Post UtopYA Motivation
Hello everyone
Happy Tuesday! I’m finally settling back into the grove of things after being away at UtopYa 2014!
There were some great things about this past weekend in Nashville. The best was getting to meet my dear friend and writing sister, JL Durfey, in person. I think my stomach still hurts from laughing so much all weekend. It was such a fun time learning together, giggling, and talking about new things we can do for our careers.
With the lovely JL Durfey, author of the Kali Lockton Trilogy, at our Exhibitor Booth
One big thing that I took away from this conference was a renewed motivation. Sylvia Day was one of the keynote speakers and her speech was so inspirational. The biggest take away that I had from her was the more you write, the better you will become. I always have so many ideas swirling around in my head. I need to refocus and get those ideas out to readers. Especially Sacrificed so I can get you all in on what happens to Ariya and the gang
Set up at our Exhibitor Table with Ariya Adams swag
While playing around Nashville with JL was amazing, the other absolutely incredible thing for me was that I got to meet Amy Bartol. She was one of the people who inspired me to write when I learned about her work in this community. It gave me the motivation at the beginning that maybe, just maybe, I could try to write as well. I got to meet her in person and she was so incredibly sweet. I wanted so badly to be professional, but I fangirled hardcore instead. I can keep my cool around professional athletes, musicians, etc. Put me in front of an author I love though and I’m a crazy person. Anyway, she asked me to do a book swap which resulted in me getting to have a picture with one of my favorite authors holding Protected and Awakened (Books 1 and 2 in the Ariya Adams Trilogy). That alone made the entire weekend
Book Swap Picture with the amazing Amy Bartol!!!
Overall, for a first conference, UtopYA was a good one. I learned what to look for in regards to future conferences for myself, and got some great ideas for new swag and future booth set-ups. I’m glad that I got the opportunity to meet some other great authors, which is always a positive!
Now, the pressure is back on for SacrificedI have so many things coming together in ways I never expected with this one. Things are surprising me, and I can’t wait to get back to writing it. I don’t have an update as far as a release date goes, but I will keep you posted and be working hard to finish it! Stay tuned to the site for teasers and check out the few here
that have already been posted.
That’s it from meHope you all have a great week!
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