Random thoughts and points from the panels:
-While talking about page/word counts, most of the authors said that you should write the right length for your story. Most said they never had their editor ask them to revise solely based on word count. Elizabeth Eulberg said that when she finished Prom and Predjudice she was worried about the word count, but her editor told her that she told her story and not to worry about it. The only writer who had had a problem was Lisi Harrison. Her book The Pretty Committee Strike Back was too short and when her editor demanded that she increase it's length she added a ten page packing list for her main character's camping trip.
-Lisi Harrison also mentioned she wrote 40 page outlines, an idea I find terrifying.
-Read a lot and know the roots of whatever genre you're writing in.
-I forget who said this, but it made me laugh: Selling an idea is like someone saying "I'm starving. Will you cook me something?" But first you have to butcher the cow and they're standing over you asking if it's ready yet.
-Dialog is important. Don't forget to use it. It makes a story easy to read and a page (or pages) with no dialog can intimidate a reader into putting your book down.
-Read a lot and know the roots of whatever genre you're writing in.
-I forget who said this, but it made me laugh: Selling an idea is like someone saying "I'm starving. Will you cook me something?" But first you have to butcher the cow and they're standing over you asking if it's ready yet.
-Dialog is important. Don't forget to use it. It makes a story easy to read and a page (or pages) with no dialog can intimidate a reader into putting your book down.
Tips for attending next year:
-Wear comfortable shoes and a hat. I wore sneakers and got blisters. I also got a sunburn on my scalp where the part in my hair was. Now my skin is peeling and it looks like I have dandruff. Not very pleasant. Maybe next year I'll read this post and prevent it.
-Definitely need to bring: Sunblock (learned that the hard way last year), sunglasses, bottled water, snacks/lunch. Food is expensive and there is a lot of walking.
-Only go to signings of authors you really admire and bring their books from home. Books are expensive. I spent forty bucks on two books at one signing. And it was first thing in the morning, so I carried those hardcovers around all day.
-Switch between stages and lectures. The stages are fun and the sunshine is one of the perks of living in Los Angeles. I love YA, so I tend to camp out at that stage, because there is always going to be something to interest me. The lectures, while harder to find, tend to have really interesting speakers and are air conditioned. I use the standby line instead of purchasing tickets and have never had a problem.
-Be friendly. Everyone there loves books as much as I do. I usually make new friends while in line.
-Find the bathroom when you get there (preferably one near food) and learn your way around based on that point.
-Double check your schedule, but be flexible. If you miss something, just move on to something else. I went to the YA stage instead of the YA lecture that I had meant to attend. While I loved the panel at the YA Stage, I missed out on an air conditioned event with an author I was really looking forward to listening to. Even so, I ended up learning a TON at the panel I actually attended.
-Definitely need to bring: Sunblock (learned that the hard way last year), sunglasses, bottled water, snacks/lunch. Food is expensive and there is a lot of walking.
-Only go to signings of authors you really admire and bring their books from home. Books are expensive. I spent forty bucks on two books at one signing. And it was first thing in the morning, so I carried those hardcovers around all day.
-Switch between stages and lectures. The stages are fun and the sunshine is one of the perks of living in Los Angeles. I love YA, so I tend to camp out at that stage, because there is always going to be something to interest me. The lectures, while harder to find, tend to have really interesting speakers and are air conditioned. I use the standby line instead of purchasing tickets and have never had a problem.
-Be friendly. Everyone there loves books as much as I do. I usually make new friends while in line.
-Find the bathroom when you get there (preferably one near food) and learn your way around based on that point.
-Double check your schedule, but be flexible. If you miss something, just move on to something else. I went to the YA stage instead of the YA lecture that I had meant to attend. While I loved the panel at the YA Stage, I missed out on an air conditioned event with an author I was really looking forward to listening to. Even so, I ended up learning a TON at the panel I actually attended.
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I've never had the pleasure of going to a festival of books, but it sounds fantastic (except for the expense and the sun burn).
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you did this. That sounds awesome. I want to go too!
ReplyDelete