Tales From Burkeland: Tale Three
Savvy knights set out on their quests well trained and supported by a band of other well-trained fighters and mages.
Themed “Knight Your Genius,” last month’s Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium 43 equipped attendees with everything needed for our creative quests. I returned to the symposium for my second consecutive year. For me, it felt both like returning to the kingdom after a year-long campaign and like training up for the next adventure.
The Homecoming
LTUE is a gathering place for my friends in the Apex-Writers Group and the Wulf Pack Writers Group. Seeing many of them in person and in some cases getting to meet their families created a homecoming vibe from day one. The groups are like extended families, and we support each other through struggles and triumphs. This year, fellow Wulf Pack Writer Laura Holley and I shared a career milestone. When we met at LTUE last year, neither of us had sold a story to a publisher. This year, we bought each other’s books. I’m framing the photos of us grinning like fiends holding each other’s books and hanging them on my office wall.
Strengthening and forging connections with other creatives is only part of the LTUE experience. The three-day symposium is packed with panels and events designed to level up attendees’ skills. I’m a nerd, so I packed my schedule tight. Here’s a recap of my favorite classes.
Understanding Redemption Arcs: An Analysis of Zuko, presented by Lorna Jane Hansmann
An hour of geeking out over my favorite show and character? Yes, please!
Goosebumps covered my arms as the panel opened with an auditorium full of people reciting the opening lines to Avatar: The Last Airbender, a show that has shaped who I am. From there, Lorna led us through the beats of Zuko’s character arc as we discussed what made his transformation believable and how redemption arcs mirror the hero’s journey structure.
The best part? A major a-ha moment for me about my main character in The Heirs Saga series.
Apocalypse First Aid presented by Scott Stephens, Candace J Thomas, Tristan Bond, Jared Garrett, and J. L. Mayne
I never thought I’d learn to set an IV, but thanks to this class, I did. Please, for both our sakes, never ask me to do it. My (very real looking) fake arm bled all over the table while I deep breathed my way through my primal fear of needles. But I did it! And the sense of accomplishment will stay with me.
In this hands-on class, we also learned how to triage major bleeding, give injections, and more — all things you want your characters to get right if they’re living in an apocalypse world.
Writing for the Human Brain, presented by Clint Johnson
This class sparked so many future rabbit hole quests.
We dove into the psychology behind how the brain interacts with story and how to create simulations in readers’ minds that feel real. In short, our brains process information through stories. When writers put the right details on the page, the story activates every part of the brain, creating a simulation readers’ minds interpret as a real experience.
It’s been two weeks since I took this class, and my brain is still mulling over the information.
Journey Forth
To cap the symposium, Toastmaster Cameron Hopkin led attendees through a visualization to call forth and knight our creative spark. We empowered that spark to vanquish our doubts and lead our creative quest.
Ride out with me!
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In this month’s newsletter:
Tales from Burkeland Tale Three: Knight Your Genius- Attending Life, the Universe and Everything 43
From the Drafts- “Shadowed Sister”
Remember You Shine – Self-Empowerment
Myths and Magic: Chakras: Tools of Self-Reflection
From My Shelf: The Malice of Moons and Mages by N.V. Haskell