Part of it is the classes--learning things about my chosen career, how to do it better. A larger part of it is that I get to talk to people who share my obsessions, people who don't think I'm weird when I want to read what I wrote. They don't stare at me blankly when I start talking about my stories or my characters--they just reciprocate with their own.
LTUE (Life, The Universe and Everything in Provo, Utah) was last week, Thursday Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately it's probably the only conference I'll get to go to this year. I simply cannot afford the rest. For three whole days I was giddy and euphoric, running from room to room with careless abandon. I wish I could have attended more classes, but unfortunately I do not have a Time Turner.
When there wasn't anything I wanted to attend, I sat in the foyer of the hotel and wrote. Didn't get much done, but had some very interesting conversations with other writers. That doesn't happen often. It's difficult to have a meaningful conversation through e-mail or chat. That almost has to be done face to face.
So I talked about my stories and other people talked about theirs. I handed out some flyers for my manuscript evaluation business but forgot to pick up the extras at the end. We talked about publishing and characterization and half a hundred other topics. That euphoria lasted long enough that I had a hard time getting to sleep on Saturday night.
The energy of hundreds of other people usually drains me, but that's a topic for another time.
I have another cover I think is OK--the other I've been working on needs a picture I don't have yet, but I'll post it when I finish.
The cover looks great, Lauren! It was so much fun to actually get to "meet" you in person.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading these posts of people who attended LTUE. Definitely sounds like a good one to attend.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it. I've really liked the others I've been lucky enough to attend, but so far LTUE has been the best one.
DeleteI probably won't make it to a con this year, unless you count the residency week of my MFA program. But I prefer smaller cons to larger ones. The people always seem easier to approach, the classes are smaller with more exercises, you just learn more. I went to a national con once, and I doubt I'll do it again. I know I won't go back to that one unless I'm a keynote speaker ;) LOL.
ReplyDeleteLTUE actually calls itself a Symposium, but I see little difference in what actually happens. LTUE is cheaper, with the same classes, the same focus.
DeleteThey don't provide lunch. :)
I love the cover! Brainstorming with you and Lindzee in the hallway was by far my favorite part of LTUE. Even if we didn't get much done ;)
ReplyDeleteWe got a lot done. Brainstorming is just as much work as writing.
DeleteLauren
So cool you went to LTUE! Perhaps I'll go in August. I am going to Storymakers in May I love conferences... I love the excitement I get from being around other people who just "get" it! :D
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time with crowds, but for some reason writing conferences are different. Like we're running on the same wavelength. :)
DeleteLTUE is awesome. Unfortunately, I think that's the only conference I'm attending this year as well.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, amazing, etc. I wish I could afford more conferences, but at this point...
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