LTUE, baby

It's almost here. And I get to go this year. I Can't Wait!

The LTUE is one of my favorite writer conferences. Quick catch up for those who don't know...

Life, The Universe & Everything
The Marion K. "Doc" Smith Symposium on Science Fiction and Fantasy

February 9-12, 2012
Cost: $30 Students Free with Current ID

Utah Valley University

And here are some of the stars you'll get to meet...

James A. Owen

(“Starchild” and “Here There Be Dragons”)

Special Guests:

Writing Excuses Podcast Team:

Brandon Sanderson

Mary Robinette Kowal

Dan Wells

Howard Tayler

Chris Schoebinger

Acquisitions Editor for Shadow Mountain.

Featured Guests:

Larry Correia

James Dashner

David Farland (Saturday only)

Tracy & Laura Hickman (Saturday only)

L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (Saturday only)

Brandon Mull (Saturday only)

Are you starting to see why I love this conference? It's simply a blast. I guess that's really why it's one of my favorites. This is the conference where writers become friends. Authors have conversations. There's hardly any pressure (no pitches to national editors or agents) and it's just a bunch of great information from people who know the business.

I know I'm not the only one who knows this, but I'll let you in on the secret to this conference.... yes be good and go to classes- but also SKIP some classes too. I know. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it's the key. Plan on what classes will make you happy, and then plan on some blocks of time outside of the rooms. This is how you get to have conversations. Or think. Or write. But at the end of the conference, if you do this, you'll end up with new friends.

Friends that will be in the writing industry for a good long time, and if that's where you plan on being, it's good to have some friends there.

Go if you can. It's the cheapest conference, and there is so much to learn. The panels are awesome, and there are plenty of editors there to keep things real. Tons of authors too.

So excited.

"It's a mind game."

Here we are, in the middle of January. I thought for sure I'd have something amazing to say by now. Hmm. I guess not.

So here's a little twist to mix things up. I'm a dancer and a writer- what if those worlds collided?

From this month's issue of Dancespirit, I give you YOUR TOP 10 COMPETITION FEARS, Everything you worry about on Comp day- and how to deal. And geniusly changed to fit the world of a writer...

Fear #1- the nemesis move-

In dance, this is that one trick that makes your dance pop, but what if you miss it?
In writing, this is that one streak of pure perfectness in your story line that makes every reader in your target audience want your book.

The fix: "Now is the time to trust your training." If you don't hit it this time, you will next time. Keep breathing and practice, practice practice.

Fear # 2 -costume malfunction-

I think it's safe to skip this one in the writing world.

The fix: You know, just in case you're a dancer...uhm, dress rehearsal, body glue, sticky tape, and just leave your hat on the floor should it fall off. I'm guessing you really didn't want to hear all of that.

Fear #3- Forgetting to pack something

In dance, we're talking dance bag. There is nothing worse than arriving without an essential item.

In writing, this is each scene. Does it have enough in it to make it shocked with emotion and movement? Or do you have a dead chapter?

The fix: In dance, "make a list and check it a million times". In writing, read your chapters objectively and ask yourself why anyone else would want to read it.

Fear #4- Blanking Onstage (AKA Deer in the Headlights)

In dance- nuf said.

In writing, blanking on the story. The "I've got nothing" scenario.

The fix: "Any performance-related opportunity builds confidence and decreases the chances that you're going to freeze onstage." Actually, I believe this 100%. In writing, if you're really stuck, ask people leading questions. For example, last night I asked someone what could go wrong if you're riding a horse. The list I was handed was full of possibilities that I hadn't considered. Let the story simmer if you have to, but also get back to your computer and keep trying.

We're going to skip the next few...#5 losing a team member at the last minute, #6 dealing with unpredictable props, #7 Unpredictable stages, #8 the quick change and #9 Letting the team down

Having said that, I can personally tell you that these are all valid fears that my dancers face at shows and competitions on a regular basis. Sometimes it makes you feel better when you realize that you're not the only one. But I like this quote, "Don't be mean to the girl who messes up, because the next time it might be you."

That said, we come to...

Fear #10 Getting psyched out by your competition

The fix: Do it for yourself, not for them. "But if you do choose to check out the others, make the experience a positive one, not a scary one. Try to get inspired."

Bits and Pieces

The last month has been a whole bunch of madness with a sprinkle of this and that. And now that we are officially in twenty twelve, I'm trying to find that sense of normal I used to know.

But here are the pieces I do have.

*Did you know that if you pass the right things when taking your TCRG exam, it qualifies you for your TMRF? But, should you accept your TMRF, you would have to RE-TAKE all five exams to qualify for the TCRG. Uhhg. If you have no clue what I just said, consider yourself lucky and move on.

*A "D" is a passing grade at my son's high school. Hmmm. Not that I'm happy with a "D". I'm still going to be a mean mom and work endlessly for at least a "C". Yes, I called the school just to make sure it was really true. Who knew? Okay, don't answer that. I was one of those kids who never got a C from 7th grade on.

*I'm in the mood to edit. Weird. Really weird. Because I'm supposed to be in the mood to write (which I'm still doing). But I'd rather be editing. Is this some rare disease?

*Thank goodness it's twenty twelve. I'm so ready for a brand new year.

*I've been getting a lot of e-mails asking for the third book. Is that kind of pressure a good enough reason? I'll probably fold and write it after I get done with the book I'm writing right now.

*Working with free weights has improved my posture. I know this sounds really random, but I'm here to tell you that seven months of working with free weights has not caused me to lose weight, look like a model or give me to-die-for parts of my body. But it has improved my posture, and the awareness of my posture, especially when I'm dancing. Just thought I'd throw that out there for you.

*"See that mountain over there? One of these days, I'm gonna climb that mountain." From an old country song I clogged to when I was a kid. It's true though. The figurative mountains- one of these days I'm going to get to the top of them.

*"Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities." Thomas S. Monson This is my motto for the new year. It's hard to top those words.

Here's to New

I thought about doing a reflective post about 2011, but honestly, all I really have to say is stuff that happened in my life. Not only is it not-so-inspirational, it just wouldn't apply to most people. All that reflective stuff is something that will end up where only I can read it and weep.

Instead of focusing on the past, I decided to look to the future. The unwritten pages of the new year. Now that is exciting.

And every single person in the world has the same thing to look forward to.

A couple years ago I bought a bracelet for myself, one that I wear virtually everyday. I bought it for two reasons.

First, it doesn't stop giving encouragement.

And second, I believe that if you think positive things everyday, it helps.

Here are the words I think of everyday.

"Love Life, Be Brave" "Smile" "Laugh" "Sing" "Play!" "Dream" "Dare to be different"

"Wish" "Dream Big" "Be the Change you Wish to See" "Shine" "Love" "Choose the Moment"

So what are my new year's resolutions? Other than a couple things on my list, they are the same ones I've had for two years. It's all the little quotes on my bracelet reminding me what my life should be like.

It doesn't stop a bad day in its tracks, but even through hard times, it helps me to know that I've really given these things my best shot. I've tried to live up to those words. I've dreamed so big that I was sure I could never even begin to climb the mountain. Even when I've failed, at least I know I tried. And more, I know so much more about that mountain that I'm still going to climb it.

"Be the change you wish to see" This one is harder. Try it.

"Choose the moment"

There are so many. My bracelet seems to have better advice than anything I could come up with.

But when I slip that silver on my wrist, I feel like I'm re-committing. It's like I'm reminded of my new year resolutions every day.

"Love life. Be brave." Loving life may well be a learned behavior. A daily choice. To love life in spite of itself. That's where being brave comes in. Being brave enough to look hardship in the eyes and head straight through it with a smile.

So here's to your new year's resolutions. May you have some, however simple they may seem. More courage. More commitment. More determination. More integrity in doing those things you set out to do.

Words can be cheap, or they can be so valuable they change your life forever. It's what you make of them.

Transcendent- a new paranormal book

Are you looking for bite size pieces of YA yumminess? Try this one. Its' like an assortment of chocolates waiting to be tasted. Each story is it's own tale with flavors so different you'll be wanting to take a bite out of everyone.

For more information on this book and the wonderful writers behind it, go to this blog. They're doing a blog tour with some cool things, so go check it out.

Whether you like a ghost story, a fantasy or a little romance, this book really does have it all.

Silver Bells and Silver Linings

Okay, I'll admit it. It's been a tough month. It isn't going out with some miraculous bang, either, more like an explosive one. It won't be hard to say goodbye to 2011.

But in the midst of trials, I've found out a few things.

First, even when you're having a pretty bad day, you can still handle another blow. You may not like it, but you can handle it.

Second, just because nothing makes sense, doesn't mean that everything is without a reason. It just sometimes takes us a while to see the bigger picture.

Third, good things pop up at the most unexpected moments in the least expected ways. Cherish them. Sometimes noticing the good things helps you deal with the hard things.

Fourth, yes, there is such a thing as a silver lining. I know I don't see it most of the time, but it's there. In fact, when I do finally notice it, it's so amazing that it makes me wonder how I could have been so blind not to have seen it sooner.

So although there are not likely any amazing miracles on the horizon for me, I'm happy. As happy as I decide to be. That's the one thing I can control.

And it's such a good time of the year to decide that.

Celebrating Failure

Once again, I'm dropped into the deep pool of failure and I'm learning to swim all over again.

The failure... unsuccessful on my TCRG exams... meaning I have not a clue what I passed and what I didn't, or whether I can take just one or two parts over or if I would have to retake the whole thing.

The swimming...

Did I learn anything? Definitely

Am I a better person for having gone through this year? Probably

Will someone please come put me out of my misery? Not likely

Okay, it's more like treading to keep from drowning. I know I'll formulate some kind of plan and figure out how to live with me and all my inadequacies. I mean, it's not like this is the first time I have failed, even this year.

In fact, I'm so experienced in failure that I should be able to teach a class on it.

But the thing that I can't ignore is the fact that I can only fail when I try something hard. If it were easy, I would always succeed.

So why do I keep putting myself in precarious situations that leave the door wide open to another failure?

Because I want more. I'm never going to be satisfied sitting in my own mediocrity (definition... moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary). Wait, isn't that what all my failures are trying to prove? That I am the definition of mediocre?

Maybe. I guess I'm rebellious.

So world, I give you proof that I'm trying to be better, even if I'm still not there. Failure is proof that I tried.

For how to handle success, please find someone who knows more about it. I don't happen to be an expert in that field. We don't have a happy dance at our house. Or a this-is-what-we-do-when-things-go-insanely-right tradition. It seems like we spend most of our time figuring out how to get over the next hurdle.