Story Expo Day 2: Overloaded but Good

Day started at 8:00 and it is now 9:00. Full day. Again, sometimes it just instinct that pulled me to these sessions. Sometimes it worked, sometimes I wor Since I am not here to learn how to "make it" as a writer, I feel out of place if the presenter assumes that as a focus. I guess most people are here for that reason. Why am I here?  I want to write. From my heart and soul. So the last session of the day (Joe Eszterhas) brought me back to that. And made it all better. 

• Transmedia: Creating Epic Storyworlds by Alison Norrington. I wanted to now what this was as it seemed cutting edge. Don't know if it's for me: Lord of the Ringds, Lost, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, story worlds outside of the movie itself. 
• The Art of Visual Storytelling by Carl Potts. Charming, soft-spoken man. I bought his book. I think I'm being drawn to graphic novels (comics). I need an artist to collaborate with. 
• 10 Story Tips every writer should know by John Truby. This guy has the writing process down to a science, it seems. Very much aimed to the business aspect of screenwriting. Tremendous interest in the myth genre right now and the marketable future. 
• Story for Novelists by Truby and Leslie Lehr (a real novelist). I never thought I wanted to write a novel. This conference is planting seeds. Writing a novel seems a lot more doable than making a movie and it is a good first step. Lots of good examples, lots of books on my to-read list.
• Writing for Animation: A Crash Course by Craig Miller. Mostly a Q and A session as the presenter admitted the subject was too broad for 90 minutes. Take-away: Getting a feature animation picked up from someone on the outside is not likely. Instead, put your idea in another form (book, graphic novel) and there is a slight chance it will get noticed.
• Keynote: Evening with prolific screenwriter Joe Eszerterhas (Flashdance, Basic Instinct, Showgirls, Music Box). A very inspiring session as he spoke conversationally with the moderator, and then as he answered questions from the audience. Main pieces of sage advice: Just write from your heart and guts. Don't let them kill your mojo. Don't give up. Don't pitch - write. Have a completed script and then just get it out there. If it's good, someone will see it. Have faith.