GETTING OFF ON THE WRITE FOOT

Most people I meet tell me they have a story they've wanted to write. I'm convinced that nearly everyone has a great story or two weaving its way through their mind, but they simply don't know how to begin, and eventually they talk themselves out of trying.  If you're an avid reader, you probably have imagined your own endings to books, or had an occasion or two when you felt you would have written things differently.

I think the main difference between most writers and non-writers really is simply that writers finally got their ideas down, and non-writers didn't.

Not every writer needs or wants to be published. Some just want to leave their stories behind for their posterity. Some want to pass information along to a limited group. Whatever your goals, don't allow fear, or lack of knowledge to keep you from realizing your dream.

A writer's conference is a great place to pick up some tips, learn the discipline, hone skills, and network with people who've already jumped the hurdles you're facing.

The LDStorymakers group hosts a large, amazing, professional writer's conference every May in Utah. This year they're also hosting a smaller, more intimate conference in Kansas. It's a great opportunity to ask questions, attend workshops on fundamental topics like plotting, outlining, character development, writing suspense and action, writing historical fiction, and a host of other topics. Published authors will lead the classes so you can also pick their brains on other topics as well. (I'll be teaching two classes and I'd love to see you there.) They keynote speaker for the conference is Lisa Mangum, who is both an editor at Deseret Books, and the best-selling author of "The Spiral Staircase" and "The Hourglass Door."

Registration just opened. I'm posting the details and links below. If you have any questions just email me at lclewis2007@gmail.com.

I hope to see you there.

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Midwest Writers Conference
Registration is now open!

Date: Saturday, September 15th, 2012
Time: 8 am – 9 pm
Location: Holiday Inn – Olathe (101 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS) 913-829-4000 *Discounted hotel rooms are available for $78/night. Please reference the Storymakers Writers Conference when you call to make a reservation.
Registration Fee: $95, includes all classes, lunch, dinner, and conference materials.


We’re excited to announce our Keynote Speaker:
Lisa Mangum
 (Editor for Deseret Book & Shadow Mountain and Best-Selling Author of The Hourglass Door series)


We’re also delighted to have the following authors as presenters:

Traci Hunter Abramson


Don Carey


  Karen Hoover

Heather Justesen


Josi Kilpack


Laurie (L.C.) Lewis


  Steve Westover

 Pitch your latest story to Lisa Mangum. Appointments are available on a first come first served basis. Meet your favorite authors at the Friday night Authorpalooza. Network with other writers across the Midwest.
Sign up for a day full of awesomeness! Register here: https://storymakersconference.myshopify.com/