Realm Makers 2016 Recap (A.K.A. The best weekend of my life)

I WENT TO MY FIRST WRITER'S CONFERENCE!

For one weekend, I was surrounded by writers and learned about my craft.  It.  Was.  Incredible.

I pitched my book.

It was terrifying the first time. (I do apologize if you were the one who had to listen to me stumble over my words.  I did practice, I promise.)  The second time, it was easier and I sounded like I actually knew what I was talking about.

I learned a ton about world-building from the fabulous Kathy Tyers!

She is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to building realistic worlds.  She even printed each person 20 pages of notes.  I can't wait to read her book!

I learned about character development from Tosca Lee.

Oh. My.  Goodness.  I learned so much from her.  She took us through exercises and different things to help us learn as much about ourselves as about our characters.

I'm reading Demon now, and it's awesome.

I learned some cover design from the Master, Kirk DouPonce.

He is kind of my book cover designer hero, so I was thrilled to meet him and learn more about graphic design stuff.  And he signed my copy of a book he designed?!

I learned stuff about hand to hand combat.

Ben Wolf looked terrified the entire time.

This workshop was one of my favorites.  My fellow Realmies agree it should have gone on all night long.

I MET OTHER NINJAS.  (AND OUR FABULOUS NINJA LEADER)

Nadine Brandes is one of the sweetest people I know.  I
miss her a ton.

We had a costume dinner!

I cosplayed as Agent Carter.

Photo Credit: Hannah

I have a bunch of new best friends.

Photo Credit: Ashley Townsend (Right to left: Hannah, Zac, Katie, Ashley, Me)

This isn't all of by new friends, but it's some.

And this happened.

Moral of the story: Go to a writer's conference.  It is worth every penny.

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Have you ever been to a writer's conference?  What were your experiences?  Did you come to Realm Makers this year?  What was your favorite part?