Tuesday, February 1, 2011

SCBWI NY Conference was the awesome.

I just typed that title and then realized that LOLcats has had a serious impact on my quality of life. Anyway.

I have no photos to show you, because my camera charger is missing in action. However, you can check out lots of awesome photos and commentary of the conference at the official SCBWI conference blog. I think all the writers on the blog did an impressive job of conveying the fun and excitement of the conference!

Here were some favorite parts on the conference for me:
  • Running into other folks from the D.C. area! I got all excited like we were long-lost cousins or something, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with them now that we're home.
  • Lois Lowry's keynote, which brought tears to my eyes when she spoke about her sister dying and inspired me when told us to "Give sorrow words". And which made me laugh many, many more times.
  • Sprawling an idea in my notebook every 10 minutes while also trying to take notes on all the great advice we were hearing. I don't think you can go to a conference and not be inspired.
  • Breakout with Jim McCarthy, agent at Dystel & Goderich. He just let us ask any questions we had about the industry or trends or how we works as an agent - it was so helpful and awesome.
  • The 35 book recommendations I came home with. You know what's cool, too? Hearing how excited agents are about the books they represent. It just never really hit home for me before how much they LOVE these books, and it made me happy.
  • Sarah Zarr's powerful, powerful speech on developing a sustainable, joyous creative life. Honestly, everything she said was exactly what I needed to hear that morning.
  • Giant, fantastic cupcakes around the corner at Crumbs. Because you can't write without cupcakes.
I really want to attend the LA SCBWI conference this summer. I came home and told MJ how much I wanted to go, but added, "I don't think it's reasonable for me to spend that much money on a second conference in one year, though." And he said I should go.  Which made me wish I'd brought him home a cupcake instead of eating it.

It was just such a fun, inspiring weekend, which went by much too quickly. I came home so excited to write - and even excited to query.  Which is why I'm signing off now to continue revising The Goddess of Vengeance Wore Pink Galoshes so I can query the damn thing when it's finally As Awesome As I Can Be.

Sooo... anyone else want to do the LA SCBWI conference?

11 comments:

Andrea Coulter said...

I wish I could go to the LA conference!

Sounds like you had a fabulous time in NY. We should get people together for a YA/MG DC-writer's meet-up :) Possibly at a cupcakerie? I hear Lavender Moon on King St is even better than Buzz! And I've never been to Georgetown Cupcakes either! I am woefully cupcake-less :(

Unknown said...

Oh, Jim was hilarious! I so just wanted to sit down and have a cup of coffee with him. Or a beer. Or some cupcakes. ;)

Your blog is total cuteness, btw. I'm a follower now...finally!

I really really wish I could go to LA this summer, but hubs and I are planning a trip to Europe during the same time, so that won't be happening. But I came home and told him that that would definitely NOT be the last scbwi conference I would attend!

Michelle said...

Sounded like it was AWESOME! I soo want to go someday.

That title for your WIP is so cute. Love it!

Kathryn Rose said...

Oh man! I wish I could have been there! I freaking LIVE in LA, and I can't go to the conference this summer. I'm glad you were inspired though! Also, I'm glad you got cupcakes! :)

Abby Minard said...

That sounds like so much fun! I've been hearing how wonderful the speakers were and all. So jealous!

Old Kitty said...

It's so great to read that the conference has been really positive and productive for you!! Awwwwww MJ is a star and deserves two cupcakes!!!

Take care
x

Gabriela Pereira said...

Love your recap of the SCBWI NY conference! This conference has always been so inspiring to me and this year was no different.

How did I not run into you there? (Oh, right... there were, like 1200 people in that room!) Anyway, so glad I found your blog. Looking forward to reading more. BTW, LOLcats iz the awesome (and has totally changed mai spellingz).

And who knows, maybe I'll run into you at SCBWI LA! (Still trying to figure out how I'm going to finagle that one...)

Sophia said...

I awwed at your comment about wishing you'd brought your husband home a cupcake instead of eating it. In my head it sounded LOLcatty like 'I bought you a cupcake, but then I eated it.' The conference sounds like it was a lot of fun, makes me wish I was in the US (and had a completed manuscript to pitch, ahem) so I could go!
- Sophia.

Elana Johnson said...

Wow, so many great things. I sort of have a little agent crush on Jim McCarthy. So yeah. I would've loved to be there!

Carol Riggs said...

Sounds like a blast! Maybe someday I'll try the national SCBWI; for now, I go to the local Oregon ones. We have one coming up in May. The nat'l ones are too spendy for me right now, with hubby outta work, too. Glad you got the opportunity, and what a sweeeeeet hubby to say that you should go to the LA one! Aw!

Talli Roland said...

Sounds like you had a fantastic time! I love writing conferences. They're so inspiring.