Friday, February 13, 2009

Cruising with Dodd

I recently returned from the Florida Romance Writers annual conference aptly named “Cruise with Your Muse” and for me was exactly that. We all dream of meeting our favorite author, after all don’t writers starts as readers. The only difference is a writer takes the craft to heart and makes it their own by composing stories and creating characters.

The Conferences Keynote speaker Cristina Dodd is one of the many authors that inspired me to try my hand at writing. I confess I was nervous to meet Dodd especially since the only other time I met an author I admired she was less than welcoming. Yet when I got a glimpse of Dodd’s genuine smile I suspected she was different. With every intention of not drooling over her like a rabid fan I approached her only to have my friend shove me forward and announce to my horror, “Here is your greatest fan.” I cringed expecting the recoil of surprise accompanied by the raised eyebrows but all I received was a blush. Dodd’s eyes sparked with interest and she asked which book was my favorite. We spent the next thirty minutes discussing her books and upcoming projects.

In addition to Dodd, the conference attracted an excellent selection of agent & editors: Adam Wilson editor at MIRA books, Kerry Donovan from NAL, Rose Hilliard from St. Martin’s Press, Jessica Berry from Resplendence publishing, Holly Root from Waxman Agency, Raelene Gorlinski with Ellora’s Cave, Rhonda Penders with the Wild Rose Press and Miriam Kriss from the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. The intimate and friendly atmosphere of the ship provided many opportunities to get to know them and learn about their current interests. Pitch appointments were plentiful and numerous requests for manuscripts and partials were received.

The selection of over twenty different workshops over the two days covered craft topics; Taxes, Brainstorming, Psychics and much more, some of the presenters were Toni Andrews, Erin McCarthy, Kathy Love, Carolyn Williamson, Rhonda Pollero, Judi McCoy and many more. The book signing was a grand success on the main promenade where all the ships passengers could purchase novels and greet their favorite authors.

My favorite event was the Floridian Idol where anonymous writers submitted the first 2 pages of their manuscripts for review. Each entry was read aloud and the agents and editors commented on what appealed to them and what did not. Even though I was not brave enough to submit my work, I walked away with a clear understanding of what makes a good first two pages.

When all the Conference activities winded down for the day the Navigator of the Seas offered a variety of entertainments, karaoke in the Cosmopolitan lounge with Heather Graham, boogieing on one of the many dance floors, or a taking a chance with lady luck in the ships casino. Where else but a cruise could you get a slice of pizza at 3am without pulling out your wallet.

The final evening wrapped up with a phenomenal speech from Christina Dodd. Had I not loved her books I would still have loved her after a speech that equated showing your manuscript to an editor with pulling down your “big girl pants” for an inspection.

Until 2011, I will have to bide my time comforted with only this link to remember my favorite conference yet…

http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc23/alekaleki/FRWCRUISE/?action=view&current=2a9f9782.pbr

How Polti inspired me....

Friday, February 6, 2009

One of the most common questions asked of any writer is the all famous:
What made you decide to write? With each writer it can be different, for most it is a love of reading.
But what makes some readers transition from a reader to a writer, something inevitable sparks the need to set pencil to paper or in this day and age fingers to keyboard.

As a romance reader it never occurred to me that I could write. Yet in college I was introduced to an incredible book written by George Polti titled: Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations. My oh so stuffy English professor pointed out that this was an all encompassing list of every plot of every book, movie or story ever written. Being the typically rebellious youth that I was, I set out to prove my professor wrong.

With a list in hand of every movie and book I had every read or watched, I was able to match each item on my list to one plot or another, at times multiple plots applied. Having failed in this analysis, I was not giving up after all what did that snooty professor with his overly eager red felt tipped pen know?
I developed plots of my own, opening up a new world of possibilities. I dreamed and envisioned the many variations of themes and what I did notice was all the themes were historical and romantic. I learned a vast amount about my own creativity and a love I never knew I was capable of. To this day I refer to my plot lists for inspiration.

Thank you to all of the overbearing professor out there who force student to think instead of skate by.

I have heard that a few people out there have increased the list since my long ago days in college. Can you come up with a plot not listed?
1. Supplication
2. Deliverance
3. Crime Pursued by Vengeance
4. Vengeance Taken for Kindred Upon Kindred
5. Pursuit
6 Disaster
7. Falling Prey to Cruelty or Misfortune
8. Revolt
9. Daring Enterprise
10. Abduction
11. The Enigma
12. Obtaining
13. Enmity of Kinsmen
14. Rivalry of Kinsmen
15. Murderous Adultery
16. Madness
17. Fatal Imprudence
18. Involuntary Crimes of Love
19. Slaying of a Kinsman Unrecognized
20. Self-Sacrifice for an Ideal
21. Self-Sacrifice for Kindred
22. All Sacrificed for Passion
23. Necessity of Sacrificing Loved Ones
24. Rivalry of Superior and Inferior
25. Adultery
26. Crimes of Love
27. Discovery of the Dishonor of a Loved One
28. Obstacles to Love
29. An Enemy Loved
30. Ambition
31. Conflict with a God
32. Mistaken Jealousy
33. Erroneous Judgment
34. Remorse
35. Recovery of a Lost One
36. Loss of Loved Ones

I recommend the book for more details on each plot.