OMG!!!IT’SJUDYBLUME!!!DIDYOUHEARME????IT’SJUDYFREAKINGBLUMEFOLKS!!!!
That’s pretty much all you heard in the ballroom at this point. We were all a little bit a whopping load of excited.
I vacillated between trying to jot down every syllable she uttered and just wanting to just sit there and take in the moment. It was remarkable to hear Judy Blume speak. This is a tough one to convey properly, it was once in a lifetime experience. I’ll try to give you a little pice of the wonderful…
*We start the book on the day that something different happens.
*We write children’s books because it is what comes naturally to us. Right now EVERYBODY wants to write for children–we are so hot. We went from…”Judy, when are you going to write a REAL book?” To being the moneymakers for the publishers.
*In her 20’s (the early 60’s) she had two kids and a traditional husband who wanted her to be home and perfect. “The expectations for my life were very disappointing to me.”
*Her life made her physically sick and when she changed it, all her illnesses disappeared.
*Writing not only changed my life, it saved my life.
*Don’t listed to anyone else, don’t worry about who your audience is, because if it’s good–your book will find one.
*(In response to a question) I don’t think about my legacy. If I thought about all of you when I write, I would be too scared to write anything. When I die, I’d like a little stone that says…Are you there God? It’s me, Judy.
*heart squish*
Next up, a workshop. How can anyone in the world interesting after listening to Judy Blume? You find some wonderful folks to make you laugh.
Libba Bray-HELLO, MY NAME IS…GETTING PAST THE FIRST DATE WITH YOUR CHARACTERS
Libba gave excellent advice and I’ll give you a few awesome tidbits, but as I’m reading over my notes, I can’t help but be disappointed because I couldn’t capture her wit on paper. So be warned, Libba in person is unlike anyone you’ve ever met before and I mean that in the very best of ways.
*Read as far and wide as you possibly can.
*Feel free to read the mediocre and the bad–it will make you feel better and it’s instructive.
*Writing should cost you something.
*Question the assumptions, stereotypes and pop-culture.
*Revision is my only extreme sport. :o)
Now we must follow funny with more funny…
Jon Scieszka-THE MYRAID POSSIBILITES OF FORM, STYLE AND GENRE
Oh, I have not laughed this hard in a very long time. Seriously. And once again, I can not support the high level of hilarity with my notes. As I look over my scribbles, I’ve realized that after the first comment, they are practically illegible. Just funny, little tidbits that relate to a well, crafted humorous stories. I’ll prove it to you…
*I got a masters in fiction writing, which qualified my to paint apartments. Ha! (Swear, this is the only one that will make sense.)
*Writing skinny books with cool covers.
*Tipping hat to Frog and Toad. Cowboy and Octopus–two weirdest best friends ever.
*Slaughter Ball. Boys-“Yeah!” Girls-“Why would you do that?”
*Oh, sorry mom–I think we broke Greg.
*3yo-Alzheimers patients on acid. Everything is a little freaky and then it starts all over again.
*This stuff is not rocket science folks!
Trust me–just laugh. I know what I’m talking about.
If you’re back on Wednesday…Norton Juster. You don’t want to miss it. Just sayin’.
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