Sunday, August 8, 2010

Passion and Writing

So, I took a trip Friday. No, not a trip where I went somewhere fun, or interesting. Oh, no ... I tripped on the edge of a rubber mat and nearly went sprawling on my face at the entrance of WalGreens. Right in front of the cashier and several customers. What the heck does that have to do with writing, or getting published? Glad you asked! My little trip gave me an epiphany. I hate to be embarrassed. With a passion that nearly eclipses every other passion in my life.

During the PRO Retreat at the 2010 RWA National Conference last week, Donald Maass (agent extraordinaire) said we need to find that passion in our life and transfer it to our characters. Give them something to be passionate about.

Now I'm going back over the book I thought was ready to out to a requesting agent, and rework the beginning (oh yeah, and eventually the entire freaking book!) and transfer my passion to my character Hunter Kelly - who has to be passionate about not being a victim again. She has to get MAD. Mad enough to overcome a fear of being victimized again, and DO something to stop it. Mad enough to kill.

Another thing I'm passionate about is the workshop Susan Lute and I are giving at the Emerald City Conference in October. It's titled HELL, YES! I WANT TO BE A HAPPY WRITER! Our goal is to identify obstacles to being a happy writer and give our attendees the tactics or tools that will allow them to write the story that will give them creative joy. I'm passionate enough about this topic that I'm overcoming my fear of public speaking to do a workshop (hell, we're doing several workshops and are going to apply to next years' National Conference - wish us luck!). If you'd asked me even 5 years ago if I would be pushing to give a workshop, I would have said you were nuttier than a fruit cake.


So, what are you passionate about? Passionate enough to do something you swore you'd never do? Passionate enough to overcome a deep-seated fear?

3 comments:

  1. Darla what a FABULOUS title -- I can't wait to hear your workshop!

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  2. I'm passionate about my writing and my friends.

    And naps. :)

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  3. Laurie - thank you! Hopefully we'll see you at Emerald City in October!

    Linda - I agree, wholeheartedly!!

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