So here’s my month in a nutshell:
I ♥ outlines! I’ve spent most of the month
learning to be a plotter. I know… I feel sorry for me, too. But what I’ve
learned is putting that work in on the front side should (And that’s a BIG
should) make less work on the back side. I read the book SAVE THE CAT! and loved
it. It’s geared towards screenplays but easily adapts to novels. When it came
to plotting – the thought I hated the most was it would take all
the fun out of discovering the story. But I’m finding my characters still
have their own ideas of what they think should happen. And yes, I’m speaking
about them as if they really exist and actually have a say so in regards to
what will happen to them. But the outline is keeping them in line. So
if my MC wants to be a little more rebellious than I anticipated – that’s cool
but it doesn’t change the ultimate path she’s on. And I have to say, I love her
a little more for trying to throw me off.
Major love for the SCBWI Winter conference! 1,100 people
gathered together – all talking about children’s books is incredible. I’ve been
to conferences for writing and photography before but none compared to this. My agent,
Sarah Davies, was there and the highlight of the conference – for me – was finally
meeting her in person. Sarah gave a talk about YA thrillers that was really
great. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she mentioned me and my book to a room
full of people!
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| "The Fonz" speaking at the SCBWI Winter conference! There were three screens like this across the room. People tell me he really was there but I have to take their word for it. |
Meeting Lucky 13ers in person = awesome. Just wish there
would have been more time. And pictures! There's always next year...
NYC gets better with every visit! Four friends – not writers but sight-seers – came with me to NYC. This is what I learned: five women in a hotel room
meant for two is doable. And the rooms at the Hyatt
Grand Central appear larger in pictures than in person. But we had a blast.
Every surface of our room was covered with hair products and we had clothes
hanging from door knobs to light fixtures but I wouldn’t have done it any other
way.
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| Christa, Katie, Jennifer, Christy and me walking through Central Park. Really cold but really beuatiful!And to insure no one mistakes us for locals - there's the map. |
Drinks with Sarah Davies and my editor, Emily Meehan, was
icing on the cake! I can’t even describe how awesome both women are. And how
great it feels knowing they are on my side. We talked about books, and writing, and kids, and everything else. It was amazing and the absolute perfect way to
end the trip.
