August 24th, 2009 | Author: admin
August 23, 2009
Authors Teresa LeYung Ryan, Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson at Peninsula Festival-San Mateo County Fair
What did I do today?
Got ready for a gig at the San Mateo County Fair/Peninsula Festival (with buddies/authors Luisa Adams and Martha Alderson):
Packed poster of my novel Love Made of Heart; 18 copies of the book; book stands for my book and my buddies’ books; color programs; camera; recorder; show-and-tell material.
Ate hearty breakfast of last night’s leftovers. Exchanged “Have a fun day!” with my hubby.
Loaded the trunk of my car; off to Luisa’s house so that she, Martha and I can take one car to the festival.
I had told Tory Hartmann, president of California Writers Club-Peninsula Branch (the one who got CWC this gig), that we would arrive by 12:30 (for 1:00 show time). The line of vehicles to the parking lot was longer than a thousand-page novel, and, it was now 12:26. Don’t panic. With Luisa’s calmness and Martha’s encouragement, I got into another lane that zipped us to the entrance.
Show biz. Always be on time. Alexandra King, Co-Director for the stage, recognized us (from our photos) as we rushed into the Expo Hall. Literary Arts Director of the Peninsula Festival Bardi Rosman Koodrin warmly greeted us. A joy to work with professionals.
Fellow CWC member Christopher Wachlin (he had presented on Tuesday) was there, and, he said “yes” to taking photos of us 3 on stage. Thank you, Chris!
Tory Hartmann, who had presented on Tuesday as well, moderated our panel.
Questions she asked:
1. “How did you (Teresa LeYung Ryan, Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson) meet each other?”
2. “What advice do you have for anyone who wants to write for a readership?”
3. “What does your writing-life look like?
Teresa, Martha, Luisa answering questions from Tory
Answer to #1 The 1997 and 1998 Jack London Writers Conference brought Luisa and Martha into my life; we’ve been buddies since, being each other’s safety net in this fiercely competitive arena called the publishing world.
Answer to #2 Writing is lonesome work. Go out and be with other writers, exchange ideas and leads, find mentors, learned from those who have accomplished what you are pursuing. Where do you find these people? Writers’ organizations. Writers’ Conferences.
More info on California Writers Club— www.calwriters.org
http://www.cwc-peninsula.org
More info on Jack London Writers Conference— http://jacklondonwritersconference.org
Answer to #3 My writing life (today) is preparing for the gig, showing up, having fun.
After we 3 did our job, we supported the festival’s food vendors and ate 4-H’s baked goods. Asked kind strangers to take photos of us in front of roller coaster and giant slide. What a colorful scene!
Back to the stage area to take photos of our colleague Geri Spieler. More photos with Tory, Bardi, and Alexandra. Also part of the writer’ life–show up in the community and have proofs of your showing up.
Back to Luisa’s, said goodbyes. Came home, swapped “How-was-your-day?” with my hubby, emailed the photos to everyone (at event) who might want to use them for their portfolios, websites, blogs.
After I post this blog, I’ll work on my new book: YOUR PUBLISHING JOURNEY: BUILD YOUR FAME WHILE WRITING
Geri Spieler, Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Tory Hartmann and colleagues at 2009 Peninsula Festival
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Tags: a writer's life, california writers club, community events, have fun, jack london writers conference, peninsula festival, preparing for gig, promoting, san mateo county fair, show up, showing up, writing