Friday, June 13, 2008

Howdy From Conference

Just checking in while I have a few minutes of downtime here at the conference. I've already learned some good info. Bob Mayer is a really informative guy and a personable fellow, though I gotta admit I was worried at first. He seemed a bit quiet when I first met him, but that is probably because he'd started the day at 4 AM and had taken a car, ferry, shuttle bus, and place to arrive late afternoon at Rick Husband International Airport here in Amarillo.

It's called an international airport, but I'm pretty sure the term International is only applicable because they serve French fries in the cafe. Ninety-five percent of all incoming and outgoing flights go to or come from Dallas.

Anyway like I said Bob seemed a bit quiet, but anyone who knows me realizes I'm gonna flap my soup coolers regardless, so either Bob is one of those guys that takes a bit to crank up, or he got sick of hearing me spout useless facts about Amarillo and decided, I better talk or this guy will never shut up. Then again there is the off chance he wanted to speak more earlier and couldn't get a word in, but it ain't everyday I get to hang with a former Green Beret whose published 38 books. After only one session I can already tell you he's also a great teacher.

Check out his online store where you can order a copy of his book, The Novel Writers Toolkit.
I've been lax in adding names to me new blog roll so today I'm going to add author Erica Orloff. Erica does a great job of correlating everyday life and experiences to the writing world. She is also a published author of several books in a variety of genres. Click here to find several listed on Amazon. Or you can check out the bibliography on her website here.

In the wrods of Tigger ... Ta Ta for now.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am glad you are learning a lot at the conference. Sometimes those things can be less than you hoped for.

Enjoy!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! And keep on talking, if he didn't like it I bet he'd say so, or being a Green Beret, just put one of those moves on you that paralizes you for a few minutes! ;-)

Lana Gramlich said...

I hope you're having a great time. Catch you on the flip side! :)

Anonymous said...

Never been to a writer's conference, maybe that's why I haven't been published yet;)

Phats said...

Have fun at your conference. I liked the "international, and french fries" line haha

Barbara Martin said...

I have the Toolkit book and it's great for analyzing your work. Bob also provides a critique service for query letters and the first 10 pages of the manuscript. His feedback is to the point, and he provides useful hints how to improve the errors of the writer's ways.

Bob is currently working on another book collaberation with Jenny Crusie called Wild Ride. It should be very interesting when it becomes available to the public.

Nice to hear, Travis, that you're enjoying yourself. Good joke there with the french fries. Needed that today.

Travis Cody said...

Wow. A former Green Beret and a good teacher. No wonder you were excited.

Enjoy the rest of the conference.

Gregory Anderson said...

"I'm at a conference" sounds so professional.

I think I'll sign up for one just so I can create a blog entry and say "I'm at a conference".

Is there a bass fishing conference in Texas this year?

Lisa said...

Hahahahaha!

"anyone who knows me realizes I'm gonna flap my soup coolers regardless"

Soup coolers...that cracks me up!

Miladysa said...

I love the comment about the French Fries :-D

Have fun.

Katrina said...

Sorry I interrupted you yesterday Travis. I should have known you
were busy posting another blog.

Only a "DEVOTED" blogger like Travis sits down on a couch in the middle of the conference and writes a blog. That's why your book is going to be such a big success!! Go get um Travis.

Sherry said...

Your descriptions of yourself are always hilarious!! Glad you are enjoying the conference!

yellowdoggranny said...

my daddy said the panhandle was the the only place in texas where you could stand in mud up to your ass and have dust blow in your face...texas..gotta love it..