Less Busy? Bwa ha ha!

Thought with PMO now over until May, I might get more time. Ha! I must quit believing everything I tell myself.

Last Thursday, Paty Jager presented a great workshop on character goal, conflict and motivation. A lovely and talented author and it was an awesome, informative workshop. I learned a lot . I learned a lot in the workshop she gave on pitching last spring. Currently, I am reading her recent release, Spirit of the Mountain. I love how she mixes history into the story. I'm a real sucker for history and mythology. This one has both. Quite delicious.

I am co-chairing a workshop on October 16th presented by the well-known Elizabeth Lyon with Paty. This workshop is sponsored by Central Oregon Writers Guild. The workshop is here in Bend, OR. If you're interested, space is limited. Registration can be found on the Guild's blog. Click on Elizabeth's picture on the sidebar and the application will come up for you to print. Link to the Guild's blog below.

The night before is the big annaul Guild event, Literary Harvest. It is the writing contest I participated in last year. This year, I'm more behind the scenes. So, it was not proper to enter. I'll be there October 15th to cheer on this year's crop of winners. Interested in going? See: http://centraloregonwriters.blogspot.com for more info. We're at the Hitchcock auditorium at the college campus in Bend this year. We're moving up. More entries and more prestige. One of the prizes is a scholarship to attend the Nature of Words conference in November. Also here in Bend. Ellen Waterston is one of the co-founders of Nature of Words. I've been going the last few years. The first year I went to a lecture given by Ursula K. LeGuin. Last year I attended a workshop with Jane Kirkpatrick. This year I'm attending a workshop given by Hilary Jordan.

On Wednesday night, I went to a local independent bookstore - Camalli's - for Ellen Waterston's book launch, Where the Crooked River Rises. Since she was instrumental in getting me to Willamette Writers this past August to pitch my first novel, it was a must on my calendar. Whenever I feel a little glum about the rejection-love, I recall how she told me not to take no for an answer and believed I have the talent to make it. Remembering that talk always makes me feel better.

I have more workshops coming up and a sci-fi convention. I will be reading at Second Sundays, too. So a busy autumn it is.

How about you? What have you planned to keep your dreams alive? Any stories of encouragement to share? Remember my favorite motto from the great Jason Nesmith: Never give up! Never surrender!