Ah, the yesteryears

It wasn't that long ago (maybe 3 or 4 years) that right about now I would be gearing up to go to RWA's National Conference. I think the last one I attended was maybe 2009. I don't go any more. For one thing, it's pricy. For another, the workshops are very repetitive. And most of my writer friends go to the RT conference, and let's face it -- that's why I go, to hang out with friends.

I'm not saying there's nothing to be learned from the RWA con. There always has been and there continues to be lots of good workshops, parties, presentations, etc. But after my 3rd or 4th one, I found myself thinking, "been there, done that." It was great to be with friends, but I found the whole experience sort of draining, like a huge energy sink.

So I don't go anymore, but I still miss that feeling of excitement, that "ooh, can I get a pitch appointment with so-and-so?" and "let's meet for drinks, there's so much to talk about!" RWA has been slow to change and accept authors with smaller publishers (I was thoroughly snubbed one year by a group of authors who all but turned their backs on me when I explained I was with The Wild Rose Press), so for me there's still a feeling of being the odd person out, even though I have 20-some books under my belt.

I think what I miss is that excitement of being a newbie, of feeling as though each conference was A Chance -- a chance to connect with the right agent or editor, a chance to rub elbows with the Big Ones, a chance to hang out with others who care about writing as a career. Now that I'm 5 years into my writing adventure, most of that excitement has worn off. I'd love to recapture it, but I suspect it's not easy to do.

So those of you going to National, have fun! Enjoy your adventure -- I enjoyed my times at the conferences and who knows, maybe I'll show up at another one again. I know I'll be at RT next year (Kansas City -- my back yard, so to speak). And maybe there's an RWA conference in my future ... you just never know.

Giving Thanks

I can pinpoint the moment I started my writing journey - my real writing journey. I'd been writing for years but until I joined RWA I had no idea what putting words to a page to create a story really meant.

I ran a fan club for country singing artist, Kevin Sharp. One of his fans wrote him a letter thanking him for helping her through the painful times with his beautiful voice and songs. I answered her letter and told her I was a writer and asked for advice. BOY oh boy did I get it - she told me to join RWA and get into a local chapter, attend national conferences and take all the classes I could. That was twelve years ago and we are now best of friends. I consider her my mentor and am so thankful for that letter she wrote to Kevin. He loves that I am writing, too, and when he wrote a story of his remarkable life surviving cancer, he asked me to write the introduction.

This proves to me that we can find gifts everywhere. I consider Karen Rose Smith to be one of my gifts and thank her for bringing me here to this place where I've found the greatest friendships, support, learned to write and become part of a great network. As far as I am concerned, writers are the best kind of friends to have. I am thankful for each of you!

My Birthday

I am riding high from my birthday today. It has amazed me at how many friends have taken their time to send me a greeting and best wishes. I've always thought writers are the best kind of friends, now I know beyond a doubt.

As a writer and because I live in the mountains, I don't get out much or have much of a social life. I rather like being a hermit most of the time because I have my muse to keep me company. A week ago I enjoyed three days at a writers' retreat with my Sacramento Valley Rose group and certainly thrived on the comraderie. Like one of the attendees said, "I've never enjoyed being a writer as much as I have since joining RWA. People who don't write, don't understand what I am talking about most of the time and if they did, they don't care."

My mentor, Karen Rose Smith, told me twelve years ago to get into RWA and join a local chapter if I was serious about writing. She opened a door to a great new chapter in my life. I have also joined online groups, volunteered for lots of jobs along the way, and have made life-long friends.

Maybe the best part of writing are the friends, but accomplishing writing goals aren't too shabby either.

Your Pitch

The RWA conference will be held in June this year, earlier than usual. I am sure many writers are preparing themselves for the great event. I went to National five times so far and collected a wealth of information and folders of happy memories as I met on-line friends face to face, mingled with bestselling authors, attended the glamorous Golden Heart reception, applauded the winners and most importantly I pitched my stories to editors and agents.

If you are going to New-York in June to attend the National conference, you should be working on your pitch NOW.

How to write a pitch?

A pitch according to HQ author Linda Conrad should include the basics: "(TITLE) is a (genre) about (heroine/hero), a (backstory/identity) who, after (inner conflict) wants (goal). But when (turning point) happens, he/she has to (external goal), which seems impossible because (external conflict)."

How long should a pitch be? It depends on who—and where— do you plan to pitch your story.

Elevator pitch: a quick sentence to shoot at the editor that who meet in the elevator or the agent that happens to sit next to you at the bar. By the way, two of my friends sold their books after a bar pitch. I will use my latest release Rx IN RUSSIAN to show you blurbs that worked for me.

Example (41 words): She’s an An American Pediatrician who lost a son and her illusions about marriage and family. He’s a Russian Surgeon with four adorable sons who badly need a mother Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

See, this is quick to the point. You can say it in one breath before the elevator reaches your editor’s floor or while the agent is sipping her margarita and gazing at you with interest.

Appointment pitch: you booked a ten-minutes appointment with an editor. You have five minutes to deliver your pitch and then five more to hear her questions and discuss them. You can afford a few more details than in the previous pitch.

First example: (101 words. This pitch got me my contract with TWRP) Introduce yourself, shake hand and smile, then go straight to your lines. And MAKE SURE you stop to breathe after every period while you look at the editor/agent in the eyes.

Dr. Jillian Burton is an American divorcee, who lost her illusions about men, marriage and family, and all hope for a happy future. Feeling responsible for her son’s death, she can’t stop roaming the world to improve medical conditions. Dr. Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower whose heart had sealed off when his wife died, but his four adorable boys need a caring mother, a woman who loves children and big family. When Fyodor and Jillian work together in Belarus, their cultures clash and their painful memories still hurt, but their attraction defies all odds. Can love overcome duty and guilt?

In this pitch I have: Who SHE is, what she does, her background, internal conflict, and her goal. Who HE is, what he does, his background, internal conflict, and his goal. You should present their conflict and end on a question—suspense and hook.

Second example : (93 words. This pitch got me a request for partial from Mills & Boon) Fyodor, a surgeon and director of a hospital in Belarus, is a widower and devoted family man whose heart has closed down. Having a fling is okay but love? No local beauties have ever made him lose track of his duty—to find a mother for his children. Jillian, the American pediatrician, delegated to help modernize his hospital, is divorced, feels responsible for her son’s death, and has lost her illusions about men, marriage and family. Will she be tempted or offended by his advances? Can they find a second chance at love?

Query letter pitch: You can use the pitch blurb in your query letter. Or you can tweak it and not use names:

He’s a Russian widower with adorable children who need a caring mother, but his heart sealed when his wife died. She’s an American divorcee, who feels responsible for her son’s death and has lost her illusions about men, marriage and family. She won’t risk being hurt again. Their cultures clash but their attraction defies all odd.

The important thing is to state: who she is and what is her internal conflict—who he is and what is his internal conflict—what is their goals and what prevent them from reaching it. I have almost ten years of critique experience and will be happy to critique your pitch if you submit them in the comments or send them at monarisk@ monarisk.com

Rx IN RUSSIAN is now available at The Wild Rose Press and amazon.com

Here what a fan said about it on Facebook:

~Oh boy!!!! I started Rx in Russian last night around 10pm and didn’t go to bed until 4am. Woke up at 7am took my kids to school and finished the book. My theory is: if the book keeps you awake at night, there are no words to describe how good it is. Thank you Mona, the book was lovely and I enjoyed every sentence of it.~

The End of Summer

In a town with year-round school, this week saw the end of summer vacation. When I had children at home, this was such a hectic time; clothes shopping, backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies. With the deterioration of our school budgets, we also added tissues, paper towels, and paper for the classroom.

For everything, there is a time and a season, and my days of room mother, field trip chaperone, classroom helper, scout leader, etc. are done.

Just like cycles in your life, your writing can go through cycles. Very active thousand word days and then a week of nothing. Just you staring at the white screen and blinking cursor. A week when your writing sings and days you just know it sucks and no one can tell you any differently.

Like a raft on a stream, learn to go with the flow. Busy days may mean little writing, but lots of errands today could free up the rest of the week for writing. A slow day of little words on paper could be your muse brainstorming the next big scene. A frantic day with 20 kindergartners at the zoo will make you appreciate the four free, precious hours you have tomorrow.

Don't waste your writing time wishing you had more, use every minute you do have. Waiting for the pasta water to boil. In the carpool lane at school. Over your morning coffee. Stretch every moment.

Don’t waste your time with your significant other, children, or grandchildren, enjoy every moment, savor them, store them up for when you are knee-deep in revisions, not getting a scene right, or sure your GMC is non-existent. Those are the moments you drag out those happy thoughts and rejoice on ALL your blessings.

One Flaw In Women

I thought of all the wonderful writers in the FTH group and how appropriate this verse fits. I do not know who the author is.

One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Posted by Jaclyn DiBona