Category: Winchester

I Love the SCBWI Conference Because...

11/25/2013

I have a very serious confession to make, I hope I don't shock and disappoint you too much, but here goes.

A week ago I wasn't really sure I wanted to go the the SCBWI conference in Winchester! I know I know, how could I? Let me put in context for you.

I was feeling in a bit of a writing slump. Loosing my momentum and my direction, and to be brutally honest some of my hope. I e-mailed a close scoobie friend and admitted...

"I think I'll have fun at the conference, but I'm not feeling like I'll gain much from it."

I was right about one thing. I did have fun,

Fun like a somersaulting puppy,
Fun like popping candy on your tongue,
Fun like a fairground waltzer,
Fun like carnival maracas.

But I'm glad to say I was very wrong on the other point. I did gain something from the conference, in fact I would go as far to say I gained EVERYTHING from the conference.

An encouraging, helpful Friday night critique group. (Thanks guys)
A positive and productive one to one session. (Hooray)
Some fantastic advice from the break out sessions. (Writes to-do list)
A 'wow' from our fantastic children's laureate Malorie Blackman. (Claps hands together)
And of course lots and lots of friendship.(Group hug)

I am back home with a renewed sense of direction, purpose and hope. So I'd just like to say...

I love the SCBWI conference because it recharges my writer batteries!

See you next year!

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Conflab and cake

11/27/2012

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Catch up, Conflab, and Cake-The SCBWI Annual Conference

I found time in my busy schedule to see the sights.

I am currently still basking in the warm friendly afterglow that follows the SCBWI Annual Winchester Conference.

I know that there will be many blogs being tapped out at this very moment of what EXACTLY went on this year, much of which was informative, hilarious or both so you should definitely read them. I thought I’d concentrate on what I brought home and that means the conference three Cs.

Catching up with all my writing buddies. The wonderful Celia Rees in her keynote talk spoke about how important it is to be a part of a writing community. She’s right; I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for the SCBWI I wouldn’t be a writer at all. As well as the regional events it has a very strong on-line community and I have friends spread out all over the county and beyond. I talk to them every day but meet many of them just once a year. The conference is often the only time I get to see many of them face to face and drink to drink.

Catching up with my good friend Muncle Trogg, and Janet Foxley of course!

Scoobie Dooers making everything run smoothly.

Conflab in bucket loads. From keynote speakers to chats over lunch, from professional one to one sessions to peer crit groups, from intensive workshops to the Saturday night mass book launch we never stop talking about one thing, our writing. Why we write, what we write, what we love about it, what we hate about it and how we can make it better and better again and then even better than that with a sparkly ribbon on the top.

The magical Debi Gliori tells us just what of herself she puts into her work.

The Literary Gift Company

I’ve come away in possession of some fantastically encouraging comments about my work, but also a healthy portion of suggested improvements. I couldn’t be happier about it. My writing goals have been brought into focus and I have a refreshed sense of purpose, so there may not be a lot of bloggage for a while.

Oh and we’ll let the CAKE speak for itself shall we?

One day one of my characters will grace the mass book launch cake. I wonder which one?

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SCBWI conference Badge Competition

11/1/2012

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Later in November I'm off to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Conference in Winchester. It's a chance to meet up with all my writing friends from around the country, get involved in some great critique sessions and workshops as well as network with a glittering array of industry professionals.

I can't wait, I've been getting excited ever since I booked my place in August. And now I have another reason to let the excitement mount. SCBWI have just announced the winner of the conference badge design, and guess what I won! Do you like it?

I wish I Could take credit for it all, but only the words are mine. The fabulous artwork is by the supremely talented Ellie Ansell, whose artwork can also be seen on 'My Snot' page. She is a young talent just waiting to burst onto the illustration scene and I am very proud of her.