I’m mainly known as a children’s author but last weekend
I wore my other hat, as Kay Harborne, romance novelist. I’m a member
of the RNA (Romantic Novelist’s Association) and attended their conference with my friend and fellow RNA member, Ann Evans, who also writes children’s
books and romance novels.
It was a fun and informative weekend. We were all given a goody bag full of books, a super RNA mug, chocolates and other freebies.
I had a meeting with
the publisher and editor of my latest romance novel, which was very exciting as
I only signed with them last week. It was good to put a face to names
and discuss the next book I’m writing for them.
Ann had a very promising meeting with a publisher too, fingers crossed!
There were a variety of workshops to attend, run by authors, editors and publishers. Julie Cohen shared
how she used post-its to help her plot her story and colour codes them to help
her keep track of different characters and subplots. You can see more
information about this on her website at www.julie-cohen.com
Janie Millman (www.chez-castillon.com) showed us how to use
breathing exercises before an event to stop an attack of nerves and how to
project our voice (I’m still working on this!) Tamsyn Murray’s
(www.tamsynmurray.co.uk ) workshop on ‘Getting to the Heart of YA’ compared
three big hit YA books, The Fault in our Stars, The Hunger Games and The Year
of the Rat and gave useful advice on how to write compelling YA, reminding
us that whatever we write for teens we need to ‘give it heart’. There were workshops on
dialogue, voice, marketing to name just a few, an info- packed weekend.
6 comments:
I too write for adults and am a member of the RNA! Going to a lunch of the Cambridge chapter today.....and I use Julie's Pist it method too!
POST IT, NOT PIST!
Its a really good method, isn't it Adele? - and I'm sure she won't mind you calling it the Pist method!!
Enjoy your chapter lunch. :)
I have heard SUCH good things about the RNA. I write YA -- and the characters sometimes kiss. Or more. What exactly are the criteria for joining because it sounds like a lot of fun?
Enjoyed reading your blog,Karen. And what a great weekend it was. Feeling inspired!!
Hi Sheena, the RNA is fun! You need to have had a romantic novel, novella or serial of over 30,000 words accepted by a publisher to join as a full member. You can also join the New Writer's Scheme. If you click on this link you'll see the requirements. http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/join/full_and_associate_membership
Good luck!
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