Young Authors' Conference - Things I Should Have Told You No. 1

So, way back in June or something, I went to a conference at MSU (Michigan State Universtity, or the best school ever [except maybe Oxford]). The conference was about writing and being an author. They talked about how to develop your dream to be more likely to achieve it. The thing that I remember most is at the beginning, they asked who wanted to be an author, and every hand went up. Then, the speaker said that only one percent of us would achieve that dream. I remember that all the time. Some people may be depressed by that, but it makes me work harder.

My first workshop was about dialogue with Cinda Williams Chima. It was so informative. We talked about how to incorporate dialogue into your stories and how to use dialogue to drive a story. This was very helpful for me; my writing is based in description and I use very sparse dialogue, but this helps me pack as much of a punch in a few sentences as I can.

Next, my group workshopped our pieces together. We gave each other feedback and worked on individual improvements. This part was so fun! Love workshopping! (If anyone wants me to post the piece I worked on, I can.)

LUNCH!!!!

Then, I went to a workshop about revision, which was helpful because I have a hard time changing my work because I am so attached to.

Next up was a talk on being rejected in the publishing process. This was very interesting. The amount of very famous books that were heavily rejected is astonishing.

Lastly, I went to a workshop about publication. This was very intimidating because of the difficulty in being published. I look forward to the challenge, however.

The Young Authors' Conference was really fun, and I wish I had written about it sooner. Then again, this is the Things I Should Have Told You.

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Chorus of the Day!

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

You left me in the dark

No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight

In the shadow of your heart

Last Chorus of the Day:

Gold Rush by Ed Sheeran

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La! ~SCP

What I'm... No. 8

Books:

Einstein's Dice and Schrodinger's Cat by Paul Halpern

This book was fairly good, and quite intriguing, but it was more biography than physics book. The text swung from overly simplistic to impossibly complex and failed to accurately grab my attention, which is why it took me ages to read. That said, it was quite informative, but more a jumpy history than sage distillation of these two great men's contributions to physics.

The Great Detective by Zach Dundas

I'm reading this right now, and it is fabulous. It is informative, entertaining and possesses a unique and captivating voice.

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

I read the City of Bones and the City of Ashes about a year and a half ago, but could never finish this one. I feel that City of Glass is not as good as the first two. The characters' decisions do not always seem to reflect their personalities, and the plot is too far reaching and fails to drive the book at the pace of the previous two novels.

Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

This book was quite good, though wholly depressing. It raised many complex issues and handled them beautifully.

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

This book is amazingly weird, completely unexpected and wholly Vonnegut. It has the random, jumpy style of his. We switch between viewpoints quickly, but the disconnected style forms a beautifully constructed, well imagined narrative in a rich and imaginative world with complex characters in complex situations. I love the fact that Vonnegut has put himself into the story; he becomes a character as well as a creator, which poses an interesting dynamic as he interacts with the characters he himself has created.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

This book really excites me right now. I was at a writing conference that Cinda Williams Chima was presenting. She is a very engaging person with powerful ideas and methods to writing her stories. I am extremely excited to read this book, and many others by her.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

I picked this up because it looks interesting and intriguing. It is quite hefty, about 700 pages, but I look forward to delving into a well-developed, complex world.

Probably more, but I've forgotten... :(

Blogs:

Sprinkle of Glitter

Louise always brings a smile to my face with short, sweet posts that perfectly chronicle her life. I feel her blog is able to have more dimension than her YouTube channel and more accurately describe her.

Sunny Sweet Pea

Jenny is amusing, honest and dogmatic about preserving and sharing her life. She speaks of likes and dislikes, as well as everyday events that shape her and her family.

This Charming Life

Kaelah is amazing. I don't know how to put her truthful, honest, authentic charm into words. She oozes class, sophistication and humbleness along with calm charm and casual wit.

Anna Saccone

Anna is phenomenal. She writes clearly and concisely about her life. Anna never fails to post honest reviews, displaying each and every product from all angles, taking the good as well as the bad,

Life of Bon

Bonnie is laugh out loud funny. And amazing.

Adventures of an Anglophile

Andini always has beautiful outfits and fabulous posts.

Nishaantishu

Freya is extremely inspirational. She documents her life in a fresh and honest way that really pulls you into her reality. You see the world through her eyes and experience life in a different way.

HelloIAmMiriam

I so loved Mariam's blog, and I desperately want to continue to love. The blog has, however, been making its way into ever more political territory. I wish it would return to books. I am not a political person, by any means. I do respect its importance in society, but I cannot respect politics.

Charlie McDonnell

Charlie's blog is largely a companion to his channel, and I appreciate that, but I feel he has wonderful writing and wish for more posts in the future.

Wil Wheaton

Wil is effusively funny and full of opinion.

Anne Wheaton

Anne is incredibly poised in a world where so few people are. She respects herself and understands her place in the world, while striving to put her values into practice at every turn.

Listening:

Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy has managed to captivate me for reasons I still do not completely understand.

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! is incredible, pushing the boundaries of accepted music and striving to create art, instead of noise.

Ed Sheeran

LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hank Green

I love Hank's music for its nerdiness, and its incredible messages.

Chameleon Circuit

Doctor Who is all you need.

Florence + The Machine

Florence + The Machine captivates me. I am in love with these songs and her voice.

Podcasts:

Dear Hank and John

Dear Hank and John distills all the best qualities of these two brothers into twenty minute episodes. Brilliantly funny, incredibly introspective and perfectly honest.

Watching:

Movies:

Jurassic Park

This was an amazing film. I solidly recommend it.

TV:

Doctor Who

YAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYYAYAYYAYAYYAYAYYAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAYAYYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many people do not like Peter Capaldi, but I feel he is an amazing Doctor and Clara is amazing.

YouTube:

danisnotonfire

You know Dan.

AmazingPhil

And also Phil.
(Who wants to buy their book?)

vlogbrothers

See above for best thoughts.

Crash Course

Always informative, funny and concise.

Geek & Sundry

Wil Wheaton is an amazing human being. When does Titansgrave come back?

Zoella

Always love Zoe.

ThatcherJoe

Joe is funny, imaginative, and slightly off his rocker.

PointlessBlog

I have mixed feelings about Alfie. He is a funny guy and amazing person, but I find him grating and irritating after a while.

Jim Chapman

Jim is like Winnie the Pooh as a person: perfect.

Sprinkle of Glitter

Louise is amazing and I love her.

That's all she wrote.

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Chorus of the Day!

But I do it for the love,

Waiting on the gold rush

Keep it on the edge

Smoking on a roll up

When I see my friends all they say is hold up

And remember the time

When we were in school, listening to grown ups

Didn't learn a thing, but then again you know what

You know how to sing

But you don't know anything other than that

So maybe you should learn to love her like, like the way

And maybe you should learn to love her like, like the way

And maybe you should learn to love her like, like the way

And maybe you should learn to love her like, like the way

You wanna be loved

Last Chorus of the Day:

This is Gospel by Panic! at the Disco

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La! ~SCP