Notes from League of Utah Writer's Conference

If you missed the League of Utah Conference held this past week, you really missed out!

There I am sitting next to my husband on the far left...
We had yummy food that I didn't have to cook!

Good news is that I took some notes on the classes I attended. Here are are few of my favorite insights:

1. You can fix anything but a blank page (Johnny Worthen).

2. Readers of middle grade books are much more loyal than any other age group (Peggy Eddleman).

3. For a picture book an author must have:

a. a compelling idea
b. know his/her audience
c. have the right cover for the book. If adults as well as children will be interested in reading the book, your illustration must reflect that

You must know the answers to the following questions:

d. is you book for girls? Boys? Both?
e. what age group?
f. is your book about education or fun?
g. is it fiction or non-fiction?

(Fay Klingler)

For Cheree Alsop's class we talked about using the 5 senses in writing. Here is a write-up I did for taste:

"His leathery face took me back to years ago when farm work encouraged sweat, and the taste of salt wetted my dry lips."

Here's the one I did for touch:

"The old spaghetti drew its slimy tentacles around the food container, part of it, sticky and unnaturally green. There was a time I'd leave those disgusting things in there--refrigerated--but still passing the mold around.

But not today. Today was a day of cleaning and renewal, of garbage cans dumped and disposals powered up."

For school presentations: Take photos at your presentation. Tell the kids if they come to your website they'll see pictures of themselves (Lehua Parker).

Writer's Conference has begun!

The League of Utah Writer's Conference 

has begun!

You're not too late if you still want to get into the great classes!

Register here. My husband and I will be teaching a marketing class. We will also have a table set up with our books, including this one:

Watch the trailer...

LEAGUE OF UTAH WRITERS - ROUND-UP

It's almost here!

ROUND-UP
2014!

http://www.luwriters.org/roundup.html

Get registered: 

http://www.luwriters.org/conference-registration-2014.html

September 12 - 13

Davis Conference Center
1651 North 700 West
Layton, UT 84041

My husband and I will be teaching this class!

We would love to meet you!

I Can Hardly Wait...League of Utah Writer's Conference

If you haven't heard the news yet, I'll be at the League of Utah Writer's Conference THIS WEEKEND. It's good news because:

1. I get to meet new writers.
2. I get to see my old writer friends.
3. I get to sell my books, and I LOVE to autograph.

4. I get to learn from other writers (I won't be taking any classes but you'll be amazed what I hear from those who have).

If you've never been to a writer's conference, especially a League of Utah Writer's Conference, now is the time! The conference is the place!

I will also be talking to writers about Idea Creations Press. Learn more here: http://www.ideacreationspress.com.

Here's the information on the conference:

http://www.luwriters.org/roundup.html

I will be selling these books:

 

SEE YOU THERE!!

Top Writing Posts of 2012 and 2013

Today I wanted to hunker down and take a look at the posts that I have been doing the last couple of years. I wanted to know what you've been reading, and try to get some ideas of what you'd like to hear more of.

Blog writing is an interesting thing. I write a post, and I think, "They're going to love this," and then I get fewer hits than I expected. And then a day comes when I'm merely frustrated with life (Check out my post on Headaches and White Stuff) and you'll get my drift.

And so I'd like to share your favorite posts with you. Especially if you missed one or more of them you may just want to take a gander.

1. Vacation Ideas Worth Remembering:

I visited my family. Couldn't get there fast enough.
Photo by: agrrlinterrupted, courtesy of Flickr

 Do you write while on vacation? Take photos that you might be able to use later in your work? Do you consider what may be prepared ahead of time by God or by man, through God, before you even need it? These questions were discussed as I shared my trip to Texas last year.

2. Free Book Marketing:

The post happened recently when I promoted my book, Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2013. I talked about how to get the eBook free as well as gave you a tip on a free book promotion.

3. League of Utah Writer's Conference:

This post focused on the upcoming League of Utah Writer's Conference and the booth I had there. Links were given to the conference. The League of Utah Writer's Conference is held every September.

4. Headaches and White Stuff:

Headaches and White Stuff talked about the constant snow we were receiving here in Utah in January of this year. Yes, I was complaining. Funny that this should make #4. I can't decide if it was the title, or if everyone was as sick of winter as I was.

5. Take a Class:

Yes, taking classes and improving our writing is important, and I'm glad this one made the list. We learn when we take a class because we not only learn from the instructor, but from the students.

So, in a nutshell: You like to vacation, get free stuff, go to writer's conferences, complain a little, and learn some. And if it's in that order, I think things are going just fine!