I did it!  This weekend I attended my first writer’s conference, SCBWI‘s WIK (Writing and Illustrating for Kids).  The three-hour drive without the Bicker Brothers yelling, “Mom, he’s looking at me!” from the backseat would have been an event in and of itself.  But being surrounded by gobs of writers, editors, agents and illustrators who love kids’ books as much as I do was a beyond-wonderful way to spend a Saturday.  

Lisa Yee began our day with a funny-sad-funny opening keynote about her road to publication.  She reminded us to remember life’s colorful little moments (like unintentionally mortifying our kids at the skate park) and use them in our stories.  

And our day ended with Lin Oliver‘s inspirational  ”What the hell” closing keynote in which she encouraged us to do the work and never give up.  And if we’re faced with a daunting, possibly embarrassing  task ahead of us, approach it with a “What the hell?  What’s the worst that could happen?” attitude and plow on through.  I’d like to suggest we replace WIK with WTH for next year’s conference.  All in favor….?

Between keynotes we experienced a day filled with camaraderie, characters and (thankfully) lots of coffee.  I feel one, giant step closer to publication now.  And I’m looking forward to the next conference.  Of course, February’s SpringMingle is really, really far away and will probably require me to stay at a peaceful, child-free hotel room (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

A million years ago, my son was born.  Okay, so he’s 3 1/2 but at my age, three years with kids, no matter how much I love them, can sometimes feel looooong.

Anyhoo…a million years ago I wrote a very rough picture book about my son’s adoption.  He’s brown, we’re white (like REALLY white)  and that, as you can imagine, caused a bit of a stir in certain circles.  We hang out with squares now, so it’s all good.

So I tucked the book away and later brought it out for a picture book workshop with Lola Schaefer  - where I learned how far off the mark the structure was (that’s always fun) but how lucky I was to have this flash of a story “whoosh” through me.  So I reworked the good story into a better structure, got Lola’s seal of approval and submitted the heck out of it.  But it’s not wacky like ”It’s a Book” and it’s not rhyming like “Llama, LLama Red Pajama“.  Frankly, it’s just too sweet which, if you know me….seems unlikely.

But I will not be deterred and am so excited about a new contest – that, as the title of this blog hints at, I’m going to win!  Hooray for me!  If you think your story is better than one about a little brown bear being adopted by the zoo’s mama polar bear, go here to MeeGenius and submit for Heaven’s sake.

Here’s some fun to start your Monday, courtesy of Grandma’s Goulash.  Feel free to add your own 140 character (or less) story to go with this week’s photo.  

Have a great week!

Trunk left open.  Dinged doors.  And who can’t fit a motorcycle into a parking space?

It was easy to tell who’d had one too many juice boxes before they drove home.

The lovely Gail Handler has returned from the Writer’s Workshop at Chautauqua.  She’s kindly giving away a big pile of book on writing.  Check out her blog for the details.

Now I shall return to kicking my kid’s butt in a car race.   Thankfully, three-year-olds know nothing of aerodynamics. Sucker. 

Stacy’s Mom’s Day Out took an ugly turn when, clutching her Groupon tightly, she reluctantly stepped into the exclusive Hammer and Nail Salon for her mani-pedi.   

Have a great Monday, everybody!

I just read a great article (find it here) about Beverly Cleary and had to share.   As a mom of young kids, who finds it difficult to slice a little writerly time out of her busy day, I was happy to read the following:

How did you balance raising your own children with writing for (and corresponding with) thousands of others?

It wasn’t easy. I loved my family and I loved my young career. A neighborhood woman felt that I needed help and offered to come babysit the children. I would write while she looked after them. They would draw pictures and slide them under my door. It worked out nicely.

See?  Beverly Cleary’s kids wouldn’t step away from the door and give mommy 10 whole minutes of peace and quiet before she loses her mind either.  And a neighbor lady felt she needed help?!  Was it because she heard Ms. Cleary threaten to call Santa and tell him to come get the PlayStation and give it to children who know how to let mommy write so she’ll stop crying when people ask how her book is coming along?  Probably.  I can’t be the only one this has happened to.

I also loved when she played the “I’m 95 years old” card and at times sounded a lot like my grandma did when I scratched her Engelbert Humperdink record .  Ms. Cleary doesn’t read kids books, isn’t crazy that her publisher modernized the character art, doesn’t want a Kindle and never uses the internet, thank you very much.  And, when asked if she is still writing, she says:

No, I don’t plan to publish any more. After all, I’m 95. I hope children will be happy with the books I’ve written, and go on to be readers all of their lives.

On behalf of the children, moms and writers she’s entertained and inspired, I’d like to thank Mrs. Cleary for this great interview and all her wonderful books.  Now let’s all let the poor woman relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a nice Engelbert Humperdink record.

“Look out!”  Dora shrieked, seeing the boat.  “Objects are closer than they appear!”

Sadly, her lack of depth perception meant she’d never get to play with the cool kids.

_________________________

While I have your attention, I have a few local writerly bits to share:

1)  November 5, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.,  Terry Kay will share his keen insights and wit with the Atlanta Writers Club in a workshop he is calling “Finding Voice in the Silence of Words.” This four-hour workshop is about discovering, practicing, and fine-tuning your writing “voice”  Terry is limiting attendance to 50 AWC members.  The workshop will be held at Georgia Perimeter College in Dunwoody (2101 Womack Road), in building NA, room 2200.
$60. To register, please e-mail John Sheffield at dacejohn@aol.com

2)  The United Universalist Congregation of Atlanta is hosting a 2-day writing conference for women on October 21-22. The keynote speaker on the evening of Oct. 21 is award-winning author Pearl Cleage. A full day of workshops and talks are planned for Oct. 22, with noted authors discussing fiction writing, blogging, journalism, memoir, nonfiction, playwriting, poetry, spiritual writing, and self-publishing. Other activities include submitting work to be published in an anthology, submitting work for an editor’s review and critique, and registering for a coffeehouse reading. Full details are available at www.uucawomenwriters.org/contact.html

3) Saturday, July 23 1 – 3 PM   94 Main Street NW, Lilburn, Georgia 30047  The Good, The Bad, and the Huh? of Self Publishing in the 21st Century  This 2-hour workshop will look at the opportunities and pitfalls that are part of the new model of publishing. Emilie P. Bush has successfully published two novels, and will share what she’s learned, and the mistakes to avoid. Bring your questions. $20 if you pre-reserve (by email to bb-bjd@comcast.net) at The Little Shop of Arts and Antiques. $30 at the door. Includes handout. Book signing to follow til 4PM

4) July 15-16- Old Town Lilburn Mini-Writing Conference.  Contact http://www.thelittleshopofartsandantiques.com/ for more information.

Happy Monday!!

It was clearly an unsolvable mystery. 

No matter where poor George looked, the elusive yet pungent smell of last night’s six-bean chili always seemed to be behind him.

Until then…on to this week’s Microfiction Monday pic.  As usual, feel free to add your own 140 character (or less) story to go along with the photo below.

Any minute now.  Wait for it.  Here he comes.  Get ready…..NOW!  

The lifeguard’s whistle declaring the end of Adult Swim was music to the Foul brothers’ ears. 

Seriously, how hard is it to draw a triangle?  Tomorrow morning, Becky’s going back to straight whiskey with breakfast.  Mixing it with coffee gives her the jitters.    

I’m off to get another cup (of coffee, of course.  Whiskey before 10am is just tacky.).   Have a great week!