After leaving home at an ungodly hour this morning we made good time up the M1 and arrived bright eyed and bushey tailed (kind of) at The Hayes just before 12….where we were given our badges *snigger*
Yep, I’ll be acting as a Steward all week, helping the newbies 🙂 So far today I’ve had to sort out 2 people being locked out of their rooms and find a lady a TV….no mean feet I might add in a conference centre where there doesn’t appear to be any TV’s lol
Jayne and I were in charge of allocating rooms to people staying in the main house. It was good fun, but hard work as neither of us had ever stayed in that part of the centre!
Lunch was good, as was dinner, so I’d already had 2 desserts by the end of the day *gulp* 😉
After the Chairmans Welcome and dinner, it was on to the main speaker. Children’s author Steve Hartley who me and Jayne had already met when he arrived just after lunch. We couldn’t find his room number so at one stage we thought he would have to sleep in his car 😉 Nooooo, it wouldn’t have come to that 😉
His talk, entitled “Things I know now that I wish I knew then” was all about how it took him 15 years to get published. He gave us a list of rules:
1. Be professional
2. Polish your MS until it shines so much you need sunglasses to read it
3. Find your voice
4. Get lucky…do everything you can to increase your chances
An interesting exercise he suggested was to try to sum up your “voice” in a sentence. WOAH! I don’t even know where to start with that one, but I will try 🙂
His talk finished with fitting 11 of our audience into a huge pair of knickers….don’t ask! 😉
After that we found ourselves in the bar with Peter Jones and Della Galton discussing diets lol. Very appropriate after the food we’d put away today 😉
So then, it was room, fluffy slippers and a cup of tea 🙂 Which is exactly how I shall be starting this day 🙂
Could you describe your “voice” in a sentence?
Awaiting more –
I live through you, you know
Interesting question about voice–I know what I want mine to be, just not sure that it is
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Lol, thanks honey 🙂
I think I have found my voice, I just don’t know how to describe it lol 😉
Xx
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I can’t actually. There are times I’m not positive what my voice is. I should probably figure that out.
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I think it’s a very valuable exercise, but, like you CC, I need to figure it out 🙂
Xx
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Haha 🙂 The last picture is really… quite something 🙂
Describing one’s voice ! I am sure a lot of us would find that difficult 😦
Would be fun if you could post some video of such conferences- I mean I have never been to such meets but am curious as to how things go…. 🙂
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He he he, yes, it was definitely entertaining! ;o)
I wouldn’t know where to start with filming hon! Lol…there’s just sooooo much!
Xx
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Haha 🙂 Some day, in that case, I will have to attend this workshop along with you Ma’m 🙂 Though I don’t know if I am eligible…
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I don’t know if it really describes it well, but I’d say my voice is what pours forth from my heart.
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I get what you mean though hon 🙂
Steve Hartleys voice has been described as silly, enthusiastic and intelligent (by his agent….well, he does write children’s books).
Xx
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My writing voice: energetic, serious with a large dollop of droll, conversational, moving the story along.
Is this the kind of description you’re looking for?
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Ooooooo, very good honey!!!!!!
How did you do tht? I wish I could describe mine *pouts* I guess I’ll have to mull it over a bit more lol
Xx
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Ah come on, I have to ask! Why? and why 11?
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Ha ha ha, he visits a lot of schools and always takes the pants.something to do with Danny Baker (his character) and the record breaking. The most people he’s ever got in the knickers is 10, so he wanted to go for 11 last night lol
Xx
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I have nominated you for an award please pop by http://paulaacton.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/so-its-sunday/ and collect it when you get chance
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Awwwwww, thanks honey!!!!! 🙂
I’ll sort it out when I get home xxx
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wow, sounds like your having great fun 🙂 Jealous that you met Peter Jones.
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Thanks Sam 🙂
Actually, this is the 4th time lol
Xx
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15 years? Eek. I don’t know if that should make me feel better or worse! 🙂 Have a great time.
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Ha ha ha, I know what you mean 😉
Thanks honey x
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