SCBWI Summer Conference and Moving on
We celebrated Keith's life at a memorial perfect for him - a drum circle and flutist for his love of music, poetry read to celebrate writing, his art on display, as well as several photos of him, and time set aside for his friends and friends to share their favorite Keith stories. For myself, it was appropriately bookended with the SCBWI Summer Conference that he so loved and looked forward to. Joy so often intertwines with grief.
Moving on to joy.
The SCBWI Summer Conference was one of the largest - close to 1,000 attendees this year. Highlights for me included getting inspired by Tony Abbott (http://www.tonyabbottbooks.com/) and Ellen Wittlinger (http://www.ellenwittlinger.com/) And hearing Ellen Hopkins (http://www.ellenhopkins.com/) - love her book Crank - talk about taking a very personal story and sharing it with the world. I learned a ton about using websites and blogging to promote books at breakout sessions with Roxyanne Young, Bruce Hale and Cynthia Leitich Smith (http://www.brucehale.com/ http://www.smartwriters.com/ http://cynthialeitichsmith.com/)
Speaking of websites, whenever I gave my business card to anyone, they raised an eyebrow and asked something along the lines of "are you sure you write for young adults?" In which I had to explain that I have one manuscript that is written for seven to nine year olds. The current manuscript that I am revising and pitching is dark, edgy, serious - everything that my cute little smiling stick figure girl on my homepage and card is not. Tony Abbott, author of "Firegirl" recommended I put something along the lines of a skull in her hands. Perhaps I will. Regardless, the logo will change - eventually!
And now I am on the road, riding on a bus from city to city with my husband. Trying to get draft nine of my novel completed, with the feedback and help of my agent. And fighting all the distractions that are keeping me from getting it done: Xbox 360 and my new favorite game "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", DVDs, all the new books I bought at the conference, and all the new friends that I have made on this tour. Feeling very grateful for family, for life and all the opportunities I have.
