Get Your Head in the Game: Preparing for National
Several years ago, I wrote the following advice for the President’s Column in The Georgia Romance Writers’ Galley newsletter. I’d like to share it with posse readers, too, because I think what I have to say is just as relevant now as it was then. Prepare for the national RWA conference at the end of July as you would a district basketball title. If you want to win an opportunity to send a partial to the editor or agent of your dreams, gain new professional contacts, and make a good impression on everyone you meet, you’ve got to get your head in the game.
Practice Your Free Throws. Those of us who watch basketball go ballistic when we see players missing free throws, also called foul shots. Players miss for two reasons: they get intimidated and choke or they don’t practice enough because it’s an easy shot. The writing equivalent to a free throw is the two-minute-or-less pitch. Quick pitches are great for when you’re introduced to a published author, editor, or agent who asks what you’re working on. You might feel intimidated, so practice. Your two-minute-or-less pitch should tell who your hero and heroine are, what their major conflict is, and what subgenre you’re targeting. Practice your two-minute pitch while showering, while driving in the car, or while grocery shopping. You don’t want to shoot an air ball.
Don’t Get Caught Hacking. Hacking is a personal foul. The equivalent in the writing profession is to speak ill of other writers, editors, and agents in a public forum. You do not know who might be listening at the bar or restaurant, or in the elevator. Consider keeping the alcohol to a minimum as well. An extra glass or two of Chardonnay sometimes loosens a person’s inhibitions and tongue.
Don’t Be a Ball Hog; Get Some Points for an Assist.
Introduce a friend or acquaintance from your chapter to another professional, be it a published author, editor, or agent. Networking is part of the business. Several years ago in Reno, fellow Georgia Romance Writers member Berta Platas (Lucky Chica, SMP, January 2009) introduced several unpublished authors from our chapter to her agent and other agents she knew. These introductions resulted in requests for partials. Points scored. Kudos to Berta on the assists.
Develop a Game Plan.
Would you play for the district title without one? Use the conference schedule sent out in RWA’s Romance Writers Report or online to determine which workshops you’d like to attend before arriving in San Francisco. Contact friends and professional acquaintances you’d like to see now. Volunteer to help at the conference. There’s no doubt about it, networking and spending time with friends during the conference are as important as learning more about the craft of writing romance. But don’t forget that with the slate of fabulous workshops available, you are there to learn as well as socialize, network, and get requests. Balance is the key. Leave yourself a little down time every day to rest and evaluate how you’re playing. Every basketball game has a half-time.
Break Away
A breakaway shot is one where you beat your opponents down the court for an uncontested opportunity at the goal. Finish the book and polish it to perfection now, so that when you get a request from an editor or agent, the book is ready to send. Many of your competitors won’t have theirs ready, and you can break away. You might just get a slam dunk!
Is your head in the game?
Practice Your Free Throws. Those of us who watch basketball go ballistic when we see players missing free throws, also called foul shots. Players miss for two reasons: they get intimidated and choke or they don’t practice enough because it’s an easy shot. The writing equivalent to a free throw is the two-minute-or-less pitch. Quick pitches are great for when you’re introduced to a published author, editor, or agent who asks what you’re working on. You might feel intimidated, so practice. Your two-minute-or-less pitch should tell who your hero and heroine are, what their major conflict is, and what subgenre you’re targeting. Practice your two-minute pitch while showering, while driving in the car, or while grocery shopping. You don’t want to shoot an air ball.
Don’t Get Caught Hacking. Hacking is a personal foul. The equivalent in the writing profession is to speak ill of other writers, editors, and agents in a public forum. You do not know who might be listening at the bar or restaurant, or in the elevator. Consider keeping the alcohol to a minimum as well. An extra glass or two of Chardonnay sometimes loosens a person’s inhibitions and tongue.
Don’t Be a Ball Hog; Get Some Points for an Assist.
Introduce a friend or acquaintance from your chapter to another professional, be it a published author, editor, or agent. Networking is part of the business. Several years ago in Reno, fellow Georgia Romance Writers member Berta Platas (Lucky Chica, SMP, January 2009) introduced several unpublished authors from our chapter to her agent and other agents she knew. These introductions resulted in requests for partials. Points scored. Kudos to Berta on the assists.
Develop a Game Plan.
Would you play for the district title without one? Use the conference schedule sent out in RWA’s Romance Writers Report or online to determine which workshops you’d like to attend before arriving in San Francisco. Contact friends and professional acquaintances you’d like to see now. Volunteer to help at the conference. There’s no doubt about it, networking and spending time with friends during the conference are as important as learning more about the craft of writing romance. But don’t forget that with the slate of fabulous workshops available, you are there to learn as well as socialize, network, and get requests. Balance is the key. Leave yourself a little down time every day to rest and evaluate how you’re playing. Every basketball game has a half-time.
Break Away
A breakaway shot is one where you beat your opponents down the court for an uncontested opportunity at the goal. Finish the book and polish it to perfection now, so that when you get a request from an editor or agent, the book is ready to send. Many of your competitors won’t have theirs ready, and you can break away. You might just get a slam dunk!
Is your head in the game?
Labels: Maureen Hardegee, writing conference preparations
posted by Mo H @ 7:42 AM
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