Introduction
Welcome, my nugs, to the Myers Fiction March Newsletter! I hope everyone had a good month of love, whether that was with a partner or your writing. Keeping up the writing can be hard during these months, so respect your priorities and write when you can. As long as you keep going, you haven’t failed. At LTUE 42 I ran into an old coworker and friend and we were talking about how you reach a point where you just say, well I’ve been writing long enough that I might as well take it serious. Even if you don’t think you’re at that stage yet, you’re here, ready to learn about improving your writing. And this newsletter will give your march the kick start it needs!
This month’s featured article will be some of my highlights from LTUE 42 and what you can expect from the LTUE writing convention if you want to go next year! Also, don’t forget the new writing prompt, tips, and book recommendations for the month.
LTUE 42 Experience
Life The Universe And Everything is a Science Fiction and Fantasy writing convention that occurs every February, usually on the second full week. It’s a place to gather with other writers to learn, network, and meet some of the coolest authors you may not know yet. There are opportunities for pitch sessions with agents, genre writer meet ups, and a Banquet at the end to rub shoulders with some new people! I went last year for the first time and it was amazing. I have yet to go to another writer’s conference yet, but most everyone has told me it’s the best there is.
Expectations Before the Event
Going to the convention last year was confusing and a little stressful leading up to it. I wasn’t sure what to wear, how people really interacted, and if I’d even fit in with the rest of the writers who would be attending. I ended up going with jeans, a polo, and a decent but comfortable pair of shoes. Now, if you’re planning to meet with agents, I would recommend dressing on the nicer side, but I’ve also never done that, so take the advice with a grain of salt.
No one can anticipate the interactions you’ll have with strangers, but you can prepare by considering the panels that will be at the writer’s convention and what information you already know about them. If all else fails, prepare to ask everyone about what their WIP is and how long they’ve been writing. Most of the time, that will start the conversation well enough.
And finally, as writing skills aren’t determined by looks, physical ability, or extroverted/introverted personalities, you can safely bet that you won’t stand out as an oddball as your fellow writers. None of this sounds like you need to do much leading up to LTUE, right?
Let me explain why you need so little prep to attend LTUE.
Arrival and First Impressions
LTUE doesn’t have a dress code or recommended attire, and once I arrived last year I saw why. At LTUE they just want you to be who you are as a writer. People were dressed to the nine and others were dressed up as fantasy/sci-fi characters. It really just depends on who you are as a person.
Most everyone is an introvert, so it’s going to be up to you to initiate the awkward conversation with those who sit near you. But also don’t feel stressed to meet people, you can just be there to learn and develop your writing skills.
Don’t forget that writers come from all walks of life and that helps if you’re worried about fitting in. The wide range of participants in a writing convention shows just how varied the writing community is and how many opportunities for unique friendships to be formed.
Notable Speakers or Presenters
One of my favorite speakers/panelists is and was M. Todd Gallowglass because he’s such a high energy speaker with an insane amount of knowledge and personality. Sadly, LTUE 42 was his last year.
Another great speaker because of his genuine personality and kindness is Jared Quan. Jared is a great resource for his knowledge in networking, social interactions, and building self-confidence.
One of the other top speakers I’d like to mention is Lisa Mangum. She’s the Author of the The Hourglass Door Series and a huge fan of Supernatural. Also, she probably has one of the greatest understanding of story structure and the ability to recognize it across books, TV, and movies.
Highlights of the Convention
One of my favorite presentations was Lisa Mangum’s Surviving Sharknado 2 – The Second One Writing a Sequel. This was thanks to her great understanding of story structure and helping to minimize or maximize the structure based on the way you’re looking at the story. As Scott R. Parkin mentioned in a later panel, “Story is story is story.” Everything is a story, and if a story can range from a single sentence to a massive epic, then we’re really just working on one great story no matter the size. Another topic that Lisa Mangum addressed is where the characters hit their key scenes and points in their journeys. She noted that not all of your characters will start the Hero’s Journey at the same time. You will always be finding them at different stages that align at the finish line to make those unforgettable endings!
As mentioned above, I greatly appreciated Jared Quan and his presentation The Crisis within: Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon and Self-Doubt. He starting off by clarifying that it is best to call the situation Imposter Phenomenon instead of Syndrome because a phenomenon is something that hits you but you can move past it. Like many writers, I fall victim to my own self-doubt and this Imposter Phenomenon. It has slowly grown better, but probably the worst part was when I first began my Bachelor’s program at USU. I was pretty fresh home from deployment and I didn’t quite look like the rest of the English majors. But that’s a full story for another time, just know that I felt outclassed by everyone around me because I hadn’t spent my entire life writing. It was something I randomly picked up as a competition with my cousin. But finding people like Jared who can help you find the methods you need to get passed these obstacles will be instrumental in your writing career.
Networking and Connections
The opportunity to network and connect with fellow writers and other industry professionals can be daunting, but they’re also endless at LTUE. Half of the time you may not even realize you’re sitting next to a big name person or someone who will be the connection of a lifetime. So try to talk to everyone you can! (A quick note, I am not the best at this, and so I set a goal of connecting with 5 new people this year. Begin small and build from there.)
They also have Pitch Sessions available at an extra cost. These are perfect if you have a book ready to pitch. Even if you don’t gain an agent there, I’ve heard they offer great insights into what you can do to improve your pitches.
Sometimes different book publishers or writing competition coordinators will set up a panel to gain exposure for their respective programs and to show writers possible routes forward. I attended the Writers of the Future Panel, which is a highly regarded writing competition, and the BAEN Books Publishing panel. Both offered great insight on possible career opportunities and interaction with authors from the respective programs.
Conclusion
LTUE is a phenomenal writing convention in the Utah area. If you ever have the opportunity to got, it is probably one of the best priced ones out there, especially if you’re a student. Last year I was so amazed by all the knowledge that I didn’t know what to do with it. This year, I think I’m better prepared to take the notes and everything I learned at LTUE and put it into my craft. LTUE is a must if you’re a Science Fiction or Fantasy writer just starting out or long standing and in search of some fresh knowledge.
Book Recommendation
For March I would highly recommend Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series for a great study of Fantasy with a strong depth in characters and setting. The first book is The Final Empire, where you’ll meet Vin and Kelsier and their amazing world of allomantic magic. While you read this story I want you to keep in mind the posts about setting and character we’ve already talked about in February and will talk about more in the coming months. Let me know if you’ve read it and why you love or hate it!
Writing Tips
When writing fantasy and science fiction, focus on building immersive worlds and dynamic characters. The Mistborn series is a great example of fantasy world-building and character development done well. As you construct your own unique worlds, ensure every detail aligns with the internal logic and rules you’ve established. Develop complex magic systems that directly influence your characters’ choices and abilities. For characters, go beyond surface-level traits and give them multifaceted backstories, motivations, relationships, and arcs. Flawed, nuanced characters that grow and change make for an impactful story. Use setting details and character perspectives to explore social issues, philosophy, and the human condition. Speculative fiction allows us to push boundaries and discover new truths – aim high with your imagination. Most importantly, engage readers through consistent inner logic, high stakes, and protagonists they can root for. Master these elements, and your fantasy and sci-fi tales will transport audiences to new realities.
Writing Prompts – The Gift
For this writing prompt you can use a pre-established character of yours to find out more about them, or start anew. Try to get at least 500 words with this prompt.
Your character comes home to find a gift box with a bow and a short paper attached to it. At first the paper appears blank, but when your character touches it a strange language appears. After a few blinks the strange language changes to your character’s native language. The note says, “Your time has come, and we can no longer hide you, take this gift and protect yourself. Find us to learn more.”
Good luck writers! Let me know what you think of this prompt and if you want to see more like it.
Conclusion
That wraps up the March Newsletter and key highlights and takeaways from my experience at LTUE 42! I hope this overview gives you a sense of what attending a writing convention can offer for professional growth and community building. As we look ahead to spring, remember to keep your imagination flourishing and skills sharpening. Never stop exploring new worlds, relationships, and adventures on the page. The options in speculative fiction are endless. See you in April, my nugs, with fresh insights and encouragement for the writing journey.
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