More good writing news

The last week has been GREAT! First, the Florida Writers Association Mini-Conference last Saturday was wonderful. I was inspired and educated, and the bonus was seeing so many friends in the writing world.

Kate McKean was a joy to hear, and my interview with her went well. She requested my first fifty pages of The Daydream. As soon as I re-read the manuscript for the nth time, I’m going to get a package in the mail to her. She also expressed interest in my book-in-progress—The View from the Back …of the Pack. She invited me to send her a complete book proposal as soon as I’ve gotten a little more done. Woo-hoo.

My Sunday was spent in an all-day planning for the 2006 FWA Conference, to be held November 10-12 at the Coronado Springs Resort at Disney. I’ve been on the committee for the last three conferences, and I can say with no reservations that this was the most productive, energetic, and affable meeting I’ve attended. The Chairwoman was organized and ran the meeting efficiently. AND we all still like each other!

Wise Owl Tutoring is growing so fast I’m considering renting an extra space. Wow! I’m indebted to my associate tutors for doing a great job and to my angels for directing my marketing efforts. It’s working.

I’m getting excited about the Ocean City, Maryland Marathon. I did an easy 10 miles last Friday. I needed to get my long run in early, since I knew my weekend would be full. This coming Sunday is 23-mile day. I’ll report next week.

Remember WiseOwlTutoring.net for tutoring.

Daydreamer

Daydreamer

Wow, has it really been that long since I've posted here? Here's my reason. The tutoring business has been growing beyond my expectations. My own schedule remains at 95% filled, my second math teacher's schedule is about 80% filled, and my language arts and science tutors are gaining students. It's exciting and just a little overwhelming at the same time. The REALLY good news comes with the smiles of students who are improving grades and gaining confidence. I love this!

My writing life is also exciting. I met a man recently who is in the process of publishing a book on autism. He casually mentioned that he would speak to his agent about my memoir. I didn't think much about it until I received a phone call last from this man, saying his agents are willing to take a look at the first thirty pages of my manuscript. That went in the mail yesterday.

Meanwhile, I received a phone call from an old, dear friend who gently chastised me for not having sent him my manuscript. I quickly sent him the manuscript as an email attachment, thinking he wasn't really serious about reading it. But two days later, he called again and said he had begun to read it. He said he could see the events in his mind and suggested that the story might be better produced for the small screen. Just so happens he knows a screenwriter who has had three scripts produced by the Hallmark channel. Would I mind if he passed my manuscript along to her?

Would I mind??? No, don't pass it along. I wouldn't want anyone else to see it, especially someone who has extensive connections in the TV industry, someone who might actually want to produce it. Yes, yes, please pass it along. Yeah! Once again, my angels seem to be working for me.

Otherwise, my little critique group, The Winter Park Writer's Club, is going very well. We have a nice blend of styles, ages, and gender. And I'm planning to attend the Florida Writers Association Mini-Conference this Saturday, February 25. I'll speak with an agent, Kate McKean, who is an alumnus of my alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi. This should give us an immediate connection.

And as for my running life, I successfully completed twenty miles on Sunday, so I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll do okay at the Ocean City Marathon in Maryland on April 8. This will be my 29th marathon and my 18th state. And I'm still working on my second memoir about my running life, including how I got started, what I've learned in training, and a few outstanding marathon experiences.

Daydreamer

Daydreamer