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This past weekend, I had the pleasure to attend Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat.

As a retreat "newbie" I was nervous, but excited, to be spending two-and-a-half days away from the responsibilities of home, kids, work, press releases, etc., to focus on my works-in-progress, meet other writers, listen, learn and be inspired.

Happy to have friend and fellow Barrington-based children's author, Jamie Michalak, as my retreat-buddy, we set off like Thelma & Louise (minus the convertible and armed-robbery), with our bags packed and the sun dipping in the late afternoon sky.

A short while later, we turned onto the long, winding road of Whispering Pines. Cozy cottages nestled beside a picturesque pond greeted us, and both Jamie and I commented that it was hard to believe we were still in Rhode Island. We'd traveled only 30 minutes, but already felt a world away from our daily routines.

As the the rest of the weekend unfolded, we discovered that a beautiful setting is just one of many things that makes the Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat so special.

Charlesbridge Editorial Director Yolanda Scott shared with us her thoughts on winning picture books in her presentation on Character, Plot and Voice.

Jo Knowles, author of LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL, JUMPING OFF SWINGS, PEARL and the forthcoming SEE YOU AT HARRY'S discussed elements of a great beginning in her First Pages workshop.

Delacorte's VP Executive Editor Michelle Poploff recounted the road to publication for several of her most successful debut novelists, including Clare Vanderpool, author of the Newbery Awarding-winning MOON OVER MANIFEST.

Literary Agent Andrea Cascardi of TransAtlantic Literary Agency, in encouraging us to keep the faith, delivered perhaps my favorite mantra of the weekend (borrowed from a colleague): "Revise and persist!"

Alexis O'Neill, author of LOUD EMILY, THE RECESS QUEEN and ESTELA'S SWAP, flew in from California to give us all a lively and information-packed presentation on successful school visits.

Award-winning illustrator Suzanne Bloom dazzled us with daring displays of artistic acumen in her presentation on picture books.

Some of my favorite moments came each night when the mentors and writers gathered around the tall stone fireplace to listen to First Pages. Electricity filled the air as the anonymous first pages were read aloud, and then critiqued by our mentors.

And of course, there was the FOOD. Anyone who attends Whispering Pines and blogs about it, no doubt dedicates a full paragraph to the food. I will sum it up this way: Gorgonzola Gnocchi. Enough said.

I could go on. There was so much more. From Jo Knowles' insightful and generous critique of my middle-grade manuscript, to the infectious enthusiasm of Conference Director Lynda Mullally Hunt

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