Recovering from Conference

There are two big conferences this time of year, and I'm still recovering from both.

1. Storymakers: Man, that was an awesome conference. There were so many good sessions it was hard to figure out what to attend. And though it was my first time, I was asked to participate on a panel talking about my work as a senior editor for the Ensign. Turns out I recalled quite a bit from my days at McGraw-Hill, too, that added to the session. But my colleagues on the panel were also fantastic.

I was reading James Dashner's blog on this weekend, and he put it very well. There were just so many wonderful people I met, newly minted friends and associates, it was just amazing. I felt privileged to be participating among so many talented, creative, dedicated and accomplished people. And those who, like me, are working hard at becoming published. I could hardly believe the caliber of my bootcamp friends and the others I met.

I was also excited about having something to offer folks as an editor. On the one hand, I felt something like a peon as an epic fantasy writer hopeful among authors I'm a fan of. On the other, it was strange when people would find out what I do, from my bootcamp table peers, to those I met in passing, to some of the authors, how they reacted.

The truth is, it is a gift from Heavenly Father that I have this job. I guess I'm pretty good at it--but this is an extremely important work--it is part of THE work, if you get my meaning, and to be allowed part of it on such a degree is humbling. And to see how people respect it just makes me want to work all that much harder at making it the best, most fulfilling magazine I can. They expect it, and need it, and are worth it. I suppose by 'they' I mean you, folks. I hope I can serve you well.

I was also just plain inspired. I want to write two more epic books now, an historical fiction piece based on the BoM, a MG book based on stories I tell my kids at night, and still fix my current epic fantasy novel. Woa. Big plans for a tired man!

The best part was that my wife was able to attend the Whitney Awards. That was the highlight of the night, even if I was just an observer of the event. So many great folks everywhere! Wow, we all have a lot to live up to.

2. General Conference: Well, I've been given the amazing task to assist some pretty exceptional people edit an article that is, well, extraordinary. This isn't the kind of thing you brag about, so I'm not going to go into any details. Let's just say I've been living a dream and feel like I'm in la-la land regarding the importance and the beauty of what I've been asked to contribute and participate in. Wow. Should be over in about 4 days, though, and then I can go back to being a normal editor. Meanwhile, the rest of my work just piles up. . .

I'll get to it eventually. And this amazing ride we call life just keeps going on and getting better. But of course, where much is given, much is required. . .

The Hourglass Door

By the way, Lisa Mangum's book, The Hourglass Door, is awesome. Ok, it's not normally the kind of book I would read because it's a YA Fantasy, but the plot is unique and intriguing. I'm about halfway through myself, and very excited for Lisa.

Way to Go!

LDS Storymakers Conference

I'm sitting here with author Ben Crowder at the LDS Storymakers Conference. Ben is an amazing writer and the owner of Mormon Artist, a print and online magazine. We're having a great time listening to the presentations and getting excited about writing.

We had lunch with editor Stacy Whitman, agent Kirk Shaw from Covenant, and a whole gaggle of up and coming writers. Also some pretty successful writers, such as James Dashner, and my good friend Lisa Mangum, whose new book, The Hourglass Door, is coming out in about two weeks (May 9th, I think.)

In my opinion, conferences are really helpful because they get you excited about your work. Even though not all the sessions are helpful, they get you connected with other writers. Anyway, I'm not paying attention to the sessoin, so back later.

Blogging--the next frontier? And writing thoughts.

So it turns out that everybody under the sun seems to have an interesting, successful blog. You know, something that tells what's happening in your life, lots of interesting pics, colors, and a humorous bent to it.

I suspect my once a month (make that twice ever) blogs are not enchanting readers the way they might someday. Ha!

Well, life at work has been extraordinarily crazy. Meeting with some really significant authors and leaders has been inspiring, humbling, and demanding. Let's just say I realize how much there is to learn in the world of journalism, and though exciting, I realize also just how much effort I'm going to have to invest to make these pieces truly remarkable.

As for epic fantasy, I finished the SF&F class at BYU by Brandon Sanderson last week. He gave us some advice that for me finally clinched how to move forward with my next book: given all the world building I've done for the world of Krackenlan, rather than start a completely new world and series, I'm going to start my new series in the same world--as a kind of prequel. I create really awesome backstory for the current setting with a war that I've always been intrigued by. So next book, I'll jump back in time 175 years and see what happens. I've already developed the initial conflict in my head. This has the potential to be a much more character-driven story. In fact, the two main characters will be the driving factor for all the main action leading to an epic war.

Actually, if that goes well, the next series, about 25 years later in time, has vast potential as well.

Got to get book two of the first novel written at some point, however. Somehow these things just don't seem to write and edit themselves. I can't understand why?