SCBWI Conference Check-In

I spent this past weekend at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators National Fall Conference in Los Angeles and believe I have the perfect recipe (pardon the cheesy metaphor) for a well-rounded and energizing conference experience:

1. An awesome roommate and other cool attendees

Jessica posted for a roomie on the Blueboards and yay, she picked me! She serendipitously turned out to be my soul sister and enhanced my weekend with her generosity, sweetness and humor. Listening to her talk about her upcoming book, Border Crossing, and what inspired her to write reminded me to write for the best of reasons and not just to live in my PJs all day (although that remains in my top ten motivations.)

The other writers, illustrators, agents and editors in attendance were just as inspirational. I think I already used up my name dropping quota for the year but let's just say they were many and they were awesome.

2. Educational Content

You know what I like about this conference? We don't have "speakers." We have "faculty." The lineup was ridonculous. Standouts for me include (and be warned these are not quotes):

Balzer & Bray Editor Jordan Brown - take your scene to its natural conclusion, then take it one step further into the unexpected

Author Holly Black - fantasy actualizes metaphor

Delacorte Editor Wendy Loggia - your online content matters - don't whine/criticize

Egmont USA Editor Elizabeth Law - don't be a pansy about your career and speak up when you have questions for editors and agents

3. Cupcakes


Can I thank Sonia Gensler for the most awesome off-the-cuff photo ever taken of me?

4. Social Breaks with Non-Writing Types -per Sherman Alexie: have friends that have nothing to do with your writing life. I escaped conference several times lest I become some obsessive artiste-type.