Eleventh Song from the Play List

Paramore...All I Wanted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E8V62xH4z8


For more information on Paramore, visit their website http://www.paramore.net/

Tenth Song from the Play List

Evanescence...My Immortal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGKRXhmFQlw


Visit their website at http://www.evanescence.com/

Ninth Song from the Play List

For more information on Boys Like Girls visit their website
http://%20www.boyslikegirls.com/
Boys Like Girls...Two Is Better Than One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILS6ULfhIhI

Back to Business

    Okey-dokey, no more hospital, surgery or all-around misery themed blogs...I promise. I'm so over it. It's time to get back to the business of introducing you all to the book series. There are so many different things to share and I've got to get myself back in gear. That shouldn't be too difficult since all I can do is sit very, very still in my crappy old recliner. I swear I'm going to find the courage to pitch this thing out as soon as I'm better.
    In the upcoming weeks I'll be introducing you first to the characters and then later to the elements. Finally I'll bite the bullet and release some sneak peak stuff that will really be fun. I have some biographical-mock-interview type things to post that will help everyone to get better acquainted with the people in the stories. They were a lot of fun to put together and I hope everyone gets a big kick out of them. I'm so excited to hear what you all think about all of it so feel free to message me if there's something you need more information about or just plain-old like. Feedback is crucial!
Till then,
KD

UtopYA 2015

Wow, this is the first time I’ve had my computer on to really “work” since leaving last Wednesday for UtopYA Conference in Nashville. *creaks rusty finger joints at you*

So, I’m totally in zombie shamble mode, with a full conference hang over and a huge helping of euphoric exhaustion. The Waug has sat on my body several times and given me looks of side-eyed betrayal. But after this morning’s belly rubs I think she has forgiven me for abandoning her to the men folk for a weekend. Maybe. She could still be deliberating.
 

The Conference:

This was my very first UtopYA. I had high hopes for this event since it’s so close to Memphis and I’d

heard lots of great things about the conference, the attendees, and organizers. Honestly, the word of mouth didn’t do the reality nearly the justice it deserves. This conference was one of the most welcoming, friendly, and fun event’s that I’ve attended and I’ve been to the big and the small since 2011.

I met TONS of amazing folks! Readers, Writers, Aspiring Authors, Authors, Kids, Husbands, Friends, Siblings. And the list could go on and on. The connector was they were all nice, friendly people who seemed to be having a great time. What a joy to watch! Even better, what a privilege to participate in all that fun.

I don’t want to leave people out because so many people touched my life this week but there were a few very special moments. Like, an amazing sushi dinner that produced a TON of laughs. Thank you to everyone for including me in the fun. Especially my dinner travel mates, Carlyle, Katie, KC, and Chelsea. Sorry I got you “jacked” by the valet and lost in Nashville, ladies J LOL! Heck, let’s make it a tradition! #AdventuresWithTheKaties

The visit to Germantown Pub with Carla, Carrie, and Candace that thankfully included free food! You three are my sisters from another mister and you ROCK! I have not laughed and talked that much in ages. Thank you so much for those five hours of connection and fun and for hanging out with me Saturday night. Y’all can really cut a rug! I’ll never forget our time at UtopYA2015. The sky is the limit for you, writer sister. I believe that with all my heart and I’m cheering for you. And Carla, best of luck on your new job adventure, I know you will be fabulous!

My “shirt girls” who always had a smile and a laugh for me the entire conference. What a joy to see great friends having so much fun together for the love of authors and great books. I appreciate you gals so much!

Shantella and Jaci who eased a lot of my conference overhead just by not being afraid to share a room with a fellow book lover who happens to be a stranger and for introducing me to my first White Castle. Thanks to you both for answering my frantic texts for randomisms during the exhibitor hours and for the laughs. Shantella, I expect to see you go very far with that story! I’m cheering you on.

For everyone who stopped by the table, signed my shirt, said hello, waved back, laughed with me, sat down and said hello first, and let me join in on a game I sucked at. You guys, seriously. I’m at a loss for the right words other than thank you.

To the Tiny Nugget of Hulk, Stacey Rourke and the Fab Colleen Nye who held up the exhibitor front lines with me. You ladies are a treat to hang with! I wish you nothing but success in the coming year and hope to see you in 2016!  

For Carlyle and Mama, my most awesome table mates. You ladies are a true class act. I could have listened to Mama tell me stories of her travels all day every day. I love you both. I hope to see you again as soon as possible. Safe travels back to your family and know you will be missed every single day by this Mississippi girl.

To Morgan Wylie my Saturday signing day table partner. Solidarity in the triangle, girlfriend! You are a blast to hang with and I hope to see you again soon!

To everyone at UtopYA and now the newly upgraded UTOPIA2016, thank you all so much for all your hard work and dedication to authors and readers. Putting on an event this size is a daunting task, you all did it with grace, a smile for every one of my questions, and have created something wonderful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. These memories will live with me for the rest of my days. And mark those Utopia calendar's for June 2016, I'll be there and I hope to see you all next year!
Until then, KD 

 

 

Bad Pie

Y’all, it’s not secret, I love me some pie. Blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, oh my! In fact, my mom’s peach is to die for. Warm buttery goodness that will make you want to slap somebody down for a bite.

Unfortunately, the pie on the table today is not the good kind with the gooey center and crunchy crust.

Today we’re discussing two flavors, one I can recommend, the other I do not. There’s the one that needs more sugar and less disappointment, know as the “Unfortunate Reality” cobbler and the one we all really want, the “In a Perfect World” lattice crust with a heaping scoop of ice cream.

If you are outside the writing world, I’m sure you have your own recipe for these. Sadly, the same situations crop up like the ones writers face when it comes to support. Don't miss an ingredient here though or your pie is going to suck. There are parts of the Unfortunate Reality flavor that make it taste way better than it looks. AKA, the friends that become family substitutions. They are like swapping to Gluten Free flour without the sandy aftertaste.

Having a writer family doesn’t always equal blood. When it comes to support, it can mean the family you choose to surround yourself with. Those brave souls willing to take on an Unfortunate pie spot can build very strong writer tribes. Pie pan half full, folks. J

See, all writers start with a secret. That tiny dream of holding a finished product of the novel of their heart in their hands. Beginning writers are sooooo scared to reach out for that delicious slice. It’s so fragile! It needs to cool or set up or whatever. One wrong move and the dream might somehow go POOF! Or the dog will snarf it down when we get up to make more coffee.

Or more realistically, that vocalizing the dream might mean someone that writer loves, and wants more than anything to make proud, will instead take a giant crap on said dream. Really scary stuff. 

Non-support in the lives of writers is at epidemic proportions. A silent and deadly rot. Worse, it brings with it the added bonus of embarrassment outside whispers within our most trusted circles of other writers. In many ways, a double edged sword.

In an effort to bring light to this serious issue that writer’s face, I present these charts and ask only one question: .

Which pie do you take a slice from when it comes to the writer in your life?

If for any reason you find yourself with those outside-the-lines, NON-support dribbles of “Unfortunate Reality” clinging to your chin or shirt, give the writer in your life a hug, make it an extra big one, and pledge to become a ray of hope and support in that person’s life instead of a roadblock to their dream. I know, I know. Now you want pie. *passes you the good pie*

Until then,

KD