writers

14 04, 2014

Conferences and Book Signings

By |2014-04-14T06:00:55-05:00April 14th, 2014|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

I recently attended a writer’s conference in Tempe, Arizona.

???????????????????????????????Toby stayed close to the suitcase as I packed. Just in case, he was getting to tag along.

Once I arrived, I learned Tempe Desert Palms is a pet friendly hotel. My four-legged boys and hubby could have come along. Tempe was bright with sunshine and warm temperatures. They would have enjoyed a break from the still cool days in Colorado. Next time.

Truthfully, I’m not sure I would have seen much of them even if they’d come with me.

This was my first conference in a while. I spent my time visiting with friends, fellow Romance Writers of America authors, and making new friends. And, I had a ball.

The conference workshops were informative. Two sessions by Mary Buckham were outstanding! If you ever have a chance to hear Mary speak, run don’t walk to sign up. She’s an awesome teacher.

My friend Christy Craig was keynote. Her story from high school dropout to New York Times best selling author is awe-inspiring. The food was great – brisket for the conference luncheon, not chicken. What a treat!

my book signing table

However, the very best part of the Desert Dreams 2014 Conference was the book signing on Saturday night.

I was pleasantly surprised that setting up my book table wasn’t near as much trouble as setting up sales booths at antiques shows. My husband would have liked that part too.set up for antiques show

 

For an hour and a half, readers stopped to chat and shared fascinating stories about their military ties or precious insights into their personal love stories.

That was my favorite part of the book signing…hearing stories of loved ones who served or were serving in the military. Talking to folks was always my favorite part of antiques shows too.

Before the evening ended, I switched to my reader’s hat and visited with some of my favorite authors at their displays. Yes, I brought home more books.

How about you? Have you attended a book signing?

 

2 04, 2014

Criticism – One Word Wednesday

By |2014-04-02T06:00:54-05:00April 2nd, 2014|one word Wednesday|0 Comments

Monday I talked about readers writing book reviews. I only briefly mentioned critical reviews. Primarily because those who write negative reviews tend to be harsh rather than constructive.

Edie Melson came to my rescue with a perfect picture to demonstrate my point about criticism. rain_quoteSo whether you are writing a book review or reprimanding someone verbally, be gentle.

Sandwich those tough words with praise.

I promise your criticism will be better received.

 

9 10, 2013

CREATIVITY – One Word Wednesday

By |2017-04-08T18:36:39-05:00October 9th, 2013|one word Wednesday|3 Comments

creative_imagination_background-wideWhat is creativity?

Being creative or artistic doesn’t necessarily mean you know how to draw or play an instrument.

Creativity is a way of thinking, a way of viewing the world.

Creativity requires constant shifting, blender pulses of both divergent thinking and convergent thinking, to combine new information with old and forgotten ideas and produce something original. 

don-draper

Dan Draper of the AMC television series Mad Men portrays a creative.

istock creative

Writers exist in a world of creativity.

Consider Steven Jobs-highly creative. He changed our world.steven jobs

David B. Goldstein, co-author of “Creative You: Using Your Personality Type to Thrive,” maintains every person is creative.

“Contrary to popular belief, no one is born without a creative bone in his or her body, and not all creative types are starving artists. In other words, we’ve all got it, but our personalities play a role in the kind of creative we are, and how we best feed into it.”

Creativity is a function of how your brain works. Creative types use the RIGHT side of their brains more than the LEFT.

Click HERE for fun tests to find out if your brain is wired for creativity. (Special thanks to Jack Milgram for the tip on this great infographic.)

One caution though, according to Barbara O’Neal, being a creative person is not easy. From her blog, The Creative Personality:

“The mental and personality traits that make it possible to be creative can also be annoying and irritating to the rest of society. Aside from the crime of introversion, creative people are often non-conforming, haughty, brilliant, intense, restless, prickly, with a sense of destiny (see the whole list here).”

If your test results show you do operate in the creative right brain…

or you exhibit any of The Traits of Highly Creative Adults, this quote from artist Henri Matisse is for you:

Creativity takes courage.

Now go be courageous and CREATE.

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