Willamette Writer's Conference

I'm ready! Practiced my book pitch with several folks - got my 1 page document ready - and printed a copy of my book proposal. With only one day, Saturday, at the Willamette Writer's three-day conference, I've chosen workshops with honing my skills in mind - all about editors, power networking for writers, the web was made for writers, and book proposal boot camp. Networking, is my top priority. Ready to face the world of writers. Now I have several days to just relax and not think about preparations. Willamette Writer's conference in Portland, August 3,4, & 5.

Pitching Dubious Grief

I've worked hard during the past several months preparing for the Willamette Writer's Conference. I will pitch my book - Dubious Grief - attend workshops, and network, network, network. My book proposal is ready to send to those who request it. All of the research I've done preparing the book proposal has increased my confidence in the unique features of my book. Anyone who wants to pitch their book needs to prepare - do the research, write a proposal, and practice, practice, practice the pitch. I have been fortunate to have another writer willing to look over my materials, to listen to and help me refine my pitch presentation. No matter the outcome I know I have done everything possible to prepare for the opportunity to successfully pitch my book.

Preparing for the Willamette Writers conference in a few weeks - revising my book proposal for Dubious Grief, and thinking about my pitch.
Writing a few new pieces - short stories from the 1960's and 1970's. Recently read stories in Ray Bradbury's A Pleasure to Burn collection of short stories. Discovered an example of two short story revisions which ultimately became part of Fahrenheit 451. I was inspired to see how he incorporated similes and metaphors and what her cut and added to these to pieces - food for thought as I revise several short pieces with a longer piece in mind.

Ending as closure...

I took time away from writing to figure out how to end Dubious Grief. With the Willamette Writers Conference a month a way, I wanted to complete the final chapters but needed to resolve my dilemma about my never ending grieving. So I wrote a riff - (see writing riff page on blog) and was then able to come to terms with ending my memoir. Yes - my grieving will continue but I found the closure I needed to end the book. Sometimes all I need to do is to stop to find closure. Now I begin revising the book proposal and the manuscript.