This summer has been a crazy one for me. I had taken a spell off from the inter-webs to make sure that I had everything planned and prepared for the opportunities I knew were coming. Networking is the most important thing one can do when you are an artist - especially if you do not have a rep and are putting yourself out there on your own. Over the past few years I've learned a tremendous amount about myself when it comes to networking and attending functions for that purpose. I think the most important thing I have learned is that I absolutely NEED down time in between functions, and I NEED to make sure that my energies are not spent solely on one individual for the entire evening/event. As much as I like to pretend that I'm a gregarious extrovert, I'm really a quiet introvert, much rather preferring to observe than to perform in public. (This is where dance class helps! haha)

My dance class performing: Borka and the Purple Dream Dancers! (Ya, I'm serious! lol)

So, to start off the convention season, Joe and I went to visit his family in San Francisco. I always have a lovely time there, the quiet and picturesque scenes to be had from his mother's home in the hills overlooking an inlet from the bay is pure magic. Though it wasn't much "down time" for poor Joe as he had an injury he needed to tend to, it was just what I needed to get a bit of rest and spiritual relaxation away from the everyday noise and pollution where we live. Then when we came home we literally had one day to unpack, do laundry, and repack for ComicCon in San Diego. I felt completely at ease, and very happy to have the day and a half to prepare and get ready for the Con. We also had an extra day in San Diego before the Con started, so that also helped keep the stress at bay.

View from the Townsend's

View of Mary's Garden

When ComicCon started I already had a game plan of things I needed to do. No, it wasn't standing in line to see a free concert by Weird Al (which I totally wanted to do!), but rather I made the most of my time and spent it meeting up with friends and contacts I had met at previous cons. I brought my dummy book to work on and show to my writer friends, I made sure to say hello to people I knew on the show floor at their booths, and when we went out somewhere in the evening it was to an industry event where we would meet other like minded folks. Now, this seems like a basic notion for most of you, but you would be surprised at the amount of people who go to these things with a PRO badge, and yet do not take advantage of the networking opportunities available to them. Preferring to meet up with some buddies at a bar and stand in line to buy lots of goodies on the show floor. And sometimes those people are friends of mine who complain of not having enough work, or that it's too tough to get in the industry. Yes, it is hard, but you have to do the work. All in all, it was a pleasant experience as always and I look forward to going again next year.

View from our hotel in San Diego the first night.

The very next week after ComicCon was the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Annual Conference. I'd been looking forward to this since the beginning of April this year! The venue was sold out (1235 attendees to be exact) and I was excited to meet the famous Tomie dePaola and hear Judy Blume speak. I also wanted to make it my mission to meet new people and interact as much as possible with people I knew from local events as well. Unfortunately, I was already worn down by ComicCon and stressing about my portfolio that I mostly just sat in the ballroom and tried to chat with my neighbors. I did meet some wonderful new people, especially after wards at the Illustrator Social on Friday, but I regret that I had maxed out my energy by Saturday evening and had to go home early so I could make it the next day. Though I am glad to have done so, because the next day I had to opportunity to chat with Eliza Wheeler whom I met at our first SCBWI conference together about 5 years ago. She's now an accomplished illustrator with several awards, and was kind enough to share with me her galley of the next book she'll be published as illustrator. (Congrats Eliza!)

Sketched Meg Rosoff as she was giving her keynote on how "real life" fairytales would give kids nightmares!

As you can see in my last post here I had been working hard to complete three new paintings, and I had also written and sketched out a whole new story to include as a dummy sample. I wanted to make sure that I had prepared for the opportunity that awaited - the chance that I would meet with an Art Director (which was not a guarantee). I was so stressed about the whole thing that I had to remind myself that this is my best work, and I will only continue to improve upon it, let the chips fall where they may. So, when I got my badge on the first day I was ecstatic to find out that I had my review with Laurent Linn, the AD from Simon & Shushter! I couldn't help but feel that this was meant to be, and after the review it emboldened my confidence to continue my pursuit. Then when the showcase opened on Saturday, I felt like I won the lottery to find that ALL of my postcards were gone within the first 15 minutes. I just hope that the other ADs and agents were able to grab one before they were gone!

Sketched Judy Blume as she spoke: "Do not let anyone discourage you; get angry, not depressed! Determination is key."

The keynotes and lectures were amazing, and very informative. I decided to mix it up between YA and picture books, writing and illustrating. I think though the one that brought me closest to tears was Stephen Chobosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), when he was telling his story about how he came to writing and encouraging everyone to find that voice inside them, even the small and quiet, to tell the story that will make a difference in someone else's life because it's also what you went through. I do believe the gal next to me thought I was a little crazy, but I had to wipe my eyes. It reminded me why I was there in the first place, why I thoroughly believe that children's books is what I was meant to write/illustrate, because my story is akin to so many other kids' stories out there that are underrepresented, that are suffering, that are trying so hard not to lose hope in the face of extreme obstacles. That all that matters is the heart of the story, the emotion and the experience, which is a universal experience none the less. It was also the reason why, throughout the rest of the whole conference I knew why it felt like home, and I could always feel the smile on my face. Next year though, I think it might be wise for me to room in the hotel...that way I can get more rest and have more time getting to know new people!

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