OK, I signed up for a workshop with Donald Maass at a writer's conference i am going to. But as the date gets nearer... I feel like a teenager going into the SATs or something! I'm starting to get very nervous which is not exactly characteristic of me. Has anyone ever attended one of his workshops before? Does he make people read stuff out loud? I feel so silly--I've been to several workshops, and conferences and stuff, but for some reason, this one is just giving me a knot in my stomach! (probably because it's the only one where I've been asked to bring a work in progress.)... I'm actually worried that I am going to do that thing on South Park, every time Stan sees Wendy *blagh!* And as I said, it's ridiculous!
Melanie
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
Hey Melanie,
I haven't been to his workshop, but I have read his book. I liked it. What event is he going to be at?
Regardless, it doesn't matter whose workshop it is. Remember, the audience is on your side. Even if you flub and make horrible mistakes they're going to feel for you and be rooting for you. Partly because they'll be relieved that they're not the one up there and partly becaus they know they could be next. But mostly it's a sense of appreciating that you're willing to share so they can learn. And if you buck up and take it like a writer (thick skin but willing to learn), you'll have everyone in your corner.
Posted by mrmeadors (Member # 6378) on :
I'm going to see him at the "Let Your Imagination Take Flight" conference in a couple weeks. It's an RWA conference. I don't write romance, but their conferences are affordable and helpful even if you don't do the romance thing (of course there are some workshops that are irrelevant to me, but usually they have multiple workshops happening at once).
I know once I get there I will be fine. It's just the waiting, I guess... I mean, it's *Donald Maass*, you know what I mean? From what I hear from someone I know who used to be represented by him, he's a very nice and approachable guy, but yikes.
Melanie
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
I'm reading Donald Maass' "The Fire in Fiction" right now, and (at least so far) it's one of the better writing books I've come across. I'm sure you'll be happy you went to his conference.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
Ah, you're star-struck.
I work in West Holywood and have seen very interesting sides of many a celebrity. Some want to be adored, but most just want to be treated like everybody else. The bigger they are, the truer that is. So approach him like a co-worker or a neighbor that has more information about a particular subject than you do. He's the gardening expert next door that you consult when your petunias are dying, or the co-worker that knows the best restaurants in town when you want to surprise your significant other. He's an expert in one field, most people are. His field is just more public than most.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Sounds like fun..... wish there was one in Calif. Wouldn't have to fly there and therefore save some money, I may not have for that.
Hey, Nick how about you and me start one in Fresno. There used to be one by WIN-WIN but it most have folded. Actually, it was more a weekend conference but some top writers, editors and agents were there.
We have some good writers here now and a couple of well known dead ones so why not have one here?