We started day one at Desert Rose, where the Los Feliz Poet Laureate gave a talk about beating writers' block and tips for publishing. I learned that, to my surprise, I am not a "hostile writer." If anything, on my worst days, I might tend to be an "apathetic writer," though.

Later on day one, I parted ways with John, who went to his friend's bachelor party, to head to Brü for the next event of the day! Participants had to collect clues at businesses on Vermont Ave, and then write a flash fiction piece incorporating all of them. This definitely-not-apathetic writer won second place!  I found inspiration for my title, "Hellcat," when one of the writers mentioned studying with T.C. Boyle at USC, and I remembered how my uncle, a USC alumni, used to call him that affectionately. It was the perfect title because my story was about an evil cat. Thanks, Unkie!