LDStorymakers conference–fun, fun, fun without the T-Bird

Granted, I know it makes for a boring blog to just go on and on about how much fun a writing conference was–but I can’t help it. I’m a writer and therefore live a boring and solitary life until I go to conferences. Then I not only get to hang out with other writing adicts, but I get to be around people who actually think I’m cool.

It’s such a nice change from hanging out with my children, who rarely think I’m cool.

So here are some pictures of me with other cool people. Try to pretend like you’re interested, because that’s the polite thing to do.
Photobucket
Here I am with James Dashner, whose book Maze Runner is Random House’s lead book for the fall. His publisher is sending him on a book tour where he’ll be given VIP treatment, the works. After he becomes Stephenie-Meyer-famous, I’m going to use this picture on my Christmas cards to make other people jealous. Some My Fair Godmother readers may notice that his name popped up in the book. (James still hasn’t read my book though. Thanks, James. Next time I use your name for a character he will be turned into a toad in chapter four.)
Photobucket
Here I am with ANWA founder, Marsha. She rocks!

Okay, here are more pictures of me.
Photobucket
This is me with James, Jeff Savage, and Rob Wells. I’m in the middle of reading Jeff’s book Farworld right now (unless you happen to be my editor, in which case I’m not reading anything at all; I’m working diligently on my revisions for Faking It.) So far Farworld is great. Jeff is the master of the cliff-hanger chapter ending. Plus he’s an all around wonderful guy and has an incredible wife. I want her to come live in Arizona and work for me.

Rob is a crack up. He did a presentation of how the LDStorymakers came to be and I laughed until I cried. I would put his phone number on my speed dial so I could call him at random times and make him tell me jokes, but unfortunately the restraining order forbids that sort of thing.
Photobucket
This is Jennifer Savage and Annette Lyon. I’m just guessing, but I think Annette may have been up late working on her presentation.
Photobucket
Here is a more alert Annette with Elodia Strain and me. Elodia made my day by telling me she loved my books and then laughed when she realized I’m Sierra St. James too, because she’s also a fan of those books. Elodia clearly has great taste in literature.
Photobucket
Here I am with the amazing Kerry Blair. Kerry walks on water. Seriously. Kerry’s only failing is that she hangs out with Jeff, Rob, and few other malcontents on the Six Writers and a Frog, blog. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always found that frog annoying. Sadly, it mysteriously disappeared from the conference table. Don’t worry frog bloggers, I’m sure a ransom note will show up soon.
Photobucket

31 comments

  1. Stephanie Black
    April 29, 2009 at 6:26 am

    I love the pictures, Janette! It was great to meet you at the conference, and I definitely think you’re cool!

  2. Heather B. Moore
    April 29, 2009 at 6:46 am

    You are one of the coolest! Fun pictures. Brings back the memories . . . It was great to see you ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. Don
    April 29, 2009 at 7:37 am

    If I have one regret from the conference, it’s that I didn’t catch you to say hi and get a picture. Also, I was supposed to tell you that my 11-year old loved My Fair Godmother and it kept her up way too late on more than one occasion.

    Other than those terrible missteps on my part, the conference really was great.

  4. J Scott Savage
    April 29, 2009 at 11:29 am

    James? James? She hangs out with James, Rob, and a few other malcontents on the frog blog? First I have to lose a Whitney to him. Now I’m being called his name. That’s it, I’m sending in the SWAT team to get the frog back. Crystal, Tristi, Shirley, catch the next flight to AZ.

  5. Janette Rallison
    April 29, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Woops, all those J names sound the same–Jeff, James, Janette–you can see how I get confused.

    Anyway, I went and changed the refrence. Forgive me, Farworld master!

  6. J Scott Savage
    April 29, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Okay, team. Retreat for now. We’ll return to peaceful negotiations. It was fun getting spend time with you at the conference and Wednesday at the Springville library.

  7. Kristi Stevens
    April 29, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    You are so cool. Great to see you again. Great pictures.

  8. Melinda
    April 29, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Hahaha, loved that last picture. Totally inconspicuous. I was so glad to see you at the conference!

    I just want you to know that I’ve gone from fan to avid fan and now I’m on the verge of stalking you after I read My Fair Godmother.

    Also, I’d like to thank you for my goat fetish. My book now has goats in it.

  9. Janette Rallison
    April 29, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    All books can be improved by adding goats, so you’re on the right track. Raccoons are good too.

  10. Windsong
    April 29, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    That looked like so much fun!

    *sing song voice*

    I’m sure they will never find the frog until his ransom has been paid. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  11. Kimberly
    April 29, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    So, so glad you came. My greatest epiphany of the whole conference was in your class and I’m excitedly putting it to use fixing my first book. Loved your presentation!

  12. Covington Sensation's
    April 29, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    I wish I knew all you people in blog land before I actually went to the conference. But hey I’m making up for it now. I have like 4 followers on my blog. What’s wrong with me?
    Probably nothing however these things take time. Well I have no time, I am impatient. Always getting behind the slow drivers, slow check writers (Do people really still write checks?) And of course waiting for you people to leave comments.
    HAHA! With that said, I understand that you all are authors and are ALL slaving away on that new book you are writing.
    Like I am doing. Well kinda. I am trying to build up my web presence so I know when I have something good to say people will actually hear me.
    Hope this comment is not too long, but you are a good blogger. I probably need to read what you have written.
    LDStorymaker’s WAS the most AWESOME conference EVER! It motivated and inspired me. It’s time to get off my butt and WRITE!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the entry on the conference. Your pictures ROCK!

  13. Julie Wright
    April 29, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    It was so great to see you. I bought some books in the bookstore and put them under the table so I could get you to sign them and then forgot! SO I have unsigned books now. We’ll have to take of that next time I see you!

  14. James Dashner
    April 29, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    Janette, we’re looking awfully cozy in that picture. Please remind your hubby how cool I think he is.

    Great to hang with you again. That was so much fun.

    Savage, pipe down, you’re annoying the Internet.

  15. Janette Rallison
    April 29, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    I assume you’re talking to Jeff Savage and not your inner demons . . .

  16. James Dashner
    April 29, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Definitely Mr. J. Scott Savage. I call my inner demons Rallisons.

    Hope Arizona has welcomed you home home safe and sound.

  17. Jewel's Gems
    April 29, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Loved it, Janette:-)

  18. Giovanna
    April 29, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    If it makes you feel better…I think you’re cool. ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. Shari
    April 29, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    Melinda, you can’t stalk Janette. That’s my job!

  20. Janette Rallison
    April 29, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Ah, Shari, now you’ve got competion. Be sure to put a goat or two into your next book

  21. Marsha Ward
    April 30, 2009 at 12:11 am

    LOL! My latest book does have a goat in it. Not a leading character goat, but a goat nonetheless. It’s named Mike. Long story how it got that name.

    Sorry I looked so tired in the photo. I’d just driven since 4 a.m. to get to the dinner on time. It was awesome to hang out with all of you.

  22. Stephanie Black
    April 30, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Okay, I paid some of the ransom, but I’m thinking we need proof the frog is still kicking his little webbed feet before we shell out any more.

  23. Julie Coulter Bellon
    April 30, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I loved what you wrote in the book you signed to me. Thanks for that! I’m a big fan of the exalted one.

    As for the frog, can I trade him for a goat? Also, would you consider doing a walk-off with Dean Lorey wearing Stephenie Meyer’s prom dress, you know, since you look so much like her? Just checking . . .

  24. Karlene
    April 30, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    It was so good to meet you again. I am loving your books.

    Also, your class was fantastic. I’d been stuck in writers block for a few weeks. Then you reminded me that I’d committed the cardinal writing sinโ€”thinking my scene/words were too clever to cut. I cut them out and I’m flowing again.

    Thanks for your time and energy at the conference.

  25. Sarah M Eden
    May 1, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Wait! The goat is supposed to go in my book? I put it in my house!
    Crumb! All that mess for nothing and the only good that came of it was my kids telling their teachers that Janette Rallison’s goat ate their homework.
    Sheesh!

  26. Heather Justesen
    May 1, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    It was an awesome conference! Great pictures. Next year I really have to take about a gazillion more. I got home, looked at the file from my camera and thought–was that it?

    Oh, man, I didn’t pick up one of your books to take to Bear Lake this summer! I better go back to the book store–I can’t laze about the lake with just *snybody’s* book!

  27. Janette Rallison
    May 1, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    So true. You definitely need one of mine.

  28. Sheila
    May 3, 2009 at 10:04 am

    I did try to buy your book, but they were all gone. Next time bring several books to sell. I know now, that I need to buy books on the morning of the first day of the conference.

    BTW, I thought that your class was one of the best at the conference. I ended up taking 4 pages of notes. Thanks so much! You are a great teacher.

  29. Janette Rallison
    May 4, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Thanks! That’s one of the things about being a writer–I never thought I was going to be a teacher too. I’m glad I’m not awful at it!

  30. Diina
    May 6, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    Your picures look like fun. I was wondering, when is your next YA book coming out? And what is it? I’m dying to read more!!

  31. Janette Rallison
    May 7, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Hi Diina,
    I’m working on editing my next YA book,(which is at the moment called: Faking It, because it’s about a girl who pretends to be a rock star.)

    It will be out sometime in 2010–although I don’t have an exact date.

    Hope you like all of my books!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay In The Loop

Subscribe and receive 3 free Ebooks!

Want to know about new releases or ebook sales?
Sign up for Janette's newsletter and receive a free copy of 3 books:

  • Slayers
  • A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush
  • Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards