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My friend Mary Morton Cowan was signing copies of Captain Mac: The Life of Donald Baxter MacMillan, Arctic Explorer  at the Portland Borders today.  Her book is even more gorgeous in person, than I imagined it would be.  And so many amazing photos too!

I can't wait to cuddle up and read it cover to cover.

Congratulations Mary!

I was so excited to host my writing group this past weekend, that I started getting ready the Monday before!  I did a fall cleaning on the meeting room, cleaned my own home, shopped/baked/made lasagna, ordered pizza, printed our schmooze schedule, beautified the front of the office and made sure the rental trailers could pass the white glove test.  

Then of course, I had to tighten the piece I was going to read and print copies of it.

By the time Friday morning came, all that was left was the seemingly  endless waiting . . .

Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Agency was our guest of honor.  And she was the first to arrive!  By 6pm, almost everyone had gathered in my kitchen to eat pizza and talk about all things writer-ly. 

I was in heaven!  So much so, that I forgot to take pizza party pictures.  Sorry about that!

We gathered bright and early Saturday morning for coffee and breakfast goodies and after updating each other on what's been going on in our lives -



We had several celebrations!  Cindy Faughn had signed with an agent, Laura Hamor was creating school visit class for illustrators, Joyce and Anna were now working full time, Mona and Jeanne were retiring full time, Joan had sold a book and Jeanne had gotten a "must read" from Library Journal on her book, Children With Cancer.  (There's much, much more - and I apologize for not listing it all) 

Then we began our 20 minute critiques.   Every piece I heard, whether it was picture book, middle grade, non-fiction, fiction . . .   whether it was a what-do-you-think-of-this-rough-first draft   piece or a very-polished-ready-to-submit piece . . .  they were all outstanding!   I am always so proud to be  part of this amazingly talented group. 

Laura Hamor, Mona Pease and Cindy Faughn

And the feedback I personally received . . . . Wow!  I cannot WAIT to dig into the revisions on my middle grade sci-fi.  I'm so excited by the changes they've inspired.  I've been hosting spring and fall schmoozes since 2002 and I never fail to learn something new!

Val Giogas, Denise Ortakeles, Laura

After our critique session, Joan gave a wonderful talk about her agency and her role within it.  She also talked about the industry as a whole.  You could hear a pin drop the entire time - she's a wonderful speaker - very giving and caring and smart!  I can see why her clients rave about her!

From all the schmoozers ~  "Thank you, Joan!"

Then there was free time for walking the campground, writing, napping, brainstorming - or in Anna's case, swimming. 



before we gathered for a lasagna supper. 

Sadly, I'd forgotten to get our bi-annual group photo right after the critique session, before a few of our members headed home.  But w

Friend-ge Benefits

By Kristi Butler

I couldn’t believe it! As I sat at the lunch table at the first Write2Ignite! Conference, I overheard a conversation going on right beside me. The bubbly, beautiful woman to my left was discussing the events of the last year. Two of her daughters had gotten married within months of each other. So had mine. Her husband had a kidney transplant. Mine had a stroke. I couldn’t help but join in. Although she was from Iowa and I from North Carolina, we had walked such similar paths. And the likenesses didn’t stop there. Her husband is a pastor. Mine was in the pastorate for 17 years. She and her husband started a Christian school. My hubby and I did too. God brought us together at that appointed time to begin a friendship, a sisterhood, that continues to this day. No, we don’t get to see each other often…other than through our blog photos, but we are one in spirit, sharing a bond that disregards the miles between us. We pray for each other, email, post blog comments, and encourage one another.

The “icing on the cake” was that we also shared the love of literature for children! We both had been given a dream…called by God to write books for children. Now, she has several books bearing her name, and I’m still a “newbie.” My first book just came out in November. And my dear friend, Dixie, was cheering me all along the way!

Dixie Phillips will be attending Write2Ignite! You are in for such a blessing if you get the opportunity to meet her. She is such a light for Jesus! I know that I can’t wait to get a big hug!

Interestingly, Vonda Skelton was the very first person that I met at the very first writers’ conference I attended! She is also bubbly and beautiful, a dear friend and encourager…and accomplished writer! She will surely bless our socks off with her keynotes at Write2Ignite! this year!!!

Write2Ignite! is power-packed with an amazing faculty! You will be challenged. You will learn and grow as a writer. You will make contacts with editors and leaders in publishing. But that’s not all. The friend-ge benefits are amazing!

2 Comments on February 10, 2010, last added: 2/10/2010