Todd Starnes, Fox News Radio Reporter & Marathon Man
Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference – Day 2. Today was full! Full of fun, toys, chocolate, great connections, and more people asking me why I’m not on faculty. Too funny! Truth is, I only recently found out about this conference. I’ve been attending more business and internet marketing conferences than anything else. This is my first “real” writer’s conference. And I’m loving every minute of it!
The day started off with breakfast… I chose the 4-cheese omelet and some grapes. (Yes, mom, I AM eating my veggies, too!) Then came our keynote, Todd Starnes, from Fox News radio and author of They Popped My Hood and Found Gravy on the Dipstick. Yes, he’s just as funny as the title of his book! And an amazing story, to boot. He spoke to us about his open heart surgery, and growing up with a whole fried chicken in one hand and a Bible in the other… I’m going to sit at his “faculty table” at lunch tomorrow and see what other “nuggets” I can pull from his brain.
Then came a class I’ve been looking forward to since I first saw the schedule – Marketing 101 to 401. Today of course was 101. The #1 best tip I took away was if you have 1 star reviews, it’s a good thing. You want people to either love or hate your book. Mediocre doesn’t sell! Our teacher, Jim Rubart, made a great point. He said, “Love me, hate me, just don’t ignore me.” Wow. Having gotten some of those 5 star then 1 star reviews on my early titles (Ultimate Friend Book for Kids & Teens), I don’t feel so bad anymore. Maybe that explains why they’ve been selling like mad in the UK. 🙂 He’s also a magician, of who’s talents we got to see tonight at the “Faculty Talent Show.”
Then I got to meet the famous Nancy Rue, not to be confused with Nancy Drew, who’s hero is none other than ND, who happens to be my hero… well, yeah, we totally hit it off! I had dinner with her table and we almost missed the Faculty Talent Show we were having such a good time! Best part was, she’s teaching “Writing for Kids 8-16” and we got to play with toys! Those of you who know me and have visited my office, or have seen my “anti-stress kit,” are laughing right now. Yep, I am totally missing my Pinky Ball and Slinky!!
That brings me to our grand finale – the Faculty Talent Show… I laughed so hard it gave me a migraine. Haven’t had that much laughter in a loooong time. It included trumpet playing, “Sisters,” guitar poetry, and an impromptu improv troupe! Yes, the improv troupe being improvised on the spot was hilarious. It was like Who’s Line rated PG… sorta…
I have three more fun-filled packed creative days here and my brain is a bit fried. So until tomorrow… 🙂
Photo courtesy Shutterstock, RossHelen
