Hello world. Hope are you? I’m back in Miami now, and the traffic pattern certainly welcomed me home. Cars everywhere are so jarring after such an amazing writers conference at sea. I’m home now, and my feet are up. I have chicken for tonight, so now I get to relax. Yeah.
Tomorrow I go to the paying job and life returns to normal.
But technically today, I was on a cruise. Best writers conference ever because if you need to leave for a little while to go get ice cream or some sun… go. Then there are other things to do. See you at dinner or at the next workshop. All the amenities are included on a cruise, so that ice cream is paid for already. No need to bring cash or worry.
Hint one on a cruise: The water package was phenomenal. I stared at my computer screen for a day and asked myself…. do I need the soda package? I don’t drink soda regularly. The water package was the same price, and like the good Florida resident I am, I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated in the sun. Perfect plan. My roomie even bought a bottle off me.
Now onto the workshops. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Good advice and help from everyone, and the best thing they do is Floridian Idol. People put their first two pages in anonymously to be read aloud, and the editors and agent give their feedback. Such invaluable information.
Also had a friend mention, if you intend to write romance, you must follow the rules. But I’m such a rule breaker, so I need to be dared to follow the rules. Tell me I can’t do something, then I can break the rules to prove you wrong. This is so how my mind always works. An agent, Elaine Spencer, was talking at her workshop, and an off the cuff comment she made about plotting was that the characters need to be in action and moving. (She wasn’t giving a plotting workshop, but talking about the stories she reads.) Anyhow I tell my friend, ‘ya see, now that she said that I want to write a story where a male and a woman must stand still and model because they are pretending to be Egyptian mummies at a fancy party for rich people… I want to find the exception clause.’ Do other people automatically think these things? I don’t know. I’m strange.
I’ll put up pictures of the awesomeness of the cruise, later. But in 2015 if anyone is looking for a writers conference, Florida Romance Writers put on a good one. Who doesn’t like a cruise?!? The food is plentiful. The parties are fun. And everyone is relaxed because we’re on a cruise, so the stress level of everyone gets deleted. We learn and have fun.
Okay, off to watch television and do nothing while the battery charges on this computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a cruise-based writers conference work?
A cruise-based writers conference like Florida Romance Writers’ (FRW) event combines structured workshops with the flexibility of a cruise ship. Attendees can attend writing sessions, get feedback from editors and agents, and take breaks for personal time whenever needed. All amenities are included, reducing stress. The relaxed atmosphere lowers tension compared to traditional land-based conferences, making it easier to focus and connect.
What is Floridian Idol at a writing conference?
Floridian Idol is a workshop activity at Florida Romance Writers’ conference where attendees anonymously submit their first two pages to be read aloud. Editors and agents then provide live, candid feedback on the writing. Because submissions are anonymous, the critique is unbiased and the feedback is considered highly valuable for writers looking to improve their opening pages.
Is a water package or soda package worth it on a cruise for writers?
For writers attending a cruise conference, the better choice depends on your habits. According to one attendee, the water package was the same price as the soda package and proved more practical, especially in a sunny environment where staying hydrated is important. If you don’t regularly drink soda, the water package offers better value and eliminates the need to carry cash onboard.
