I attended the 2001 Merritt Conference full of hope, nervousness, and anticipation. I have been a member of SARA, the host RWA chapter that presented the conference, for over two years, and I knew from the previous Conference held last year that it would be great. But I was definitely underestimating. The word “great” doesn’t come close to my experience this year.
This year, I truly felt a part of the chapter, of our industry, and of the women and men involved in our genre. As I walked around, greeting people I knew and people whom I had just met, I felt a true sense of unity. We all knew one another, not just as women or friends, but as artists. As people who walk the same paths, meet the same obstacles, and worry about the same things. It was good to meet people who understood the business side of our art, and were ready and willing to discuss and share what they had learned on their journeys so far. The helpfulness and camaraderie of the published authors towards those of us who are still struggling to reach that goal is truly unique. There are not many industries where that attitude is as prevalent as it is within ours. It made me proud.
The speakers were topnotch, and I took many notes. Barbara Collins Rosenberg helped me to understand what an agent can and cannot do for an author, and the benefits that can be gained by engaging a good one. Susan Sheppard from Harlequin helped me get a better and clearer view of what I am shooting for as a category author, and how I can better hone my work to fit the changing market and new demographics. But most of all, Evelyn Rogers helped me to remember what it really means to be a writer, why I am doing it, and why I will keep doing it until the day I die (and perhaps afterwards, depending on your personal views of reincarnation!). Her talk was inspirational, uplifting, and realistic. The points she gave to ask ourselves, about whether or not we are in this work for the long haul, were very important, and I found myself searching my heart for each answer. Recently I had gone through a rather low period concerning my work, asking myself if I really had what it took, was I just kidding myself, was it all worth it? Evelyn’s speech could not have come at a better time. As she spoke eloquently about each point, I knew by the end of her talk that I was definitely “in it for the long haul”. Throwing in the towel was not going to be an option for me, regardless how many “does not suit our needs at the present time” letters I may receive in the future.
This was just the message I needed to hear, and perhaps what we all needed to hear, even those of us who are published. Evelyn helped me understand that the journey doesn’t end with that first publication. It’s only the beginning of a different bend of the road.
By the time my editor appointment came, I had finally found that centered place inside myself, despite my nervousness. I know that the conference speeches helped me a great deal to “find that place”. When the result of my appointment was positive, I was truly thrilled and elated! Conferences give writers and editors/agents a chance to speak to one another on a one on one basis, share ideas, discuss difficulties and questions directly, and present our work in a way that is unique and personal. This is an opportunity that makes the conferences a vital part of a writer’s career; that chance to take a chance, and perhaps come out of it with something you hadn’t dreamed possible.
Published Author Lynda Robinson and Pocket Editor Lauren McKenna’s workshops were an added feature to this year’s conference, and they were truly spectacular ones. It was fascinating for me to sit and hear an editor’s mind at work, to follow her thought processes as she went over each submission with straightforward yet constructive criticism. It was a glimpse into the “other side” that was eye opening and challenging, and definitely inspired me to go home and look over my work with a more balanced view.
In closing, I would have to say that “great” is not the word I would use to describe this year’s Merritt Conference. I would say the word “Career-shaping” would be the best describer. This conference helped me get a better handle on all sides of my fledgling writing career, from the artistic to the business, from the nuts and bolts of creating to the hard task of self-editing. I left this conference renewed and invigorated. I intend to make the most of it.
JoAnn K. Prater is a member of San Antonio Romance Authors. Her romantic short stories and poetry are published on the Internet, and she's currently hard at work on her fourth novel, entitled "BLAME IT ON THE MOON."
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