Before I tell you about the conference, I want to point you to my review of The Host at Deliciously Clean Reads. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (instantly famous author of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) will be released in early May. And, as long as we are on the topic of Stephenie Meyer, I have been rather obsessed with all things concerning Twilight the Movie (due out in December of this year). Not as obsessed as the people road-tripping to the scene of the filming, or taking pictures of the exterior of buildings that will appear in the movie, but it has been very fun to see who they are casting for the various parts...and I AM one of the satisfied "Twi-hards" concerning the cast.


Okay, on to the Conference...

On Friday, the conference started with a bang. 

TIM TRAVAGLINI, Senior Editor at G.P. Putnam's Sons was the Keynote Speaker during lunch (I'm a little nervous about blogging about him, since he did make an off-hand comment that he could give a whole speech about blog etiquette. I certainly don't want to say anything he wouldn't be happy about...Mr. Travaglini, if you are reading and oppose to anything, please let me know and I'll remove it immediately.). His topic: Getting Out of the Slush Pile...but, honestly, before you get all excited. THERE ISN'T A MAGIC SECRET. He gave an inspiring speech about the three elements of success.
1. Natural Talent
2. Training/ Instruction
3. Dedication/ Persistence

He said that many people succeed with only two of the above elements. If two are strong, you can usually get by without the third.

He said it is important to dream, but enjoy the journey. Improve your craft. Look inward instead of at market trends.

Kate DiCamillo had 400 rejections before she was published!

You should have folders overflowing with rejections. It shows you are trying. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Be open to revisions.

"Be best friends with your local children's librarian."

Do your research. If he has a big pet peeve, it is having his name spelled wrong...but, really, that kind of thing won't keep a great story from getting published.


RACHEL ANN NUNES (LDS Author): Writing in Spite of a Busy Life.

Have the mindset of a writer. There is a big misconception out there...you have to have extra time to write. You have to make time. "If you don't try, you have already failed. If you keep trying, eventually you will succeed."

Tell yourself you're a writer. Take yourself seriously.

Tell others you are a writer. Help them take you seriously.

Be true to your God-given talents.

The average person spends 7 YEARS of his/her life watching TV. You can make time to write.

Have personal deadlines and goals. 

In 20 weeks, writing 5000 words per week, you can write a 100,000 word novel.

Bible: Parable of the Talents...If you hide your talents, you'll lose them. When you use them, you'll get more.


KIRK SHAW (LDS Editor from Covenant): 10 Ways to Get Your Story Noticed.

Looking for gift books and clean fiction. All editors are looking for dynamic stories that they want to take home with them.

The most important part of a story is the climax. Build gradually. Make it a big deal.

Use fresh descriptions. Find and Replace your pet words.

Use sensory descriptions.

Write a killer opener for your book. Study great openings.


LISA MANGUM (LDS Editor from Deseret Book): Making the Leap

Wants books with LDS values, characters.

Worry about things you can control.
1. Am I in the right slush pile?
2. Who will buy this book?
3. How is it better than other similar books on the market?
4. What are people buying?
5. What is my marketing plan?
6. Have 5 HONEST readers given me feedback?

Write a killer cover letter. It's the most important page.

A Disney animator said, "Don't worry. Don't hurry. Don't stop."


After these workshops, we listened to an absolutely riotous speech from Jessica Day George. Unfortunately, I couldn't take notes because I was laughing so hard I was crying. Sorry. You'll just have to come next time.  :)


I only registered for Friday of the conference, but I went back on Saturday for my ms critique. I sent two picture book mss to TT of G.P. Putnam's Sons. I paced like a maniac until he finally arrived. I shouldn't have been so nervous. He made me feel at ease and gave some great feedback. He said my stories were a little on the short side. He said 300-500 words is probably best...but don't worry too much about word count. Try to follow the traditional story arc. He said I have a natural talent for prose and kid-humor (Hurray!) but need to work on building my stories out a little more. So, overall, it was a very positive experience. 

I mean, the conference was full and interesting enough, that I hardly even pulled The Host out of my bag. And that's saying a lot.

since I said anything about my writing life.

I was thrilled to see my poem published in The Friend last month...but now it's February. That's the thing about magazines. They don't have the staying power of a book.

I have a couple book submissions out, but I'm losing hope on them. I was excited about a particular submission sent in June, but I haven't heard any kind of response. Maybe it's still under consideration? 

The other night, just before writing out the rough draft for my newest picture book ms, I felt that ache in my chest. You know the one I mean? When your heart literally hurts because you want something so terribly bad? I want to be a published picture book author. I LOVE picture books, not that any of you didn't already know that.


Anyway, here are a couple things I'm doing about it...

1.  Next Saturday, I plan to attend Life, the Universe and Everything at BYU, which is FREE.

I can't wait to hear from author, Gail Carson Levine (of Ella Enchanted fame). I loved her latest book, Fairest, which is a retelling of Snow White.
Many other writers will be presenting, as well. 


2.  In March, I will be attending the LDStorymakers Conference, where I have a manuscript critique with Timothy Travaglini, senior editor at G.P. Putnam's Sons (because, shh, he is one of my dream editors).

I'm already in a bit of a frenzy trying to decide which manuscript to send him for critique.


3.  I paid quite a few dollars to get a library card at a larger library. We had grown out of our little one. Now I can find more great picture books to study. Hurray for that.


4.  I joined Goodreads, and after realizing I was about the last person on earth to join the party over there, started networking with lots of friends. If YOU are on there, lets be friends.


5.  It's time to go through my stories and start a new round of submissions...Mail more hope into the world.

In 5 days I'm going to a 5-Day Writing for Young Readers Conference at BYU. I'm terribly excited, but I'm also nervous about leaving my kiddies. Anyway, I've been scouring the internet for tips that will help me get the most out of this experience. I've found some great stuff...


Here is a blue board thread for conference tips.

And here is another.

Here is an awesome list from our friend, Linda Joy Singleton about what to expect.

This one is about not expecting too much.

And this one is a great ICL article about preparing for conferences.


These are the links that I have found to be the most helpful, but I'm still a bit nervous. I've been to PB Writing Workshops, Book Talks, and Book Signings, but this is HUGE. Each morning, I'll be in a smallish group (about 16 people) worshopping picture book mss. The group will be led by Dandi Mackall. The afternoons are filled with breakout sessions led by authors (I'm particularly excited about Carmen Deedy and Martine Leavitt, author of Keturah and Lord Death), editors (Margaret Miller and Krista Marino), an agent (Stephen Fraser), and an illustrator.

I got an email yesterday telling me to bring 22 copies of a ms! I'm still deciding which one to bring. I'm also supposed to bring various other items including tape, picture books I love (oh, how to choose!), a stapler...So, I have decided I need a new, adorably humongous bag for this conference. I have a couple but they are really casual. I want something adorable, but a little more sophisticated.

Which brings me to another very important question! WHAT DO I WEAR? :) I'm assuming "business casual"?

Do YOU have any more advice for me? THANKS!

And don't worry. I plan to take lots of notes to share here when I return...but until I get back, my blog will probably be pretty quiet.