SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

by Deborah Elliott-Upton

I’ve been asked: When do writers stop attending writer’s workshops? My answer: When the writer becomes a know-it-all.

Okay, I am sure there are many writers who no longer attend writer’s conferences as an attendee, nor do they necessarily need to do so. This is probably a personal thing, but I do stand by my answer. From the sidelines, I have witnessed more than one writer who has “made it” and is literally (or so it seems) never edited again and becomes stagnant in their work.

This past weekend I attended – in the capacity of a student – Inspirational Writers Alive conference in Amarillo, Texas. I’ve been a speaker at this conference in year’s past. I keep up my membership, yet I don’t really write in the inspirational market. I once had an editor appointment with the then senior editor of Multnomah Publishers, Rod Morris. While Christian mystery is selling as many titles as any other mystery categories in the secular section, I suspected mine wasn’t going to fit within the publisher’s guidelines. Still, when an editor is willing to listen, a good writer will pitch her book.

I outlined the basic premise and Rod asked, “Is it a Christian book?”

I smiled and said, “It isn’t un-Christian.”

He did read my manuscript and in the end, we both agreed it wasn’t going to work for Multnomah due to the “earthy language” (his words) and if I’d changed them, the feel of this particular book would suffer. Unfortunately, there are just some words that belong in a mystery where someone is murdered savagely.

Like a lot of writers, I probably get a bit conceited about what I know about the craft of writing, but in reality, I realize I still have much to learn. Reminders are good, too. Reinforcement of the “rules” is good. But, what a blessing when we are enriched by another dash of spicy knowledge to add to our stock recipe.

The keynote speaker, Cecil “Cec” (pronounced like cease) Murphey taught four workshops and I sat mesmerized by his stories illustrating where he’s been as a writer, how utilizing the principles of writing makes your writing stronger for the reader and the ins and outs of today’s publishing world. He was generous in sharing his expertise and encouraging in his words.

Learning is only one reason writers attend conferences. Meeting other writers we may only see once or twice a year is another. Meeting editors and agents is a golden opportunity when it arises. Getting paid for writing is great, but most writers will admit they enjoy knowing their work is being read is more important. I think this is why self-publishing has become so popular in recent years.

I always enjoy meeting new people, whether they are writers or readers or both. At IWA, I met the man who’d traveled the greatest distance. He was from Mississippi and had taken a place at my table. When he introduced himself and where he was from, my initial thought was, Now I know two people from Mississippi: John Floyd, a fellow contributor to the anthology, Seven By Seven and also to Criminal Brief, who I know only through cyberspace and e-mails; and now, this minister from Mississippi, Bill.

While we were getting acquainted, others joined out table. I passed out my business card. Bill held the card up and then, looked at me with a puzzled expression. He glanced at the card again, then at me. Finally, he turned it so that the front faced me. My business card has the cover of Seven By Seven along with my photo. I was thinking Yes, Bill. I know what the card looks like.

“Are you the editor of this book?” he asked.

“No, I’m one of the seven authors selected to write the short stories.”

“I have this book.”

“You have my book?”

“John Floyd’s in my writing group,” he said, which reminded me it isn’t just my book. Humility is a great thing.

Our small world just got smaller. Perhaps it’s global warming, but I believe it’s due to synchronicity for Bill and me to meet at this writer’s conference.

Bill Patterson turned out to be a very clever, funny guy and I’m sure his writing is also. I was pleased to spend the day with him and the other attendees of IWA 2008 who heard Cec Murphey, Vivian Stewart and Marianne Logan’s presentations. (Vivian and Marianne are fantastic poets!)

Another bit of synchronicity: one of Cec’s workshops listed in the brochure was titled A Writer’s Seven Deadly Sins.

In case someone is wondering about the mystery aspect of today’s column, Cec Murphey who has authored and co-authored over 90 books, including the bestseller, 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life also is a mystery writer. Cec’s mystery novel, Everybody Loved Roger Harden is available now. The second, Everybody Wanted Room 623 comes out in August and the third, Everybody Called Her a Saint is scheduled for a January 2009 release.

Did I learn something new? Yes. Did I hear things I already knew? Yes. Did I feel the networking worthwhile? Definitely.

I plan on attending other conferences in the future. Maybe I’ll meet someone who will share new-to-me knowledge or something more in the way of a refresher course. Perhaps I’ll meet someone as interesting and fun as Bill Patterson and Cec Murphey. One can only hope.