This weekend’s Mayborn Conference in Grapevine, Texas was inspiring and depressing. Shaking hands with the famous Skip Hollandsworth is a treat. But realizing that you’re no Skip Hollandsworth is a bummer. Thanks to the conference, I’m motivated to become a better writer and willing to take more risks to get there.

I also shamelessly promoted myself to a very gracious Brian D. Sweany, deputy editor of Texas Monthly. And Brian, if you’re reading this, I promise, I’d be awesome.