I have just spent a wonderful weekend with Crime Writers of Canada at their annual convention, Bloody Words 2011, in Victoria BC. It was a great opportunity for me, being one of the unpublished , unwashed masses, to rub shoulders with the luminaries of Crime /thriller genre. I have always been of the philosophy that if you rub hard enough something good will eventually come to the surface. Some of my hard edges are pretty tender. All in all, the experience was worthwhile. The workshops were very helpful and in most instances encouraging.
Perhaps the most valuable thing to come from the experience was the networking. As I have posted in the past, writing is a lonely occupation. Meeting others who are struggling to publish their first novel was encouraging. receiving words of wisdom from accomplished pros, invaluable. Tidbits gleaned from the work tables of the masters are like jewels in this business. I came away with a few baubles to affix to my own regalia one day.
Leave a Reply