I have my first speaking engagement this weekend in Massachusetts at the NECRWA conference. The workshop is titled, “Page 1, 5, 50 — Keeping Them Hooked” and is based on how I was using my contest and submission process to track the “red line of death”. I learn what was working to keep readers hooked from page to page.

I’m going by the old teaching adage of being overprepared. I have excerpt books printed with my first 10 pages to hand out. I also have an outline. I’m going to be bringing a couple of craft books — got to have props!  I’m even going to wear a watch like I did when I was a newbie since I no longer have my internal clock set to be able to feel out 50 minutes. It’s been a while since I’ve had a watch with cell phones and all.

The thing about teaching is no matter how much I’ve prepared, I’m absolutely jittery until that moment I’m standing in front of class. Then an hour just flies by. Right now, I’m a total nutcase. Just thinking about it sends the butterflies swirling in my stomach. This is odd when I consider that I’ve gotten in front of groups of people to present over a thousand times. It must be the adrenaline, that’s my story.

I should be updating my webpage with an Appearances section soon. My next talk is the week after. Just an author panel though at the PCA conference in St. Louis. So it begins!