Revitalizing Your Writing

I've been currently working on a new series, giving the Nedaran Prophecy a break to allow the juices to gel on a few problems we need to work out.  I finished the second draft of the first book a month a so ago and sent it out to my beta-readers. When I first got their reviews I had mixed feelings. I was grateful for new ideas, areas for improvement, and questions I had answered. But life got in the way and emotions made it hard for me to face the revisions that I needed to make.


So what do you do when you get like that? When you can't face working on your story, even when the story wants to break out and runaway with you.  Thanks to prodding from awesome critique partners, I did give in and took time to runaway with my story (sort of).  I went to the LDStorymakers conference this weekend. I made sure all of the classes that I took focused on writing instead of selling my story. I took classes on how to improve your sagging middle, the power of outlining, your author voice, and much more, from absolutely incredible presenters. 


Getting to spend time with like-minded crazy author people was just what I needed. Now I have motivation, ideas, and goals again. So if you ever find yourself struggling with your writing, I recommend giving yourself permission to runaway with your story -- straight to a writer's retreat or writer's conference. It might just be the medicine you need.

Upcoming Writer's Conferences & Book Events

This month there is a huge release party for Brandon Mull's new series The Beyonders which comes out on Tuesday, March 15th will be held at Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah. For further information please click on Brandon's site. Brandon always has an incredible release party and it is well worth attending. Usually there are booths for a few other authors from the same publishing firm there as well.

In April, there is a conference to be held in American Fork, Utah. For further details please go to Caleb Warnock's blog. The price is incredible and the information invaluable.

In May, the LDS Storymaker's will be hosting a conference in Salt Lake City. For further details click on their conference site. I went to this two years ago and the classes were amazing and it was absolutely brilliant to be taught by so many incredible authors.

Also in May, is the Provo Children's Book Festival will be held May 7th. The one I went to a few years ago had 30-40 children's book authors and illustrators, plus games and activities for the kids. It is an event well worth attending. There aren't many details as of yet, but keep checking the Provo Library website for details beginning in April.