Cindy Dees, Clover Autrey, and the top of Joanna Grace’s head.

This weekend was the Texas Two Step writing conference, put on by NTRWA. It was a lot of fun, and I got to learn from folks like Cindy Dees (who, if you ever have the chance to talk to, is super smart and very business savvy), Amy Atwell, and Clover Autrey. So. Much. Information.

I think Cindy had my biggest takeaway, for various reasons, because I think that I’m pretty business savvy, but I’m always up for learning more about craft. Because my books only get better the more I learn, and craft talk fascinates me. I mean, I don’t think that I would be a writer if writing wasn’t something I was passionate about and willing to learn and improve on.

That’s Sophie Jordan. :)

I was also in a workshop about New Adult given by Sophie Jordan, who probably gave me the best quote over regarding what New Adult is. She talked about the differences between YA and NA, which I kind of want to discuss on New Adult Rockstars later this week, but she said, “YA is when your characters fall in love for the first time. NA is the first time that it matters.” Which I think is interesting enough that I want to do a blog post on it, so keep your eyes out for that this week.

My book display at the Friday book signing

And then I got to have lunch with Tammara Webber and Sophie Jordan. Both of them are super smart women, and I fangirled a little, luckily not in earshot or in front of them, so WIN.

I am bringing away a lot of new knowledge and new outlooks on things thanks to the conference this weekend, and I’m feeling pretty awesome that I got to go. I’m really looking forward to the Texas Two Step conference in 2016 (which I might have volunteered to organize…*cough*)

Anyway… it was a good weekend. The only hiccup was that the Sunday book signing was canceled due to a break-in at the store. Sad day.

But look! I got to see my books actually IN a Barnes and Noble!! I’m so excited by this! Oh, and people I DIDN’T KNOW actually bought my books too!

Tomorrow, it’s back to work on Murphy’s book, which is so close to being done I can taste it, and yet, it never ends…

Hope everyone else’s weekend has been awesome.