Brenda Novak Auction - Tons of Options for Readers and Writers!

Brenda Novak's On-line Auction

Brenda Novak is a romance writer and her auction funds Diabetes research. You can bid on books, gift baskets, e-readers, jewelry, conference admissions, writing workshops, agent and author critiques, query critiques and a few top notch categories of special interest type things.

For writers - those critiques are golden opportunities to receive valuable feedback from published authors and working agents. I keep repeating my mantra FINISH THE BOOK! But I'm definitely checking out some of these partial manuscript critiques.

For readers - tons of genres and authors are represented, some with some pretty low bids starting out. Plus, the money funds research to cure diabetes.

Chicago North RWA Spring Fling Conference

On April 27-28 I attended the Chicago North chapter of Romance Writers of America's Spring Fling conference. Now, if you'd told me a couple years ago I'd end up at a romance writer's conference, I wouldn't have believed it.

This is what I thought all romance novels looked like:

Ok, I know they're not all like this. But what I didn't realize until more recently is that most books I read have what we call "romantic elements." Something else may be primary plot-wise, for example sci-fi with "romantic elements" can still be considered on the fringes of the romance category. RWA is incredibly inclusive!

Since RWA as a whole is widely recognized, and the conference was local, I signed up with hopes of learning more on the craft of writing. RWA Spring Fling did not disappoint! I was so impressed by the level of organization -- I encountered no hiccups whatsoever; it may have been busy behind the scenes, but it appeared seamless to me. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, I met tons of great people, both published and pre-published (don't you love that phrasing?). Also impressive: the quality of industry insiders who gave keynote speeches and taught workshops. I heard things at this conference I haven't heard elsewhere. True, I am newer to writing, but I do lots of research on blogs, agent websites and have read at least a few craft books on writing. After this conference, I feel like labeling myself a beginning writer is no longer true. I have an arsenal of resources including local chapters I can join for extended networking and critiques. Now what awaits me is the tough work of finishing my book.

If you're interested in a more specifics of what I found helpful, including my Top Three Take Away Pieces of Advice, please read on! Here also is a link to the event website.

Blogging A to Z: Z Rock

Well, A to Z Challenge. I hear your "Z" and give you the virtually  unknown now-cancelled cable series Z Rock. It aired in 2008-2009 on IFC, Independent Film Channel, which probably not all cable subscribers even have. I have not seen this show but I was determined to find a real Z show and not just something with a "Z" in it like.. I don't know, Oz.

The show is about two brothers in a hard rock band who pay the bills by playing kid parties by day. A ton of real world rockers guest as themselves: Dave Navarro, Dee Snider, Sebastian Bach.

It sounds pretty funny, and the actors are actually in a band. It's referred to as "semi-scripted" so it's a mix of improv, reality, scripted. I know most movie channels now are trying their hand at original scripted shows, so it's too bad this got lost in the shuffle on an obscure network.

Have any of you watched Z Rock?

That wraps up the A to Z Challenge. I'ts been fun and I've enjoyed finding so many new blogs during the blog tour. If you're a new follower, thank you! I tend to post a lot of book reviews, but since I picked up my TV writing gig at Slackerheroes.com, I also dabble in pop culture and TV musings. I hope you stick around and thanks for reading.