JS Lyster

It’s the final day of the Surrey International Writers Conference. It’s been a wonderful experience yet again. I’ve been to a number of these over the years, including the PNWA conference in Seattle just a few months ago. For the aspiring writer a conference like this is a gold mine. You meet agents and editors, you learn how the business works, you learn why your particular story ISN’T working, and you learn how to fix it.

I met an agent who is currently reviewing my novel, “Fragments”. And I spoke to an editor about “The Armageddon Jape.” She liked the premise and the writing on my first page or two enough to request the whole manuscript. (Note: this simply never happens. Almost.)

Sometimes what we take away from this kind of event is validation. Robert Dugoni reviewed my first chapter of “Armageddon” and loved it. When a professional says “You can clearly write,” this carries much more weight than the same words from your mother, your significant other, or your best friend.

Now, of course, the real work begins. I have a novel to finish.