Favorite Quotes

What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers.

~Logan Pearsall Smith

Totally Awesome Tuesday

Out in the bloggity world lately, I've been finding different posts for certain days of the week, like Mention/Musing Monday or Follow Friday. And to be honest I'm not sure if there's one for every day of the week. But I thought today I'd make up Totally Awesome Tuesday because it's not Monday or Friday and the two of those don't quite put together how thankful I am for certain friends who dare to inspire, love, and reach a helping hand out. 

An incredibly special writing friend who's done this for me and many others is Jackie Garlick. She's a fantastic YA writer represented by Adams Literary, has a fun Blah Blah Blah Blogger blog, and also puts on an amazing writers retreat/SCBWI conference in Niagara Falls. We met about five years back at a writers retreat in Lake Tahoe. Luckily, I've been able to spend more time with Jackie over the years and one of those times were more recently at SCBWI LA. 

I've been out in the query trenches with my old wip and have almost gotten through the first draft of my new one. But before talking with Jackie, I'd been feeling discouraged because it's been hard for me to dig into all the reality I've put into my new wip. We sat and talked for a long time in the busy lobby of the Hyatt and the love and wisdom Jackie shared with me that day felt so powerful and deep.  We both cried and laughed and when we said our goodbyes, I knew what had to be done with the entire arc on my wip. Friends are a powerful thing, and I feel so honored to call Jackie my friend.

Happy Totally Awesome Tuesday everyone!

SCBWI LA - A Recap

SCBWI LA 2011 was an incredibly special year, especially because they just celebrated 40 years. Whoop! Whoop! And with keynote speakers like Judy Blume, David Small, Bruce Coville, Jerry Pinkney, Laurie Halse Anderson, the hilarious Libba Bray, and many more, I left feeling not just a creative spark emerging but literal fireworks! 

 

When I arrived to LA I found my roommates Cyndi Kremsner and Jenny MacKay. 

Then I ran into one of my critique partners Christopher S. Ledbetter whom I've never met in person, but already know so well (you definitely get to know a lot about someone when you read their work). And of course the fabulous Ellen Hopkins.

 It was great meeting new friends as well. Here are some writer/illustrators I had lunch with and when they pulled their cards/postcards out for me to have, I couldn't have been more blown away with how much talent attended this conference. 

Here's another great friend and critique partner, Amy Allgeyer Cook.

And since I'm such a blog fanatic I had to take another picture with Mary Kole. I've learned a ton from Kidlit.com and feel like she's been my teacher in a bloggy kind of way.

And one of my favorite Facebook friends and authors, Jay Asher. It was a blast hearing about his adventures in LA over lunch. 

Bret Ballou from YA Muses and Kristen Crowley Held

Having more lunch with friends Craig Lew and Sarah McGuire.

Here's the delicious and VERY creative dessert we had.  

Look I'm reading my dessert and oh, it was a damn good read!!

 

Then to end such a magnificent weekend, I saw these two guys dancing on the tarmac on my way home from LA. It counldn't have been a more perfect ending.

So if you've never been to SCBWI LA, I highly recommend it. You walk away with not only a new way of looking at your work, but inspiration from those who've already walked the author path and are extremely happy to help pass that energy and wisdom on to you to make sure you succeed as well. Happy writing and illustrating everyone!

Favorite Quotes

"imperfections create character..."

— Ellen Hopkins