Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2009

I attended my sixth Pikes Peak Writers Conference last weekend and it never disappoints. The quality of the workshops and the professionalism of the staff are superb. Many states were represented at the conference. A woman from Florida told me it's worth the expense and travel time to attend, and she prefers the PPW conference to all others.

Linda Rohrbough ran a wonderful workshop informing us of a number of tools many writers know nothing about but which can open up new doors and become instrumental aides for the writer. I'm anxious to try them out. I attended two workshops by Linda Seger and was extremely impressed. Linda is a script consultant and has worked on over a hundred movies. In the first workshop, she used a movie video to demonstrate an actor's character arc. It was clear, to the point, and very relevant to any work of fiction. She also used movie videos in her second workshop to demonstrate the 3-act structure. I found myself reviewing two of my books with this model in mind and came away with ideas for making them stronger. Exactly what one wants to get from a conference. All of the keynote speakers were magnificent. I especially loved Jeffery Deaver's humorous address at the awards banquet.

It's always fun to come to the conference as a contest winner. I loved hearing my friends cheer for me as I accepted my first-place award for my tween novel, SEASHELL SECRETS. And the structure of the meals (an author, agent or editor seated at the tables with the attendees) allows wonderful opporunities to pitch your work. I left the conference with 3 requests to see part or all of my manuscript, and a huge smile on my face!

I'm always struck with the camaraderie of writers at the conference. One writer sitting between me and an agent kindly told the agent he should hear about my novel, setting up the perfect pitch opportunity and one of my 3 requests for material. Thanks Mandy! Her unselfish assistance inspired me to do the same for other writers which I plan to do every chance I get. She confirmed what I already knew--writers are a special group of people.