Write From the Soul

      Life has been hectic. Last Thursday I left with a carload of women writers to drive to Birmingham, AL for the regional SCBWI Fall conference. The other 3 women were all signed up for a day long writers' Intensive on Friday by the keynote speaker, Darcy Pattison. I didn't sign up for the workshop but since I'm no longer a driver, I take rides where I can find them. I was sharing a room with one of my other delightful writer friends, Doraine Bennett- who was also going to the writers' Intensive. So what, pray tell, did I do on that free Friday?


I sat out on the deck of the hotel and wrote. 

Then, I went to the movies. I rarely buy food at the movies but the smell of the popcorn grabbed me and wouldn't let go, so I caved and bought some. And of course, you can't eat popcorn without something to drink. Ten dollars later (yikes!) I was ready for the movie.


BUT........ I needed to carry popcorn and a drink with only one hand. Why you ask? Because the other hand was sweeping in front of me with the white cane I now use. A dilemma, indeed.


I went over to one of the theater staff (they all look like they're about 15 years old, don't they?) and asked for some help. A very nice young man graciously offered to carry both drink and corn for me. Walking down the hall, I commented on how dark the hallways were for people with vision issues. He said he'd tell the manager. At the theater door, he asked where I wanted to sit. When I explained I needed to sit in the very back, in order to see the entire screen, he suggested we take the elevator to the top floor and not walk up all the stadium seating rows. I hope he said that because of the vision, not because he thought I was too old to walk the steps!



Did you know there were elevators in movie theaters???? I didn't. 

Once in the theater, it was very dark so he helped me find the row and seat. I thanked him and he left. As I removed my sweater and visor, I made a discovery. I was still wearing my clip-on sunglasses!!!! No wonder the hallways and theater seemed so dark. (Geez, feel much like a dummy, Gail?) But what a polite young man not to mention the sunglasses to me :-)


Saturday was the conference day - one keynote speech, 4 break-out sessions previously chosen when we registered, lunch, panel Q & A on publishing, writing, querying, and autographing books purchased there by the conference speakers. We fit all that in between 8AM and 4 PM. Oh, and I had a professional critique on my MG book. This was all followed by a 3 hour ride back to Atlanta with a different driver and friend, Cathy Hall. 

We had lots to talk about while the beneficent Mr. Hall drove. (Hey, that's what Cathy likes to call him so who am I to argue!) You see, there's a writing contest prior to the fall and spring conferences. Winners are announced (surprise) at the conference itself. And...... Cathy won 1st place in MG and YA fiction! Woo Hoo! Very exciting. Not only did she win free tuition to the next conference and a free night at the hotel, she also was invited by the senior editor who read all the entries, to submit the complete manuscript for consideration. How awesome is that! You go Cathy!!


The rest of the hecticness- is that even a word?- finishes this weekend.


I'm off to Charleston for 4 days. I'm interviewing friends and family members of a wonderful, gentle-spirited man who was a blacksmith and artisan. I'm writing a picture book about him. Many of the wrought-iron gates, fences, railings, and grills made in Charleston were made by him. I plan to go around the town and photograph them.

Who says retirees are sedentary?

Write From the Soul

I have been back from the SCBWI-LA conference for 10 days and am still processing all the information I got! 

How would I describe the experience in 10 words or less?
Exhilarating.
Inspiring.
New friends.
Exhausting.
Amazing.
Serendipity

There were many situations where the person I just met, turned out to be the EXACT individual I needed to know. Some connected to personal issues, some connected to voids in my writing I wasn't able to overcome, and some bring the promise of future books for us both.

Yep, definitely serendipity.

Now before you roll your eyes and think shades of pollyanna-ism, (is that a word? Well you know what I mean!)

let me say that 3, count em 1-2-3 other people that I just stopped to talk with on the last day ALSO used the word serendipity to describe their experience. 

Coincidence? 

Dunno.

Maybe the planets were in alignment, maybe my karma was good. 

Or maybe, SCBWI conferences are just magical.

All I know is I will start saving money now so I can go back again next year!

Here are just a few photos from the 4 days. Keep in mind I had to take them without flash  so they have a "soft edge" to them- okay maybe a little blurry.

Jon Scieszka (Stinky Cheese Man, Real True Story of the Three Little Pigs) Through the 4 days he talked about the need to get boys reading.

 Our Southern Breeze region members (minus one) who met for coffee and treats compliments of national SCBWI.

Lots of new friends :-)

Lin Oliver, exec. director of SCBWI and author, with me at the Heart & Soul Gala. Notice my beautiful heart covered blouse/jacket and matching purse sewn for me by a good friend Ellie.

Jo Kittinger, author and Southern Breeze Co-Regional Advisor at the Golden Kite and Awards Luncheon. She's definitely a southerner with her 2 glasses of sweet tea!

Write From the Soul 12

The Southern Breeze SpringMingle  conference will take place the end of February. I can't wait! I went to my first "Mingle"  last year and found it inspiring, motivating, and fun! And I went not knowing ANYONE!!!

In this one year's time, I now know some people because:

• I joined a writers' critique group
• I've been to a few local programs featuring speakers who are writers
• I started blogging and have some followers
• I've been reading and following a dozen blogs and have connected with other writers

 To me, that's m-a-j-o-r progress for a year.  I'm looking forward to gaining new insight into writing, agents, publishing, marketing, and so much more at this year's conference.

I've already booked my room at the hotel but am willing to share with another writer/illustrator, if someone is wanting to pay half the rate. I'm a light sleeper, so a non-snoring female would work best for me. And I'd prefer a non-smoker because  residue smoke smell can activate my asthma (yeah, yeah, I know that's TMI about me- sorry!)

Soooooooo,if you're a SCBWI member, or a non-member, or you know someone coming to the conference, let them know there's a spare bed waiting!