Whew.
Day Three.
Slept about four hours, thanks to the loud and rowdy international friends at the hostel. Rolled into the conference RIDICULOUSLY EARLY (I believe something like 7:30 for an 8:30 start) and just sat there and drew while munching on my starbucks oatmeal and sipping my half-caff coffee.
Because, even though I was REALLY TIRED….you don’t want to see me on full-caff coffee. EVER.
Met up with the usuals and settled in for some great keynotes.
First up? Agents Panel. Very cool way to learn about what’s going on in the publishing world!
Next up was Gary Paulsen.
You know you’ve read Hatchet.
Thing is, he has pretty much lived that book.
This was BY FAR the best talk yet. He’s such a straight shooter; he and my dad would really get along great. And me too. If there’s one thing I am not the best at, it’s b.s’ing my way through writing. And I love how active he is…still. What a guy!
Off to part two of Martha Rago’s talk.
This one really made me appreciate the work of the illustrators, and made me want to tell my writing friends, “Just trust them! They’re the professionals! Don’t use illustrator notes!”
We got to basically see how a book is put together, from finding an artist to doing all the sketches and character studies, to the cover.
AWESOME.
Then, lunch break!
There was a HUGE GALA for everyone, including great food (even for vegetarians) and an awesome dessert that looked like a book! AND free tote bags (you know how I love free things that are functional….)
We had a pretty star-studded table by the way.
Jessixa, Lisa, Me, Dan, Jason, and one of the winners of the portfolio mentorships, Jessica! A few other people that I didn’t know, but we rocked it with the cheering and clapping. We were serious, clearly.
We got to see the history of SCBWI in pictures, which means we got to see Lin and Steve when they were just starting this!
We heard from all the winners of the Golden Kite Awards.
Amazing illustrations,
great picture book texts,
Awesome voice in a chapter book,
and some pretty funny business.
And we got to listen to RICHARD PECK!
WOW!
Last breakout of the day was time that I spent with Jerry Pinkney, learning about the turn of the page. Being able to see his process and how much he really cares about and thinks about each little piece of art restored my faith that books, especially picture books, are not going away any time soon. Plus, I just love Jerry. He’s so fun!
Also, he looks so good!
I’m convinced that people who write and illustrate for children not only stay young at heart, but stay happy and healthy and joyful looking on the outside too! What a great job perk!
The lady who wrapped it all up for us was Laurie Halse Anderson.
I LOVED her talk! And I love her books!
WHEW!
The first early night in three nights.
What do do with my free time?
Get some books signed, of course!
Lisa and I waited in line for various people, lugging piles of books around, getting signatures from all these wonderful authors and illustrators we’ve met. I got Marla Frazee to sign all FIVE of the books I bought of hers (I would have bought more, but that’s all they had…), got a signature from David Smalls and Sarah Stewart, Gary Paulsen, and Jennifer L. Holm, the creator of “Squish….super amoeba!”
Later, I had some nice homemade pizza (thanks Jason!) and some art talk.
Then, LAST NIGHT AT THE HOSTEL!
and one more day at the conference!
* A few weekends out, I am still reeling from how awesome the conference was! I’ve got a lot of inspiration, tons of story ideas, new ways to revise, and lots of great books! Once everything settles down (life is a bit crazy right now) I am looking forward to kicking everything up a notch! Be prepared for interviews with people I met at the conference, and collaborations too! It’s about to get crazy!*
Well, until then, I’m going to review notes from my intensive and keep reading. Hanging out at the library right now, which is one of my favorite places in the world.
SIGH.
until next time,
KE
