Author and keynote speaker Laura Resnick offered this advice: "Breathe." Okay, so breathing is key to our existence, we know this. But her message was further clarified when she spoke of her writing adventures, which include being burned by agents (not one, but several). Her bottom line? We need to be alert and proactive with our writing careers. Contracts, connections, and bestsellers don't happen while engaging in couch potato activities or playing computer games.
Ever hear of the 10,000 hour rule? That's how many hours it often takes to be proficient at something. Laura stressed the importance of working hard to polish writing skills.
Oh, and about that breathing thing, she also mentioned some of the stress induced ailments she experienced when tangled up in the writing/agent/publication process. All because she should have been breathing the right way, instead of the kind of breathing done in her stress mode. These ailments, by the way, disappeared when she resolved the conflict.
Laura's advice struck a chord with me. It should work for writers of all genres - write, be proactive, and don't be afraid to break a few "traditional" rules along the way. Wise words, don't you think?
I'll share more about the conference next week. Stay tuned. :) (Hint: authors Annie Jones, Ann Gabhart, Virginia Smith, and poet Sherry Chandler were the other speakers.)
And by the way
Thanks to those who stopped to see Monday's guest post over at Pen and Prosper. I feel like I have my very own cheering section. If you missed it and would like to check it out, click here.
What energizes your writing? Please share!
Have a great weekend!
Karen
Photo credit: Sierra Madre, CA dockeretz http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1343646
