Reflecting upon LDStorymakers Writers Conference

At LDStorymakers Writers Conference on May 11, I sat at tables and in classrooms surrounded by amazing writers. We chatted and reminisced and learned. What a delightful group to be with, indeed. I love being in the company of other writers. We rock and ARE definitely the new rock and roll stars.

 Leigh Covington, Morgan Shamy, Cortney Pearson, & me.

I attended many breakout sessions that offered me a wealth of knowledge and opened my eyes to different ways of looking at writing. These topics ranging from character development to self-publishing. The class I took the most from was taught by author and editor Paul Genesse. He provided valuable information about world building.

I've been toying around with a dystopia novel called SPHERICAL. I'm at the point where I don't know how to develop the world anymore without seriously info-dumping--an absolute no no in writing. This course helped writing this book to be less daunting and more manageable.

Anyway, here are some things I learned:

• The world is one of the most important characters. Paul said this is crucial in sci-fi and fantasy; I think this advice can lend itself to other genres, too.
• Only bring up information about the world if it is absolutely necessary to the scene.
• Draw a map of your world--it can help you to visualize it for development purposes.
• What you write should make your readers love the world just as much as Tolkien's readers love(d) Rivendale and the Shire.
• Think of your world as a living being, like one of your characters.
• The setting can be shown through the characters thoughts and feelings.
• Never, ever give rote descriptions that go on and on for pages. Tolkien did this but he could get away with it. It is more difficult for modern writers to get away with it. 
• Make sure there is a connection between your character(s) and your world.

I came away from this breakout session eager to bring life to SPHERICAL and my other works. However, I was inspired to start working on a New Adult piece I've been stewing over. We shall see...

What I like about writing conferences is how revitalized I feel afterwards. I think it is the powerful boost of energy found within the participants and being enveloped around talk of writing that perks me up. It is such a strength to be a part of such an amazing group of people.

I also learned a bit about self-publishing which sounds rather intriguing to me at the moment. The gears in my brain are a-turning, that's for sure. :)

What have been your experiences at writers conferences? Did you attend LDStorymakers this year?

Writing Jewels

Do You Write What You Read/Like?

I'd like to think of myself as a prolific reader. I've ventured into many different genres (MG, YA, Adult, Suspense, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Dysopian, Fantasy, Paranormal, etc...). I enjoy everything from Brandon Mull to Stephenie Meyer to Dan Brown.
But, my favorite genre to feast upon is YA, more specifically anything with a fantastical or paranormal element. I like these books because they place me right smack in the thick of a different world. It's enjoyable to read different twists and takes on supernatural beings. I love to wrap my mind thoroughly into the realms of these stories. And I do. When I finish a book, I typically think about it for days afterward.

With all this said, I write what I read/like, at least in the YA arena. My first book is a YA Paranormal Romance. The one I'm editing is an Urban Fantasy. I've also got a few other ideas up my sleeve--a YA Dystopian, YA Sci-Fi, and another YA Paranormal Romance.

I could definitely never write a Contemporary piece of literature. People wouldn't get past the second page if I did. Writing something non-fiction would make me dig my eyes out with a spoon (no offence to non-fiction writers). I don't think I have it in me to write an Adult work because I adore being in teenagers minds far too much. That sounded weird, I know.

So, do you write what you read/like? Have you ever tried to write something that doesn't fall under your typical reads? How do you decide what genre you write?

Writing. Jewels.