SCWW Writers Conference

After attending this year's South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference, I walked out refreshed and feeling ready to write. The setting was idyllic -- Myrtle Beach in October, minus the beer drinkers, the teenagers, and the beach slobs of summer. On Saturday I walked the beach near the Hilton Plantation Inn and wished I had a camera, the scenes were so compelling. The setting of a conference can inspire a writer.

My critiques were very helpful this year. The scared young woman who gave me both critiques (Sarah LaPolla) was not the right agent for me, but the advice she gave me was spot-on. Settle on a hook for my memoir. Stick to it. The fact that I'm a freakish writer will only make it more attractive to readers.

Ginny Padgett and her team should be commended for giving us a great time and a relaxing weekend. Even the keynote speaker was good. I haven't read any books by Andrew Gross, but I will be looking for the one about the daughter of the Colombian drug leader.