Confirmation for Conference

I got my confirmation in the mail on Saturday for the SCBWI OK Spring Conference.  I am excited for that day. It will be a chance to mingle with other writers and as Anna (our SCBWI Regional Advisor) says, "Learn the craft." Learning for me has been ongoing since I joined SCBWI.

At the conference, our guest speakers will be:
Liza Kaplan, Editor, Philomel Books, Penguin Group
Melissa Manlove, Editor, Chronicle Books
Andrew Harwell, Editor, HarperCollins
Kristin Miller-Vincent, Agent, D4EO
Tricia Lawrence, Agent, Erin Murphy Literary

This is BIG! To actually be face to face with editors and agents and have one of them critique your work...it's an opportunity that doesn't come along everyday. We hold these people in such high esteem. Can you tell, I'm getting anxious for March to arrive?

In Limbo

I'm sure every writer goes through it. One day the ideas are flowing, the next day, not so much. I guess I'm in that predicament. I'm working on a story, and I'm stuck. I know kind of how I want the story to go, but I can't seem to make it there. I thought if I relaxed and forgot about it for a while, it would come to me. So far, I can't seem to make it past that hurdle. I don't want to say I'm a quitter, but I am seriously thinking about putting this story in a file and coming back to it sometime way down the road. I will be starting a new project today. Hopefully, this one will come easier. Actually, no one ever said children's writing would be easy. In fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever done.  I still believe in going after what you want, so I will keep fighting my way through. Someday, it's going to happen, and when it does, it's going to be BIG! Dream big or don't dream at all! 

Two Lies and a Truth

The annual SCBWI Christmas party is coming up, and there is a game that will be played called, Two Lies and a Truth. I've never played it before, but it's really simple. Everyone writes three statements about themselves and gives to the leader. Two of the statements are lies and one is true. I just turned 50 last week so you would think I have enough interesting life experiences to easily whip out one truth and then a couple of tall tales. I'm so stressed out! My face reads like a book. Anyone who looks at me can tell exactly what I'm thinking. I can't get a falsehood out without looking like I should be sent to the big house. I 've been dwelling on this for about two weeks, and I think I've come up with one pretty convincing lie and a truth that hopefully nobody will believe. Two down and one to go. It's going to be fun to see if anyone can figure out the truth from the lies. Now, to practice my poker face!

ReadOK Update

After leaving the capitol last week, I was exhausted. The staff expected 200-700 children to attend. I got an email later that there were 2000+. Now, I understand my need for an afternoon nap! It was a great event. I hope all the children enjoyed the day away from their desks and out getting some good  Oklahoma fresh air.

Barbara Park, An Inspiration

Barbara Park, (Junie B Jones) has always been an inspiration to me. I love her writing! My daughter and I read Junie B Jones when she was young. It was great to hear her laugh out loud at the antics of 6 year old, Junie. The language was just as if it were coming from a 6 year old, which made it relatable and funny. Thousands of children and parents alike love those books. I believe there are forty something to date.

 I'm writing an early chapter book and was researching the word count of the Junie B Jones stories. I was heartbroken and shocked to read that Barbara passed away today from ovarian cancer. Young readers around the world have lost a gem.

I was also amazed to read the negativity surrounding Barbara Park's books. Some school libraries have banned them, and some parents have written vile posts about her stories. It seems some feel the language was not written correctly. Junie B says 'runned' instead of 'ran' and has called her friend a dumb bunny. So what? For perfect grammar,  read a textbook. These books make children want to read. They improved reading skills. What more can I say? Don't we, as adults, read books that don't necessarily use English in the proper manner? Reading takes us away from problems we are facing, depression, pain, etc. Reading takes us to lands we may otherwise may never visit. Reading opens our minds to things we may never be exposed to. 

I, for one, am a huge fan of Barbara Park. Through the years, she has made many people smile. I hope to be half the success she was.

Rest in peace, Barbara Park. You will be missed.

ReadOK…It's A Good Thing

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking part of ReadOK. (see last post) There were between 200 and 700 children present. I know that's a huge span, but that's what the capitol staff told me. All I know, is there were many school busses in the parking lot, and children everywhere! I read my book so many times, I could hardly speak when I left. It's a good thing the event lasted only 2 hours! It was a great time, and I feel honored to have been included.

ReadOK

Tomorrow is the celebration of Oklahoma's 106th birthday. Many school children will take a field trip to the capitol for the celebration called ReadOK. There will be sports mascots, face painting, and of course, reading! Actually, there will be three Oklahoma authors there to read their books to the children. I am honored to be a part of this event. The icing on the cake, so to speak, is that tomorrow is also my birthday (the big 5-0)!  It should be a fun day!

Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo

Today begins another phase of learning with Tara Lazar's Picture Book Idea Month. I'm getting a late start, but pushing forward to have 30 new ideas by the end of November. I hope vacation doesn't get in the way of writing! Could I possibly have a best seller out of this? Time will tell. Thank you, Tara for this learning experience!

Woe is this blogger

I had a blog about the SCBWI Fall Conference, but now it's gone. I am the first to admit I am technologically challenged. My husband will agree. Thank goodness, we don't have to set the VCR anymore. Some things do get easier in life, but some do not.

This is my blogging challenge. I can't figure out how to put the entire post on without a link to "read more". I know it can be done, because I read other blogs and see it all the time. I just can't figure it out!  I had a page break with a picture of Hannah Harrison's book (super cute!), and I was trying to rework the post and in doing so, deleted it. If anyone can help this pitiful person figure out how to be a professional blogger, please do!

SCBWI Fall Conference