Beginning

Welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by. If this is your first time to my blog, it's nice to meet you. If you've been here before, welcome back.

My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Sunday, March 27, 2011

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

One of the places that I find great inspiration is in quotations from other writer's.  Sometimes through their own words, you can find yours and your mind gets into action.  Here are a few quotations that got me inspired today:

"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon." - E.L. Doctrow

"Read a lot, finding out what kind of writing turns you on in order to develop a criterion for your own writing.  And then trust it - and yourself." - Rosemary Daniell

"I think of an author as somebody who goes into the marketplace and puts down his rug and says, "I will tell you a story," and then he passes the hat." - Robertson Davies

"Close the door.  Write with no one looking over your shoulder.  Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say.  It's the one and only thing you have to offer." - Barbara Kingsolver

I feel inspired and ready to go!  How about you?

Monday, March 21, 2011

Overcoming Challenges

I drove to Amherst, MA for the Overcoming Challenges workshop this past Saturday.  It was held at the Eric Carle Picture Book Museum.  The panel consisted of Brian Lies, Mary Newell DePalma, Barbara O'Connor and Jo Knowles.  The coordinator for this event was Melissa Stewart. 

The panel shared many stories of their challenges, overcoming these challenges and their journey into and through publication.  One of the discussions was about how they were always striving to do more, giving themselves a new challenge. They talked about how they tried new styles and different techniques. 

Jo Knowles was one of the speakers there and she mentioned that she was nervous about speaking on the panel.  I think she did a wonderul job right along with the others.  At times during her discussion, I was watching the other panel members nodding in agreement and smiling.  They, like me, were inspired by what Jo had to say. 

As I sat there listening to this panel I was beginning to realize what a positive influence they are.  For the ride home I was even more excited and energized.

So, now I am determined even more to send out my manuscripts and finish the YA novel I am working on!  I can't wait for the Spring Conference! 

Sunday, March 6, 2011

NESCBWI - Program & Conference

I have just signed up for two events with NESCBWI.  The first event is:

Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Writers and Illustrators on March 19, 2011 at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA.  Speakers at the program will be - Mary Newell DePalma, Jo Knowles, Brien Lies and Barbara O'Connor.  I am really looking forward to going to this program.  I attended the ENCORE 2010 in October where Jo Knowles was also one of the speakers there.  She is engaging and informative.  I just finished reading both of her published books, Lessons From A Dead Girl and Jumping Off Swings.  If you haven't read them yet, they are definitely worth the read.

The other event I signed up for is:

NESCBWI 2011 Conference:  Celebrating Milestones being held from Friday, May 13, 2011 through Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Courtyard Marriott in Fitchburg, MA.  This conference is jam packed with Agents, Editors and Art Directors.  Here is a list of just some of those that will be in attendance:
Jennifer Laughran, Agent - Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Lauren MacLeod, Agent -  The Strothman Agency
Ammi-Joan Pacquette, Agent - Erin Murphy Literary Agency
Katie Cunnigham, Editor - Candlewick Press
Kate DePalma, Editor - Barefoot Books
Pam Gruber, Editor - Little Brown Books for Young Readers/Hachette Book Group
Yolanda Scott, Editor - Charlesbridge Publishing
Julie Tibbot, Editor - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Yolanda Scott was in attendance at the ENCORE 2010 Workshop, her speech was great and I am looking forward to seeing her again.

I can't wait to go to both of these events! 

P.S. - Susan, I am so looking forward to meeting up with you on the 19th!