Monday, August 8, 2011

Super SCBWI Summer Conference 2011

I gotta admit. This is a weird feeling.
Why doesn't the CVS cashier know I'm a Children's Writer?
How come the people in the fresh juice line don't want to talk to me...about writing...and illustrating...and publishing children's books?
Oh yea...I'm not at the SCBWI Summer Conference anymore, that's why!

This year I attended the summer conference for the first time. On my first day I quietly sat in the lobby, trying to muster up courage to talk to people. That's when I saw them...sunflowers! In the lobby of the hotel! As I have mentioned in a previous post, sunflowers tend to show up during significant times in my life. I think this experience certainly qualified as significant.

I don't know yet what will come of my conference experience. What I do know is that at times I felt inspired, moved, excited, anxious, nervous, and encouraged. I met postive, like-minded, quirky people. I witnessed the diversity in writing, speaking, and art.  I was also reminded to believe in myself, my voice, and my vision.  I am so excited to write this week!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the conference:

"Everything we do moves outward, like ripples in a pond."  - Bruce Coville

"I write what I need to write."   - Donna Jo Napoli.

"Writing not only changed my life, it saved my life."  -Judy Blume


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