Since I am paid in "family moments"--- you know those magical fiveseconds of a day where your kids tell you your the best mom ever because you picked green beans out from the garden together or you've agreed to let them help make pancakes---two-hundred and fifty dollars for a writing conference is a lot of money. But, wow, was this conference worth it!
Honestly, I'm expecting to be bored senseless with alot of lectures, like I was back in college. (Not talking about your class Sissy.) It turned out to be quiet the opposite.
The energy level of the presenters at the conference was amazing. I took the young adult track, for the most part. All of my speakers were practically doing song and dance numbers like they were from Gypsy. I kept picturing them breaking out into song and singing, "Let me, entertain you. Let me, make you smile!" I kid you not when I tell you one of the presenters put on fairy wings!
One of my favorite quotes from the conference was from Elaine Scott, an author published 40 times over. She said, "Write as if they will confiscate your computer on Friday." I love that. I was really bummed the email address she gave me didn't work. If anyone knows her email address, I wanted to shoot her a note about how I loved her lecture.
Besides talented, experienced writers giving us advice on what to do and not to do, there were many agents there. I was able to interview with four of them. I was surprised by how friendly, nurturing, and helpful the agents I spoke with were. Granted, during the first interview I was crazy nervous...but as the energy of the conference rubbed off on me...I was on a roll. The best feeling happened in one of my interviews. When the agent was listening to my pitch, I could really tell they were really appreciating the uniqueness and humor of the story and characters. It felt great to have an agent appear to take a genuine interest in my story. Crossing my fingers the agent I felt a connection to works out!
Honestly, I'm expecting to be bored senseless with alot of lectures, like I was back in college. (Not talking about your class Sissy.) It turned out to be quiet the opposite.
The energy level of the presenters at the conference was amazing. I took the young adult track, for the most part. All of my speakers were practically doing song and dance numbers like they were from Gypsy. I kept picturing them breaking out into song and singing, "Let me, entertain you. Let me, make you smile!" I kid you not when I tell you one of the presenters put on fairy wings!
One of my favorite quotes from the conference was from Elaine Scott, an author published 40 times over. She said, "Write as if they will confiscate your computer on Friday." I love that. I was really bummed the email address she gave me didn't work. If anyone knows her email address, I wanted to shoot her a note about how I loved her lecture.
Besides talented, experienced writers giving us advice on what to do and not to do, there were many agents there. I was able to interview with four of them. I was surprised by how friendly, nurturing, and helpful the agents I spoke with were. Granted, during the first interview I was crazy nervous...but as the energy of the conference rubbed off on me...I was on a roll. The best feeling happened in one of my interviews. When the agent was listening to my pitch, I could really tell they were really appreciating the uniqueness and humor of the story and characters. It felt great to have an agent appear to take a genuine interest in my story. Crossing my fingers the agent I felt a connection to works out!
Keep writing Jolene! Even if THAT agent doesn't take you on someone will. I love your story lines!
ReplyDeleteThis seems great. I am going to SCBWI conference in LA in August and I am super excited. Sounds like you got a lot of this one.
ReplyDeleteSweetness, like beauty, is a subjective quality - something as valuable, though not quite as rare as platinum or gold. When we stumble upon it, we marvel at the quality and wish it were more plentiful...but were it so, it would inevitably be taken for granted. You, Jolene, exude sweetness...like honey from a hive or juice from a ripened berry. While you strive to improve your writers "voice" I hope you will retain the precious purity of spirit that makes you so special.
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