Want a great resource and excellent excuse for procrastination?

The Romance Writers of America Website has loaded some of the handouts from their recent Conference which are free to read and download.  http://www.rwanational.org/cs/2010_workshop_handouts

Some of the handouts are only made up of bullet points, but many have enough valuable content to be worth your time. And there are dozens! Many from top speakers and professionals.

I have printed out several of these handouts, AND if you really want to create a library to read on the sofa while it is grey and wet outside, some of the Handouts from previous Conferences are also on the same page, and the list of speakers is amazing.

One key learning point for me is that every snippet of extra craft information that I can pick up on my journey is never wasted. Every time I get stuck or frustrated, I know that I have folders of reference material from the viewpoint of other professionals who have been there before and have something to say which might just spark an idea.

These sorts of handouts are so useful for that. Short. Powerful. Insightful. And Free. I like that.

What am I reading at the moment?

* Julie Cohen – ‘Getting away with it.‘ Wonderful research and detail make this SO compelling and emotional. And I love mistaken identity stories. Twins are so fascinating.

* Willie’s Chocolate Factory Cookbook. Superb research for my next RIVA which will feature a Chocolatier. And the recipes are excellent. I only like dark chocolate.

What am I working on ? * Proofs for the Orchid grower book I sold in January.

*First revisions to the MAri and EThan story. Mainly through building on what I have already written by adding depth to the conflict – but of course that impacts almost every scene.  And I need to take out one secondary character which impacts the midpoint turning scene. Mega. Mucho brain work required.

The good news is that my editor turned the book around in a day and loves the premise, voice and the general approach to the characters and their situation. She simply wants more to make this a better book with a more compelling emotional journey. Brilliant.

Now. I am sure that some of those RWA handouts talk about revisions…..