Expectations from attendees to the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference were as varied as the participants.  For me it was to legitimize myself.  To stop feeling like an interloper in the children's book world.  When I began my counseling career I remember attending the American Counseling Association conference in Montreal and absorbing that sense of camaraderie from other counselors, who in turn, welcomed me into their ranks.  My expectation for the SCBWI winter conference in New York City this past weekend was met and my image of myself was transformed from an illegitimate child into a welcomed daughter in just two glorious days. 

     My hat goes off to the staff of the SCBWI for they are extremely professional, genuine and down to earth, as they welcomed everyone, especially the new writers.  Didn't hurt that they were down right funny too.  My brain was a sponge for two days straight and what I came away with was the knowledge that I have so much more to learn about my new profession yet I am exactly where I need to be.  The speakers and events ranged from long time established writers such as Lois Lowry and RL Stine to newbies in the award winning and best seller world like Sara Zarr and Linda Sue Parker.  From each I learned something new and exciting and all of this knowledge has stirred my creative juices and brought them to a boil.

     One of the greatest lessons was from Lois Lowry who taught us the single most important question on the minds of every child that writes to her.  On the screen up front the audience read over and over, with every handwritten and e-mailed message sent to the famous author, one burning question.  Do you have a dog? Obviously having dogs is a must for every children's book author.  All kidding aside (sort of), Lois Lowry inspired me to learn to write to her level of creativity and mastery.  So a new entry on my to do list says, "Obtain Lois Lowry books, whether from the library, from Kindle, or from the local bookstore and read, read, read."  I wrote the following in my notebook at the end of her speech.  "If I get nothing else out of this conference, being inspired to the level of Lois Lowry is monumental.  It is a daunting task, but I am up to the challenge."

     The Picture Book panel taught me that picture books must have lyrical sensibility, for the lines will be spoken aloud to the child.  I also learned that although many picture books do not have children in them (often animals, inanimate objects and adults) the emotions must resonate with the children.  The panel explained how the words must be carefully chosen, as if writing poetry and how it is not necessary to "dumb down."  Yet making up a word or two can often be fun.  Although picture books is not my forte, the panel's gifts of wisdom will aid me even in writing my Middle Grade and Young Adult novels.  Make the characters unforgettable.  Make the reader laugh or cry.  Discover a story worth telling.  A writer must touch the child within.  And most importantly, Let Go To Story.  I did not know what that phrase meant at first but was pleasantly reminded that letting go to story means to get out of my head and into the heart of the story.  Find the "stuff" in the deepest part of me and wrap it up as a gift to the reader.  The story must have attitude.  And to create attitude I must find the pulse of it, the sass of it and the rhythm of it.  See story as a narrative wave, something the child in me can ride and visualize beyond the text.  Amazingly the discussion was wonderful food for fodder and though it is low on my priority list I started formulating an idea for a picture book.  Maybe a future project?

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