Part 3: Danyelle Ferguson, Lynn Parsons, and Tristi Pinkston
As the last hours of our first day at the LDStorymakers Conference came to a close, we were able to speak with authors Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons about their new book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Tristi Pinkston also took a few minutes to share some of her thoughts about the LDStorymakers Conference. This time we remembered we had a camera!
One month ago today I was enjoying my first day ever at LDStorymakers Conference in Provo, UT. The sights and sounds have faded a bit in memory, but I was taken back to relive the excitement and energy of the conference listening to the podcasts that will be posted today and tomorrow. Part 1 of the LDStorymaker podcasts is available here.
The two days I spent at the Conference were a much needed step “out of the norm” for me, and it’s no surprise that within a few days of stepping back into my life, LIFE took over, derailing my plans to get the large amount of material we collected during those two days posted within a week. But that’s okay. After a month, it’s nice to revisit the whole conference experience again. Take a few moments on this one month anniversary of the 2010 Storymakers Conference and relive it with me. It’s almost like being there all over again.
Part 2
In Part 2 of our LDStorymakers Conference 2010 podcast, we meet up with Josi Kilpack and Heather (H.B.) Moore. They are two of the sweetest women and are always willing to take a few minutes to speak with LDSWBR. Both Heather and Josi taught classes at the LDStorymakers Conference. Josi dishes out some goods about her next book, Key Lime Pie, due to be released in August 2010. Heather shares her experiences with researching and writing her first nonfiction book, Women of the Book of Mormon: Insights and Inspirations.
One of the best parts about the LDStorymakers Conference is meeting up with old friends. Another is making new friends who will be old friends next year. Part 1 of our LDStorymakers Podcast series is a collection of interviews with L.T. Elliot, Karen Hoover, Donald J. Carey, Rebecca Talley, and Heather Justesen. I was so caught up in talking with these wonderful people that I completely forgot I had my camera with me, so the only picture I have of any of them is LDSWBR with Heather. Lesson learned for next year!
Hillary and I arrived at the Provo Marriott on Friday morning, relieved to find a parking space on the top level of the parking garage. The rain was steady and that particular level was exposed to the elements, but even sloshing through several deep puddles in sandals couldn’t dampen my excitement. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)
As soon as we entered the front lobby, we could feel the energy surging through the hotel. Hillary and I made our way to registration through a crowd of faces; some were familiar and greeted with an ecstatic “Hi!”; others were unfamiliar, though they wouldn’t remain that way for long.
Welcome and Introduction
I was amazed at how packed the ballroom was as I made my way to the table where Hillary was waiting for me. We flipped through the binders discovered in the handy green bags provided for us, marking the classes we wanted to take and reading syllabuses.
While we waited for the conference to begin, Hillary and I traded cards with the other ladies on our table. We all introduced ourselves and I realized that sitting next to Hillary was Paulette Inman from Pendragon’s Book Binding. I had seen Paulette’s work when Karen Hoover brought a book Paulette had made for her to the podcast recording in April. I made my first book purchase of the day- an adorable fairy-tale themed book I intend to use as my youngest daughter’s journal once her baby journal is full.
Once the conference began, first-timers at the conference were asked to raise their hands. I was blown away by how many people were there for the very first time. So many newbies, just like me and Hillary, ready to learn and be inspired. I knew I was going to have a great time at the conference, but the video they played during the introduction confirmed that these people were my kind of people.
The Classes
A few more comments and then we were off, a mass of students intent on getting a seat in the classes we most want to attend. For Hillary, Sheila and I, that first class was Heather (H.B.) Moore‘s How to Avoid the Common Mistakes of a Novice Writer. This was the ideal class with which to begin, setting the stage for everything else I was to learn that day.
I sat next to Sarah M. Eden in Janette Rallison‘s class on self-editing (major cool moment for me). I learned that I over-use the word “as.” I think I better double check this entry before I post it.
I already knew that authors can be the best manipulators when it comes to their readers. I learned in Jeff Savage‘s class, Villainous: Creating Characters We Love to Hate, that writing an excellent bad guy is one area in which an author’s skill at manipulating their readers’ feelings can really shine.
I finished up my first day of classes with Krista Marino and The First Five Pages. This class was beneficial to me both as a potential author and as a book reviewer. I hadn’t fully realized just how important those first five pages of a book are, not just in getting a publisher’s attention, but the reader’s attention as well. Of course there’s the hook that snags the reader, but what amazed me in the examples Krista shared was how much information, and how many unanswered questions, can be packed into those first five pages.
Keynote
After classes had finished for the day, everyone gathered in the ballroom once again to listen to Dave Wolverton‘s keynote address. The amount of knowledge and experience Dave has is impressive, but even more than that is his willingness to share those things with everyone around him. His speech was encouraging and motivating.
Hanging Out
After a delicious dinner, Hillary and I headed over to the south hall to chat with old friends and make some new ones. We recorded our first set of interviews that will be available in upcoming posts. The first day of my first LDStorymakers Conference was done, and it was awesome.
You have so many goodies coming your way. I wanted to give you a peek at the fun that was LDStorymakers Conference & 2009 Whitney Awards. Keep watching this blog and the podcast website for photos and podcasts of the conference and Whitney Awards.
We had a great time at the Whitneys, especially announcing the winner of the 2009 Whitney Award for Mystery-Suspense. I’ll never forget the look on Stephanie Black‘s face when she realized Methods of Madness had won. Congratulations, Stephanie!
(L to R: Howard Tayler, Dan Wells, Sheila, Julie Wright, Hillary, Shanda)
Recently, Sheila, Hillary and I were able to sit down with Karen Hoover, author of The Sapphire Flute, and Candace Salima, president of Valor Publishing for Episode 43. We had spoken briefly with Karen at the Valor Publishing Book Launch in March, and it was nice to be able to speak with Karen about her book in greater detail. Candace is teaching at the LDStorymakers Conference taking place April 23-24 at the Provo Marriott Hotel.
If you’re still debating about attending the LDStorymakers Conference, listen to Episode 43 and learn how much the Conference helped both Karen and Candace in their success as authors.
Today, April 15, is THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER for the LDStorymakers Conference. There are no walk-ins this year, so don’t delay- register today!
Enter your email address above to have LDSWBR reviews sent directly to your inbox.
If you have questions, suggestions, or a book you would like LDSWBR to review, please send an email to:
ldswbr(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you!
Shanda's currently reading:
Sheila's currently reading:
Mindy's currently reading:
Hillary's currently reading:
Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect? Please read below.
We love seeing all of our friends through Google Friend Connect. Unfortunately, Blogger has announced that after March 2012, Google Friend Connect will no longer be available to external blogs like this one. We do not want to lose you as a friend so if you follow LDSWBR through Google Friend Connect, please enter your email address above to receive LDSWBR reviews in your inbox, or click on the orange RSS book in the "Follow LDSWBR" section above to sign up with Google Reader or another RSS feed reader. Thank you!
Click titles below to read our most recent reviews
