Thanks to the generosity of a dear friend, today I had the pleasure of attending the 5th Northern Colorado Writers Conference.Writers, both published and pre-published (Mike Befler’s clever tag), joined in welcoming award winning novelist and creator of more than forty television shows, Stephen Cannell. His keynote presentation kept the audience enthralled.
Stephen had several outstanding points in his presentation:
1. “Dyslexia never stopped me and I was never afraid to bet on myself.” Translation: believe in yourself and your work.
2. He suggested you think like an agent. Do research to find out what the agent has done, mention a favorite or two then instead of asking for representation, ask for help to improve your work to get to the caliber of present clients. Translation: Flattery will get you everything…well at least it’ll get you in the door. The rest is up to you.
3. Stephen discussed his relationship with actors. He claimed his “I owe you my best opinion,” and “we can work it out,” set the scene for developing successful professional relationships. Translation: cooperation and compromise work hand in hand for the most effective results.
I also attended three other inspiring workshops:
1. Colorado author, Page Lambert who addressed the importance of place in writing through the use of atmosphere, symbolism, imagery, and metaphor through readings from classic novels and her own work.
2. Mike Befeler, another Colorado author, concentrated on the tools and techniques used to help an author establish a marketing platform.
3. Agents Rachelle Gardner (WordServe Literary Group—CO ), Ken Sherman (Ken Sherman and Associates Literary Agency—CA), Joe Monti (Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency—NY), and editor Ben Barnhardt (Milkweed Editions) shared their personal and professional insights via a Q&A-Agent/Editor Panel. Their presentation was informative, candid, lighthearted and encouraging.
Then to top off the evening, after a tasty buffet dinner, YA author Todd Mitchell gave a spirited presentation on why we’re called to writing, introduced us to a top-ten list of why we should never stop writing and, in a most charming way, challenged us all to keep the words alive.
My own surprise came when I mentioned to the editor from Milkweed Editions my story: A Poppin’ Tale. Seems I had contributed to one of their anthologies - Stories From Where We Live: The Great North American Prairie and he recognized it. WOW!
When I came home I looked up the copyright date…we’re talking 2001. WOW!
I was also pleased to tell him the story had been used in the NV School Literacy tests for several years. He smiled at that tidbit of info; obviously impressed. After a brief chat, he said he’d be open to any query I think he’d be interest in taking a look-see for Milkweed. WOW!
Yes, fellow wordsmiths, I will follow up.
Parades. The first parade I remember well was on the Fourth of July and I was a participant. My older sister helped my little sister and me decorate our tricycles with red, white, and blue crepe paper. We affixed tiny American flags all over our bikes and pedaled the parade route through out tiny downtown to welcome Alaska as a state.