Write On!

Though the scenery through the Columbia River Gorge was as beautiful as always, the drive today seemed long. Then again, I guess five and a half hours spent, for the most part, behind the wheel of my Subaru is a fairly long time. At least traffic was tolerable and finding Reed College was no problem. I didn’t make a wrong turn until I missed the driveway into the college parking lot. Going to blame that on the plants blocking the entrance sign.I arrived around 4:30 pm, found the correct dorm and met Ruth and her assistant (whose name I wish I could remember). They were so friendly and helpful at check-in—as they proved to be throughout the conference. That went a long way towards easing my nervousness. As did what happened next.

After unpacking, I went back out to the registration table just outside the dorm. The group collecting there turned out to be several of the conference staff who were also being housed in the dorm. Since I didn’t know my way around campus, they invited me to join them. So off I went with Linda Zuckerman (director of the conference), Kirby Larson, Ann Whitford Paul, Nancy Osa, Marla Frazee, and Susan Goldman Rubin as we all headed for the campus commons and dinner. Amazingly, they were your normal, everyday people: friendly and easy to talk to if I didn’t let my nerves get in my way. Luckily, several other attendees turned up at dinner, allowing me to sit back, listen and observe when I ran out of things to say.

I took advantage of the warm evening and remaining daylight to take a short walk around the campus after dinner, familiarizing myself with where the conference lectures and workshops would be held. Then I headed back across campus to the dorm. This particular dorm sits on the north side of Reed campus, an area separated from the rest of the campus by Reed Lake and the stream that feeds it. You cross the lake and the wildlife habitat that surrounds it on Canyon Bridge. That bridge and its views would become one of my favorites places on campus in the days to come.

Author’s Note: A day or so later, I spotted what I came to think of as the “breakfast heron.” S/he could be seen every morning in the same spot eating its breakfast as we headed to the commons for ours. Ducks, squirrels, and ravens also abounded here, and one day I spotted a nutria, a muskrat/beaver like creature, feeding near the shore. And all in the middle of a college campus.

Back in my very warm dorm room, I quickly opened the window and set up the small box fan I’d brought. Good thing I took that suggestion in the conference literature to heart. Though it’s suppose to cool off the rest of the week, with rain a definite possibility, today was in the 90’s. Better than the 100° weather I left behind, but hot for Portland.

While my room cooled, I snooped around my dorm floor (ground floor). I met two other attendees outside one of the other rooms, but haven’t seen them since. Another attendee, M, came by while I was reading in the small lounge/kitchen area next to my room. He’s a college professor from Ashland. Had a nice get-acquainted visit with him. Hope there will be other attendees as easy to get to know.

However, meeting M reminded me I’ll be living in a co-ed dorm this week. There are only two bathrooms on the floor: one with two enclosed shower stalls, the other with a handicap accessible stall. Depending on how early everyone gets up, this could prove interesting. I imagine we could designate a “girls only” bathroom, but then it’s really M who has to worry about dodging all of us, right? Still, with breakfast served between 7:30 and 8:30am, I think I’ll try getting up about 6:00am to beat the crowd. That roomy stall in the handicapped bathroom looks much less claustrophobic than the others. Closer, too.

Oh my gosh—what a jam packed day! We started at 7:30am with our “dorm gang” (a motley group of twelve) and all the staff, including those who weren’t staying on campus, getting acquainted at breakfast and pretty much went the whole day until a “Meet the Staff” get-together in the dorm courtyard at 8:00pm this evening. Some folks may have found a bit of free time, but with “homework” assignments and critique meetings, some of us barely found time enough for potty breaks.

8:45am found sixty eager, wantabee writers and illustrators poised for action in the auditorium of the psychology building. Linda Zuckerman, conference director, welcomed us to the conference and gave a brief orientation talk which included all those unavoidable, last minute changes in schedules, critique groups, and meeting locations. She then introduced Steve Geck, executive editor at Green Willow Books.

Steve opened with his personal journey from bookseller to executive editor, gave a brief overview of Green Willow’s history, and then dove into an editor’s eye view on the publishing process that takes a manuscript from submission, into acquisitions, and on to an actual book sitting on a shelf at the local bookstore. He used one of his favorite, recent success stories, Katherine Hannigan’s “Ida B,” as an example.

Author’s note: I have since read this engaging chapter book and would highly recommend it to anyone with children ages 7 to 11 or to anyone with a love of good children’s literature. While some may consider it an sentimental, rather old-fashioned tale, I found it to be an intimate and sensitive portrayal of a young girl faced with what in her eyes is the total disruption of her life when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Ida B does eventually come to terms with her changed life, but the twists and turns of her journey had me laughing one moment, all teary-eyed the next, only to end up beaming with pride a moment later. A copy of this book is going on my inspiration shelf.

Breakout sessions with more than one topic to choose from, in this case: nuts and bolts for beginning writers or plot development for advanced writers, always make me wish I could be in several places at once. However, with no magical watch ala Hermione Granger, and since I have attended N&B at other writing workshops, I opted for the plot session. That also gave me a chance to learn a bit more about author David Gifaldi who would be doing my private critique. (We actually met briefly during an earlier break: he saw my name tag, recognized me as the author of one of the four manuscripts he was critiquing, and introduced himself. Unfortunately, he got called away before we could say much more than “hello.”) I have to admit, when I saw he planned to read his presentation, my first thought was: Please don’t let me fall asleep if this gets too dry and boring. The room wasn’t big enough to hid someone dozing off.

Turned out my worries were groundless. The only thing dry about this talk was David’s sense of humor. The man has one of those dry wits sharp enough to put a ginsu knife to shame. Fortunately, I controlled my laughter enough to pick up some good pointers, especially about the types of questions to keep in mind in order to drive your plot forward. Who exactly is your character? What is it that this character needs/lacks? What action, growth, development will fulfill/overcome that need/lack?

Lunch was mass confusion. There are at least two or three other conferences on campus and all have lunch included as part of their packet. That put a multitude of people (about 300?) trying to get through the food service area not only at the same time, but within the same amount of time. You’d think someone would have thought to stagger lunch times a bit. Oh well, no one starved or was too late getting back to the conference—at least not that I heard. Food was surprisingly good; cafeteria food has obviously made strides since my days of standing in a lunch line.

After lunch, Susan Goldman Rubin talked about writing non-fiction for young children. Biographies in this genre are her specialty. She’s written several I will have to look through out on the bookseller’s table. (I know that’s where I will be blowing $$$ this week.) Non-fiction is a very interesting market niche, especially as she and the authors she used as examples approach it. The key seemed to be finding something in the subject’s own childhood to which readers can easily relate. For example, Einstein fought with his sister, his teacher’s thought he was mentally slow, and he didn’t like sports. Andy Warhol ate the same sandwich and soup lunch everyday—Campbell’s soup, of course. You eliminate things with only adult appeal. You can mention Frida Kahlo being sick and seriously injured as a child, but need not go into the gruesome details. You take readers up to the time of Cesar Chavez’s first success with organizing migrant workers, but you leave the violence and imprisonment in later years to “Author Notes” at the end of the book.

As I said, a very interesting genre. And somewhat formidable considering the time and research involved in such projects. Judging by her enthusiasm for her topic, I’d say none of this bothers Susan at all.

Author’s Note: Susan may come in a petite package, but what a dynamic person. And so much fun to talk with during meals and while heron watching on Canyon Bridge. I can still hear her cozy, distinctive voice when I read notes and handouts from her sessions.

After Susan’s presentation, we broke into our assigned critique groups of seven to nine attendees and one staff person. Critique group is going to be a challenging part of this conference. We made it through three manuscript samples today (up to 12 pages allowed) in the an hour and a half allotted. Interestingly enough, though maybe not surprising considering a different person wrote each one, each manuscript had it’s own unique problems and positives. Actually, I should put that the other way around. All had good, fresh story ideas that have as much chance as anyone else’s of going all the way with a little editing and revision. Seeing this variety of positives and problems, though, will hone all our self-editing skills. Another interesting side effect of this critiquing session was that although it means more competition in the long run, I somehow found it satisfying working with a group of fellow writers as serious about what they are doing, and as willing to learn and grow as I am. A bonding experience? You bet!

My beginning chapter book manuscript wasn’t one of those covered in critique group, but I did end up facing a critique on it today. I was approached between sessions by a fellow attendee who is commuting to the conference. She asked if I’d be willing to switch my afternoon staff critique with her evening one. Good sport that I am, I said sure, consciously ignoring the butterflies in my stomach who cranked up their flight patterns at this news. This scheduled my appointment right after dinner. And, wouldn’t you know it, guess who happened to sit next to me at that very meal.

Actually, David did his best to put me at ease and I have to admit, it worked. We had a very positive session; he’s very easy to talk to. He gave me lots of good, useful feedback; pointing out some problems I had suspected and a few I hadn’t. My butterflies soared with delight when he concluded by telling me my writing was clear and well paced. I had a fine idea with a likable character, so rewrite the opening, work on the other things we talked about, and go for it. What an ego boost!!

Steve Geck’s talk this morning on “What’s Ahead for Middle Readers” left me with another list to add to my lists of books I need to read. I may never write a chapter book for this reader level, but I do like to read them and see how other writers approach their chosen subject. Steve included books published by a variety of publishing houses, not just Green Willow, in his talk. Hearing an editor’s take on which books were award winners and why, or those he thought should have been and why, or just why some books hang-in there on the sales charts for years and years made for another absorbing look at the publishing world.

Author’s Note: It became even more interesting to me when I got home and read the library’s copy of one of those titles supposed to be “going places.” I loved the book and went out to buy it, only to be told by the local bookseller they had returned almost all the copies they ordered. It wasn’t selling. In talking with the bookseller, we both came to the conclusion this was the type of gentle, down to earth story that might not appeal at first glance to young readers whose tastes have been dulled by the glitter and glamour of media and marketing tie-ins. Yet, with the right introduction (book talk) by a parent, teacher, or librarian, a book like this could be another classic like “Charlotte’ Web” or “Black Beauty.” Now I know why publishers often send new writers out there stumping their own books. If you want to improve your chances of getting that second book published, the first better have decent sales. Okay, climbing off my soapbox now.

Breakout sessions today faced me with a hard choice. I would have liked to attend a presentation by as many, if not all, the staff members as possible. Unfortunately, that wasn’t realistic if I wanted topics pertinent to what I write and to where I am in my writing. I decided on Ann Paul’s two part workshop for those of us with finished picture book manuscripts. It was a good decision. I got some very practical editing/revising techniques that can be used on any manuscript—not just picture books. Of course the big lesson in this workshop was discovering our manuscripts aren’t really “finished” at all. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

The nuts and bolts of the illustration process (a session for all attendees) given by Elsa Warnick was a real eye opener. If you didn’t know it before, after this presentation you unquestionably now knew illustrators work just as hard and put in just as much time and effort as a book’s author. But what fun to see the process from thumbnail sketches, to storyboard type layouts, to final artwork. (In her example, “Hugs on the Wind,” these were watercolor paintings.) Elsa even showed us a couple of paintings that didn’t work at first until she (or the editor) discovered just the right, often very simple, change to make so they did. No wonder they rarely let authors in on that process. Who needs one more opinion gumming up the works?!

After lunch and the second part of Ann Paul’s workshop, it was critique group time again. Did I say yesterday David made me feel good about my story? Well, now that I’ve had some time after group to digest all the comments, put them in perspective, and compare them to what David and I had already discussed, the sag in my spirits isn’t as close to the floor as it was, but, good grief, it’s amazing how many different opinions you can get from a group.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was all constructive criticism and our staff leader made sure everyone pointed out what they liked before moving on to what needed work just as we had with previous stories. Still, I found if several people in the group said the same thing needed work, it was easier to absorb and say: Okay, I can see that. However, you do get some comments where you just want to shake your head and go: Huh?? In fact, I truly believe one person in our group didn’t “get” my story at all. What I need to do is let all this feedback sit for a bit and then look at it with fresher eyes. I know my story needs revision, but I’ve always been the type who likes to mull these things over and take my time planning my course of attack. You know, procrastinate a bit.

More importantly, I need to remind myself of all the positive things said—and by more than one person. If I can hold fast to those strengths and work on turning my weaknesses (ability challenged techniques?) around, I CAN do this. Hone, hone, hone your craft, hone it every day. Writing is a lot of work; but, oh, the joy it pays!

Author’s Note: You’ll have to excuse the frowzy poetry. It leaks out in times of stress.

This evening’s highly anticipated “Faculty Readings” session rounded out today’s events. What fun listening to all of the writer’s on staff read aloud from their work. (Oh boy, more books I want to buy.) And best of all . . . these folks do indeed know of what they speak. Amazing, huh?!

Author’s Note: I particularly fell in love with Marla Frazee’s “Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages.” It’s the perfect gift for my back to college for a second career bound daughter. I encourage you to check it out.
I should also note that while everyone’s reading was entertaining, Nancy Osa’s performance of her book, “Cuba 15,” deserves a “Best in Show” rating. The small circle of new friends of which I’d become a part didn’t miss a chance during the rest of the week to hound her into bugging Random House to let her do the book-on-tape narration of her book.

Today brought another glimpse into the world of illustration. Using slides of several illustrators’ work, Marla Frazee showed us what illustration can do both narratively and emotionally for a picture book. As far as I’m concerned, every writer should have to learn at least what we did this week about the illustration process. This is a collaboration after all. Just as the essence of a writer’s work deserves to be preserved when an illustrator brings it to life, so does an illustrator deserve a writer’s confidence and respect that they will do just that. Knowing what I know now, I think, will someday ease any trepidation I might feel when turning a manuscript “baby” I created and nurtured over to an illustrator to give birth to.

In “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Publishing,” Linda and Steve addressed those FAQ’s whose answers every writer needs to know. I jotted down several notes on cover letters and where to research publishers. Some of this was review for me, but I always pick up a few new tidbits to refine my understanding of this whole process. I also found it interesting observing the different styles of these two editors. Having been an editor for over 35 years, Linda seemed very much the firm, I-know-what-I-like, you’d better have read and followed my guidelines, New York editor most writers envision when sending off submissions. Steve is still early in his editing career compared to Linda, and seemed a bit more easy-going, not as “honed” by the demands of his profession as of yet. Don’t get me wrong, both came across as people very good at what they do, just with quite different styles.

After hearing her read during the “Faculty Readings” night, and having heard great things about her breakout session on writing for teens, I was eagerly anticipating Nancy’s presentation today. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite come up to those expectations. Maybe it was just that she wasn’t as enthused about this “work for hire” book from which she pulled her example as she is about her bestseller “Cuba 15,” or maybe she just picked too long a sample to read and thus lost her audience’s focus on what she was trying to show us; but she did lose us. I think as she gains experience and reworks her approach to her topic, “Writing Who You Are,” it will eventually sing as her other talks did. (And with that crazy Cuban beat!) I hope so; she was a kick in the pants to get to know this week. She nicknamed me “The Dorm Police” after I always seemed to see her leave the building for her nightly walks. Can I help it if she always “reported” to me as she went out the door by the lounge where I hung out in the evenings?

The Mother Goose Rhyme/Poetry lesson with Ann Paul after lunch was both fun and frightening. Fifty minutes to write a poem? One you will have to share with the other 59 attendees? Yikes!

Ann handed out small, bright-colored, squishy, stretchy frog toys to use as a visual prompt. When she ran out of frogs, those who didn’t get one were told to use a penny or other small object they had in their possession. Oh, and by the way, she told us, even though we’ve been talking about how to do rhyme correctly, for this poem, no rhyming is allowed. She then gave us several minutes to brainstorm and jot down whatever thoughts came into our head about our prompt. Telling us to look over our lists, pick what jumped out at us, and write away; she turned us loose and told us to return in 50 minutes ready to share our poems.

Of course, after telling us no rhymes, that’s all my silly, addled brain could come up with. So I wrote most of a rhyming poem until I got stuck on a line and then made myself come up with some free verse. While I struggled with this exercise, others were pouring out pure magic. When we met back in the auditorium and started sharing our creations, it was amazing the quality and variation of poems that came from this exercise. Some were short and sassy; others were long, insightful glimpses into the souls of both the prompts and the writers. I just wish I had volunteered sooner to read mine. I was so nervous I kept getting distracted by running my own poem through my head over and over again. Not good for concentrating on what others are reading. There was talk off putting these into an anthology of sorts for attendees, but I haven’t heard anymore about it. Too bad.

Following the poetry readings, we had the rest of the afternoon off to regroup and restore. Or in my case, wrestle and rewrite. I’d spoken with my critique group leader earlier that day about my hesitation on where to begin on the revisions my beginning chapter book needed. I told her I felt she’d pointed out some specific things for others in the group to work on; did she have similar suggestions for me? She smiled and said what and how much I chose to work on was my decision, but she did expect to see some rewriting on my part by critique group tomorrow.

Author’s note: The more I think about it, the more I understand why she reminded me of the nuns one used to find in Catholic schools. Firm and exacting, but with a glimmer of humor under it all that let you know she knew exactly how much she was making you squirm. Just the kick in the pants I needed.

So, while the staff took off for a night on the town, as did a few of the dorm group, the rest of us stayed in and worked on our revisions. Weren’t we the dedicated little writers?! Fortunately, M, L, and I, who were all on the same floor, took a few breaks to talk and revive and encourage each other between our noses-to-the-grindstone sessions. Here’s hoping our dedication pays off.

Author’s Note: By this time, I’d gotten to know several of the other attendees, both commuters and dorm group. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people with common interests can bond, especially when you consider that those of us attending this conference could all be considered each other’s competition. And it made the conference that much more pleasant having friends to talk with between sessions, eat meals with, and just be there to encourage each other. I hope we keep in touch post-conference.

Today, Linda put on her editor’s cap and gave us her reactions to the 1st pages we’d been asked to submit. She also elaborated on what motivated her reactions: Has the writer truly found a fresh idea for or approach to their story? Did they establish a distinctive narrative (storyteller’s) voice in their opening page? Does the writer’s storyteller voice refrain from commenting or editorializing? Have they really, really, really edited for punctuation, spelling and grammar? Has the writer avoided the dreaded curse of children’s writing, the cute scale? And if an editor reads on, will she find the same quality throughout the manuscript?

Very, very educational to hear all of this straight from the editor’s mouth. I have to say, editors are a very special breed. Think about spending your days wading through piles of what is, sadly, mostly the mundane to find the occasional, sparkling gem. Here’s hoping those of us attending this conference are going to be peppering those needy editors with gems only.

After saying that, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit the page I submitted got shot down faster than Cinderella speaking on mother-daughter relationships at the annual Wicked Stepmothers’ Convention. Yet, I had to agree Linda had some very legitimate reasons; reasons that confirmed the answer to questions I’d been asking myself about that particular work. Now I have a compass point to start from on revising it.

The best part of today, however, was seeing how the art track attendees interpreted the short, about 75 words, writing prompts that were submitted. These artists ranged in experience from published illustrator looking to hone her skills, to formal art students, to self-taught artists like one of my new friends. It blew me away to see the aspects those artists picked out and ran with from such a small sample of writing. The authors of the chosen prompts were beyond blown away. Even when the artwork wasn’t quite what they had pictured while writing, all agreed they loved the results. I know of at least one collaboration that blossomed out of this session. I sincerely hope they make a go of it—the finished project will be a blast to share with children.

I must be feeling more comfortable because this morning I’d worked up the courage to ask David, who did my staff manuscript critique, if he would look over my revisions to the opening chapter. He not only looked it over and jotted some comments down, but took a few minutes to go over it with me and tell me he liked what I’d done. What a generous guy. When we gathered for critique groups this afternoon, I used what he suggested—just a few cuts of extraneous, redundant material. Guess what? Yippee! My group liked my revisions, too!

Frankly, after listening to revisions from the others in our group, I think we have all grown by leaps and bounds in our writing this week. There’s still a lot of work ahead for some of us on completing and honing the revisions we’ve begun, but everyone seemed to have a clear idea of where they were headed and was jazzed about getting there. And I hope to someday be scanning the children’s shelves at the local bookstore and recognize what I once knew as a work-in-progress.

Following critique group, I decided to visit the Hauser Memorial Library for a fast tour. Fast because there were only about twenty minutes remaining until it closed, but visiting it was something I couldn’t pass up. Libraries attract me the way wildflowers attract bees. After wandering around on my own for most of that twenty minutes, I was able to find a staff person who generously took the time to share her knowledge of the building’s history. I was especially interested to find out how many expansions had been done to the library since it was originally built. Eight times, the staff person said. More than I suspected, but then you have to consider the marvelous effort made during all these renovations to preserve and tie-in the old architectural details with the new. This was perhaps most noticeable in the preservation of the original library building. You are walking the dim aisles between the muted colors of book laden stacks, a section of your typical academic library, when suddenly you are facing the brick, exterior wall of another building complete with clerestory windows. Did they just hook the library onto another building? you wonder. A wide doorway leads through the brick wall, and suddenly, you are in the original library with its soaring, cathedral ceiling, exposed wooden beams and trim, arched doorways, and shining brass chandeliers. Sublime!

This evening was the “Open Mike Session” for the attendees. Learning from my poetry reading experience, I signed up to go second. With my manuscripts all needing work, I chose to read something I’d created in response to a writing exercise our group leader gave during critique group. The exercise required you to rewrite a familiar nursery rhyme in a different style, for example: all dialog. I’d written a rendition of “Jack and Jill” that I’d shared with a few of my fellow attendees earlier this week during our lunch break. They all laughed then . . . and so did tonight’s audience. Maybe reading aloud to children all these years has given me a little talent for performance, if not writing.

Several very nice manuscripts were heard this evening. Well, at least the three and a half minutes worth of them we were allotted. I’m going to have to remember these authors and plots and watch for them in the next few years. Then I can brag, I knew them when.

Author’s note: Why do I say I’ll have to watch for “the next few years”? If they didn’t know it before, all the newbies to children’s writing (any writing for that matter) hopefully learned this week just how slow the publishing world moves. From submission to acquisition can takes months, then there are more months of those dreaded revisions by the writer; beautiful artwork to be done by the illustrator; book design, marketing strategies, and a host of other considerations to be handled by the publishing house staff; and still you might be waiting for the perfect launch date for your book. Hopefully, by then you have framed your pitiful but cherished advance on the first book, left the worries to someone else, and are well into writing the next one. Who wants to be a one-book-wonder!

Our last day. You could tell from the mood at breakfast that everyone was reluctant to see our week together end. Addresses were exchanged, words of encouragement reiterated, and plans for attending other conferences, or returning to this one next year or soon after were discussed. And hovering on the fringes, thoughts and worries over travel plans for home at the end of the day.

Our mood soon brightened with our first session of the day: a rollicking romp through the vacuous vagaries of writing for the educational market. Our presenter: Susan Blackaby. I wish I’d jotted down the five or six subtitles she used for the parts of her talk. She seemed so quiet and unassuming during meals and at other times no one could have suspected the sharp, dry wit lurking behind that facade. She gave some highly “educational” information for those brave enough to tackle this market, or even just beginning readers/transitional chapter books for imprints at publishing houses like Scholastic or Harper Collins. I’m now in the possession of several very useful handouts from her presentation: readability formulas and charts, sight word lists, phonics scope and sequence charts, and a great “Writing for Reading” checklist. Thank you, Susan.

Author’s Note: As you might guess, all these handouts have come in handy more than once while working on revisions to my chapter book for young readers.

Susan B. was followed by Susan R. who shared some more insights into nonfiction writing. Today’s session focused on using fiction techniques such as dialogue, action, and quotes (real ones) to make your nonfiction characterizations come alive. Susan’s experiences in writing nonfiction are fascinating to listen to. Considering the amount of travel, interviewing, and just plan digging for information she does during her research of a subject, it’s no wonder the accolades and awards she has garnered. Her biographies on Degas and Andy Warhol particularly piqued my interest. Adding these to my list, I can see I have stacks and stacks of reading ahead of me.

In his second presentation of the week, David Gifaldi amused and informed us with his presentation on “Unblocking the Flow: When a Writer Doesn’t/Can’t/Won’t Write.” You guessed it, a session on that most dreaded of curses: writer’s block. The best way to give you a feel for his talk is to share some of the notes I jotted down.

• fears and doubts are like cockroaches hiding in the dark corners waiting to come out and plague you
• writing isn’t hard; sitting down to write is hard
• one great fear is admitting we are writers
• quoting Jane Yolen: “If I envision an eagle but only end up with a butterfly, that’s okay. Butterflies are beautiful, too.”
• suggestions: show up, sit down and write; use rituals that lead into writing; think of writing as your job, imagine calling boss (yourself) to make excuse for missing work again
• write to please yourself, satisfy your need to create
• quoting Ray Bradbury in “The Zen of Writing”: “You feed your muse by running after loves.” loves are the things you care about, think are fun, are interested in, or excite you

His talk must have worked. During the last five or ten minutes of it, I got an inspiration on how to fix one of my manuscripts. My apologies for tuning David out, but later, when I showed the idea to Ann Paul, who had told me what she felt was lacking in the original, she thought my idea had possibilities. Only revision, time and a few rejections will tell.

After lunch, critique groups met for one last time. A couple of people had some further revision ideas to run past the rest of us. As I said before, amazing how far we have all come this week. Then for fun, another gal and I read our nursery rhymes in dialogue for the group. I did an encore of my Jack and Jill piece; she did a hilarious version of Wee Willie Winkie threatened with arrest for indecent exposure and voyeurism. Judging by the laughter, I’d say the group enjoyed both of these light-hearted pieces.

Thinking about my week spent with this group of fellow writers, I realized I really lucked out on being part of a very honest yet supportive critique group. Even our staff leader remarked on how well we worked together, were all so open to constructive criticism, and sincerely seemed to care about each other succeeding with their work. I think we all appreciated hearing that. I know for a fact that wasn’t the case in all the critique groups. I’m going to miss getting this kind of feedback on my work. Will have to seriously look into finding a critique group close to home or at least a critique buddy to exchange stories with. Maybe through the local colleges or regional SCBWI . I’d better get cracking on joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Don’t know why I didn’t do that years ago. They are a great source of information on all things relating to writing for children.

The final session of the day was given by Linda Zuckerman, conference director. She regaled us with tales of the several year struggle of “Sally,” her writing persona, to find her way and succeed as a writer. It seems Sally’s writing world is separated by a huge chasm of difference from that of “Linda,” the editor. And surprisingly, it’s a world where her former life as “Linda” had little influence. Persevering despite the perils of identity confusion and a growing stack of rejections, “Sally” did eventually succeed.

However, remember how slow we were told the publishing world moves? Linda/Sally left the editing profession in late 1999, sold her picture book manuscript about two and a half years later, and a middle grade reader sometime after that. We were able to buy “advance” copies of her picture book at the conference; it wasn’t actually being officially released until this Fall. Her middle grade reader will be released Fall ‘07. To further illustrate this point, Linda had the rest of the conference staff tell how long it took each of them to “break in.” Times ranged from 15 and 10 years down to about 5 years, which seemed to be the average. Guess there is time yet to find my little piece of the children’s book world.

During the breaks today, I managed to get most of the books I’d bought and lugged around all day autographed. Some additional time for this had been set aside after Linda’s talk so I was able to get those last couple of autographs then. I had two inscribed for Daughter Dear; the rest, selfishly, to myself. What nice, personalized remembrances to have and pass down to those grandkids I hope to have someday.

Then it was time to thank and say goodbye to all the staff and several of the attendees I’d gotten to know this week, head back to the dorm, haul all my stuff out to the car and get it packed for the trip home. A few, last, reluctant good-byes (especially to my week-long mealtime, break time, anytime we needed to talk or encourage each other time buddy, LM) and it was time to get on the road. Not that I was crazy about heading off into 5:00pm Portland traffic, but with that long drive ahead, I didn’t want to still be driving at midnight or later either. Some of the good karma from the conference must have still been around, because for once, traffic flowed almost effortlessly and even politely on the sections of Hwy 26, Interstate 205, and Interstate 84 I needed to traverse. I got home about 10:00pm, tired but thoroughly jazzed about my experiences these past few days, and ready to put what I learned to work. I’d say that meant my week, and money, was more than well spent. Now the question is: Can I save up enough $$ to go again next year?