Looking to the Future: BYU's English Symposium

This week I had the opportunity to attend Brigham Young University's English Symposium. The keynote address was given by writer/editor Jennifer Adams, who has authored a popular line of children's books called BabyLit. She also recently released a book called "I am a Warrior Goddess" which she shared with us, and which I found very inspirational. As an English Major, I found this address inspirational and informative. It was helpful to hear about the arc of her career, including how long she worked as an editor before ever publishing her own books, and the reasons she has been given so much input as an author into the artistry of her kids books-- namely, because she has worked as an editor for the company who publishes her books. I've always found children's literature fascinating and it was wonderful to hear her insights into that particular branch of literature. She also took some time to give advice to future writers. The most helpful to me was her advice to practice, to take the time to be creative, and to learn to let go.

I also attended Ally Condie (author of the Matched Trilogy)'s weekly reading series, where she shared a book that was very personal to her called Summerlost. It was a story she'd written where she drew much of the storyline and characters from her own past, and it was absolutely enthralling. I have read the Matched Trilogy and didn't find it very original or interesting. Summerlost, however, was a completely different breed. I felt that her writing was much more engaging and thought-provoking in this book than others I've read. I also enjoyed the question and answer session she had at the end of the reading series. She also talked about her career as an author, and where she finds time to write as a mother of four. I found her advice to be flexible with your schedule helpful. I was grateful to be able to attend this Symposium. I felt that I was able to be introduced to different career paths that I hadn't before considered, and to new types of literature and presentation styles that I hadn't experienced before. I look forward to attending this event again next year!