I’m still here in Scottsdale, AZ at the BtD and AD conference. A little bit about it…Buildin’ the Dream is for authors and Arizona Dreamin’ is geared toward readers, although many authors and readers attended both.
We kicked off Thursday evening hearing Diana Gabaldon speak. I read her book, Outlander, YEARS ago. She’s lovely and funny, and I enjoyed the presentation so much!
Today, we had classes, and they were so helpful. Rose Gordon did a class on marketing, talking about how this is a business and your book is your product. She also did a class on mistakes made by historical authors. This was such a fun class.
Deena Remiel did a class on “crafting the dark moment”. It just so happens the scene I’m currently writing is the dark moment for the shero, and Deena made me realize I could make it even darker. Bwa ha ha.
Virginia Nelson did a class on sprinting. Although my inner editor balks against this, I think I know a way I can do this. We did a 10 minute and a 15 minute sprint in the class, and I got quite a few words in. If I had been on my laptop instead of my iPad, I would have gotten more.
And of course, I sat in on Anya Kelleye’s class on book covers and working with your cover artist. She did a great job.
Tonight kicked off the Arizona Dreamin’ part of the conference. We had a little reception with auctions and entertainment. And pictures could be made with the Men of Our Dreams contestants, as well as last year’s winner. Tomorrow there will be “book clubs” with featured authors and dinner with authors. And some other stuff.
Somehow, Anya and I will have to find time to get together to do the photo shoot with the cover model for my current WIP. He’s really nice, and he looks great. I’m really excited about this cover because it’s the first time I’ll have exclusive pictures for a cover.
RNC last year was my very first writer’s conference. This one is my second. The two are very, very different….
lauralynnelliott.com 
One of these days, I will make it to a writer’s conference. They seem so much fun (but kind of intimidating at the same time). It looks like you’ve been getting a lot of great stuff from it, Lauralynn. Pardon me while I writhed here in all my eeeeenvvvvyyyyy.
I have really had a good time. This conference is so much more laid back than RNC was last year. Different atmosphere.
Sounds like you had a blast. Your pics on FB were great.
I had a LOT of fun. I loved meeting so many people I had talked to on FB. And I met some new authors, but that means my TBR pile is bigger. LOL
There was a lot of good information at that conference. It was one of the best ones I’ve been to, and I was glad for the relaxed atmosphere. I’m still trying to get a handle on everything I learned. But i think the best part was getting to finally put names with faces. 😀
It really was a good conference. Everyone was so friendly, and I learned a lot. I enjoyed meeting people I had talked to online. And there were a few I met at RNC that I was glad to see again.
Yay for Diana Gabaldon! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next Outlander book 🙂
She was so funny, Deniz! I really enjoyed hearing her speak. And she looks so young for her age!