Yelm Writers’ Circle — What a Great Group of People!

Once in a while (not often enough!) I meet an “affinity group”–people who feel instantly like they’re a part of my “tribe”. The Yelm Writers’ Circle is one of those.

 

These bright, inquisitive, talented people are young (16), young-at-heart (Baby Boomers), and everything in between. They’re accomplished, striving, interested and interesting people. They’re from different nations and backgrounds.  They’re fiction and non-fiction writers, features writers, reporters…you name it.

 

They’re all wonderful.

 

After meeting and eating lunch at Casa Mia with Sara Steinberg, who assumed leadership of the group this year, and chatting non-stop for two hours as if each of us had found found a long-lost sister, we ascended to the Yelm Library, one establishment over and up a flight of stairs where Lisa Taylor and Edward Smith helped me set up the display I’d brought along to help my “show and tell” presentation: books, banner, poster, brochures, business cards, branded polo shirts, before-and-after copy-editing/enhancement samples, newspaper coverage, squeeze page examples, and a lot of other stuff.

 

The event got underway when Sara asked everyone in attendance to introduce themselves briefly as if they were at an event where  book agents, publishers and others have the connections and the ability to take them to the upper stratosphere in their writing careers. (Hey, no pressure, right?)

 

Taking turns, each individual did just that. And because they’re readers and writers, they know all about “hooks” and making sure that whatever they say packs a memorable punch. Unlike business networking groups where entrepreneurs frequently fail when delivering their “30-second commercials”/elevator speeches/intros, writers know that the first order of business is “rivet listeners in place.” And rivet they did.

 

There are accomplished people in this group.  Award-winning people. Brilliant people. Fun people. Insightful people. Cute people (cute in the best possible sense of that word; I’m not referring to physical: I’m referring to intrinsic nature–people whose mere presence and proclamations delight you.)

 

My first concern, of course, was “Do I have enough helpful new information to provide to this astute group to carry the conversation for two solid hours?” Again, these are curious, voracious readers; they aren’t your typical  let’s-just-get-through-this-quick-and-go-home; the Seahawks are playing tonight audience.

 

These people came to my presentation to walk away with something new that can bring them additional success in their writing careers.  I hate wasting people’s time.  If I ever do, I’m wasting not just two hours of time, I’m wasting two hours times x the number of people in the room. So, last night, I could (potentially) have wasted more than 40 hours of people’s time–that’s an entire work week!

 

I consider it a duty to do right by my audiences. If I ever fail, I will suffer for days…probably weeks…so “failure is just not an option!!!” — if I can help it!!!

 

Based on the feedback and faces that followed my presentation, I did a great job.

 

“What a great night!”

“I was spellbound.

“Great information!”

“Thank you so much!”

 

There were exclamations in their voices, delight in their eyes…

 

I got and gave several hugs.

 

The two who had to leave early for other engagements apologized and seemed stricken that they had to go. One of them was the 16 year old and I missed her like crazy several times after she left because I wanted to tell her something I wish I had told my sixteen year old self: You’re better than you think you are! Don’t sabotage yourself with limiting beliefs! I handed the leave-takers the handouts (everyone eventually got them) and they promised to stay in touch.

 

The evening was 100% heartwarming.

 

Although it was very toasty in the room, no one nodded off. Everyone remained engaged. There was great back-and-forth all the way along. Sara is a great moderator. She kept us on track and interjected when she knew I needed to add a little background on myself, or slow down, so no one would get lost in the shuffle.

 

I covered additional ways to use their well-honed writing skills, focusing mostly on copy, content and features writing.

 

I showed examples of how I branded both of my business personas (copywriter and author) and how I decide when and who to contact to get the best mileage (getting covered by mass media, getting interviews, etc.)

 

I defined copy writing and content writing and explained how they differ.  I encouraged them to get some copy writing books and absorb them because even if they decide not to go that route in seeking additional income, their writing skills will improve immeasurably because they’ll learn how and when to break the rules of writing that they were taught in school.

 

(Teachers teach students how to write pleasantly and properly. They don’t teach them how to write powerfully. Why? Because most teachers aren’t professional, paid writers; they’re technicians.  Like an auto mechanic, they fix what’s under the hood. Only a race car driver can demonstrate how a car can perform when it’s running “all out” to the limit of its awesomeness. Copy writing books take a great technician and makes him or her a high-performance vehicle.)

 

One of the attendees spent  a little time reading a few pages of my stuff (book, brochures, etc.) and paid me a high compliment: “Your stuff is so great to read. It’s friendly and conversational. It’s like you’re sitting across the table from me visiting with me.” I wanted to shout, “BINGO!  That’s my aim, every single time!” It was wonderful to hear.

 

All in all, a great event and a great evening. They want Lisa Taylor to share her expertise and insights with the group in the near future, too.  I let them know Lisa is the creator of my marketing plan, squeeze pages and other elements of my public outreach. She’s going to cover social media (including how Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc. differ and which online platforms and sites work best for writers and authors) and the elements of a great author website–including what to avoid doing to keep from being “locked into” a theme or a platform that won’t serve your purposes if you need to make changes.

 

Lisa videotaped some of last night’s presentation (until the battery died or the disk filled completely). I’ll take a look at it and decide if I want to share some of it publicly as an example of the presentations I give…

 

 

 

---