Thursday, July 9, 2009

Two Hats This Weekend

These days, I write both the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries, and paranormal romance for Silhouette Nocturne. This weekend, I’m wearing both hats at separate events.

On Saturday, I’m attending the networking session to be held by the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. The annual RWA conference is next week in Washington, D.C. (yes, I’ll be there, too), and the chapter has a speaker in the morning giving advice on pitching your work. That will help the writers who have meetings scheduled with agents and editors at the conference. In the afternoon, some published writers, including me, will engage in roundtable discussions about our writing, how we sold, or whatever, and even listen to practice pitches.

On Sunday, I’m in trouble. Sorta. I’ve been invited to participate in the Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter, program. The presenters are Toastmasters who will discuss how writers can present themselves better in public speaking engagements. I’m then supposed to introduce myself, perform a brief reading from one of my books--and then get critiqued! That’ll help teach others in the audience what to do right... and wrong. It’ll teach me, too--to volunteer! No, I really anticipate it’ll be fun... I hope. I actually was in Toastmasters many years ago after a terrible moot court presentation in law school, so I kind of know what I’m letting myself in for.

So... what hats are you wearing this week?

8 comments:

Sheila Connolly said...

I'm poised on the brink of starting the next book in the Orchard Mystery series. I've got the first chapter in my head, and the voices are talking to me. It's a good place to be.

And I'm working the virtual Registration Desk for the New England Crime Bake this November (okay, I'll admit it--I volunteered just to get up close to Sue Grafton).

Linda O. Johnston said...

You sound busy, Sheila. Say hi to your voices for me!

Julie said...

Linda, comfort yourself with the thought that your moot court argument was by no means the worst in history. I have the distinction of being the only person I know who nearly fainted and had to excuse herself and sit down without finishing her argument. (I was sick, but still--sooooo embarrassing!!! Word was all over the law school the next morning.) Let's just say I DID NOT LIKE moot court.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Wow, Julie. I think that does beat my stumbling, repetitious presentation! But I didn't like moot court, either.

Betty Hechtman said...

I really wanted to go to that SinC LA meeting. I could sure use the help with public speaking. Whenever I've been on a panel, I seem to avoid the microphone.

I can't go because I'm leaving for Chicago on Saturday. I guess you could say I'm going to have two hats on while there. I'm signing books at the SinC booth at the American Library Association Monday and the next day my son and his girlfriend are joing me and I'll turn into a tourist.

Have fun in Washington!

I am going to be speaking at a library in August and I'm nervous already

Linda O. Johnston said...

I'll take detailed notes, Betty, if I'm not too mortified to write, and will share any tips with you. Be sure to wave in the direction of my son and d-i-l while you're in Chicago, and have fun at ALA and sightseeing.

Janie Emaus said...

Linda,
I'll be busy writing this weekend but thinking of you at your Toastmaster event. You'll be great.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Thanks, Janie--hope you're right!