Posts Tagged ‘poconos’

Apr

20

2012

Fan-girl Heads to the SCBWI Poconos Mt. Retreat

Filed under: Conferences, SCBWI, Touching the Surface, Writing, YA Books, Young Adult (YA)

I’m heading off the the Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat today!!!! So much fun–I love this conference. I’ve been going for years. It’s an intimate conference that has a professional, yet homey feel. It all has a nice mix of workshops that inspire and provide craft. And this year one of the keynote speakers is…

 

SQUEE!!!! It’s Laurie Halse Anderson.

No, you don’t have to clean out your ears–I AM SPENDING THE WHOLE WEEKEND IN A STATE OF COMPLETE AND UTTER FAN-GIRLINESS!!!!!! There are also lots of other great people and events that I can’t wait to share with you. I’ll be tweeting live on Twitter with the hashtag #SCBWIPA. So follow along–join the conversation. I’ll try to get on FB once in awhile too. Off to finish getting ready. See you on Monday!

So, if you could spend the weekend with any author at all…who would it be?

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Apr

29

2011

Freaky Friday Interview/Editor for Hire-Roxanne Werner

Filed under: Conferences, Freaky Friday, SCBWI, Touching the Surface, Wolfson Literary

  If you’ve seen the movie Freaky Friday, you know that its premise is about change and growth through role reversal. For my Friday Blog entry I thought it would be interesting to interview aspiring authors–writers who spend lots of time reading the interviews of published authors and dreaming of the day when they might get their book on the shelves..

But often an aspiring author can wear more than one hat.  (Use your imagination-I didn’t make Roxanne put on two for the picture.)   Roxanne and I met through our local Eastern NY SCBWI. It would be fair to say that she was invaluable in my growth as a writer.  I learned more from her critiques of my work than I can adequately express.  Fortunately for me, she is part of my Crit Crew and continues to help me grow.  As you’ll see below–it’s your lucky day because she has her own editing business.  But I won’t jump the gun, let’s get this interview started…

Roxanne, can you give me a little bit of your background in the world of children’s writing?

Sure Kim. I loved reading as a child and that inspired me to write my own stories. My mom saved some of those vintage attempts. I looked at them recently and have to admit I was not a child prodigy. I continued writing for myself for many years. About five years ago, I decided to pursue writing for publication. I began taking courses and attending conferences. I joined SCBWI and made many wonderful friends. Gradually, my writing skills improved and I started to make sales to online magazines. My first sale was for $9.00. I celebrated by taking my husband out for a $20.00 pizza dinner. I was already in the red. But I was hooked on writing and there was no turning back. Since then I’ve had pieces published in Turtle, Know and Highlights. This year I began working as an editor for Stories for Children Magazine and that has given me a feel for the other side of the writing desk. It helps me look at my own writing with an editor’s critical eye.

Since we know each other from our local SCBWI I’m going to start out by telling everyone that you’re modest and to please tell us more about your piece in Highlights.  

First let me elaborate on our local SCBWI. I remember the first time I went to our local chapter meeting. I had just started writing with the intent to publish and I had no idea what to expect. I’m a very shy person, so I sat on the edge and tried to disappear. It only took one meeting for me to feel I was at the right place. Everyone was incredibly supportive of each other and even a shy person like me soon felt at home. It was through that group that I met my critique partners. And it was there that I first read my Highlights contest-winning story, Snow day in Space, before an audience. Winning the Highlights contest was an amazing experience. I had no idea I would win and when I got the call I put my foot in my mouth by saying, “Oh, I thought you were calling about the rebus I submitted.” As though, I would rather have my rebus accepted than win the contest. Writing is so much better than speaking because you can revise before stupidity comes out. It took four years before I was able to see the story in print. It just came out this February. The artwork was superb and I received the additional honor of being selected author of the month. The story, without the beautiful artwork, is actually available online, but if anyone has access to a library, I’d recommend reading it in the magazine.

Could I have you share a tip or two that you’ve picked up as a writer wearing an editorial hat?

 
Well being on the other side of the desk has been an eye opener. I now understand that editors have other things to do than respond immediately to my submissions. I try to respond as soon as possible, but I do get backlogged. I also realize the importance of proof reading and having another pair of eyes go over your work. I’m amazed at the number of submissions I receive that have errors in them. Another thing that I find is so many submissions are unoriginal. If a writer really wants to get my attention, they should try thinking outside the box. Find that fresh twist on an old theme. So be patient, revise, proof-read and try looking at things from a new perspective.
 
Because were buds, I’m privy to insider information and I’m too excited to wait any longer.  Can you tell everyone about your newest project?  *squee*

Well I actually have two new projects, one as an editor and one as a writer. As an editor, I am now offering a critique service on my website. www.roxannewerner.com. I am very excited about the opportunity to help writers bring out the best in their stories. I’m sure you know from working with your editor at Simon Pulse that editors get just as excited about stories as writers do.

You are soooo right.  Anica Rissi and my agent Michelle Wolfson have the same emotional connection and dedication to TOUCHING THE SURFACE that I do.  It’s exactly what you want in an editor and agent.  *heart squish*

 
Your *squee* I assume was meant for my writing project. I’m very excited about that too. This is the first time I’m attempting to write a YA novel. The working title is The Pain Eater. It’s a subject close to home. Although it is a paranormal novel, it deals with what happens when a person tries to take on or ‘fix’ everyone else’s emotional pain. If you let yourself become the ‘fixer’, the emotional burden can end up destroying you.   
 
You get a *squee* for both.  You were my first writer friend helping me to edit my writing and I will recommend you to anyone!  I learned so much from your knowledge and your detailed approach.  I can safely say I’m a much better writer today because of you.  I’ve also taken a sneak peek at the help you’re offering with your critique service and I think it’s amazing.  I’ve also gotten a chance to reverse our roles and critique some of The Pain Eater.  I think you’re thinking outside the box and I want to read more of it ASAP!!!
Can you give us some more information about your service in case someone is looking to get a paid critique?  And who would benefit from hiring this kind of help?    
Information about my critique service is posted on my website www.roxannewerner.com. I am offering critiques on magazine stories, picture books and mid-grade or YA novels. It is all done via email which allows anyone to send in their manuscript quickly and easily. Flat fees are posted on my site and the cost of any additional pages can be discussed with me via email. 
 
Any writer can benefit from having a fresh pair of eyes look over their work. Even the most experienced writer needs to have their work edited. I would say people who are serious about their work and want to move on to the next stage with their writing would benefit the most. Many of today’s writers are self-taught. They manage to get so far on their own, but may be unable to break into getting published. Having someone go over their work with a practiced eye will be beneficial to them. I can point out strengths and weaknesses in their writing and make suggestions to help them reach the next stage on their writing journey. We are often too close to our own work to see what needs to be done. A professional critique is sometimes all it takes to get a manuscript moving in the right direction.

I think you’re very right about needing outside eyes on your work.  May I also suggest, whether you have a paid critique and/or you’ve found a critique group to work with that you keep and open mind about the thoughts and recommendations that are given to you.  I think our first instinct is to defend what we’ve created and that is counter productive to growing.  Having said that, once you’ve allowed the suggestions to sink in and played with your writing, you alone have to be the judge of what works for you.  
 

Earlier you talked about how awesome the SCBWI is and we just got back from the SCBWI Eastern PA Pocono Mt. Retreat.  Membership and conferences cost money and the economy is tight.  Why should people spend their hard earned cash when there is so much free info on the internet?   

I know all about the economy. I just lost my job after working at a company for 34 years. I did a lot of soul searching before going to the SCBWI Eastern PA Conference. Everyone’s situation is different. Only they can tell if their budget will allow them to join SCBWI or attend conferences. However, I do believe that if you are serious about writing, they are worth the investment. The internet is an invaluable source of ‘free’ information, networking and support. But there is only so far that you can go on your own. Conference workshops with editors and accomplished authors are inspiring and take your writing to a completely new level. Conferences open up doors to closed houses. If you don’t have an agent and want to submit to a closed house, a conference lets you get a foot in the door. You hear first hand from editors what they are looking for. If you can afford to get a critique from one of them, you will learn exactly what you are doing right or wrong with your manuscript. Immersing yourself for a weekend in the writing community is an experience every writer should have at least once. Consider the money spent as an investment in yourself and your writing career.

It was a great weekend and I’m so glad you came.  (((hugs)))

 
I know you have an amazing MG novel and you’re WIP has me very intrigued.  Care to share a little bit about your writing?

It’s hard to analyze your own writing. I think we’re too close to our works. My stories are very character driven. I always have the emotional plot arc worked out early on. The action plot line gives me trouble. My MG in particular was hard because I needed to write a battle scene. I ended up writing the aftermath first because that was the emotional part. Picking up the pieces after the battle was easier for me to write than the actual battle. My WIP is paranormal, but it is really about the emotional relationships of the characters. I think one of the reasons you and I connect with our writing is because your writing is also very much about the characters and their emotional development. We also both enjoy adding a touch of fantasy to our worlds.

Yes, we do!  I won’t keep you too much longer, but I always like to ask about your top five books. I think it says so much about a person.

That’s a tough one. I love reading and it’s hard to pick out favorites. It depends so much on my mood and what I want from a book at a particular time. I will say…

The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien is my all time favorite book. I’ve read it so many times. And read it aloud to my son and husband. It’s hard for me to imagine how Tolkien created such a detailed world. I first read it in seventh grade and even learned the elvish alphabet. I can write notes in elf. Anyone who can read elf is an instant friend. I had ‘speak friend and enter’ in elf on my college dorm room and when someone actually understood it, we clicked immediately. Not too long ago, I unearthed a fantasy I wrote in college. As I read it over, I realized it was written in Tolkien’s voice not mine.

I also love classics like Jane Eyre. There’s nothing like a good romance story, mix in a bit of fantasy with it and I’m in heaven.

Who could resist Jamie Frasier from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander?

I love the voice of Angela’s Ashes. It makes me remember my father, who is of Irish descent.

I’ll end with another trilogy. Trilogy’s let you cheat and have more than five favorites. Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy. The Arthur legend has been told so many times, but this is my favorite version. She makes Merlin a person that you can feel for, not just a legendary magician. For me characters are always the most important part of any book. The really well done ones become friends and how can you choose which of your friends is your favorite?

I agree completely!!!!  Besides it never hurts to have more books AND more friends. Thank you so much for taking the time to get a little freaky with me.  Having just spent the conference weekend together, I’m sure you’ve hit your “Kim Saturation Point.”  *grin*  
Don’t forget, if you’re looking for someone with amazing editorial skills to help you out with your manuscript, you should check out Roxanne Werner.  You can find her on her blog…The Write Word Paints a Thousand Pictures.  

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Apr

15

2011

Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat 2011 – Part 3

Filed under: Uncategorized

We’ve established that I’m t-i-r-e-d…so I won’t belabor the point.  Instead I’ll focus on the omelette station.  Honestly I have to focus really hard because omelette is one of those words that never “looks” right when I start typing it.  But I’m blabbering.  I do that when I’m t-i-r-e-d.  Anyway, I love a good omelette station and Sunday morning I knew that there was one is in my near future-BRUNCH!  I also knew this because the staff of the SCBWI Eastern PA are like conference fairy godmothers.  But in the meantime, while I waited for my yummy omelette, I grabbed a coffee and a cinnamon muffin the size of my head and I was all set to listen to Lee Harper. 


The Sabatini house is full of Lee Harper Fans.  We fell in love with his illustrations for Leslie Helakoski’s WOOLBUR.  Lee’s forthcoming picture book, in which he is also the author, looks fantastic!  THE EMPEROR’S COOL CLOTHES.

Lee reminded us that writers and illustrators really aren’t that different, we both look to the world around us for inspiration and we both have to practice our craft in order to become good at it.  He also wisely noted that sometimes the work we do for children is just meant to make them laugh.

Time for a little Editor and Agent Q&A…

From left to right…
    
1.  Liesa Abrams-Executive Editor at Alladin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
2.  Ruta Rimas-Assistant Editor, Balzer +Bray, Harper Collins Children’s Books.
3.  Dianne Hess-Executive Editor of Scholastic Press.
4.  Joan Slattery-Literary Agent, Pippin Properites.
5.  Robert Agis-Associate Editor at Sterling Children’s Books.
6.  Jennifer Rofe-Literary Agent, Andrea Brown.
7.  John Rudolph-Literary Agent, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

In addition to answering questions posed by the audience, they were the panel judging First Pages, which is a look at the very first page of 3 picture books, middle grade and young adult manuscripts.  Hearing how everyone responded to an anonymous first page of material was a very helpful experience.  I was a reader for the three middle grade pieces, which explains why I wasn’t taking the best notes throughout the Editor/Agent session.  *grin*

In addition, there was also an illustrator’s First Look session.  Lee Harper judged it along with Alison Impey. Alison is an award winning designer, currently Senior Designer at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  I had a chance to really hang out with Alison over the course of the conference and she’s wonderful. Curiosity got the best of me and I plied her with millions of questions about her job and I found it fascinating. If I was an illustrator, I would LOVE to work with her.  Alas…that will never happen, so we will just be conference buddies.

OMELETTE STATION!!!!!  Yes, I should have taken a picture, it last longer.  But since I didn’t I now need to interrupt the writing of this blog and go make my own breakfast.  But wait– before I go–it’s a quick trip back to the Golf Bag Holder…


Jodi Moore and I make a pilgrimage back to the Golf Bag Holder every year.  This is the official site of where we became friends and critique partners.  Perhaps it was our 1 yard line.  If you’re not familiar with the 1 yard line–Donna Gephart talked about it in her presentation.  She said that at those moments we’re tempted to give up, we just may be standing on the 1 yard line–so close to our goal.

Our first Poconos Conference was shortly after my father-in-law passed away.  I’d signed up for a critique session and never managed to get my pages out on time.  I was kicking myself.  I’d let myself miss an opportunity and all I could picture was my future editor or agent never meeting me because I’d missed my chance.  I tend to be a little bit hard on myself sometimes.  *grin*  Jodi also didn’t have a critique, so we decided to spend the down time working together and reading each other’s manuscripts.  We both wrote picture books and young adult and just happened to have our YA’s with us.  All the comfy couches were taken and the weather was cold and rainy so we decided that this really uncomfortable bench was going to be our little crit corner.

Jodi told me that I was the very first person to ever lay eyes on her novel.  I think that’s a very special thing. She also told me something else…she’d been writing picture books since her boys were little and she just wasn’t sure if this was ever going to work out for her.  I think she might have been on that 1 yard line.  As we later learned she was also in a Golf Bag Holder.  *grin*

I recommend that everyone spend some time in the Golf Bag Holder.  We really do go back and sit in it, but if you can’t make it to the Shawnee Inn in the Poconos, that’s okay.  I’m talking figuratively.  When you’re in a hard and uncomfortable place in your writing, don’t be afraid to share that with someone.  Sit there and tell the truth and speak your fears, because you will find that we all have them.  You’re not all alone–out on the 1 yard line.   And like me, you just might figure that out the most important thing of all…

If given a choice between having the book and having the friend–I’d pick the friend EVERY time.



And the cool thing is that I know that she would too.  *heart squish*

What’s the best thing that ever happened to you at a conference?

P.S. Because it took me so long to get my post completed today I can now jump up and down and say that Jodi and I are officially heading out to the LA SCBWI Conference in August…do you think they have a Golf Bag Holder?

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Apr

13

2011

Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat 2011 – Part 2

Filed under: Conferences, Touching the Surface

 When we last left off I was tired.  Really, really tired because I’m a blabber mouth and can’t stop talking to my writer peeps.  *sigh*  So after a really yummy breakfast (BTW I really enjoy this whole “people cooking all my meals for me thing) and a little dash big dollop of regular coffee in my decaf, I was ready to kick off a full day of conference done Poconos style!

Have you met Donna Gephart?  If you haven’t then you need to.  She’s amazing!  Her talk was called Six Reasons to Quit Writing (and One Important Reason Not to).

I think you’re probably familiar with these…

1.  It takes to long to be successful.
2.  I’m not good enough.
3.  There’s not enough time to write.
4.  You’re afraid that you’ll fail.
5.  Rejections are too painful.
6.  Someone tells you you shouldn’t write.

Yup, that’s a BIG, FAT YES to all six.  We’ve hung out together before.

But why do I love Donna Gephart so much?  She made me cry.  Her journey touched me and her honesty moved me even more.  I won’t give away her secrets, but here’s what she would want you to know…

*Like the characters we create, writers struggle with internal and external obstacles.  Just know that no one can stop you if you want it bad enough.

So proud to be a part of her tribe.  *heart squish*

Workshop Time!!!!


Two more amazing revision workshop sessions with Suzanne Morgan Williams.

#2-The Solid Structure and #3-The Considered Details.  I especially enjoy any activity where I get to play with colored markers AND learn how to revise better!!!!

After lunch I had workshop #4- The Publisher’s Process: From Submission to Finished Book with Robert Agis (Associate Editor at Sterling Children’s Books).  Once again I was having too much fun to take a picture.  Really I mean it–this is one funny editor, but don’t let his humor fool you.  He’s very knowledgable in his field and kind enough to share that information in a way that everyone can benefit.

At this point in the day (3:10-5:30) I was usually on line, heart pounding in chest, waiting to sit down for my paid critique.  Since I didn’t have one this year and the weather was beautiful–I went for a run.  *grin*  Kind of a neat way to process everything in my head.  Squeezed in 5.5 miles and still had time to hang out on the porch and wash the stink off of me in time for dinner.

After dinner, the Silent Auction/Raffle kicked butt and raised over $3,000.00 with half going to the SCBWI Japan Chapter.  The money that is raised for PA goes to providing scholarships to next year’s conference. The auction ladies rock and I’m not just saying that because they had a basket of Charm’s Blow Pops for the folks who donated–although it did increase the odds that I would give them a shout out. *grin*

So, you’d figure after a late night on Friday, I’d be curled up in a corner, snoring to beat the band.  We’ll I might have been if I hadn’t been hanging out with this fantastic group of people…

Shhhh Don’t tell anyone I did Bunny Ears.  Anyway, this fabulous group of friends threw a little party to celebrate Jodi Moore’s debut picture book WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN and the sale of my first YA novel TOUCHING THE SURFACE.  They baked yummy things, had little inspirational presents and made us feel loved, special and proud to be a part of something so wonderful–a tribe.

You might imagine that I finally went to bed, sleepy and content–and I did–just hours later.  It was my last night to curl up in a stack of pillows and whisper and laugh with my roommate Jodi, but that’s what happens when a Dragon moves into your heart.

My sincerest thanks to my tribe…

Do you have a tribe moment you’d like to share?

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Apr

11

2011

Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat 2011 – Part 1

Filed under: Conferences

I’m back from a FANTASTIC time at the Eastern PA SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat.  The first speaker of the evening was Donna Jo Napoli.


Donna Jo started off by letting us know she had 14 years of rejection under her belt.  In addition to reminding us to hang in there and keep writing, she had other sage bits of advice…

* When at a conference-grow big ears and listen to what agents, editors and authors have to say.  They are sharing what has taken them years to learn.

*Writing fiction is like walking into a room naked while everyone else is dressed-you have to start exposing yourself.  (figuratively of course)

*The reader may be off base about what you’ve written, but they are never wrong.  Listen to what they have to say.

*Write for yourself and be sure to enjoy every step of the journey.

*If you don’t care about it, don’t write it.

New to the Poconos format, we had our first Workshop session on Friday and then headed off for a yummy Shawnee Inn dinner.  But before I stuffed myself, I had a very special moment…

I was there when my amazing critique partner Jodi Moore, introduced her “baby” to her friends and fans…


Jodi sold out of her copies of When a Dragon Moves In in record time, but you can get your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and your Indie Bookstore.  You’re going to LOVE this book!!!

I was also very happy to welcome someone new into the SCBWI family…

Tommy Jarrett from my local SCBWI had a great time at his first conference.  You can check out more of his art work at Jarrett Studios.

After diner we got to hear from the amazing Suzanne Morgan Williams.


Suzanne’s talk was–Caution: Write at Your Own Risk.  She used her own personal journey about writing her YA novel Bull Rider to show us how writing comes from the inside out.

Then it was T-shirt night with Nachos and Networking!!!!  I was having so much fun talking to everyone that I didn’t even take a picture.  Opps!

I’d like to say that after a good night’s sleep I was well rested for a jam packed day, but the truth–I was up until the wee hours, hanging out with old friends and making new ones.  Did I fall asleep in my cheese danish?  You’re going to have to wait until my next post to find out if I was snoozing on Saturday.

If you’ve never been to a conference before, let me know if you have any questions.

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May

31

2010

2010 SCBWI Eastern PA Poconos Mountain Retreat Part 3-Sunday

Filed under: Conferences

I know…I’ve been a bad girl. I’ve let my third installment of the conference slip to the way side, but its not what you think. The conference didn’t lose my interest. Its the exact opposite. It inspired me so much that I’ve been very busy working on revisions of my YA Novel TOUCHING THE SURFACE. No more neglect! I still need to get this wonderful info out to you. Here we go…

Starting the morning with a Blogger Panel run by firstnovelsclub.com. The First Novels Club consists of Frankie Diane Mallis, Sara Kankowski, Donna Gambale and Janine Leaver Burgan and their “adventures in writing, reading, networking, and the rest of life as a critique group of first-time novelists.” Their blog is both fun and informative and you should stop by and check them out.
Next up was the author panel:
Pat Thomas
Sandy Asher
Becky Burka
Gayle Krausse
Karen Orloff
Jodi Moore
Judy Schrachner
Everyone shared their thoughts and experiences but there were a few stand out moments…
“When you write for adults you are preaching to people who are looking for confirmation of what they already believe. When you write for children you may be guiding their way.” Sandy Asher
The highlight of the panel for me was watching one of my best friends Jodi Moore get to “be an author” for the first time. Jodi’s first picture book WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN will be coming out with Flashlight Press. (((((((hugs))))))) Can’t wait to have my own copy!
Between watching Jodi and the omelet station, the truth is…I can’t top that. All I can say is that dreams do come true. Keep writing and remember to enjoy the journey because when you least expect it, there’s magic and yummy breakfast right around the corner. Of course it never hurts to have something special to keep you moving in the right direction…
Like friends, great conferences run by great people and SCBWI coffee mugs and fuzzy sweat shirts!
And friends who inspire and make you laugh…
Friends who listen with fresh ears and tell you the truth.
Friends who give hugs instead of good-byes.
Friends who will ALWAYS sit in the golf bag holder with you.
And even Dads, who will always be with you, even when they’re no longer with you…Stay the course. Live the journey.
More conference posting coming after the Eastern NY SCBWI Conference on June 12th.

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Apr

19

2010

2010 SCBWI Eastern PA Poconos Mountain Retreat Part 2-Saturday

Filed under: Conferences

After staying up until 1am for a gab-fest with my roommie, the next best thing after coffee, for surviving a 7:30 breakfast wake-up call is sharing the meal with Sandy Asher. She signed my books and we had a chance to chat about writing and dancing. Full the the brim with yummy food, we were off and running.

Marilyn started us off with our daily dose of announcements and Mary Ann got us all ready to hear Judy Schachner’s EAT, PREY, LICK: THE CARE AND FEEDING OF THE FURRY MUSE, aka SKIPPYJON JONES.

Judy Schachner is simply funny. She’s other things too…talented, kind, a mom, animal lover etc…but she’s really really funny. She started off her talk by letting us know that she was “correctly” diagnosed with ADHD by a 3rd grade boy at a speaking engagement leaving her a little concerned about the skills of her therapist LOL! We all fell immediately under her spell because our therapists haven’t figured us out yet either. I wish that I could regale you with the rest of her stories, but they wouldn’t be funny coming from me. She has a way with words and if you ever get the chance to hear her speak, I highly recommend it. She also brought some wonderful slides to share. She writes “Non-fiction” so it was really exciting to see her muse Skippyjon Jones!
Awwwwww Look at Mr. Furry Pants. His ears are too beeg for his head. His head ees too beeg for his body. What a perfect combination. Judy, thanks for letting us get a little CHIHUAHUA LOVE!!!! Unfortunately for you dear reader, the rest of this post will likely have a Spanish accent. Si? Its Workshop Time…
I picked the Double Workshop with Sandy Asher this year. Last year I took a lot of workshops geared towards agenting and web promotion. This year I decided to place my focus on craft since I’m revising and attempting to become agent worthy.
Sandy’s Workshop was entitled WHOSE STORY IS THIS? AND WHY? AND ARE YOU SURE? We used an article on the core psychological needs written by Alice B. McGinty to analyze our characters and their motivations.
CORE NEEDS:
1. Safety/Security
2. Acceptance/Belonging
3. Love
4. Independence
5. Recognition/Esteem
6. Dominance
7. Self-Acutalization
When you understand why your character is doing what they’re doing, a light bulb goes off for you as the writer. Also remember that needs drive the story, but they are not the story itself.
My favorite thing that Sandy said was that she believes that each of us writes one story over and over again, trying to answer the ultimate question that we don’t know. This comment resonated with me. I’m always driven to write in order to make sense of my own world so it felt a little bit like confirmation of the things that I think in that empty space between my ears.
Here are some other great tidbits that she passed along…
*Think of your characters as walking out into a scene on stage. They do not come out and announce themselves and give an info dump.
*You as the author are acting as a puppeteer below the scenes of the story. *There needs to be hope at the end of a YA novel…the potential of good things happening even if things don’t end perfectly. *Characters know what they WANT, but not what they NEED.
*You are not creating life in all its complexity-you are creating a story arc.
*You have to be really careful in fantasy that the plot doesn’t happen and pull the character along with it. Make sure your plot is growing out of your character and not your character following your plot.
*Your characters do not read your outline.
Time for lunch and then it was off to Workshop #3. I picked PICTURE BOOK REVISION: WHAT CAN I CUT? with Margaret Miller. We jumped right in and began learning different ways to focus our attention so that we could distill our stories down to their essence. I learned a tremendous amount and will be applying it to all my picture books.
I then had the pleasure of having a One-on-One Critique with Christy Webster. She was also extremely helpful with a sample of my second YA and I left the room feeling as if she really helped me to focus in on my true north as far as the story was concerned. Her advice is busy percolating while I work on my revisions for TOUCHING THE SURFACE. Thanks Christy!
Another pleasure of the conference is the impromptu groups that get together. Every little nook and cranny is filled writers, helping each other out and discussing anything and everything. But don’t forget to watch the clock…we talked so long, we almost missed our chance to get “dressed up” for dinner.
Kim, Jodi, Jeff and Shiloh
Kim. Jodi, Katie and Shiloh
After dinner we had the Silent Auction/Raffle. I won some really nice books for the kids and we raised $1,993.00 in scholarship money for next years conference. ((((((applause)))))))
More Intensive Author/Illustrator Forums to round out the night and then once again everyone seemed unable to stop talking….Roxanne broke out the cookies and we hung out in the lobby until we couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer. I believe Sandy Asher’s husband summed it up best when he finally joined her at a Writer’s Conference and realized why she always came home from conferences so much happier then he did…Children’s Writers hug!
Back with my final installment soon. Thanks for tuning in. :o)

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Apr

16

2010

2010 SCBWI Eastern PA Poconos Mountain Retreat Part 1-Friday

Filed under: Conferences

Welcome to the 2010 SCBWI Eastern PA Poconos Mountain Retreat. Its a gem of a conference and well worth every penny if you ever get the chance to come. The Eastern PA branch of the SCBWI is amazing and I can’t thank you enough for a wonderful weekend. The conference takes place in the very cozy Shawnee Inn.

Friday starts off with a Critique-athon and Portfolio Exchange (with peer groups). I’m green with envy because I’ve yet to make it to this event although everyone raves about it. My sitter isn’t available early enough for me to get there in time, but I’ve got it marked on my calendar for 2 years from now when all my boys are in school for a full day. A little birdie told me that Laurie Halse Anderson will be there! I’m inspired just thinking about it.
After registering and hugging all my long lost writer buddies, its time for an intro from our beloved Conference Director MaryAnn Scott.

Next we move to First Pages/Illustrator’s First Look. This is where our panel of esteemed editors and agents gets a crack at some unidentified first pages of manuscripts and illustrations.
Those lucky enough to have their pages and illustrations picked received feedback from Martha Rago (Associate Creative Director at Harper Collins), Eve Adler (Associate Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers), Margaret Miller (Bloomsbury), Christy Webster (Assistant Editor at Random House Children’s Books) and Elana Roth (Literary Agent at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency). They each gave lots of wonderful feedback to every piece, but here were some universal truths that jumped out at me…
*There are LOTS of PB’s about seasons out there-tough market unless you are creating something really unique.
*The more hooks a book has the better.
*When writing MG/YA your primary focus is the kid, not a parent or adult. KID-CENTRIC Writing.
*No one wants to see too much character info dumping on the first page.
*If you have too much imaginary stuff in your story and ANYTHING can happen…where is the tension?
*Different editors like different manuscripts. (This was even evident from the panel)
After every good panel its always fun to check out the Author/Illustrator Exhibit, have a little dinner and catch up with friends. Jodi, Katie and Karen discussing…EVERYTHING!
Marilou, Kim and Heather
The cool think about conferences is that you don’t just meet up with old friends, you make new ones too! Marilou (left) was one of the scholarship winners and I can see why after hearing her submission HYPNO-CHICKEN. I loved it! Marilou also managed to make my whole night when she sat down at the table and realized she recognized me from my blog. OMG!!!!! I have a real reader. How cool is that?
I know that fame and recognition sounds like a great place to end the evening, but seriously Friday’s keynote speaker was amazing. Sandy Asher has written more than two dozen books for young readers, over three dozen plays for young and adult audiences and she has a wonderfully helpful book out called WRITING IT RIGHT: HOW CHILDREN’S AUTHORS PERFECT AND SELL THEIR STORIES.
Sandy’s speech was titled…BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: 40+ Years of Writing for Publication and How Not to Become Rich and Famous.
Sandy starts off by saying that a big part of success in the writing world comes from doing one thing, doing it well and doing it over and over.
*Readers can depend on that and it makes them happy.
*Familiarity=Comfort Zone
*A nice time is guaranteed by all
Unfortunately…Sandy did the complete opposite LOL!
She talked about how doing the same thing over and over was the difference between riding a roller coaster and taking a journey.
A roller coaster might give you butterflies, but at the end you get off and end up right back where you started. A journey on the other hand, we can be planned but can not anticipated. There is an unknown factor and you never know where you are going to end.
So what has Sandy’s 40 year journey given her?
*For starters…she’s older. (She’s funny too)
*In the beginning she wanted to write PB’s and read them to her little nephew. Her first PB cam out when he was 34. Now he has two boys of his own.
*Patience and Persistence. (See above for example of persistence)
Along her journey someone once asked her why she didn’t get a job. Her response was…”I have a job, it just doesn’t pay anything.”
She’s learned some other great things along the way that she shared with us…
*When editors say what they want or don’t want, believe them.
*Computers do not speed up the process of developing into a writer.
*If a manuscript is not marketable, it is not marketable. Her brother was working in publishing and proved that point by being unable to get his own manuscript published. “He knew himself and he still couldn’t get it published!”
*Finding an agent doesn’t guarantee HAPPILY EVER AFTER, just like getting married doesn’t insure it either.
*If you write successfully, you will be asked to speak.
*Submit broadly…you don’t live long enough for editors to send things back one project at a time.
*”Revenge keeps me going” *giggle*
Friday night also kicks off the Silent Auction. This is how THE AUCTION LADY raises scholarship money for next years conference. Its lots of fun and if everyone gives a little, the rewards are great. Someone went home with a very yummy basket of Alps Chocolate. It was really hard not to nibble on the car ride in.
Last but not least, everyone breaks up into Intensive Author/Illustrator forums at the very end of the evening. These are casual break-out sessions and although we had a great time…EVERYONE missed being in the “Butterfly Group” with Lara Zeises.
Yawn….The beds were soooooo comfy, perfect for staying up till at least 1am talking to your roommie! :o) Stay tuned, my next installment coming soon…can’t wait to show you what we did on Saturday.

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