Busy Writing

Wow -- such a great response to the April 1st writing exercise. Actually, it's still going on: there was a new comment posted just this morning. (Scroll down to the previous post to see what's been happening...)

And, wow -- I can't believe it's been half a month since I added a new post here. Part of the reason is that I've been busy working on my new novel, but I'm also a little "blogged out" (or "blogged down," to borrow my husband's expression) with a new blog at work that posts three times a week. But I'm certainly not complaining: I'm writing!

And I'm not the only one. I heard from George just the other day that he signed up for a really cool writing contest. Just before noon today, he received an "assignment" from the contest organizers providing his designated genre and subject matter. Now, the clock is ticking: he has eight days to submit a completed screenplay up to 15 pages in length. And that's only round one. If his screenplay is selected, he proceeds to the finals in June, when he'll receive a second assignment and a 24-hour deadline. Go, George!

I've also heard from several Writers Workshop members that they'll be attending the annual Grub Street Muse and the Marketplace convention (May 1 and 2 in Boston). Some are even participating in the Manuscript Mart, in which writers have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with either an agent or editor for a face-to-face critique of up to 20 pages of their work. While it can be nerve-wracking, it's amazing to be able to look an agent or editor in the eyes and really get a true sense of their reaction to one's manuscript. It sure beats sending e-queries out into the ether!

I'm looking forward to seeing you this Tuesday night (April 20) at Writers Workshop. See you then!