We're back! The Hoggetowne Scribbles AND Doodlers had a blast! The weekend was fabulous! And, as usual, our regional adviser, Linda Bernfield put together an awesome conference. I came away with so much. My head is full. It may take a while to decompress and process everything.
We started with the Writer's Intensive all day Friday. I can't even begin to list everything I learned. Let's just say that over the years I've found that the more I learn, the more I realize I have to learn to understand the complexity of writing that really great book. The highlight of the day, for me, was when we broke into groups for our 500 word critique. Normally you bring the first 500 words, but since the registration said we could bring an excerpt, some of us did, including me. The interesting thing though, is as others read, and I looked at my "excerpt", I had that "aha" moment. The other writers, including the queen of realistic fiction, Alex Flinn, agreed unanimously. I actually brought the first 500 words. Finally, I've found the beginning of my YA. Wow. Now I have much work to do.
Alex Flinn, Molly O'Neill, Joyce Sweeney
Molly O'Neill was delightful. She's an Assistant Editor at Bowen Press, a new imprint of Harper Collins. She was incredibly approachable and sweet. I found her workshops and critique to be extremely helpful. Character, character, character. Yes, I have more work to do.
Joyce Sweeney shared much of her wisdom, as always. I always learn so much from her. I'm saving my dimes to send her a manuscript or two. She has helped a whopping 21 authors get published. I'd give my right toe to be one of her credits!
Nadia Cornier of Firebrand Literary
Nadia was funny, funny, funny. I can see why their agency is sought after. Her workshop on promoting yourself was a bit intimidating. Like I said, the more you learn, the more you find out you don't know. (I never did get to see her dove trick though.)
David Diaz, 1995 Caldecott Medal winner
Anyone who's ever met David Diaz understands. He's everywhere. What a sweet guy.
Sid Fleishman, Newbery Medalist
Wow. Sid Fleishman. An amazing man with an equally amazing story. Wow.
There were other speakers. How could I have missed getting a picture of Lee Bennett Hopkins? He was incredibly inspirational and I'm certain my eyes weren't the only teary ones as he read from his war anthology. And no picture of Adrian Fogelin? What was I thinking? Her speech was so fabulous that I found myself sitting on the floor in her workshop the next day, facing several other writers who had to find seating just outside the door in the hallway. She critiqued my YA and saw things in my characters that I'd never considered. Wonderful insight.
The one word to sum up the conference for me is motivation. What motivates my characters? Why do they feel the way they do? Why do they act the way they do? What is the thread the ties them together, these characters that seem so different from one another? I imagine if you talked to other writers, they heard something else. But that's what resonated with me. That's my focus as I begin to revise once again. I'm going to have one of my characters write a letter to the friend that dies in my YA. I need her to show me what she really feels and thinks. Thanks to Molly's suggestion, I'm going to rewrite some scenes from another character's viewpoint in my MG, so I can see how they view my main character. So many great ideas. So much work ahead.
But the one thing I really gained from this conference is the conviction that I can do this. I've come so far. I'm so close...yet so far. But I know I can get there. I will rise above the slush. I just have to keep working at it. I really don't stink. I'm even making a new tag so I can reread this post, and remember the emotions and revelations that I took away with me this year.
The Hoggetowne Scribbles & Doodlers
Linda Eadie, Anna Horton, Cana Rensberger, Ena Jones, Barbara Bockman
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld, Fla. SCBWI Regional Adviser
Thank you, Linda, for another absolutely amazing conference!
Cakes, made by Gaby Triana
Really. Those are cakes. Amazing, huh? They are in honor of Linda Bernfeld and the Fla. SCBWI's 6th conference.
The Hoggetowne pirates and David Diaz
"Crank, you're such a lush!"
The Hoggetowne Scribbles & Doodlers with Joyce Sweeney
The Captain captures Frank Remkiewicz!
The Hoggetowne Pirates with Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld.
(Captain Hooker, Sea B*tch, and Salty Boob)
Me and Debbie Reed Fischer
Author of Braless in Wonderland, due out April, 2008 and
Swimming with Sharks, also due out in 2008.
So, the word for the year is MOTIVATION. What's your motivation? What's the motivation for your characters? Here's hoping we all find that motivation and that this will be the year we don't stink!!!! Add a Comment
I can sum up my love of this design with only two words.....
RAT NIPPLES....never thought I would type something like that today.....
thanks for giving me the reason to do so.
P
Hahahaha! :D Muchas gracias!