Florida Writer's Workshop

    Most days my office looks like the inside of my Chevrolet Suburban while my children are at swim practice, but that changed last weekend when I headed out for two days of workshops and pitches to literary agents. 

    When I signed up for the Florida Writing Workshops back in December, it felt like this distant thing. There's nothing like a deadline to finish edits on a manuscript will make those days speed by.

    I had two goals for the event:

1. Pitch my completed manuscript to select literary agents.
2. Build relationships with local Florida writers. Both goals pushed me outside my isolated writing comfort zone, but I knew they were important for my career development.

  I prepared my business cards/bookmarks so I was ready to stay connected with those whom I met. Let me tell you…our Florida writers are lovely people! Everyone I approached was warm and friendly. We discussed our genres, journeys, and dreams. We nervously anticipated our pitches together, then we were there to congratulate after.

    I spent time adjusting and practicing my pitch to minimize my own words and maximize the short ten minutes I would have sitting across from an industry professional who could offer feedback that no query letter ever could.

    Pushing outside of a comfort zone can feel like wearing a bikini to a gala, this feeling of being exposed and completely out of place. However, growth never happens when we remain stagnant, so I’ll be over here pushing toward those goals…hopefully while appropriately attired.