We are on the 2014 NY SCBWI conference recap homestretch!!!! But just like with attendance at a conference, even though you’re sad to have it come to an end, you should also be feeling those itchy fingers wanting to write and create now that you’ve been inspired.
One of the very best Keynotes of the Conference was by Kate Messner: The Spectacular Power of Failure
Everyone in the room was affected by the power of Kate’s words. Why? There were multiple reasons, but the biggest were that Kate’s a dynamic speaker and the topic was relevant to everyone. Relatable and inspiring. Here are some of her best moments…
*Why do a talk on Failure? Because we share the shame we feel over the fear of failure.
*Be Brave. But it’s okay to be afraid. Of course you’re nervous–>if it weren’t , it wouldn’t be worth doing.
*Fight or Flight Fear is different than Fear of Failure, but it’s just as strong.
*On Art and Fear: You learn how to make your work by making your work.
I saved my chocolate fix for just the right spot…
*The act of sitting down to do the work brings on the idea fairy. (My idea fairy obviously likes chocolate-that’s why we get along so well.)
*Fail Fast, Fail Often: Sometimes losing can help you win.
*If we want to make art–failures are pretty good trail markers pointing us in the right direction.
*A problem that is insurmountable is manageable, when we talk to a friend. We are not afraid of our friend’s failures LOL!
*The only thing we can control is how we do our work. (Can I get an amen?)
*Failure let’s us be role models.
*High-stakes testing undermines divergent thinking. (I seriously LOVE this!)
Thank you, Kate–this pep-talk was exactly what I needed, right when I needed it. You’re the BEST! <3
Next up…Keynote Panel: The Art of the Picture Book
MF–Marla Frazee
RC–Raul Colon
PB–Peter Brown
Moderated by AL–Arthur Levine (If I have to tell you who he is–you haven’t done your homework well enough)
Just a few little tidbits that stuck to me…
*SS–When something isn’t working: sometimes you have to walk away to figure it out.
*MF–It’s hard to know when a piece is going downhill. I keep thinking I can fix it.
*SS–Turning down a project that doesn’t resonate is an ability that comes with maturity.
*RC–The illustrator doesn’t just want to illustrate the text–they are there to extend it.
Additionally Peter Brown got into a lively debate about authors and illustrators having more connection and collaboration in the picture book process. Everyone else on the panel felt strongly about giving the illustrator room to create without the influence of the author. Peter understood this, but felt there were advantages for authors to learn to think more spatially. I will tell you that he was getting a lot of cheers from the picture book writers in the audience LOL! In my humble opinion, both sides of the debate were fascinating and relevant.
I’m going to be honest–I was so bummed that Sharon Draper had to cancel due to a family emergency. I’d just finished reading OUT OF MY MIND with the boys and we are HUGE fans. But Nikki Grimes is such an eloquent speaker and writing royalty, I couldn’t stay disappointed. In fact, I could listen to her description of a girl’s first kiss all day long. Her voice. Her words. He perception and humor. It was amazing.
*I have been day dreaming for the better part of my life.
*It’s all right. Just keep writing. You’ll figure it out eventually.
Some other conference highlights as the big weekend comes to a close…
Tomie dePaola giving out the Tomie dePaola Award for Illustration
Jane Yolen giving out the Mid-list Author Grants (And it was her birthday!)
Hanging out with my roommie. It was Jeannie Intrieri‘s first national SCBWI conference. I think she’s hooked. <3
Getting more Kate Messner books for the boys and I to read. <3 We are uber fans!!!
The hustle, bustle and blur of everyone trying to meet their favorite authors and get their books signed.
And the moment you realize that it’s a l-o-n-g time until the 2014 LA SCBWI Conference in August. *le sigh*
I’ve done it! Another conference blog for the archives. Even though they are a lot of work to put together, I know I’m going to continue to look back at these memories and bits of wisdom and be so glad that I’ve journaled them. I also really enjoy how many people have told me how much they love the conference blogs. You guys rock!
What other kinds of blog posts–here or on other sites–do you find the most useful/memorable?
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