Adventures in Adieu

Sad day. Today, PPWC (Pikes Peak Writers' Conference for those who don't know) came to a close, and we all went about our various ways. I think of the sweet woman from North Carolina who told me her story just before pitching. The friend I made from Phoenix. People who had traveled from Vermont. How neat that people came from so far to join us in Colorado!

This morning, I attended a very informative session about writing query letters with agent Pam van (pronounced VAHN) Hylckama (pronounced HEEL-comma) Vlieg (pronounced VLEEG). She was humorous and insightful. I feel like I learned a lot from her. Don't know if I will query her or not, but she seems like a great person to work with! I would be quite lucky to find an agent like her.

After that session, I moderated for Hannah Bowman. She was a blast! She used Star Wars in her examples as she discussed plot structure. She also talked fractals, to which I relate because of my math professor dad. I'd love to sit down for an hour or so with her, just to chat sci-fi. And she turned a creative writing basics course into an intriguing hour long presentation. Great energy!

Instead of attending a last session, I joined a discussion about the future Pikes Peak Writers' Conference. It was good to voice the stuff we liked and the stuff we thought would add to the magic of conference. Some of the top PPW folks joined in and listened to what the attendees had to say. I like how approachable everyone is. I also met a gentleman who later purchased a copy of Asylum! I enjoyed connecting with him, and I hope we'll get to keep in touch.

I had to leave early. I couldn't stay for lunch, as my kids were waiting for me. The line for lunch had started, and I encountered the woman to whom I'd given a pitch appointment yesterday. I had an appointment with a particular agent, but I knew it wasn't going to be a good match. This agent happened to represent the genre this woman wrote, so I connected the two. She was so grateful, and it made my day just to be able to help her. The man behind her joined in our conversation, and it turns out that he's good friends with one of my high school English teachers. Small world!

I loved this experience! I am downhearted tonight, thinking that I won't be able to go back tomorrow and rub elbows with awesome writers and other industry professionals. But I'm also encouraged because I've made some amazing new friendships that I look forward to kindling! Next year will be fabulous, and I hope I get to be a more integral part of the team. How blessed I am to have spent my last three days in such awesomeness. Thank you, PPWC. We shall forever be friends.