Looking Back at LTUE:

     LTUE was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the panels I was on, and connecting with old friends. 

     I had the privilege of being on four panels this year, too. 

First Reads: Shannon Hale, J. K. Rowling, Gail Carson Levine.

     I love the works of all three ladies. I’ve read almost everything Shannon Hale has written, although I’m missing some of her most recent work. I heard about her shortly after “The Goose Girl” was published, and have been an avid fan.  I love her metaphors! Her worlds and characters are wonderful, as are her stories. 

     I discovered J. K. Rowling after the first movie. I now own all seven books in both US and UK editions, plus the audiobooks. I have Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages. I read the first five books, and listened to the audiobooks for the last two. In December, I went through the series again on Audible. It’s been a few years since I read the books, and I liked them even more now.

     And then there’s Gail Carson Levine. I met her at a convention once and was as impressed by her as a person as I was by her as an author. Her stories are so good. I wish more of them were on audiobook as I can no longer read print. Even so, her Princess Tales stuck with me for years, as did other of her books.

     It’s always fun to talk about writers that influenced you and still give you delight. If you haven’t read these three fine ladies, you should. I would also add Anne McCaffrey and Patricia C. Wrede to the list. Must reads!

Embracing Imperfection.

     It’s something we all need to remember. Every now and then I hear of a writer who will do a rough draft and one pass of the manuscript and think it’s done. Or think the first draft should be amazing. Sadly, they don’t understand that nobody is perfect. Even those writers who seem to get everyone thing done in the first draft will spend hours doing detailed outlines, or plot out everything in their mind. They do the detail work, then start to write.

     I’m a plantser. I like a rough idea of where I’m going, where I want the story to go, then I write and let my inner muse help guide me. Even so, I have to go back several times when it’s done to fix different things. Even my short stories need several edits before they’re ready to be seen.

     One quote I like says “the first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” Then you fix it for the reader. Another great quote is “You can’t fix something if you don’t write it down.” Yep. You need something to start with, then you fix it. I enjoyed talking about this, too.

Epic Fictional Ballads.

     I love music. I always have. I have music for when I’m sad, when I want to sing, and when I want to work. I spent ten years acting in musical theatre. I love Broadway show tunes. I love folk music, and I love using music in my stories.

     I have a presentation on this I’ve given a couple of times. If you love music, if you’re passionate about it, put it in your stories. Have a character who is passionate about it. Even if they’re annoying about what songs they choose to sing at the campfire. It adds so much to your story, and you can use music in so many ways to add to your world. 

     I could go on and on, but that is for another post. I hope. :)

Creative Communities. Or, writing groups.

     There are so many pros and cons about writing groups. It depends on your group, and your willingness to get involved. I was invited to one in college and I felt unworthy. Two of the members were winners of the Writers of the Future contest. Several others were published, and I was a newbie. I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to learn from great writers. Not then, anyway. I regret it.

     I’m part of three groups now, one for speculative fiction, one for horror, and one for poetry. They each feed a need, and by helping to critique others and help them improve, I become a better writer. I can also get fresh eyes to tell me why something doesn’t work. A good group is invaluable.

     If you live in Utah, check out the League of Utah Writers! They have over 30 chapters around the state.

     Not only did I enjoy the panels I was on, I got to meet new people, and some I haven’t seen since college. That was the best part. There are people I only see at LTUE, and I love hearing what they’re up to.

     My Dad passed away two years ago and I became his literary executor. Last year, I realized that I could no longer work with his publisher and got the rights back for his books.

      In January, I officially launched Carlisle Legacy Books, LLC. It’s my own company. I publish my Dad’s four books, and hope to publish a few others as I go. Dad was working on a book when he passed away. We have several chapters, and an idea of where he was going with it. We also have a bunch of interviews and letters we hope to organize, edit, and publish.

    CLB had its first public showing at LTUE an we managed to make a profit.

     All-in-all, LTUE was great, and I look forward to going back next year.