No blogging, I'm camping!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while!  I promise I am still alive!  

I was called as Girls Camp director a couple months ago and have been soooo busy planning that.  I have hardly had any time for anything else!  And this Wednesday -Saturday is the actual camp so I will be gone!  No blogging until Monday next week.  

But no worries, to make up for not blogging, I will kick off next week with a giveaway! 

See you next week!  (And wish me luck, I'm gonna need it!) 

How to get the attention of major authors at writer's conferences 101

I know LDStorymakers was a month ago but I have been so busy that I am only barely getting to posting about it.  I know, slacker.  Anyway,  not only am I going to talk about how amazing this conference is, I am going to tell you a secret that very few know.  This secret can help you have the perfect opening topic to approach authors. . . or better yet, have authors approach you!

But first, the conference!

If you have a chance to go to LDStorymakers, GO! In fact, they are doing a mid-west conference so find a way to go there or to the one here in Salt Lake City!  Yes, you have to pay, yes it is expensive, and yes, it is worth it!

There are so many amazing classes and panels.  Everything is wonderful.  Meals are included in the package and if you stay at the hotel the conference is being held at, you get a discount on your room! (Or better yet, stay with friends!)

Also, don't miss out on the contests.  Enter the first chapter contest and all the other contests they do. I saw some of those prizes and I promise, you do not want to miss out!

I can't say that I really have ONE favorite class.  I loved the one on writing Suspense by Rachelle Christensen and the one by Dan Wells about writing sequels.  I also love the extra that Liz and I paid for by Tristi Pinkston. The Ruthless red pen.  Good times. . .good times.  Another favorite was Magic Systems by Amber Arygle.  (Funniest author ever!)

And now. . . are you ready. . . to see. . . my name tag?  Yes, my name tag.  One name tag changed my life!

Knostanz Silverbow

(sorry, the picture didn't work. So now I will just show you what it said)

Notice the mistake?  Since when is my name Knostanz?  Really?  But no, don't laugh.  Don't think it's horrible and embarrassing.  That one mistake, is the secret.  Hence the name of this post.  That mistake is how I got the attention of some major authors at the writers conference.  Kiersten White?  (Yeah I'm sure you have heard of her. . Paranormalcy, Supernaturally. . . ring a bell?) Dan Wells. . . ya know, 'I am not a serial killer'. . . 'Mr. Monster'. . . 'I don't want to kill you'. . . ?  How about Janette Rallsion?  (My Fairy godmother, my unfair godmother, Slayers (CJ Hill.). . any of those you recognize?)  Yep! They all know who I am because of a little misspelling on my name.   In fact, Dan Wells asked for my card, Janette/CJ/Sierra said she will never forget my name (or how to spell it).  Kiersten White, this is what she wrote to me in my copy of Paranormalcy:

To Konstanz-
Whose name is awesome, even when misspelled!

One mistake and now there are a ton of authors who will ALWAYS remember my name.  One. Mistake.  And that is how awesome Story Makers was for me! :)

Oh yeah, and the amazing Lisa Mangum gave me an ARC of After Hello.  Best. Conference. Ever!

Oh yeah . .  did I mention that Lizzy and I walked around as spies?  We were pro!  We only had authors laughing and staring everywhere we went!  :)  So ya know, if this whole author things doesn't work out, I guess I will be a spy instead. . . (that or a comedian).

And the winner is. . . ..

The winner of The Breakaway is. . . .

*Insert drum roll*

Heather Murphy!

Congratulations to Heather Murphy and thank you to all who participated! 

If I got kidnapped?  I would annoy my kidnappers until they begged me to leave! (or shot me. . but ya know, I can always hope, right?) 

The Breakaway Giveaway and Interview with the author!

Say Hello to Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of The Breakaway, Monarch and coming out later this year is Bonded.   I have read The Breakaway and it is intense, action packed, kinda scary, and one of my favorite reads this year.  


Read our little interview and then find out how you can win a copy of The Breakaway. 

The Interview:

Konstanz:  Aside from writing, what is your favorite thing to do?

 Michelle: Hanging out with my family and making food! We really like to cook and eat. :)

K: What inspires you to write?

M: I think I like to discover things about myself when I write. I like to create, most of all. The feelings I get when I finish a book are unmatched by anything - creating something so personal and involved. 

 

K: Do you listen to Music while you write? 

M: Sometimes. I have a soundtrack I've compiled of the most random music ever - folk, rap, heavy metal, but the reason I can listen to it while I write is because it's all my favorite stuff and I know it so well that I can tune it out, but my brain is still affected chemically by the upbeat tunes. They make me happy!

 

K: Out of all the stories you have written, which one is your favorite?  Why?

M: I don't know if I can choose a favorite! I'd have to say Scales, which is a novella in my Bonded collection coming out this November, is the closest book to me. It really affected me in a lot of ways. The Breakaway is also very close to me because it has been in my life for over 17 years. It's very special to me.

 

K: Favorite Food?

M: Sushi! Or Indian. Or Thai. Hahaha. I really love ethnic foods. But I think if I had to choose a general food, it would be cheese. 

 

K: Dream vacation? 

M: Italy with my husband, in a villa, for three months.

 

K:  If you could have any super power, which would it be? Why?  What would you do with it? 

M: I think it would be to turn invisible because sometimes I just want to be invisible and melt away whenever I need a true break. That sounds so depressing! Hahaha. 

 

K:  What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

M: Read a lot and write a lot and always stay with what you love. Dead writing happens when you try to please other people. 

And now. . . 

The Giveaway: 

I am giving away one paper back copy of The Breakaway. 

Wanna enter to win? Answer this question: 

What would you do if you were kidnapped?  

(Let me know in the comments.  

Don't forget to also leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you are the winner) 

This contest ends on 6-10-12 and the winner will be announced on 6-11-12.