Just for fun!

The Ability to Touch Someone

I just spent about 24 hours in the presence of other writers. This last weekend was the LDStorymakers Conference. Oh my Gosh! Talk about the most energizing, uplifting, happy and exhausting hours I've had this year.

I met new friends, saw old friends and made connections. I learned so much and had so much fun. It was awesome.

I'm not here today to brag about it though. I'm here today to tell you one of the reasons I go to these conferences.

I'm sure some people think that there's no reason to go to more than a few of these. That is the worst idea. Ever. While learning things is important, especially in this ever changing world of publishing. There's something important about writers meetings and conferences that is often overlooked.

Connections.

Every single success I've had in the publishing world has been because of a connection I've made at a meeting, workshop, or conference. Every. Single. One.

Winning contests, (the ability to call myself an award winning author). Requests from publishers, edits and crit partners, successful and not successful (but taught me some valuable lessons) pitch sessions, author pictures by professional photographers. Friends and amazing books that I've learned from. Every single moment that has brought me here. To the point of being published and maybe having an agent has been because of connections.

So next time your tempted to think that you don't need to go to the next conference or meeting you hear about. . . Stop. Think about the connections you could be making and sign up. I promise it's worth it.

My Awesome Weekend

I had an awesome time at LDStorymakers this last weekend.

There's so many awesome thing's that happened that I probably can't list them all, but I will share a few highlights.

The classes were awesome as always. The friends and attendees were equally awesome. I was able to meet so many people that I'd only known on facebook before then.

The food was great and the conference was well organized. My only problem, and this is minor, was I wish I could clone myself and go to every class so I didn't have to miss anything.

I was able to do my very first podcast. It was awesome. I talked about fight scenes and writing action. It was great. I talked about my experiences in Tang Soo Do and how I write my action scenes. I participated in the mass book signing and it was great too. I was actually able to sit back and enjoy Saturday's lunch because I am no longer able to compete in the First Chapter Contest. What a relief.

The two most awesome highlights for me was getting my author pictures taken by the awesome Erin Summerill. I felt like a rockstar. I can't wait to see the pictures! (I also got two pictures taken by Heather Zahn Gardner. They're awesome too.) I love all of my talented friends!

The best part was I managed to eeek into a Pitch session with Alyssa Henkin of Trident Media. I was so nervous, but she is awesome and SO NICE. I was immediately put at ease and we had a great time. She really likes my idea and asked for a full.

I love Storymakers! I am who I am because of them. I've made every contact that has forwarded my author career at this conference. I've become the author I am now because of it.

LDStorymakers. . . you have a devoted fan. For life!