Sunday, February 20, 2011

Random Sauce: LTUE Thoughts - Part II

 

I would've had this up last night, but . . . the body just had to crash, you know? LTUE: fun, but exhausting!

The last day of LTUE 29 was both an excellent and a sad one--excellent in the sense that the panels were awesome, the attendees were fantabulous and the Killer Breakfast was hilarious, but sad when reality dictates that I have to wait another 364 days for the next one! Ah well. There's much work to be done between now and then. One of the many highlights was hanging out and mingling with a ton of authors--published or not--including two of my many favorite bloggers, Shallee and Kate (above). Good to see all of you!

Thoughts that stuck out to me:

James Dashner's keynote address was insightful, inspiring and jam-packed with honest laughs. If it's your goal to be a writer, than do it. Make the time to make it happen and never (x 100) give up.

When writing believable fight scenes, it's good to keep in mind that most fight scenes you see in movies are exaggerated. If two experienced fighters engage, their fight will last about 4 minutes to 4 seconds.

As writers or artists (and people in general), take care of yourself. A poor diet and a lack of exercise might be the root of your writing blocks and depression--even insomnia! A little cardio is better than none.

Writing is an art and a business. It's easy to be a hermit while drafting that novel, but introversion makes that next step toward publication difficult. Meet other writers. Network. Ask questions. Make friends. Blog!

It would take a quarter of an eon to sum up everything that went down at LTUE, and I missed a day, so I'll stop now. For those of you who picked up my card at the freebie table, I hope you enjoyed your visit to The Cosmic Laire. Be sure to click in Mondays for personal thoughts/updates and Thursdays for Aspiring Advice. Anything in between is delicious Random Sauce.

What do you think of the new blog adjustments?

I'm David, and Zupas has tasty, tasty salads!

6 comments:

  1. Woot for LTUE! It was great to see you there. So many awesome things learned.

    I like the blog changes! Still keeps the Cosmic Laire theme going, but puts you front and center.

    And...I'm totally yoinking this picture since I didn't have my camera there. :)

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  2. Consider it yoinked!
    Thanks, Shallee. Good to see you there too, and thank you for the feedback!
    Here's to next year :)

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  3. Ooh, some great points. I think it's so true about how writing is both an art and a business. And I thoroughly support having our writer friends take better care of their bodies, and hence their minds.
    Great post, and glad you had a good time!

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  4. Good point on the fight scenes. I hadn't thought about the difference between having experienced fighters vs. the movie versions. Definitely something to think about.

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  5. Lydia - glad to give you some pointers.

    Bethany - I know, right? I have a wrestling scene that turns into a boxing match, and thankfully, I had the fight end relatively quick, since the kid could wrestle but not box.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the conference. Great stuff!

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