Last Thursday through Sunday, I challenged myself. I hopped on a plane. I flew a thousand miles. I socialized with people I never met before. I learned stuff about drafting, revising, outlining novels, and unusual donuts. I made several dozen new friends.

Yeah. Cascade Writers was amazing.

I have really enjoyed attending writing conferences, but this workshop was so much more... intimate. Jay Lake discussed revising and his process. Ken Scholes and Camille Alexa took separate approaches to the development of short stories, while Mark Teppo went into great detail about outlining a novel in 90 minutes (and chapter 12 is a good place for the sex scene). Sure, I learned a lot while they spoke to all of us, but I spent hours hanging out with these people afterward, and learned even more through casual, small group conversations.

My critique group politely yet ruthlessly shredded apart one of my stories. I have connected with amazing resources to make my post-apocalyptic and computer-based fiction far more realistic.

We formed large groups and invaded the nearby restaurants to eat yummy food and laugh about stuff; oh McGrath's Fish House, I wish you hadn't closed all your Arizona locations, because the people and food at that Vancouver location were awesome. I met one of my LiveJournal buddies, slweippert and her husband, and they were even kind enough to give me my own personal filk concert. She also immortalized the moment where I practiced Sub-Zero fatality moves on a leftover cake head.

Good times.

The days passed far too fast, a blur of happiness, writer shop-talk, and insane amounts of sugary goodness. I left Portland with its sunny skies and 80-degree weather, and returned to Arizona to 80-degrees and torrential monsoon rain. I guess I'll give the state a C for effort.

If possible, I'll go to Cascade Writers next year. You should consider it, too. It doesn't matter if you've never been published or you have multiple novels to your name. Everyone is there to learn. And eat cake.