Monday, May 20, 2013

Pics & Advice from LDStorymakers

I'm still recovering from the awesomeness that was LDStorymakers a few days ago. Does one need to recover from awesomeness? Why yes they do. Storymakers is a three-day (if you do the bootcamp on Thursday) writers' conference that is packed from morning till evening with workshops, classes, a keynote speaker, and designated times for mingling (meals, signings, etc.). It's a concentrated splurge of education and networking with other writers. There were about 450 in attendance this year, including top-notch agents and editors from around the country. This conference was important in catapulting my writing career to the next level last year, and it continues to be worthwhile to me. Plus, I got to hang out with so many writer friends! Below are some highlights (writing advice and photos) from the conference.

With my CPs--Robin Hall, Ilima Todd and Emily Prusso

Writing advice from agent Hannah Bowman: Look for the relationship between the internal and external conflict in every scene. If there is no relationship, can you create one?

Adams Lit Agency sisters:
Me, Kimberley Griffiths Little and Sara B. Larson

Writing advice from editor Victoria Curran: What does your character risk in loving someone else? The secret to building romantic tension is why two characters shouldn't be together.

Sara B. Larson, Jacqui Scott, Erin Summerill,
me and Renee Collins

 Writing advice from author Traci Abramson: Make sure the middle book in a trilogy is necessary. Some resolution is critical for a satisfying read and for readers to want more.

Lending our freakish support to Jenn Johannson (top R)
for her soon-to-be released novel, INSOMNIA

Writing advice from author Janette Rallison: A character's goal becomes the story problem (Can Harry defeat Voldemort?). If you don't have a defined goal, it's very hard to have a great climactic moment.

With one of my lovely CPs, Emily R. King

Writing advice from author Anne Perry: A person usually spends two weeks reading a book. Do you want to spend your own time with a character who whines and mopes? A main character needs to have redeeming qualities. They need to show compassion to other people. A little bit of humor also helps a lot. We want to root for characters to overcome and to have hope at the end of a story because we want hope in our own lives.

Me with the phenomenal
and inspirational Anne Perry

More thoughts from author Anne Perry: A book is your letter to mankind. What is the most beautiful image to you? Share those things with people. Share your love, your faith, your doubt. Put your heart on the page, what gives you hope, what hurts you. What lies in your heart is precious. What is priceless to you?

Me with my super cute and fun friend, Jessie Humphries

Writing advice from agent Hannah Bowman: The point of a first chapter is to draw you into a premise. It's like a short story. At the end the conflict is worked out, but a complication is introduced to propel the rest of the story.

Love my friend, Kate Coursey.
We've decided this is our year!

Writing advice from editor Victoria Curran: In 99% of submissions she sees, authors motivate their characters, but don't let them act. Her advice is to let them make mistakes, and then fight to redeem themselves. Your reader will enjoy your story more if the motivations and actions are true--even if your character makes mistakes.

After-conference dinner with a ton of writer friends (L to R):
Nichole Giles, Elana Johnson, Jenn Johannson, Renee Collins,
Sara Raasch, Kate Coursey, Ilima Todd, Jenilyn Collins,
Shalee McArthur, Jennifer Jenkins, Jacqui Scott, David West,
and (not-pictured) Sara B. Larson, who had to leave early.


Writing advice from author Janette Rallison: Conflict is not the same as arguing or random bad things happening. The problem needs to be larger than that. Any conflict that can be cleared up with a two-minute frank conversation between two characters is not real conflict.

This is the face of pure joy.
My CP Emily Prusso joked that she
would quit writing if she didn't win
a door prize. Luckily on the last day
of the conference, she did. A sign! ;-)

Last bit of writing advice from author Anne Perry: We are seeking truth. We want to know who we are. We want to understand. This is why we have always told stories. Good writing is communication. Great writing is relatively simple. We are here [in this life] to learn to empathize with as many people as possible. Reading allows us more of this. Make sure your stories carry the power and passion you want them to. Simplify, cut, expound your stories until they do.

24 comments:

  1. It was a great weekend! And I love love Anne Perry. Huge smiles for Emily and her prizes! Haha. Good times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. I keep reading through my notes from Anne and reveling in all of her sage insight. So fantastic!

      Delete
  2. Lovely thoughts! I appreciate your recap of everything. Sigh. Such a wonderful conference!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jeni! I'm still planning on typing up my notes from Anne's masterclass for you.

      Delete
  3. I'm SO MAD I DIDN'T SEE YOU!?!?!!? How is that even possible??? Grrr... Next time you need to wear a neon green shirt so I can spot you from the crowd! LOL. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. I know! I saw a pic of you from the conference on Ilima's blog this morning, and I was like, "Whaaaa? Morgan was there! How did I not know this?!!" Next year let's both wear the neon!

      Delete
  4. All great advice AND great pictures! So glad I spent time with you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am too, Emily! Friday was my Emily day. So many classes together. I loved it!

      Delete
  5. Great recap, Katie! Loved the pictures and all the quotes. I'm wishing I'd gone to that romance class:) Still so thrilled Emily won a door prize!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If only we could somehow go to ALL of the classes, right? This is me bringing out my inner nerd! So glad you got a pic of your quilt with Emily. (Thanks, Ilima!)

      Delete
  6. Emily's picture is the absolute best....so glad she won her prize.

    I love you! Will see you tomorrow hopefully.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll be there, Kate! Get ready for my happy dance. :-)

      Delete
    2. Awww. Thanks Kate. I guess I have to keep writing. *le sigh.

      Delete
  7. I love this post, Katie! So dang jealous! I'll make this priority to travel to Utah, attend the LDStorymakers conference, learn about writing and meet all my writer friends in person one of these days! You all look so adorable that I want to hug you. *hugs* So glad you had fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the hugs, Livia. I hope you can also make it one day!

      Delete
  8. It was such a great conference! And great recap on all the awesome advice you gleaned. Sorry this is short, but mommy-duties call...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, mommy duty... I had a great time hanging with you at the conference!

      Delete
  9. Awesome! Makes me feel like I was there :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish you could have been here, Angela. But I know I couldn't have afforded to if it meant traveling. Fingers crossed that you can make it next year. We missed you!

      Delete
  10. i'm sure the advice and friends being gathered was better than a high school reunion! :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a perfect recap of some of my favorite parts of the conference! It was great to see you there. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You too, Shallee. And thanks so much for your blog post today!

      Delete