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I'm a FABULOUS writer!
Its true, I am. I spent the weekend with Jennifer Crusie you see, and she told me so. Well she told everyone, but she was looking vaguely in my direction at the time, so she must’ve meant me especially. Though there may be a Samhain author or two who’ll disagree with me.
Last weekend was the Romance Australia convention, and here Downunder we’ve a small but dedicated band of Samhain authors. We’re scattered around the country, so once a year we leap at the chance to get together swap news and attend workshops, author chats and the rest. Our keynote speaker for 2007 was Jennifer Crusie – what a hoot she is! The sense of humor so evident in her books comes across in person as well. Though it was her core message that made the biggest impression on me… “I am a fabulous writer.” Shout it loud. If you’re a writer, published or unpublished, go ahead, leave a comment saying how fabulous you are, I don’t care how or why, but just say it. It’s liberating.
Writing is a solitary business, with many hours spent angsting at the keyboard, and I think we all forget that writing a book is an amazing achievement. Published or not, you’ve written a book – how cool is that?!
No doubt you can tell that I’m keyed up, all enthused and more than a little over-excited. Yes, I’m in dire need of a cup of chamomile of tea and a lie down.
So, wonderful Jess Dee, amazing Sami Lee, and stupendous Alexis Fleming, it was a pleasure to see you all. Kelly Ethan and Anne Whitfield, you were sorely missed and we hope to see you in Melbourne next year.
Cait!
http://www.caitlynnicholas.com
What a fabulous conference! It sounds like it was wonderful. I wish I could’ve gone. :) Besides the fact that I’d like to be the next Jennifer Cruise some day! LOL. And I will, because… I am a fabulous writer!
Hi Cait.
Yes, aren’t we all just fantastic? The conference was so motivating and Jenny Crusie was so awesome that my head is still spinning. And what about Anne Stuart? What a terrific character she is. Like a ray of sunshine that I wasn’t expecting, being as her books are quite dark. But she was warm and funny, half of a real dynamic duo.
Now comes the hard part – implementing all those great tips Jenny C gave us in her workshop. I remember all too well what she said about how perfect the book is in your head, and then comes the surprise, the moment of disgust when you see it on paper. Eek! Fortunately, there are heaps of things you can do between first draft and final, and it’s in this process that we become those fabulous writers we all decided we were. Thank Goodness for Jennifer, or I might never have known this!
And now, to get back to polishing that diamond…
Dang, Caitlyn, how can I know if you’re a fabulous writer – I don’t have your book (yet). I’ll just have to assume you are. Well, you’re published with Samhain, aren’t you? Besides, Jenny said you were, so it has to be true!
What a fantastic weekend. I’m sitting here working a little more conflict into each scene of my current ms. I have to – Jenny told me to.
So while I do that, let me shout just one thing from the mountain blog. I, like you, am a fabulous writer!
;-)
Jess
Jennifer C. was at a workshop several years ago that I attended in Cincinnati and was a great speaker then, too. I’m glad she was inspiring & motivating at your convention. I wish I could have been there. Great post – thanks Caitlyn!
I’m going to think positive here – I am a fabulous writer!
FABULOUS, DARLING!
Oh, yeah. That’s me…on a good day. But just ask me on a day when the words come out as slowly as drops of blood from a pin prick in zero gravity. You might not get the same response.
I think all of us have to believe in ourselves or we wouldn’t be exposing our dreams and stories to the rest of the world. It’s something we have to do as writers: we have to write. And somewhere along the line, we decide we have to be published. That’s the point (one of them anyway) where we have to believe in ourselves.
Then, come the rejections, the sidelong glances of family or friends. Haven’t you sold that book yet? And of course the day an editor calls or e-mails with a contract offer, that’s the most FABULOUS day of all. Each following contract offer is another day of elation. My first contract from Samhain was a day of DESTINY. And why might you ask?
I’d worked my last day at Centennial Medical Center where I’d worked for over thirty years. I decided the pressure and the department director were too much and if I didn’t leave and focus on my writing, I’d never finish the infamous three year WIP. I came home that day to prepare for my week’s vacation in Upstate NY to find the contract offer from goddess editor Linda in my e-mail. DESTINY...AN OMEN... Yes, she wanted my book.
Off to NY I went with my heart so light it almost floated the entire two day drive. When I returned from NY, I finished the last quarter of the three-year WIP. Wrote another complete novel in two months and since then have written and completed another.
Now I have three books (one a re-release) contracted for future release with Samhain and I feel FABULOUS because I am a FABULOUS writer.
But don’t ask me tomorrow. You might not receive the same response.
I could use a conference like that about once a quarter. What a great pick-me-up! Sounds like you had a fantastic time and walked away renewed, energized and assured that you are FABULOUS!
I’m a fabulous writer even if I am (as yet) unpublished. beams Thanks for this. It’s a pick-me-up I needed at a time when writing has not been flowing so well.
Blessings!
I am a fabulous writer because I have learned to do edits when Teletubbies are on without all the dialogue being “Eh-oh!”
Thanks Caitlyn for the reminder!!
And isn’t Jenny just wonderful? She was the keynote speaker at the RWA National Conference in 2003 (my first conference) and she led me from laughter to tears and back again with her speech. I still listen to it on my iPod when inspiration is needed —- and sometimes that can be on the way to the day job, while doing the dishes or just before sitting down to the computer.
Like the rest of us I have my doubts about my writing and I live for the moments when I can say “darn, that’s good!” Now I’ll will remember to add “I am a fabulous writer.” too!
Sounds like a terrific conference. Where in Australia was it held? Just curious.
I’ve heard Jenny Crusie give a couple of talks and always come away motivated. She has such an enthusiasm for the craft and some really fun props. The last time I sat in on one of her workshops, she had these gaudy pink flamingo pens in each place. What fun. My daughter loved ‘em.
And Yes …
I’M A FABULOUS WRITER!!!!
Wow, what a wonderful talk that must have been! I love Jennifer’s books — her sense of humor is so contagious.
So, sure, I’ll say it: I am a FABULOUS writer! I use wonderful imagery and write passionate, soul-deep romance.
(GGGG)
That does feel good!
Cait, great post. Okay, I’ll say it… I AM A FABULOUS WRITER. Wow, Liberating! heh heh. You’re right about writing being a solitary endeavor. There are groups out there (online) where they encourage you to brag about yourself, but that never quite feels comfortable to me. I know what I’m doing, and I’m publishing books, so I must be doing something right. grin But sometimes it’s nice to share news with fellow authors, and to encourage each other when rejections hit or good stuff happens. So kudos to your for a catchy post, and thanks for the positive feeling today!
Thanks!
Marie
I am a FABULOUS writer!
(eventhoughIhaven’twrittenadamnwordinnearlytwoweeks)
ahem
Yay, us! We rule! We’re all fabulous, dahlings!
~~Becka
Of course I am a fabulous writer – what do you mean you don’t know? Buy the books already lol. I am so jealous that you got to hear Jenny Crusie talk – wow! I just love her books.
You’re dang right, you’re a fabulous writer! And so am I! Jenny knows what she’s talking about.
Take a look at this wonderful thing we do. In our heads, we organize a series of thoughts into ideas. We string bunches of squiggly lines together on our computer screens, and they become words, sentences, and eventually an entire story. And the way we put those odd little lines together actually transforms into something new and unique that touches the hearts of those who read it. They read words, and they see, hear, smell, taste and live a new reality.
What a miracle it is for our minds to create stories that resonate in other people so strongly that for the time they are reading our stories they live in a world we give to them. Is that easy? No, its darn hard work that is both exciting and frustrating, and that makes the wonder even greater.
Never, ever, ever let anyone tell you that isn’t wonderful. Or that you aren’t fabulous because you can do it. Writing a whole book is something only one person in a thousand can do. And keeping on writing is an even greater challenge.
So keep that miracle and cherish it. You ARE fabulous.
And so am I!
Delle Jacobs
What a great message. Sounds like it was a wonderful conference!