You guys! The past few weeks have been insanely busy with all the non-writing, living-life kind of things. (Hence the length of time between posts...sorry about that!)

But you know what? I've missed my words in the very BEST kind of way. There's something special that happens when you don't write for awhile, when your world is just a little out of rhythm, when you sense this hole beginning to take shape in the middle of your heart, KNOWING there's only one thing that will fill it. And until that time comes, you find yourself daydreaming about that next project, or analyzing the revisions that need to happen to that manuscript you thought was done, you start scribbling notes into notebooks at random times of the day, you FEEL INSPIRED. And desperate to get back to your words.

Sometimes stepping away, whether we want to or not, can be totally invigorating. As is reliving the #WDC15 conference I attended a few weeks (months? gasp!) ago.

Here's my Sunday recap, which I like to call the NYC tourist version.

Sunday, August 2nd:

*The Persistent Writer: Strategies to Succeed in a Changing Publishing Landscape with Jordan Rosenfeld - This session was great in SO many ways. As writers, I feel our emotions tend to go in waves. There are so many ups and downs, so many times you are in love with your manuscript coupled with the times you think it's complete crap. Being persistent with your writing and not giving up, especially while experiencing the "downs" is CRUCIAL.

Favorite Note: It took me three days to realize I could take photos with my phone instead of maniacally scribbling things down into my notebook and missing half. MAGIC! The below screen shot was a favorite note that is currently coming in quite handy. The "Get Distance" thing is definitely happening. Time apart is eye-opening.


*Breaking In: First Time Novelists Share How They Got Their Book Published with Kristen Harnisch, Anjali Mitter Duva, Kim van Alkemade, Theresa Walsh, Rachel Shane, Pia Padukone - I love, love, love hearing other writers/authors tell their publishing stories because the more you listen, the more you realize there isn't a one-size-fits-all story to be had. Everyone's path looks and feels different, but the one thing that does typically remain throughout: Persistence. Not giving up. That's pretty common no matter how your story evolves.


Favorite Note(s): I'm going with two favorite quotes that really resonated with me:
"Be ego-less and eager to change/listen to feedback" - Theresa Walsh.
"It's about the reader experience" - Kristen Harnisch

*Dirty Little Secrets: Learn How the Publishing Industry Really Works in Order to Become a More Successful Author with Phil Sexton - This session had a ton of really great information that at times felt WAY over my head, mostly because of my personal stage in the process. Pretty sure I took more notes on this one than all the others combined and if I had to sum it all up in one thought: Be involved in every stage of the process and always ask questions.


Favorite note: Ask to see the spine during the cover creating process. You may or may not have cover approval, but the color and font located on your spine is what most people will see when walking into a bookstore and quite often how they will find your book when looking for it. This was something I'd honestly never thought of before, but once you hear it, I'm not sure you can ever forget. It's simple yet so very, very important.
All in all, the conference was an absolutely TERRIFIC experience. Great information, great people, and tons of information to be soaked up over time. Definitely plan on attending this one again in the future.
My CP, Erin, and I headed out to tour NYC after the conference wrapped up, and it's safe to say our FitBits have never been happier with us, though our feet *did* have some complaining to do that night. 
Here's a little mini photo-tour of our day: (Grand Central, which always reminds me of Harry Potter!)
(on the Staten Island Ferry!)
(with this cute little guy)
(You know who she is, right?)
(Unisphere)
(Central Park!)
(Rockefeller Center)
(The New York Public Library)

(night view from the top of the Empire State Building)
(Empire State - Great way to finish off our NYC trip!)
Until next time...peace, love, and lots and lots of books!