Monday, October 19, 2009

Inspiration and Adulation

Happy Monday! Things are busy as always here at the homestead. June and I are down to the wire with getting the Spring Fling 2010 conference brochure, registration forms, editor/agent lineup, workshop presenters, sponsors, etc. all in the upright and locked position. No hyperventilating yet, but it is early, so check back and then check here to see for yourself.

An excellent post on prioritizing and where the theory of the super is demystified by Nancy Parra can be found here.

And blog and fan favorite of the global internet, Nathan Bransford ,posted the results of his Best First Paragraph contest today. Read this piece from top to bottom, especially the critiques of the finalists, because it's full of gems about writing. The man's got serious literary skills. This is the kind of critique that all writers need, I think. Not someone who says 'your writing sucks' because that does me no good. I can't improve anything from those words alone, even if they're true. You have to give me more and in a manner that engages my active listening. Rude and unhelpful doesn't get the job done. Unless of course, you perhaps 'forgot' that I'm the woman with the coke bottle and the stocking cap and a trip to the hospital is on your agenda for that day. Otherwise, I need to know that there was too much exposition or not enough, or that the voice is passive or that I switched point of view (no head-hopping!) or, I think you get the picture now. Be helpful or be gone.

Now that I've fulfilled the rant quota for the day, I thought I'd share some awesome music. This is Trixie Whitley on vocals singing with Daniel Lanois and Brian Blade in their band Black DUB. Enjoy!


7 comments:

Marilyn Brant said...

Pamala, you and June have been just awe-inspiring in your work on Spring Fling. We are a very fortunate writing chapter indeed... I'm going to take a look at Nathan's blog now! I've read some of his excellent posts before and you've led me to him on a few other occasions--it's always great to read well-written feedback! One thing about this industry, we never have it all mastered...and never can stop learning... :)

Pamala Knight said...

Thank you Marilyn! We're trying to make it a conference that our chapter and everyone else will be proud to attend.

Nathan astounds me with how much useful information he blogs about. I'm glad that I was able to point you in his direction.

*waves*

Pamela Cayne said...

Thanks for the link to Nancy's post. It was *excellent*! (And I'd congratulate you on what's looking to be a fabulous conference, but I'm still scared about the karaoke!)

Pamala Knight said...

Don't be scared, Pamela. You don't have to sing if you don't want to, (but I'll be there with the puppy dog eyes begging for a little 38 Special ;-)). I do hope you come because it's going to be a lot of fun and all your friends will be there. What more could you ask for? Oh, award winning speakers and awesome workshops? Done. So, plan your trip and come.

Nancy J. Parra said...

Hi Pamala, thanks for the link to my blog. And super good job and thanks for all the work you and June are doing with Spring Fling. We are fortunate to have you. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the advice - a wonderful blog!

Pamala Knight said...

Hello Kerrycharacters!

Thanks for the nice words and I hope you stop by again.

*waves*