I Attended the LDStorymakers Conference, YES!!!

JoAnn Arnold

First, I want to take my hat off to the the organizers of the LDStorymakers 7th Annual Writers Conference. It was impressive - enlightening - educational - fun - etc., etc., etc.

I got to see writers from FF and Facebook. We hugged and talked briefly as we passed each other on our way to the next session.

I enjoyed every session I attended, and felt sad over not being able to attend several others. I hate to have to choose between five classes when each one has something important to teach me.

I somehow missed Tristi's session on "Blog Tours: Inexpensive and Effective Internet Marketing, and that was one I wanted to attend. I wonder if I could e-mail her and ask if she has what she taught, written down and if so, would she e-mail me a copy? I think I'll give it a try.

And I missed Josi Kilpacks class: 3-2-1 Blast Off!: Getting the Most from Your Booksignings and Launch parties. I think I'll check with her, too.

I learned about the Character Bible - Part I and Part II. (J. Scott Savage). Excellent class.

I learned about Weaving Chills and Thrills (Stephanie Black). Excellent class.

I learned about Writing for the Masses (Dave Wolverton). Excellent class.

I attended The Dangerous Workshop for Writers: What Every Writer Should Know. (J. Scott Savage and james Dashner) Learned from this Excellent class as well.

I learned from Point/Counterpoint: 10 Habits of Successful Writers. (Julie Coulter Bellon and Robison Wells). Excellent class.

I learned from Sprinting to the Last page or Savoring the Writing: Pacing Your Story Properly. (Candace Salima and her assistant) Excellent class.

See what I mean! What a schedule! What fun! I only wish there was some way I could have split myself in half so part of me could have gone in one direction while the other went another, learning twice as much. I'm thinking of forcing my husband to attend with me next year. This year he relaxed and went to the BYU/Utah Baseball game, I'm sure he didn't have as much fun as I did.

Well I have to go practice my piano,now. I haven't really played for 10 years because the sounds of the piano affected the Meniere's disease, living inside my ears. But, somehow my Bishop found out that with the help of Acupunture, the Meniere's is now held at bay, and I had started playing, again (though it was like starting all over again), and he called me into his office, releasing me from one calling and calling me to be Relief Society Pianist. I have to say that my mouth dropped open in shock. How did he know I had been working my way back to being able to play the simple stuff? Inspiration? I don't know, but I do know this, I now practice an hour every day, and I'm actually happy in this calling.

Have a great day