I am back from a week-long stay in Hollywood, California, where I attended the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Workshop and Gala. It was not a vacation, but it was one of my most memorable experiences. I learned a lot, met some incredible people, and found new friends. When “Storm Damage” won first place in 2023 Quarter Three, I had no idea what was in store for me.
I can not say enough good things about the Writers of the Future staff. They were kind, patient, and professional. In addition to organizing the workshop and producing/directing the Gala, the staff created a lot of content that you will be seeing over the next several months (years?). They also published a blog entry for each day of the event. They go over the specifics better than I can, and they have pictures!
Day 1 (04/04): Nine writing winners arrive at our hotel in Hollywood. The other three flew from China, Wales, and England the day before. After dinner, we are whisked away to Author Services, Inc. (ASI), where we tour their offices and learn more about L. Ron Hubbard. Among the library’s shelves are books of past winners launched by WofF and the pictures honoring the judges (past and present). Jack Kirby and Frank Frazetta were judges!
Day 2 (04/05): We spent a full day learning from legendary writers Jody Lynn Nye and Tim Powers. We also had our profile pictures taken and were asked to participate in some short interviews. I am usually uncomfortable with my picture being taken, so my anxiety was growing. I am sure I was not the most cooperative subject, but I realized they had a job and that my friends and family wanted to see pictures of me. I eventually got comfortable with it late on day 4 when I finally chose a direction. The other really uncomfortable activity was our requirement to talk to a stranger and possibly include it in our story (more on that later). Yes, I spoke to somebody (albeit briefly – he was glued to his phone), and I incorporated the encounter into my story.
Day 3 (04/06): The artist arrived on Day 2, but this was the first time we saw them in their group. The writers spent the morning in our workshop with Jody Lynn Nye Tim Powers, but we were escorted downstairs to see the artwork associated with our stories for the first time. The art reveal was unnerving. All the pieces were displayed in a semi-circle, and the writers had to guess which was theirs. The artists, photographers, and staff stayed in the back of the room watching us, so no pressure. We had had at least three time-traveling stories, so was I going to pick the right one? I was SO relieved when I did. I was blown away, but we will talk about Haileigh’s art in a later post. The day ended at 1400 because we needed to start the big assignment – complete a short story based on the stranger conversation and a physical object prompt. We had exactly 24 hours to do it. Again, no pressure.
Day 4 (04/07): We did it. All twelve of us turned in our stories on time! We had enough time to workshop two stories before the guest lecturers (and judges) arrived: Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Todd McCaffrey. After dinner, we got a private tour of the Tour of the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition.
I spent some time contemplating where I was going to go with my writing. Was this a hobby? Or would I take it a little more seriously and treat it like a job? My angst over the photographs boiled down to a symptom of imposter syndrome. After talking to Tim Powers and, more importantly, my cohort, I decided that I will commit to being an author.
Day 5 (04/08): It was a day filled with guest speakers from the judges: Nancy Kress, Katherine Kurtz, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Robert J. Sawyer, and Larry Niven. We ended the day with a book signing. We formed what I can only describe as an assembly line of judges, writers, and illustrators to sign over 200 books. I am so glad that I practiced signing my pen name. We enjoyed a great BBQ and mingled before ending the night listening to a live radio theater performance of “Tough Old Man.”
Day 6 (04/09): Even more guest speakers, including judges S.M. Stirling, Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, and Orson Scott Card. We also heard from Martin Shoemaker, Eric James Stone, and Bill Fawcett. After dinner, we headed to the Taglyan Complex to rehearse for the Gala.
Day 7 (04/10): This was it—the big day. We spent the entire morning getting ready to meet at 1400. We were loaded into a limo (all 23 of us), driven to the Taglyan Complex, and walked a red carpet. Everybody looked stunning! The rest of the night is forever captured on YouTube, which is a good thing since I don’t remember what I said (despite having the speech still on my phone). I sat with fellow writer Sandra Skalski and illustrator Haileigh Enriquez (and her family). When the gala ended, we were signing books. People really wanted to get our autographs! It was a surreal night. I can’t even begin to explain it.
Day 8 (04/11): After a morning of recovery (yes, there was an afterparty), we were back at ASI for another six-hour workshop focused on book promotion and career tools. I was tired but so interested. It left after some heartfelt goodbyes to a staff that was nothing but fantastic. They treated us like royalty.
Day 9 (04/12): It was a tearful farewell after an intense week with 22 other writers and illustrators. While I will never admit to shedding a tear, it was much more emotional than I had anticipated. I plan to talk a little more about each of them over the coming weeks.
Please take a look through the blog posts, and send me your questions.
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