First off, small announcement. I'm moving my Facebook Page to a Facebook Profile. So if you "like" my page, please make this less difficult for me by "following" or "friending" this profile. I'll eventually be deleting my page.
A week or so ago, I attended a writing conference called LDStorymakers, and I'm sharing some of what I learned by request. For those that don't know, a writing conference usually lasts a few days and provides attendees with the opportunity to learn from professional writers, editors, and literary agents. Some conferences, like LDStorymakers, also offer critiques from professionals and pitch sessions to agents. Every conference is a great opportunity to meet, befriend, and network with other writers.
This year, I was particularly excited to take classes from the author of Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card, and the author of Wheel of Time and Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson--both bestselling professionals.
Here are the highlights of my experience.
Slush Pile Simulation
The first class I chose to go to was a slush pile simulation with literary agents and editors. "Slush pile" is jargon for "submission pile." People call it a "slush" pile because there is so much slush and junk in it. Here, the pros listened to an attendee's first page and, just like on some reality t.v. show, raised their hands when they would have decided to reject the manuscript. When all four judges had their hands up, the reader stopped reading, and each pro explained why they would reject the manuscript. Do they really reject a manuscript based on one page? Yes. My first page didn't get read, but it was interesting to hear why they rejected certain novels.
First Chapter Contest
Every year LDStorymakers holds a first chapter contest. I entered, and although I didn't win, I at least got feedback from five judges. Unfortunately, some of the feedback was completely contradictory. Here are some short examples:
