2024 Willamette Writers Conference closed with a bang. Jess Walters's (BEAUTIFUL RUINS) keynote left few dry-eyed. To wit: Embrace your obstacles. They are what make you a writer. You are always working on a new (or your first) draft of your author bio. If you published a dozen novels before age 30, are you more successful than the one who debuts at 74 (like Norman Maclean, A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT)? Walters posits success is only found between your opening line and when you write THE END. 1/2