Category: Friends

#WDC19 Wrap Up

Ron Delaney Jr4 Comments

Another Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in NYC is in the books (*self-eyeroll*) but this one was different because it was my first as an agented writer. For me, that changed the vibe some and I found myself pulled more toward the marketing and book release side of things than ever before. I still attended craft sessions too, and sat some terrific, insightful presentations.

Which was the answer I gave to the question, “If you have an agent, why are you here?” late Friday night.

It’s no secret MANY attendees travel to WDC for the Pitch Slam. I did the same my first year, but what’s kept me going back is that I learn something every con. How could you not when listening to experienced talents like NK Jemisin, Steven James, Min Lin Lee, etc.? Every perspective, every way of approaching something adds to your own bag of tricks and development. None of us know it all.

BUT you’re not reading this for my high-horse soapboxing. You want to know how the sessions went. Happy to oblige.

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#WDC18 – You Know the Drill

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Here we are again, ya’ll, deep in the post con funk that is the week after the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in the greatest city in the world (don’t @ me, people from everywhere else, I didn’t come up with the nickname). This was lucky number five for me and, as always, it was a trip. New tips found, new writing depths explored, and new doubts over which to panic (I kid. *weeps*). Old friends and a metric ton of new ones, all there to get better at this insane make write words thing we does.

Maybe I should keep practicing.

Anyway, that brings us to my follow up post where I wax poetic about all the sessions I adored (like I did for past WDC cons here, here, here, aaaaaaaaand here). Let’s keep it tight this year, I think, yes? Simple day by day format, maybe? Okay, you convinced me.

Continue reading “#WDC18 – You Know the Drill” →

Friday Morning FYI – 2/10/2017

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI (milking this beta reader thing for all it’s worth edition) – my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

Beta reader feedback for my new novel is flowing in. I’m truly grateful to everyone who agreed to take part, and for all their useful, thoughtful comments and time commitment. That leads us to this week’s FYI:

Helping out a friend with a creative endeavor is one of the best ways to let them know you respect what they’re trying to do. That can be something as simple as lugging paint cans to their studio or as time consuming as reading their 100K words novel and sharing your thoughts. Whatever it is, if you do it, know it’s both appreciated and invaluable – often beyond words.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

Friday Morning FYI – 2/3/2017

Ron Delaney Jr2 Comments

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI (posting Saturday because reasons edition) – my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

Everybody knows artists are emotionally fickle people. I’m lucky in that I rarely feel the stab of doubt/fear/”I suck” writers frequently experience (not because I think I’m the second coming of Hemingway or anything, I’m just thick-skinned), but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate hearing something positive about my writing. A good friend who’s reading my new book was very complimentary when I saw her last weekend, and another beta reader messaged me this last night:

“I straight missed my stop reading your book”

Obviously you could interpret that a few ways, but I’m going to take it as him saying he missed his stop because he was into what he was reading. What a cool thing! (not that he missed his stop, but that he felt the need to tell me) Let’s make that this week’s FYI:

Every so often, if you like what someone’s doing, tell them. That might rejuvenate them if they’re losing steam, pick them up if they’re feeling down, or simply act as reinforcement that they’re not wasting their time. In any event, they should appreciate it 🙂

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

Friday Morning FYI – 9/2/2016

Ron Delaney Jr1 Comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI (yes, late again edition) – my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

A lot happened this weekend: several peaks, and a single valley of my own carving. That has me tempted to be grotesquely self-indulgent in this FYI, but I’ll spare everyone and instead go with mildly self-indulgent:

Hey guys, I finished the 1st draft of my new book.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}