Storymakers Conference

 I love the Storymakers Writing conference. I first attended 4 years ago and it's been an amazing experience going there and learning from professionals in the writing industry. I've always enjoyed writing, but it's been a passion that I've kind of kept to myself. Since I stopped teaching school full-time a few years ago, I've tried to make more time to write and have actually written 2 completed books. Going to the conference is a way for me to recharge my creative juices, being among others who have a passion for learning and writing like I do, and to connect and network with other writers. I've met some amazing new friends from attending this conference.

This year started off by me leaving my water bottle in my very first class. I sat down for lunch and realized I didn't have it. I ran up to the lost and found and thankfully it was there (I'm really partial to this waterbottle...it took me forever to find a good one I liked!). I loved how the person who turned it in was someone I talked to for 5 minutes before the class started and she remembered my name! Like I said: new friends!

 I got this necklace from another new writing friend. Reading and writing are the two things I love to do the very most!

My 17 year old nephew flew down from Alaska to attend the conference with me. It was so fun to have him here and to see his love for writing grow!

 Book agents and editors from around the country come to Storymakers and meet with aspiring authors to talk about what they're writing. The dream is to meet with an agent/editor and have them request your full manuscript. That 's just one (very big) step closer to hopefully getting a book contract and your book published. Because meeting with an agent is so desirable, if you want a meeting with one, you put your name in a lottery and the conference committee draws so many out. My name was chosen this year! I was really excited for the opportunity but also so, so nervous! During my 15 minute meeting with the agent, she would look at my query letter which describes what my story is about, and the first page of my manuscript. She'd ask me questions about my story and then either suggest some things for improvement or request to see more.

Right before my meeting I was panicked that as soon as I walked in to meet her that I'd forget what my story was even about. I was scared she would ask me questions and I'd draw a blank and look like an idiot. I went inside the room and the agent was so nice! We chatted for a minute, she read the 2 papers I brought to show her, and she requested my full manuscript!! I cannot even describe how happy I am about how well the meeting went! I had to act all composed and professional during our meeting, but as soon as I left I ran outside to call Blake and text some good friends who've read my story and helped me polish it. I don't know if anything will happen from here, but it was a huge confidence boost to have any agent like my story idea and my writing enough to request to see more! Even if this agent passes on it, I'm determined to keep going until I find one.

Saturday Ethan and I were back for round 2 of Storymakers!

Author Shannon Hale was the keynote speaker Friday night. She also taught a class on characters and signed books on Saturday. I was going to ask for a selfie with her, but I forgot, so I snuck one of her signing books instead.

Catina Haverlock and Angie Larson are another set of authors I met there. They co-author a series and I loved meeting them!

I'm always sad when the conference is over, but excited to get home and apply everything I've learned. I always get so much inspiration and new ideas for my stories that will hopefully make me a better writer.