connection with an industry professional, and meeting my online friends in real life.
I’m happy to report that I came away from Dallas with much more to the conference experience than I could ever have expected, which makes this year’s reasons for attending even more profound. If you ask writers why they carve the time out of their lives and the money out of their budget to go to conference, the responses are as varied as the writers themselves. Some say to network and get the scoop on market news, while for others the number one reason is to be with like-minded people who hear voices in their heads. Of course the worship time is sweet, and the chance to learn from the best in the business is invaluable to everyone serious about pursuing their dream. For me it boils down to this:
Total immersion.
Every piece of every day at conference immersed me into the wonderful—and sometimes warped—world of the writer, even if it was kicking back in the lounge sipping Diet Coke and soaking in the atmosphere. In my daily life I fight for writing time, and some days are more successful than others. Between laundry and cooking (or trying, in my case), playing chauffeur and running to baby gymnastics, focusing solely on my passion isn’t a possibility. And let’s face it, we can all relate! But at conference I don’t have to stop in the middle of a market update to change a diaper; I have the full pleasure of focus.
Last year I came home with a folder full of ideas and the inspiration to implement them. While not every new method or suggestion worked for me, some did, and I learned about my own writing process through the experience and advice of those who’ve already been at my point in the journey. Because writing can be solitary, the encouragement I received from others gave me the kind of boost I’d be hard-pressed to find any other way.
This year I intend squeeze each experience for the maximum benefit and enjoyment. I want to make smart adjustments to my writing and be more secure in what I feel called to do. Most of all, I want to feed off the energy of hundreds of writers gathered together for this common purpose: to glorify God through the written word.
Georgiana Daniels is the wife of a super-generous husband, and the mother of a teen and two tots. After graduating with a degree in public relations, she spent several years in the business world, but now has the privilege of staying home and working on the stories she loves. Table for One is her first book. When not writing, she spends her time burning up miles on the treadmill, blogging, and participating in ACFW and RWA.
Rose McCauley’s Top 10 List
Top Ten Things I’ve learned from ACFW conferences:
10. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with anyone attending the conference. You’ll make a lot of new friends that way. And you can usually find someone to reach out to who looks even more alone than you feel.
9. Participate in the classes as much as possible to speed your learning curve, but . . .
8. Don’t be afraid to skip a session to get some needed rest or chat with a friend.
7. Be sure to visit the prayer room where you can pray for others or have someone pray for you, or just have a private talk with our Father.
6. If you love chocolate, (and who doesn’t?) be sure to check with Michelle Sutton for the location of the big chocolate party!
5. Volunteer. Your donation of time helps the conference run smoothly and gives you an added chance to meet and work with some really nice people.
4. Save some money for the book signing and the silent auction.
3. Before you leave, order some audio recordings of those sessions you missed or couldn’t take notes fast enough for!
2. Bask in the Christian fellowship.
1. Give thanks and worship Him Who gave you the opportunity to attend, so you can leave to serve Him better.
Rose McCauley thanks God she has been blessed to attend all of our national conferences and looks forward to meeting some new friends in Minneapolis. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired teacher who has several selections in non-fiction books while pursuing her dream of being pubbed in fiction. She invites you to check out her website at www.rosemccauley.com and visit her weekly blog (I’m not as verbose as Kaye! LOL) and leave a comment for her monthly book drawing at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com.
Conference Preparedness Series Introduction
As I’ve been promising, today kicks off a new series on the blog to help everyone get excited about and ready to attend a writers’ conference. Yes, I know not everyone here is going to the ACFW conference, but you should plan on attending some kind of writing conference—and soon! So even if this isn’t helpful to you right now, I hope that you might be able to pick up some pointers for when you do attend a conference (and as with all of my series, it will be indexed on the Writing Series Index page for future reference).
Over the next several weeks, we’ll be looking at different aspects of the conference, from why we go to how to prepare mentally and spiritually, to pitching, to getting over the nerves, to keeping the motivation going after the conference is over. I’ve got some fabulous guest bloggers who will be featured every day, so I hope you’ll check in often to see what people are saying about conferences.
Why do I attend conference?
At the MTCW meeting this weekend, the question was raised as to why published authors attend conferences, especially when the author is already agented. I’m in a kind of limbo place this year—I’m contracted and the first book is already available for preorder, but it hasn’t come out yet. So I don’t have a book to sign like other published authors. I’m not teaching any classes. Why am I so excited about attending.
1. Networking Opportunities. This is the one time a year when I am surrounded for three or four days by other writers and professionals who share the passion I hold for writing. It’s my chance to extend my circle of friends and acquaintances, as well as get to know the editors and agents in the industry better. And, it’s a way of building name recognition so that when my book does come out, people who were at that conference will pick up the book when they see it at the store because we met at conference.
2. Educational Opportunities. The past few years, I’ve been a little sad that I haven’t gotten as much out of attending the conference as I felt I could have. But that’s mainly because I hold an advanced degree in the subject and there wasn’t much offered for advanced-level writers who weren’t published. This year, I’ll be able to attend the classes for published authors and really start digging into what it means to have a writing career.
3. Opportunities with Editors. Yes, that’s right. Even though I’m “published,” I still have a list of editors (from my agent) that I need to talk to at the conference about future projects (my historical and my small-town series). As I said at our meeting Saturday, a published author is only as good as her next book contract. Plus it’s a way to find out where the industry is going, what kinds of stories are selling (and what aren’t), and which houses are looking for what I’m writing.
4. MOTIVATION. Just like Youth Week when I was a teenager, I look forward to the ACFW conference every year, because it’s the place where I go recharge and get excited about writing again. In addition to the opportunities I mentioned, conference gives me a boost spiritually, mentally, and emotionally and makes me want to go home and write until my fingers fall off.
If you’re still on the fence about attending the ACFW conference next month, I hope this series will help you decide (and don’t forget, this Friday is the deadline to register at the Standard Rate with no late fees). If you haven’t decided yet, what are the questions that are keeping you from making the decision?
If you are attending, what are your reasons for making the decision and the investment to go?
Fun Friday–Favorite Movie Scores
“When words leave off, music begins.”
~Heinrich Heine
Even in the days before movies “talked,” they had music—usually provided by someone sitting at a pump organ or player piano. As soon as movies came with their own sound, part of the track was music that enhanced the emotional experience of the film.
As the film industry matured and developed, so did movie music. For many of us, the names of modern-day movie-music composers, along with their work, are as familiar to us as Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach—composers like John Williams, James Newton Howard, Howard Shore, and Patrick Doyle. Not only do these composers enhance the emotional content of a story—whether it’s to bring us to tears, laughter, or the edge of our seats—they also give us iconic themes that immediately bring to mind images from the movie even years or decades later, immortalizing the movies in popular culture. I don’t have room for all of my favorites (such as most of John Williams’s work—Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, E.T., Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Hook, 1941, The Patriot, etc.), so this was a difficult list to come up with. But I did finally narrow it down to my top five favorite movie scores.
5. North & South (2004, BBC Miniseries)
Composer: Martin Phipps
As is typical for a romantic story, the music is very orchestral with lots of strings. It wasn’t until the end of the film, however, that I really noticed Phipps’s work, and that was in the piece that underscores the tension and growth of the romantic storyline:
4. Superman (1978, Warner Bros.)
Composer: John Williams
Here’s what I was talking about with the iconic theme becoming indelibly linked with a character/movie. John Williams is by far my favorite composer of all time, whether it’s written for the movies or the Olympics or whatever. I own more John Williams CDs than any other single artist/composer.
3. Henry V (1989, BBC)
Composer: Patrick Doyle
This is one of the CDs I currently have in my CD changer at home (along with the “sister” CD of the music from Much Ado About Nothing, also by Patrick Doyle). The piece I chose is my favorite of the film. It begins as a lamentation for the dead and wounded after the battle of St. Crispin’s Day and gradually brings the mood back to victorious. It also features the composer, Patrick Doyle, as the soloist at the beginning:
2. Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003, NewLine Cinemas)
Composer: Howard Shore
This film series wouldn’t have been the same without the music by Canadian composer Howard Shore, who worked hand-in-hand with Peter Jackson on the themes and instrumentation for the pieces in the film. In the featurettes on the extended DVDs, he also talks about his process of composing the music for the different cultures represented in Middle Earth. I’ve chosen my favorite, which is the theme for Rohan/Edoras, played by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Howard Shore himself:
1. Star Wars (1977, Lucasflims/Fox)
Composer: John Williams
All of his movie themes are iconic, but this, for me, is the most beloved theme of anything he ever wrote:
Bonus Track: “Summon the Heroes” (1996, Atlanta Olympics)
Composer: John Williams
And because I’m an Olympics nut, I couldn’t have a post up today without paying tribute to one of the greatest things that happens in our world today. So here is John Williams conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra playing the Centennial Olympic Theme, better known as “Summon the Heroes”:
The Tale of the Kissing Bandit
If you joined ACFW when it was ACFW and not ACRW (or if you’re not an ACFW member at all), you probably haven’t heard this story. To get you excited about the Conference Prep Series that starts next Monday, I wanted to share this story of something that happened the last evening of the first national ACRW conference in Kansas City.
One of the running jokes of the conference was that of “Floating Body Parts”—what we writers call disembodied hands, eyes, arms, etc., that seem to move or do things of their own accord without being attached to a character who’s making it happen. Brandilyn actually had some rubber eyeballs (the kind you see around Halloween) that she used to tease Tracie Peterson about FBPs throughout the conference. Also, Brandilyn was running a contest for people to give her their best (worst?) mixed metaphors.
(This account was written shortly after the event happened.)
…………………………………………………………………
“Can you train Cocker Spaniels?” Brandilyn Collins asked.
The last night of the conference had arrived and many of us tried to stretch it out as long as possible. We commandeered two tables along one wall of Christopher’s Tavern—the small bar/game room/restaurant just off the lobby of the Kansas City Clarion Hotel.
I sat with my back to the room at large, just across the table from Brandilyn, enjoying the opportunity to get to know the vivacious red-head.
As I launched into my experience of trying to train the Cocker Spaniel my family had gotten when I was a teenager, Brandilyn’s green eyes grew wide and her focus shifted to just above my right shoulder.
Allison Wilson, seated to my right, leaned away slightly and I sensed someone standing behind me.
Probably one of the new friends I’ve made here this weekend, I thought.
Then something changed in Brandilyn’s expression. A sense of trepidation washed over me.
A hand touched my shoulder and suddenly a face entered my peripheral vision. It was a MAN!
Not only that, it was a MAN I didn’t know!
My heart stopped and my stomach twisted as this unknown man KISSED MY RIGHT CHEEK and asked, “Are you ladies here for a convention?”
“Yes,” I answered in a strangled yelp. By this time, I was practically in Tiff Miller [Stockton’s] lap, who had the misfortune of being seated to my left.
“That’s what we thought.” The man—probably in his late thirties with thinning blonde hair and light eyes (okay, I may be making this part up because I really did my best not to look at him)—smiled and walked across the room to rejoin his two male companions.
My hands flew to cover my mouth — OOPS, FLOATING BODY PART… let’s see… The tide of emotion overwhelmed me in a patchwork of shock and utter astonishment… OH, WAIT, THAT’S A MIXED METAPHOR…
Anyway, I put my hands (attached to my body by my arms) over my mouth and looked across the table at Brandilyn.
Apparently, the expression on my face was her undoing – she laughed so hard tears formed in her eyes and she put her head down on the table.
I struggled to breathe as the stunned silence around the table was broken with:
“What happened?”
“What did he say?”
“Did he KISS you?”
“I’m glad you didn’t turn to look over your shoulder,” Allison said. “You’d have gotten it right on the mouth.”
“I probably would have slapped him if that had happened,” I said.
As I explained what had just occurred, everyone at the table burst into raucous laughter. I laughed so hard my sides hurt and tears rolled out of my eyes, not bothered that the “Kissing Bandit” and his friends were still in the bar. But hey, he’s the one who walked up to a table full of romance writers! I doubt if he has any idea what he really did to himself!
“Well, that’s going to be in my next book,” I commented.
More laughter.
Mere minutes later, anxiety once again gripped my heart when across the table, Brandilyn’s and Gayle’s gazes drifted just over my left shoulder.
This time, I turned to see a tall, dark-haired man—one of the Kissing Bandit’s friends—approach the table.
He stopped a comfortable distance away. “Did he just come over and kiss you?”
“Yes,” I answered. “He asked if we were at a conference and I told him we were.”
“Was it a dare?” Tiff asked.
“No,” the handsome stranger said. “We were just sitting there talking and he left the table and came over here.”
“So there wasn’t any money or betting involved?” I asked.
“No.” Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome grinned and returned to his table.
Although still amused and enjoying the laughter, my mind whirled. Why me? Of the dozen women gathered around the two tables, why had he singled me out? Had I been talking and laughing louder than anyone else? Was it because I was the one talking when he walked up to the table?
Why not Tiff with her gorgeous, long, strawberry-blonde hair? Or Allison whose blue eyes sparkled when she laughed?
Had it been a bet? You know, I’ll give you ten bucks to go kiss that heavy-set girl in the white t-shirt with the short dark hair.
Before this occurrence, Brandilyn had cast [one of the rubber] eyes around the table. Now, she crossed to the table where the Kissing Bandit and his friends were seated, plopped the fake eye down on the table with a splat and said, “I just wanted to let you know, I’m keeping an eye on you.”
For non-writers, I was surprised they actually got it.
Where Have You Been?
Erica posted this on her blog yesterday, and I thought it looked like fun:
visited 27 states (54%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
The states I’ve lived in are Louisiana (where I was born, spent most of my childhood summers, and went to college), Alaska, New Mexico, Virginia, and Tennessee. In addition to these states, I also worked in Washington D.C. for a year, in addition to doing the tourist thing there many times.
Next month, I can add Minnesota, and I hope to be adding a visit to Michigan soon too.
You asked for it . . .
Okay, the video quality is pretty bad, because I had to resort to recording it with my digital camera while it was playing on TV—but here’s a video clip of when I was in The Music Man in 1994:
KayeDacus.com 