A Night of YA

When I first saw this mentioned on Bree Despain's Instagram page I thought, YAY!!!!

Then a couple days went by and pregnancy fatigue kicked in like a monster. In fact, yesterday I was positive I wasn't going to make it.

What a sad thought! I had been looking forward to this night. I don't get nights when I don't have to put the kids to bed, where I can do my own thing, and not worry about the stresses of being a mom. I could really use a night like that... but I was miserable. I still am honestly, but this night out helped a lot!

Today about noon, I told myself. I want to go, so I'm going to go. Even if I only stay for ten minutes! I want to go.

Staying for ten minutes would have let me hear these wonderful women introduce themselves... then I would have had to leave. Another really sad thought, because the night was wonderful.

I decided I would even do my hair... which was a greasy frizz ball of a mess.

So what did I do?

I doused my hair in dry shampoo, fixed up the front pieces, and curled the ends! Ta da! Only took about ten minutes! Which is good because then I had to sit down for about an hour to let this very pregnant body rest. No, no, it was only a few minutes. But when you have to take a break after every little thing you do, it feels like every little break--is an hour.

Me with my very first Bree Despain book thinking it's cool I have purple in my hair and match the book... lol

I arrived a little late and then walked around the entire first floor of the Springville, Utah library before realizing this even was probably upstairs... but I asked someone anyway to make sure. Then I felt extremely dumb because the stairs leading to the second floor, and this event, face the front doors of the library... and they had balloons... on each side... and a sign.

Insert facepalm.

I waddled my way up the stairs and sat down in a chair where I could see two of the panelists: Bree Despain and Renee Collins, with the occasional peek at Kasie West. Then I proceeded to listen as Bree introduced herself while at the same time, attempted to ignore how that flight of stairs had me totally winded.

I will be honest, I had never heard of Kasie West before. I recognized the names Renee Collins and Natalie Whipple, but didn't know who they were and haven't read their books. JR Johansson I know, I have heard her name, seen her name, seen her books, I even follow her on Instagram... but I've never read her books because I'm a wimp and don't like scary things. Even if those scary things aren't really that scary... I can't do it. Haha! I want to read her books so badly, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  Bree Despain is really the only author I knew and had read her books, which I love! And I highly recommend!

From Left to Right: Renee Collins and Bree Despain

Now, when I say "know"... obviously I don't know these women personally, though I would love to! I know them through their books, panels, signings, etc.

At about 7:30 (this event started at 7pm) I sent this message to The Hubs

"I love these women! I think I may be staying longer then I thought."

I asked if this was okay because my poor husband was left alone at home putting both our kids to bed (yes they go to bed that early) and I know that can be really rough sometimes. He happily replied, "Yes, have fun!"

Brief note: Our kids wake up between 6:30-7:15 everyday... no matter what time they go to bed. Even if they go to bed at midnight, for some reason they will still wake up that early. So... they go to bed between 7-8 and are usually asleep by about 8:30.

I was laughing with the panelists and loving their stories! There were some silly questions asked like, "Who is your book boyfriend?" I loved JR Johansson's answer (Cedric Diggory) And "Rate your first kiss" which had some amazing and hilarious stories and then I thought about my own answers to these questions and I was very happy I wasn't up there! I honestly don't know who my book boyfriend would be, it depends on what I'm reading at the time I think... maybe... I'll have to come back to that and answer another time. The rating your first kiss question had everyone laughing! Those were some amazing stories that had me laughing so hard. They aren't my stories to tell, but they were wonderful. And unless I get asked that question directly or on panel someday, then I'm keeping that information to myself. *wink, wink*

There were other questions asked like, how did you get started writing? And how often do you write? I loved each answer given because they were so real. I remember hearing, "write every day" when I first started going to panels and conferences. My heart dropped because I don't have time for that! Even though I would love to write everyday and have time to do that... I simply don't. If you can, great!

Bree Despain talked about how when she first started she would write twelve to sixteen hours a day. My jaw dropped and my eyes went wide. Wow! That is a lot of time. That isn't how she writes now. She mentioned Speed Writing and what she calls 1k Hour. This is when she writes 1k words in one hour. I love this idea! I will be trying it out soon, I guarantee it!

Two books signed by Bree Despain! One from a few years ago and one today.

Natalie Whipple almost made me cry with her answer. She said she hasn't written in months. I wish I had a direct quote, but this is basically what she said, "If you're not writing everyday, it's okay... Writing is making constant decisions and that well dries up. Sometimes it needs to be filled."

Until a couple days ago, I hadn't written in months. I haven't had time and my pregnancy brain is a beast to work around. I was feeling awful about his fact and felt like I was failing. What she said filled that hole I had been digging myself into and set me free.

"It's okay."

Another question was asking advice on developing a 3D character. While I've been told I have good characters, Natalie hit this one home for me as well. "Strip your character to their core: wants/needs and fears. Their wants/needs need to be made hard to achieve while you throw every fear of theirs at them. Everyone can relate to that." Again, not a direct quote.

I wish I could have bought books by all these women and had every one of them signed and been able to talk to them all. But by the time I was done talking with Bree Despain and Natalie Whipple, my body was done and telling me I needed to be home. I am excited for my two new books though! I'll be posting about them after they are read.

My two new books plus a pin that reads: Sorry, I can't. I have plans with my book

I came home and wrapped my arms around my hubby and gave him a kiss. I thanked him for being so supportive of me going and encouraging me to stay, as long as I felt up to it. I love his love and support. He fills me up on a daily basis and I have wonderful reminders like tonight of his beautiful love for me. Now, I get to post this and tell him all about my night! I love being married to my best friend!