May 2013 ~ I Write for Apples

May has been a busy month for me with the NESCBWI conference in Springfield, MA at the beginning of the month (read about it here) and the Pennwriters conference in Pittsburgh this past weekend. They are both FABULOUS conferences and if you’re looking to go to one, you should check them out. (Also, NOSCBWI in Cleveland in September is amazing! Read about it here.)

NOSCBWI 2012 NESCBWI 2013

Pennwriters 2011 was the first writing conference I ever attended and I’ll always be grateful because it sent me off on my writing road. When I think about what I’ve learned since then, I’m amazed.

I didn’t know many people who would be there this time (no massive twitter group like NESCBWI) except my super-duper-bestie and writer friend, Adrienne. But if you know me, you won’t be surprised to hear that by the end of the conference, I’d collected plenty of new writer friends. :) Hi Joy, Charli, Ronna, & Cathy! *waves* (Click on names throughout the post for twitter handles/blogs.)

This conference has so many opportunities for writers to learn, grow, and fine-tune their writing. There were a ton of great sessions and speeches, with presenters like the one and only Donald Maass, author Jonathan Maberry, guru Chuck Sambuchino, and the super-talented Heidi Ruby Miller. I learned SO much.

And if you’re looking to get your work in front of agents and editors, there are free pitch sessions, read & critique nights, and WIP sessions.

Keynote by Bobbi Carducci

There is such a friendly atmosphere at this Pennwriters event, with plenty of opportunities for writers to chat with other writers, speakers, agents, and editors and no matter where we were throughout the weekend, that’s what we were doing. At Friday’s dinner (which included Donald Maass’ inspiring keynote speech), author extraordinaire Jonathan Maberry sat next to us and entertained the table with his stories. At Saturday’s lunch (with an incredible speech from author Bobbi Carducci), agent Jordy Albert dined with us and then we had the great fortune to have Chuck Sambuchino join us. Not only is he super knowledgeable, but he’s also quite fun. We chatted with Becky Vinter outside (and heard her beautiful London accent), met Suzie Townsend at a read & critique session (such great notes!), got to hear Eddie Schneider speak at an agent panel, met author Bobbi Carducci at our area meeting, and learned so much from the very smart and enthusiastic Agent Uwe Stender at the luau. (Yes, I know I don’t need to capitalize agent, but this way it’s like he’s a secret agent for a top government agency- you know, just for fun.)

Adrienne, me, Uwe, and Claudia

We had already met Sandy, another writer from Buffalo, and then at our area meeting (which is everyone outside of PA), we met the super-sweet Claudia who is moving to Buffalo in August. And just like that we decided to start our own Buffalo Pennwriters group. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was when Claudia told us later that she called her husband and told him, “I already have friends in Buffalo!”

The weekend was amazing and what I find really incredible, is that even on top of all the great sessions and keynotes, it was the things we didn’t plan ahead for that were the most special. The new friendships we made, chatting with agents and presenters, meeting one of the sweetest couples ever, forming a new writer’s group, and of course, being inspired to write.

THANK YOU to Jess Williams and all the volunteers who made this such an awesome weekend.

Book signing

I’ve heard people ask if writer’s conferences are worth it. For me, ABSOLUTELY. But, they are what you make of them. If you go ready to learn and take advantage of all the opportunities they offer, you’ll come home so much farther along on the writing path in just a couple days.

A writer’s conference is like living in Writer’s Town for a few days. And being surrounded by like-minded people for the purpose of becoming better writers is something you just have to experience for yourself.

If you didn’t already start saving for a conference after my last post, get out that piggy bank. :)

If you followed the #nescbwi13 tweets, you might have noticed it was a fan-freaking-tastic conference. A few of the highlights . . .
(Click names to follow everyone on twitter or see their websites. No really, follow them all.)

Thursday: I had a long drive, so I got there a day early and finally got to meet the fabulous Jen in person! We talked all day, until after midnight- way past her bedtime.

Friday: Let’s see, there was lunch and running into the super sweet Quinlan Lee, volunteering at the registration desk, a couple great sessions, then dinner with a big table of twitter peeps and blue board friends. Then we met up with friends in the bar, including the endlessly entertaining agent Linda Epstein, bonding over some interesting conversation and of course, chocolate. We also got to briefly meet Lauren McLeod and Brooks Sherman. The stuff agent legends are made of, right? Stayed up until way past Jen’s bedtime. Again.

Saturday: Saturday started with breakfast, then more great sessions, lunch, more sessions, book signing, and then a dinner for the volunteers. All good. So good. (And btw, volunteering is a great way to help out and get more out of a conference.)

The keynote by Sharon Creech? Insightful. Heartfelt. Inspiring. She got not one, but TWO standing ovations. We would have stood up a third time if she came out for an encore. Grace Lin also shared her story and her beautiful illustrations. And can I just tell you about the line-up of amazing authors at this conference?! Erin Dionne. Linda Urban. Kate Messner. Hilary Weisman Graham. Jo Knowles. The list goes on.

Then we attended a panel with Brenda Reeves Sturgis, Emma Dryden, and Karen Grencik. From there we joined in the wine and cheese mingle and yup, there was plenty more chatting and laughing. Maybe a bit more laughing. It might have gone on for quite a while, actually. The famous Jennifer Laughran and fantabulous author Dawn Metcalf even joined us for a bit. But it didn’t end there, folks.

When you’re hanging out with such a great group of writers, you can’t just go to sleep. (Although a couple did sneak away. *clears throat* Ronni. *fake cough* Monica T.)

Kip and Minnesota Monica were kind enough to host a little after-party where there may or may not have been some toasting and jumping on the beds. I admit to nothing, except still being a kid at heart. And once again, poor Jen didn’t get to bed early, although she gave it a valiant effort.

Sunday: We sacrificed breakfast to sleep in a little, then there were more sessions, lunch, tearful goodbyes, and the last of the sessions. Finally, I hit the road, getting home in time to put the kids to bed. :)

So, who ARE these fabulous writers I speak of?
(clockwise from top left)

Jen M. I absolutely adore her. She is just as sweet, smart, and fun in real life!

Marcy Kate. We bonded because we’re both allergic to alcohol. Go figure. She’s also a brilliant writer.

Jennifer CE. She added quite a bit of laughter to our group.

Minnesota Monica. This is a lady with a contagious laugh and a sunny spirit.

Me. I’m smiling because, how could I not?

Taryn. She was the youngest of the group, yet so mature and TALENTED. Holy cow. Love her.

Kip. She is so full of goodness you can’t help wanting to be around her. Plus, everyone seemed to know her. “Oh, you know Kip? Yeah, me too.”

Ghenet. She is my curly-hair-twin who shares a love of photography. And so sweet.

Ronni. A fellow vegetarian with a smile that lights up a room.

Monica T. (not pictured) She’s a great lady who helped make the weekend one of the best. Obvs. For realz.

I met so many other great people, so please forgive me if I don’t list you here. I loved meeting you and I look forward to keeping in touch.

And of course, a HUGE thank you to Kris and Joyce for organizing such a wonderful event. Your hard work definitely paid off!

Start saving now, ladies and gents because #nescbwi14 will most certainly be a blast. Really. Get a piggy bank. Open a savings account. Put an envelope under the mattress. (It’s one of the best values you’ll find for a writing conference!) You’re going to want to be there. :)

In the words of Minnesota Monica, “It’s not goodbye, it’s ‘I’ll see you on twitter’.”