Back to Work
Posted By Vonna on January 4, 2010
The neighbor’s cat (I’ve dubbed him Snickerdoodle because his fur looks like a sugar cookie dusted with cinnamon) is stalking in my garden. He hasn’t been out for a while; probably been lying inside by the fireplace for the past two weeks, shirking his duties of keeping the lizard population down. Bad news, cat—the lizards are hibernating and the birds and squirrels are on to you, even though you have managed to shed your blue collar with the jingle bell.
I, too, have been sitting by the fireplace for the past fortnight, shirking my duties. It’s been a good two weeks. I only cooked two family meals and did two loads of laundry, yet we’ve all gained weight (cake for breakfast!) and have managed to find adequate, if not attractive, clothing. My WIP is coming along well, so writing has been fun. But starting today, the holiday is over. Real food, matching clothing, and…
SCBWI conferences!
I’ve sent in my pages for critique to both the Austin and Houston conferences. I’ve read lots of books by the authors, editors and agents who I will be meeting. The first conference isn’t until the end of the month so I have time to squeeze in a few more. I’ve been trying to find as many blogs as possible by local writers and have friended them on facebook so I will recognize a few people, if not by face then at least by name. Also I will know a little about them and they’ll know a bit about me.
I need to buckle down and start sending out queries on my two completed novels and I want to get my current WIP out to my beta readers by the end of the month. I’ve got sketchy outlines for a few projects that need to be fleshed out. I’m not sure I want to leave the world of my current WIP, so I might work on the sequel, then again, it might be time to try something totally new.
In my backyard, I see that the first cat has gone, but a rival cat has just entered and is checking out the same flowerbeds that Snickerdoodle already scoured. Now—oh, no. The cat is eating the bird seed that I scattered this morning. At least he’s not eating the birds. It looks like that didn’t suit him, so he’s back to searching the shrubbery.
Trying something new in my writing like a different genre, or method of outlining is sort of like tasting exotic foods. It may not work out, but it’s usually worth a try. Since I need to start cooking dinner every night, I think I’ll pull out a few cookbooks and try something new. But tonight my family can relax and have tamales; I’ve got an SCBWI meeting to attend.
You can query Vonna! It’s a little scary at first, but it’s fun too. Good luck with the conferences! I’m headed to my first conference this month too. It’s going to be fun.
Thanks, Natalie. I’ll try to keep the “fun” aspect in mind!
I’m looking forward to seeing you this month at the Austin conference! It should be a blast!
Wait a minute! Are we living parallel lives? The only thing missing is that I’m not attending the Austin conference this month. Oh yes, and my neighbor’s cat is named Rosencranz.
Yes, PJ; I am looking forward meeting you at the Austin conference, too. Austin has such a terrific, involved SCBWI chapter. The energy in that group is amazing!
Hi C.Lee; thanks for stopping in! This morning my family is dressed and fed, but I’m going to sneak one more piece of cake for breakfast. I hope to see you at the Houston conference. It’s going to be great conference, too.
Hi Vonna,
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. As far as querying goes, I say do it. Also, have a great time at the conference. I hope you gain from it everything you hope to gain.
Susan
Thanks for the kind words, Susan. I will query this year, but maybe next month.
I’ve been shirking my writing duties in the last three weeks. So busy with family and holiday events! Next week I need to get back to it! I’ll be querying agents for the first time hopefully next month. I’m nervous, gotta really ace the query letter!
Have fun at the conference! SCBWI conferences are great, I missed this year’s Illinois one due to a family wedding, so I definitely need to make it to the next one!
Hi Kelly, thanks for visiting my blog! This will be the first time I have attended a SCBWI conference outside of Houston. The Austin chapter has such a great, active group that I know it will be a blast. Sorry you had to miss yours, but I hope the wedding was nice.
It sounds like your well-rested and energized and ready to go. I hope your conference experience is educational and inspirational and that you are able to connect with lots of new wonderful writer friends.