Great Birthday and Great Conference

Hello! Sheesh, long time no blog, right? Sorry about that, but what with finals, then LDS Storymakers and other things I've just been too darn tired to write this long blog post. But here it goes.

Well, finals went well. I got all A's in my classes! Woot woot! So I am officially done with my first year of college! And I'm still trying to come up with my schedule for next fall, so if any of ya'll have suggestions on classes I could take let me know!

So, the day of my final final was also my birthday and also the day we went down to Provo to check into our hotel. Needless to say it was a busy day. But it was also very fun. We headed off to Provo when my parents got home from work. And guess who the first two people I saw were when we pulled into the hotel parking garage? J. Scott Savage and James Dashner! My two favorite Utah authors! It was a great way to start out the adventure. :)



My parents bought a birthday cake and brought it to the hotel. They sang to me and everything! I love my family!



The next morning I went to the opening ceremonies. There were over 450 people signed up for this years LDS Storymakers Conference.





After going to the first session (How to Avoid Common Mistakes of a Novice Writer By H.B. Moore), I was waiting around for the next session to start. This wonderful gentleman, Robert Johnson Almond, took my picture and told me about his book "Emery's Secret". So I got his picture. Check out his book and find out what Emery's secret is! :)

Then I went to "Sprinting to the Last Page or Savoring the Writing: Pacing Your Story Properly," taught by Candace Salima. It was great and I learned a lot about pacing. Then I went to "Vilainous: Creating Characters We Love to Hate," taught by my very favorite J. Scott Savage! That was awesome too. I had a front row seat and got some great tips on creating villains. And then the last session of the day I went to was "Weaving Chills and Thrills: Techniques for Mystery/Suspense Writers," by Stephanie Black. Now, I'm not technically a mystery or suspense writer, but every novel has elements of that in it, so I figured it would be good to go to.



And then after our keynote speaker (David Farland/Wolverton: He's a big time fantasy writer who has taught a lot of big time fantasy writers, such as Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and Brandon Mull) we went to dinner. This is me and my daddy at dinner.

So the next day I went to "Dialogue is More Than Just Talking," by Rachel Ann Nunes, who has written about a gagillion books.



Then, it was off to Aprilynne Pikes "Faeries & Vampires & Werewolves, Oh My! Writing and Selling Fantasy for the Young Adult Market." She was nice enough to let me get a picture. But, you guys, she seriously reminded me of my friend Ash. It was uncanny. I think the two are long lost sisters.

So, then I went to "World Building: Can There Be Pink Trees?" by Jessica Day George. Her books are amazing, I highly recommend you all check them out. After that it was off to Nephele Tempest's "Writing a Synopsis." Nephele is an actual literary agent, which was very exciting. And then, the last class of the conference I attended was "The Dangerous Workshop for Writers: What Every Writer Should Know," taught by none other than J. Scott Savage and James Dashner! I just had to go to that one, obviously.



And after I got my picture with both of them! They're such great guys and such inspirations. It was a great way to end.

Then it was off to the National Agent/Editor Panel where I met this guy:



His name is Donald B. Anderson. He was really nice. His book "Hanging By the Thread" is coming out in May. Check out the book trailer on www.hangingbythethread.com. :)



And with that, it was back home. I didn't want to leave. But alas, I had to.

The LDS Storymakers Conference was amazing. One of the best times I've had for a long time. I met lots of great people and got lots of great advice on writing. Seriously, I feel just so inspired and rejuvinated after that conference. Writing is what I want to do with my life. That's hard for some people to comprehend and it was nice being surrounded by people who understood what I was going through. I can do this. I will do this.

Anyway, that's my adventures in Provo. Next post: Amazing Princess Tea Party surprise Birthday Spectacular! Have a great weekend everybody! :)

Update Before Finals

How is it already April 14th? How is it that finals are next week? How is it that I'm almost done with my first year of college? And how is that I have still not chosen a major?

Oh boy, so many things happening. So I figured I'd stop in and update you all before my finals and before my mind completely turns to mush.

Last week I gave my two presentations. For my English class I ultimately decided to do the Power Rangers. My friend Ash did Pokemon, so we got together and made sugar cookies to take to class.





Don't those just look so delicious? It took us like two hours to decorate them. But it was kind of therapeutic. Maybe if you're nice to me I will make you Power Ranger cookies sometime. :)

Then I gave my speech which went well. And guess what? Yesterday I gave my last speech of the semester!!!! Yay!!!! Jump up and down with me, it's fun! But, alas, I still have to take the final. Then there is my final for Sociology. I think that's all the finals I have. But I do have big long papers and other things due in my other two classes. *Sigh* I'm very ready for summer.

So, I've been trying to decide on my schedule for next fall. I've officially signed up for two classes. Both are just gen ed requirements, science requirements to be specific. But other than that I'm really not sure what to take. My problem? I don't officially have a major. Since I'm basically done with my gen ed requirements, what classes does that leave me to take without a major?

I'm torn between majoring in English Teaching and English with Creative Writing emphasis. Last night I even made a list of pros and cons for each. The pros list was longer for English Teaching, but then again so was the cons. Even though I love Creative Writing, there's just not much I could do with it that I enjoy. You all know I want to be an author. That's my dream job. It's what I love. But let's be realistic. What are the chances of me being published? Of being a full-time author? They're not very good and despite my wish to be optimistic I have to think about my future. With teaching I'd have a basically guaranteed career. But I don't think I have the chops to be a teacher. I love English. I love reading and writing. But disciplining kids who want nothing to do with reading or writing? I don't think I could do it.

So, I am torn. Gosh, I get so nervous just thinking about having to make this decision so soon. I only graduated high school last year and now I'm supposed to choose the field I want to go in to for the rest of my life? I can't buy alcohol, but I'm supposed to plan my whole future (not that I would buy alcohol, mind you)? Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

But on the up side school is almost over, the LDS Story Makers Conference is almost a week away as well as my birthday! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! This will be the perfect ending to my first year of college. And I'll have so much time to read all the books I've been buying! :D

One book I just finished is called "Lemon Tart" by Josi Kilpack. It's a culinary murder mystery and has about 7 recipes in it. Tonight I made the alfredo and brownies that were in the book. They were so good. Just the kind of comfort food I needed to help me stay happy. :)

Another thing helping me make it through this last stretch of school? My friends. Staci made a spontanious visit this weekend. Here is a picture. :)



She's so great. She lets me rant to her about how I have no idea what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. I love her lots. :)

Then there are my other buddies- Ashley, Ashley, and Megan. Today we went to a park and played on the swings. It was so fun. I'd forgotten how much stress you could release by swinging. It feels like you're flying. I highly recommend you try it sometime.

Well, that's about all I've got. My brain is nearing mush state. I'm trying to not think about the papers I still have to write and should probably start tonight. Instead I think I'll watch NCIS or read. Maybe tomorrow my brain will have solidified. *Sigh* Goodnight blogosphere. :)