Mick Jagger Sang It Best!

When I went to Pikes Peak Writers Conference I had the highest hopes of attaining inspiration to write. I had, to be quite honest, the feeling of that cold dark notion of ‘writer’s block’ over me. I wasn’t producing anything and I just knew the conference would help me come out of this rut but I came home not really feeling all that excited to write. I’m not saying I wasn’t excited. Oh I was indeed in seventh heaven for so many reasons. However I wasn’t really feeling that ‘carpal tunnel syndrome’ feeling if you get my drift. LOL

I had met some fantastic people. OMG. I met my most favorite writer, Chuck Wendig of Terribleminds. I tried my absolute best not to walk that ‘stalker’ line. I got to get my books autographed. He even predicted my ‘demise’ Hehe! I got to sit at his table during one of the banquets. He even stopped and talked to me in the hall on various occasions. I felt honored! You must understand! This man is someone I’ve been following, learning the writing craft from, and studying. I consider him a mentor. I am not just a fan but a student. So to get to meet him meant the world to me. And to be treated like an equal was…well, as I said, an honor, and I am humbled. Listening to his keynote speech was inspiring in itself. Not to go out and write, but to persevere. Thanks to him, I came home understanding it wasn’t writer’s block. Thank you Chuck. 🙂

I got to meet Hank Phillippi Ryan. That remarkable woman’s very presence just made my mouth drop! The experience made me nearly faint! Watching her during the read and critique was fascinating. Watching her in action, listening to her speak….let’s just say…when I grow up, I want to be just like her! Wowza!!! She is so poised, professional, and just super stardom. I mean, there are just no words to express what is was like being around her. At one point, I was walking and I had asked the person beside me where the book signing was being held *with her book in my hand* and I unknowingly asked HER and she smiled and stated that it was the highest praise for that to happen in such a way, unknowingly for the two of us to run into each other like that.

I also had the honor of sitting down a number of times and speaking with Jim C. Hines. This man is so creative. I tell you what, if I was a brain surgeon, that is one head I would LOVE to crack open and take a look at because there is some wicked cool stuff happening inside it. He is a fantastic man, and this is coming from just having sat down for a just a little while with. I’m sure if I had more time….well, you might just hear on the news that of a case of body snatching (blame it on aliens because there is some intelligent life going on inside that man). He is certainly a couple generations ahead of the times.

Gail Carriger is a beautiful soul. She had me in tears through her keynote speech. And I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit down with her the next day and have a gut level conversation with her. Life resonates within her, showing her passion and sincerity. It is no wonder creativity resonates through her veins and she continues to write best sellers. I pray that she continues to have success and she finds answers she seeks, and that beauty comes to her through characters, through love, and through life forever.

There were so many names, so many people that I can’t list them all. YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I consider them all friends now.  I went into this conference hoping for the inspiration to go home to write. To want to write rigorously. That wasn’t so. Instead, I took home with me the experience of a lifetime. Education and knowledge from professionals. My eyes were opened in ways I’d not expected to happen. I see my writing the way agents and editors look at it. I also have a lot of new friendships.

And I reached a new milestone in my life. I pitched one of my novels. I pitched my fantasy novel series to Del Ray Spectra and they requested to see more! What a huge success that was!!! My first ever pitch and they want to see more. WOW! I am a realist but also an optimist. I may not make it all the way through the publishing process. They may look at the book and opt to not take it. However, to even be considered it a HUGE success, an honor that I take and in such an early stage in my writing career, I can say I am just truly, truly grateful to even be considered. I am humbled and in awe. Many many thanks for just reaching this point in my life.

I walked into that pitch workshop, completely overwhelmed and walked out totally numbed and truly disheartened and certain of failure. But I took what information I was given, studied, practiced, and worked like crazy. And two days later gave my pitch. And had success! 🙂

Cheers!

Michala