Writers Are Awesome

You know what the coolest part of writing conferences is? Hanging out with Julie Wright ^-^ But, after that, the coolest part is... well, hanging out with everybody else! (Sorry everybody else, you come in second to Julie Wright. It was inevitable. She's cooler than you.)

There's just something magical about being in a room full of writers. Realizing that every person in that room with you has entire worlds and other people inside their head. Hearing snippets of conversations like: "What's your genre?" "I need a problem." "He needs to die, but I'm not sure how to do it." It's just glorious!

As you've probably gathered, but I realize I haven't actually said, I got to go to another Writers' Conference this weekend!! Yes, that is my fourth this year. I have super amazing parents who support my writing habit. This weekend's is hosted by the Utah Valley chapter of the League of Utah Writers (I really need to join the Heber chapter... that should be a thing.) Today's classes were wonderful, with presentations by Jennifer Nielsen, Annette Lyon, Heather Moore, Julie Bellon and Julie Wright. I just love these people. I was spazzing about how epic hanging out with writers was last weekend (at The Teen Writer's Conference), and Ronda Hinrichsen said: "We're your people." Which made me feel special -- and is so true! I just feel happy around writers; people who understand what I do and consider it of value. People who think looking up different punching techniques is cool and that talking to yourself is normal.

And I get to go again tomorrow! Which means I should really be asleep... But sleep is for turtles. Tomorrow's speakers are J. Scott Savage, Platte Clark, Josi Kilpack, Sarah Anderson and Lisa Mangum. I am really excited! These are some of my favorite people -- and Julie's going to be there again tomorrow ^-^ Maybe I'll sit next to her so we can crack jokes and try to distract Josi while she teaches. Mwuahahahaha!

I use a lot of emoticons in my blog posts... I wonder if I could get away with that in novel writing. That would be EPIC! I'm'a do it. I'll let Kizzy be a first-person narrator and she and I can write a ridiculous novel riddled with emoticons. Yes. *nods* Oh, and physical asides like that, too. *sigh* I really need to stop roleplaying, it messes with my writing style. Yeah, like that could happen. I meant to be asleep an hour ago, but Kimberly and I got working on our story... and Alistine is just so angsty and in love (even though she shouldn't be -- her boyfriend is horrible... I totally love him.)

Ok, I have been up since early and it is now late (my times are so specific.) I get weirder and less coherent the later it gets... which is impressive, as I was pretty darn incoherent this morning. I should really stop now. I'll try posting again tomorrow -- maybe I'll actually bring my laptop and blog from the conference! Another great thing about this particular conference is that they have lots of breaks. Oh! and really good food! Today's lunch was catered by Zupas! And they had my favorite strawberry cashew salad! (not as good with the cranberries, but still delicious.) It was glorious. I look forward to another epic day tomorrow!

Goodnight my lovelies! ♥

♥/Kat!e

Writing Conference and an Ulcer

It's 6:30 a.m. and I'm awake! Must be something important and exciting -- like Christmas or a doctor's appointment. Or, better by far, The Teen Writers Conference!!

This is one of my favorite writing conferences! It's small, intimate, and completely geared at teens! I have been going since its inception five years ago. This will my last year I can go, since I won't be a teen anymore after this. But, if I publish a book this year, I could go back as a presenter.... That is my true dream, and one of my main motivators for trying so hard to get published this year. That's probably a silly motivator but, you know, whatever keeps you working, right? Besides, silliness is one of my best qualities 

It's a real blessing that I'm even going to make it to the Conference this year, and I don't just mean that I feel well enough to go this morning. I actually completely forgot that the Conference was today. It has been so hectic since we started moving... a year ago. We have been looking at the same house for an entire year. We're still not in it; I am currently invading my cousins' house. Somehow, not having a house of our own has thrown my parents and I completely out of whack. This is not the first time we've gotten dates wrong. However, last night I was checking my e-mail and saw that Annette Lyon had e-mailed to let us know that credit cards would be accepted at the bookstore tomorrow. I am so grateful for that e-mail!

You know what else I'm grateful for? Ulcers. Well, not really. Just one particular ulcer. Turns out, I have one. Which could be why I am sick all the time. It is an esophageal ulcer, and, hopefully, the cause of all my symptoms. If so, it could potentially be cured within the month. It's possible that I will be a normal (well....) person in only a few weeks!!

Also, in a few weeks, I should hear back about my manuscript.... Guys, I am going to have a nervous breakdown by then!! It's killing me! I swear to Shakespeare, I am going to explode long before I get my response. I've officially convinced myself that they're not going to accept it. I was rereading it the other day, and even my first three chapters still need a lot of work... I don't even want to think about the rest of the manuscript..... Times like these, I question my choice to become a writer. Then I remember that it wasn't actually a choice. Being a writer is just something you're stuck with, for better or for worse.

Hopefully the Conference today will inspire me to edit The Witch's Key -- or at least kick me into gear to work on Codswallop's story. It's been a few days since I've done any real writing. Though, to be fair, it's been kind of an emotional time. I have been sick for six years. I'm not sure I really believe yet that my ulcer is the cause of that, and that I could actually be well in a few weeks. I'm not sure I even know what being well means. I can't imagine what that would feel like.

Alright, enough sappiness. I need to go make sure my lunch is ready and that I know where I'm going. Eating breakfast might also be a good idea. Oooh! do you want to see a picture of my stomach?? And by "picture of my stomach" I mean the inside of my stomach!! I'm'a post it -- if you don't want to see some grossness, don't scroll down.

Live long and prosper, my lovelies!

Gross picture of ulcer below!

Keep scrolling at your own risk!

Just know, it's kind of icky.











But also kind of awesome.

♥/Kat!e