RMFW’s Colorado Gold conference is in a few weeks, and, of course, I’m going.
In fact, this year I am an “Honored Guiding Member” which means I’ve been in RMFW for a **mumbledy mumble** years. Okay, we’ll just leave it at decades.
And, yes, RMFW has given me some awesome awards (I’ve been Writer of the Year twice and received the Jasmine service award). And, yes, I’ve been a member of a few . . . several . . . many committees and boards.
But that’s not what’s important to me. What’s important is that Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers taught me how to write.
That is the simple truth. My critique group taught me how to write.
And my critique group continues to help me with my writing. They are my closest friends.
So that’s the basis of my relationship with RMFW. It gave me friends and it taught me to write, and when a volunteer organization does that, a person feels like they have to give back, so I did and I have.
The basic unit for me of RMFW is my critique group.
After the critique group are the larger classes, the get-togethers. When I joined there were monthly in-person business meetings followed by seminars or presentations. I attended most of those, soaking up technique and different points of view and processes of writing…and information on publishing. Now, I attend the presentations when a topic applies to my work (private detectives), or when I’m asked to help out (earlier this year).
So, basic unit the critique group, next level up is the monthly presentations and gatherings, then come semi-annual Writer of the Year revelation and panels and the winter holiday party. I rarely miss those.
Another level is the Colorado Gold Writing Contest, more often than not, I judge contest entries, though I have had busy years with deadlines that I haven’t been able to be a judge. I swung back into that stream this year and am pleased to see a couple of the entries I judged have made the finals, as well as one by a critique buddy.
Yes, I’m pleased to help beginning writers, and I enjoy reading good work that is completely different than my genre and world view (I write fantasy and fantasy romance).
Finally, there is the one and only Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ annual Colorado Gold conference. I can’t recall the last time I missed one. In fact, I don’t think I have missed one in . . . decades. This year I changed the dates of a family trip because I wouldn’t miss the Colorado Gold – and I gave up my dibs on the family Bronco tickets to the Broncos-Panthers game because it is the Thursday before conference which is the meet-and-greet with our out of town guests (for volunteers).
Yes, I try to present a workshop myself at the conference, mostly on self-motivation or on characters. This year, as an Honored Guiding Member, my topic is on writing series (on Sunday, one of the last sessions). I’m in the midst of two series now, and have written another two.
But most of all at the conference I enjoy meeting with other writers, no matter what genre or level of writing they’re at. If brainstorming is needed, that’s fine. Or character motivation or development. Or finding your own writing process.
There’s nothing like talking to other writers and knowing that their eyes won’t glaze over in two minutes.
So, at whatever level you are in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, WELCOME! I hope you find a home here like I have.
And may all your writing dreams come true.
Robin
I am sooo looking forward to Gold. I postponed a vacation so I could attend, and for all the same reasons you mention I’ve only been a member/attending for the past 3 years, but this year I felt confident enough to propose a workshop (and was accepted!), as well as critique roundtable, pitches, and a reading (THATS so far out of my comfort zone I can’t believe I signed up). This is a fantastic chance to get to do all that, plus meet old and make new friends, and learn TONS of craft and writing business. I think if I had to decide between a 2 week cruise and Gold, RMFW would win and my husband would …. well, let’s just hope it never has to go there. Thank you for your service to RMFW over the years, and I’m glad I already had your workshop marked on my brochure.
You walk the walk, Robin. I count my blessings that you were in the critique group I joined within days of my very first conference. I’ll echo Terri’s thanks for all the volunteering you’ve done over those (mumble, mumble) years! Hugs!
Great summation, Robin. I feel the same way about RMFW and the Colorado Gold. I’ll never forget the first conference I went to. I walked around in a daze, thinking “All of these people write books, too. They understand!” I’ve met some of my best friends through the conference and the first RMFW critique group I went to years ago. It’s a wonderful organization. Not being in Denver, I miss most events, but I hope to never miss the conference again. Cheers!