Thick as Thieves

Thick as Thieves

What do you expect when you unite with killers, thieves and other heavy-handed criminals? White lace and promises? A kiss for luck and you are on your way?

No way, Hosea! You are in it to win it. Or die trying. Don't expect to sacrifice your morals. You have no morals left to sacrifice.

You hoped for chills and thrills. It's bound to be a struggle of wills.

Will you make it? Will you survive? Will you be accepted? Will you rise to the top or be rejected? Again and again. Will you finally give up, become independent and have to go it all alone?

You accepted the invitation. You are here now. Face to face with ruthlessness. Listen and learn is your only choice. Seek out the experts in their field. Play their games. Don't let them see your fear. Remember why you are here. You are one of them now. You earned the reputation. You are a sister in crime.

So what if you are a rookie? Dig in and get to work. Do the ground work. Chalk the outline. Plot the field. Create the characters. Arc the action. Grind it to a resolution. Fake it 'til you make it.

Query overload. Editors. Agents. Publishers. Designers. Marketers. Man in the moon.

Smooge or you lose.

Show your medal!

Stand your ground! You can't be pushed around. Go another round.

You got something to say? Say it loud! Say it proud!

Beggars can't be choosers. Oh, no! Not another cliché.

If not ideal, don't take the deal. Look for a steal.

For a start, aim for the heart. Put all your senses into heart of the matter.

See it, smell it, taste it, hear it, feel it. Make it come alive and awesome.

These gathered readers want wonder and excitement. Grant them what they crave.

Don't simply tell them, show them.

Make them believe they'll be thick as thieves. They asked for it. Give it to them.

Take no prisoners. Leave no witnesses.

You're the weaver. Make them believers.

Crime. Create the perfect one. Leave no leaf unturned.

Action. Carries the plot. Defines the characters. Drives desire to move forward.

Adventure. They'll need a travel brochure.

Suspense. Give them a page turner. Leave 'em hanging.

Drama. Could mean trauma. They'll want their mama.

Speculation. What else could it have been? Drop some clues.

Mystery. No one ever knows for sure. Does she or doesn't she? Hide some hints.

Romance. Some like it sweet. Some like it hot.

Horror. Don the scream mask. Ready? Pour it on.

Thrills. You know the drill. Like a roller coaster.

Desi. A bit different. Seeing is believing.

Science fiction. Take them out of this world. Could that really happen?

It's all fantasy! Liven it up. Keep 'em guessing.

Make them sigh. Make them cry. Make them laugh. Make them think. Make them remember. Make them want more...

Who done it? How did they do it? Why did they do it?

Will they be caught? Will they pay the price?

Leave clues. Make twists and turns. Lead them astray. Make their day.

Having gumshoe issues?

Need a spark? Hit it out of the park. Keep your eye on the prize.

Someday your ship will come in. Your star will shine. Until then you walk the line.

Follow the rules. Or don't. Be yourself. Be original. Take risks. Follow your bliss.

Blaze your own trail. Build character. Batten down the hatches and be prepared for blow back.

Pick yourself up again and re-enter the fray. Rome wasn't built in a day or so they say.

Did I mention to have fun along the way? Well, have fun along the way.

Write some creative non-fiction. Tell your story. Memoirs can be memorable.

Short stories can flex your creative muscles. Practice makes perfect.

Enter some contests. Get critique. Give critique.

Read, read and read some more. Take notes. Gain tips.

Study techniques. Look at new angles. Step into another genre.

Re-edit your own manuscript. Just justify. Had had it. Is that necessary? Where are the holes? Where are the speed bumps? Soggy bogs? Be honest. Trim excess. Add flare.

Been there. Done most of that. Now I am a published author. All be it one short story in an anthology and one self published memoir. But it is a start. I remind myself I have a medal to prove I can do it. I joined an exclusive club to kill it. I wrote. I won. Where to go from here?

More editing to finish. More queries to make. More determination. More time devoted to accomplish goals.

More thanking this eclectic on-line club I became a member of also. You helped me grow. You made me laugh. You made me cry. You made me say 'Ah'. You shocked me. You scared me. You made me think. Opened my eyes to new worlds, other cultures.

Sometimes you made me angry. You challenged me. You encouraged me. You gave me confidence. You've even praised me. You acknowledged me. You welcomed me and made me feel a part of something worthwhile. You stole my heart like good little thieves.

You helped me on my long journey. I'll put that in my journal. My destination still awaits. But then it will be multiple endings and new beginnings.

And so I reminisce on the part of my journey when I was able to rub elbows with the best. I chose to let them be my inspiration. Decided to build my confidence inside this conference. Even knowing there was something shady about the characters.

Remembered someone here likes me. They really, really like me! Four hundred readers judged me and found me worthy. They nominated me to be one of them. So I joined their club. Became one of them. A killer, a thief. A partner in crime, mystery, suspense, adventure and all those other forms of magical mayhem writing.

The logo explains it all: Butcher knife dripping blood stabbed into a guitar. The name tells it like it is: Killer Nashville Writer's Conference.