Putting Yourself Out There

One thing that I found strange and thrilling is how many strangers recognized me at the Y-City Writers Conference this past Saturday. I am not used to being recognized. However, that is one of the upsides to posting my picture on my blogs and the Y-City Writers Forum Websites.

There are a couple of problems with the picture I use on this blog:

1. It is several years old.
2. I am not that thin, anymore.
3. I am in my robe.

The other pics I use are self potraits and recent, so they look like me. I am thinking about having a professional picture done to post. I know the one I use for this page is not professional at all, but I kind of like it.

One of the speakers at our conference said she is going to have to take her childrens pictures off her blog. That is definitely a downside to becoming recognized, so do your children. No one wants to draw unwanted attention to their children.

I didn't recognize this same author from her picture, because it was an older picture and she had changed slightly in appearance. So, keep in mind that you should update your photos when your appearance changes. (For me it is my weight, which I am working on. Though my hairstyles change frequently as well, if I keep with my basic straight hair my appearance doesn't change much. That's just something for me to keep in mind when wanting that perm.)

Y-City Writers Forum Meeting

What: Y-City Writers' Forum Meeting
When: This Tuesday, August 5, 20086:30-8p.m.
Where: Central Presbyterian Church
40 N. 6th St.Downtown Zanesville
(Next to the tire place/across from Bryan's Place)

Followed by coffee at Bob Evans on Underwood

Check out the news on our November 8, 2008 writers conference: Y-City Writers' Forum

Y-City Writers Conference

I have been busy collecting donations for the Y-City Writers Conference. I have asked over 80 authors to donate, 15 of whom are sending an autographed copy of one of their books. I received Lee Child's Nothing to Loose, the latest Jack Reacher novel, in the mail yesterday. Needless to say, I am excited.

I am going to get serious about soliciting donations from local businesses now. I have already hit some nationwide businesses.

I will try not to neglect my own writing. I have managed to turn in the last few Flashxr challenges. Fortunately, they can be brief. -Rita

Business Cards

At the Cleveland Rocks Writer's Conference it became increasingly clear to me how unprepared for the business of writing I am.

When asked if I had a card... My answer was no. This caused me to write my information on a piece of paper and hand it to the asker.

So, I say to you print up some business cards before you network at conferences. You can print them yourself from your home computer and printer inexpensively.

Also, it is an economical way to market yourself amongst your peers. -Rita

Getting Ready

Today is the Cleveland Rocks Writer's Conference.

The last couple of days, I have been furtively scrambling to finish Hitching a Ride. So that I'll have something to present to the agent when I see her. It is rough, but I hope it will suffice.

I am excited... This is my second conference and I am hoping it'll be as good as the Coshocton Conference.

Write now I am waiting for the car rental place to pick me up. -Rita

Coshocton and Back

Yesterday, I went to the Write On Writer's Conference in Coshocton. I enjoyed it immensely. I learned some new stuff, bought some books and had the authors sign them. I met all kinds of interesting people.

Someone from my own group even thanked me for posting on the Y-City Writers web-site. I am sitting here blushing. Someone is thanking me for talking... er writing.

I am going to send another wonderful person some links to different magazines, anthologies, ezines, etc.

I will be posting some of the highlights from the workshop on my other blog Wannabe Writer. http://zanesvillewriter.blogspot.com/

My favorite speaker at the conference was Dandi Daley Mackall. She is an author of many books, ranging from children's block books to adult. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. I could have listened to her all day long, without getting bored.

When I came home, I still had work to do, since I signed up for the 24 hour Short Story Contest. Wouldn't you know, after I sent my story off, I thought of a classic mistake I made at the end of the story. Instead of showing the kindness on the nurses face, I said her kind looking face. I am a bit disappointed in myself, but what is a silly writer to do?

I, also, needed to fulfill my commitment to writing a poem a day challenge.

I did succeed in stuffing everything into one all too brief day.

Man was I exhausted and I slept until noon to show it. Well, that is after getting up to review my story before sending it off to the contest. -Rita