The Story/Stories Behind The Shoes...

 I wondered when I'd see the first post about the collection of writers gathered this week in a location near the campus of Brigham Young University. Turns out, it didn't take long. On day one, I saw a picture, a simple shot of a bunch of shoes in an entrance way.

It brought back memories. In the past, my shoes would silently reside among the sandals and Vans and boots and New Balances and various other brands and types of footwear. I'd shed my shoes, find a quiet place in a home build by a famous writer, a building that affords an atmosphere to allow myself and other writers a place to create art and bring peace and frustration to my soul. 

Not this time...not this year.

For the second time in as many years, I decided to remain home. Last year, the unknowns were the deciding factor. The last thing I wanted to do was bring home an illness to my family--can't afford to do that. This year, other factors came to light that prevented my attending. I'm not regretting the decision, only that I know what I'm missing. 

Such is life sometimes.

My writer friend who posted the picture (I'm assuming he took it as well...), identified the shoes as belonging to writers. He should know--he writes like a man possessed, possessed with stories to tell. When I see the shoes, I know a few things: 1. That the people who belong to the shoes have given up their lives for a short period to hone their craft and further their stories. 2. The writers will have hours and hours to write followed by good food and the possibility of game play in the evening. 3. The writers will be awarded incredible hospitality as their hosts are some of the best people I know, who open their homes out of the goodness of their hearts.

And if those who own the shoes choose to do so, they will write more, create more, and advance their stories more than they most likely ever could at home. I salute you, those who made the journey to the house on the hill. May your words flow like water and the blocks never come.

The Writing Retreat That Was...

 I survived the week. I didn't write everyday--today, we put in half our sprinkling system, though I could do a little writing tonight. I did not write 50k words, like Husberg (the guy's a machine...), or even 28k like Ritchey (another machine...), or the many many pages produced by the grand marshal Butler himself.

Mine was more modest output.

I was in the 5-6k rang.

When it comes to word count, maybe size doesn't always matter.

I had several first with this writing retreat. I--for the most part--finished a story that I have tried to finish at least two times in the past, at two previous writing retreats. The story contained three storylines told by three main characters. I've never done that before. And I wrote a battle scene involving werepigs (sort of like werewolves, but with pigs...).

I've got to clean it up, tie up some loose ends.

I've had a good couple of months, writing-wise. And I had a good writing retreat week, writing-wise.

Spotted A Super-Shelf Yesterday...It's Holding Up A Lot Of Awesome!

Yesterday afternoon, just after 5pm, I drove down to the city's newest (and only...) bookstore. An author friend, Frank Cole, was having a book signing and since I don't see my author friends very much and since he was in town, I thought I'd stop by and say, "hi." It took a while for a lull to open up in his line (dude's popular among his target audience...), but once there was, I said, "hi." We chatted. I wished him well. 

On my way out, I saw a bookshelf, and to be honest, I was amazed at the strength of that particular bookshelf because it held so much awesomeness! It must be a super-shelf to successfully hold up such super-literature.

The shelf highlighted three local authors, and an author from Colorado. Each I know personally (some better than others...), each have had a positive effect on my writing. The display was set up in anticipation of a book signing. On Saturday, December 14th, at least two of the four authors will be in town to mingle and pitch their wares. I thought all three Utah authors were to be at the signing, and maybe they will, but the store's website only announced two.

Don't let that dissuade you from attending if you're in the area--the two authors, D.J. Butler and Brad Torgersen, are loaded with talent. And, as good of authors that they are, they've proved to be better people. And who knows...Mr. Larry Correia might be there, too. I don't believe Aaron Ritchey will be able to make it, and that's too bad--he's a character.

I've tried to highlight authors I've met and who have helped my on my literary journey. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of people I meet. Maybe I'm just lucky and have not encountered the jerks. Anything's possible, but my batting average of quality writers/people vs. jerk writers/people has been pretty good.

If you're close and you'd like to pick up some fantastic reading material and chat with the writers of said material, stop by the new, shiny (it really is...) Barnes & Noble store in Farmington, Utah a week from Saturday. You can access the store's website with information about this and all their signings by clicking: HERE. It'll definitely be worth your time.