#WriteYourOwnFurture at #UtopYA2015
Today we are celebrating the three past years of @UtopYAcon, looking back at the great memories from past years as we are looking forward to #UtopYA2015. Of all the questions Janet Wallace posed when she asked us if we had anything we wanted to share, the one I liked the most was "Who befriended you?" Going to events like UtopYa can be terrifying when you don't know anyone, and that almost stopped me from going to #UtopYA2012, even though I am fairly outgoing and genuinely enjoy chit chat with people. Still, I only knew one person and that was Janet, and I knew she would be way too busy to hangout much. But when I got to Nashville, people welcomed me right away. I met Jamie Anderson and April Robbins almost immediately. I sat with Amanda Havard Kelly P Brenner Simmon Erica Erwin for Myra McEntire's amazing opening remarks. I was on panels with Ella James Jessica Sorensen Elizabeth Kirke and Abbi Glines. All of these authors were more than friendly. They got it and understood my hopes and dreams better than real life friends I had known for years. By the end of the weekend, I'd met even more folks who opened their arms in friendship, gave generously of advice and inspiration, and have been incredibly supportive ever since. People like Tiffany King Carol Kohnert Kunz Adam Kunz Amy Bartol Georgia Cates Raine Thomas Delphina Miyares Stacey Rourke Author Brina Courtney Chelsea Fine Heather Hildenbrand Angeline Kace and more were more welcoming than I would have ever imagined. Everyday, I'm grateful for the friendship and insight and encouragement of every single person in this post, and so many others that I will mention throughout today as we celebrate the #TuesdayTimeWarp and I share memories from #Utopya2013 and #Utopya2014. I am one hundred thousand percent convinced that without taking a risk and going to Nashville that June, I wouldn't have any of these wonderful people in my life. So if you're considering a trip, but nervous about not knowing anyone, I'd encourage you to take a risk of your own. You will also be welcomed and befriended at #Utopya2015.