The last weekend of March, I attended the Pre-Quills Conference put on by the League of Utah Writers. It’s a one day conference whose sessions are geared toward beginner writers. And I honestly still consider myself a novice writer. I still have a lot to learn. There were four sessions, with three options per session. I attended a session on writing short stories, writing BIPOC characters with respect, Marketing for Beginners, and how to write a first Chapter. I want to share the highlights from each session with you.

Short Stories. 

The presenter for this session was Cassidy Ward. He writes science articles and short stories. He started the session by reading one of his short stories out loud, and then using the parts of that story as an example for what he taught us. (The short story in question is on his website here. Go read it. It’s amazing.)

I chose this class for session 1 because I have written a short story that I’m submitting to a contest, an anthology, and a magazine. Some of the feedback I’ve received in my critique group has really frustrated me, and I needed to better understand what I was doing wrong from an actual published short story author. 

Cassidy’s presentation was so wonderful. What he taught helped me see where I can improve, but I also got some validation in certain areas that I was convinced were okay despite my critique group’s comments. (I do think that a lot of their comments would have worked for critiquing a full-length novel. And to be fair that’s what I generally bring to the group.)

So, after spending way too much time on this introduction, here are the highlights from his class:

• “Get words on the page and get rid of the ones that don’t work.”
• Treat exposition like salt: enough to set the stage → as little as possible, as much as you need
• Give the reader at least one character to root for
• Every character should want something. The stakes don’t have to be huge, but they should feel huge → the reader should feel what the character feels.
• Focus on feelings rather than events → zoom in one thing (i.e. 20 minutes of someone’s life)

BIPOC Characters

This session was taught by J.T. Moore. I didn’t take many notes because I was just enjoying listening to her. Ms. Moore’s presentation was about how representation is important, and should be done respectfully. And like with the short stories session, I had a personal reason to choose this session.

I have Black, Asian, Latino, and Gay characters in my stories (none of which were chosen for the sake of representation – I strongly believe that my characters are “alive” in a way, and they tell me who they are). And my beta readers have never picked up on my attempt at respectfully describing these characters, assuming everyone was white and straight. *sigh* So, I needed help from someone more knowledgeable than me.

This is what I learned from J.T. Moore:

• Give your characters hobbies, personalities, and descriptions other than skin color
• Give your characters unique and complicated back stories to inform who they are
• In speculative fiction, your characters don’t have to reflect the current world
• Still identify their race, just don’t use their race to be their only description and personality

Marketing 

Like most authors, marketing is my weak spot. So, any time there’s an opportunity for me to learn from someone successful to see if what they do works for me, I’m going to take it. 

Candace Thomas has successfully tapped into an engaging website, using influencers, and creating merchandise. I took a lot of notes, but I’m only going to share a few highlights – specifically the ones I’m in the process of applying to my marketing.

• Have your most recent book be the landing page for your website
• Make your newsletters short and sweet
• Know which generation prefers your genre and what social media platforms they use (i.e. Gen Z loves Romantatsy and are mostly on Instagram and TikTok)
• Make content that matches your books that isn’t “Buy my book!”
• Utilize influencers (they do cost $$)
• Create merchandise that brings people to your website (and hopefully buy your book as well)

First Chapters

Lindsay Hiller has won several first chapter contests, and now heads and judges first chapter contests. I picked her session because I’ve never placed in a first chapter contest, let alone won. And most readers who attempted The Wolf Whisperer and the Warrior when it was on Kindle Vella stopped after chapter 1. So, I clearly need some help. 

Lindsay broke it down into 3 main writing tips:

1. Follow the 4 emotion beats: What is the character’s goal (both for the chapter and the whole story)? What are their motivations for those goals? What obstacle(s) will prevent them from meeting that goal (at least the smaller one)? And what are the stakes if they don’t reach their goal (at least the smaller one)?
2. Organize the following aspects: Provide a setting, give the basics for character description, voice, and flaws, and create a hook to convince the reader to keep reading after chapter 1.
3. Put it all together: Begin by introducing the character, describe the setting, and provide a status quo. Go into their goal and motivation. End with the inciting incident that launches the character and reader into the rest of the story. 

I am so grateful I got to attend this conference. (Last year I got sick and had to stay home and watch the virtual sessions, which really wasn’t the same as being there in person.) I’ve already started applying some of the lessons I learned, and I’m hopeful for positive results.