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29 -- The Higher Power of Lucky -- SCBWI Part Four
One of my favorite times of the conference...the last day...when authors and illustrators sit down to sign their books for you...talk to you...draw for you...answer your questions...give of themselves...promising that one day you will be where they sit today...you only have to dream...dream big...dream big as Hattie's Sky...there is no other way to go...
Words of wisdom from Kirby Larson:
"Sometimes when life gives you lemons, it shops at Costco," but "I applied a liberal dose of 'bum glue' and wrote through the bad stuff." You have to write through the bad stuff...
From the podim of Lisa Yee:
"Write about what you know AND what you WANT to know."
"Race and nationality should not limit what I write about no more than dictate what I read."
"Our fight should not be about excluding people, but about including them."
Conference goodies from last year...
You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women. 
15 comments:
Thanks for sharing... :)
I wonder where I can buy some of that bum blue. Sounds like it works!
Great postings, Rilla. You've really done a super duper double wooper job. Very impressive and informative and helpful.
Not "bum blue," but "gum blue" -- or, no, no, I meant "bum glue." I must be more fatigued than I thought I was because when I first read the posting, I thought it said "gum blue" and I was wondering what the heck that was, and then I reread it and it's pretty funny - "bum glue."
Very cool!
And, GREAT picture!
Hey Colorado Writer,
I'm always amazed at how willing published authors...famous, award-winning published authors are so giving of themselves, their time, their support and their warm wishes to the wannabe masses to which I belong...it's got to be one of the best communities one can be a part of...I feel so LUCKY!
Hey LynNerd,
You're so right...my bum is blue...after sitting in my chair non-stop since I got back from the conference...bum glue does work...but it has side effects ;P
Hey LindaBudz,
Wish you could have been there...but no...you had to go do fun stuff in pretty places, surrounded by your family...instead...
Hey Rilla!
Thanks for recapping what sounds like a fantastic time. One day I'll get to L.A. for that conference, and I'll ask for your autograph. :-) Can't wait!
Hey Natalie...
Would be great to see you in LA and we can sign each other's books! Hope you are having a wonderful vacation and hope you had a great 40th! Here's some cake coming your way ;)
How interesting. Last year, I skipped this part. I think I'm a little afraid of crowds. I don't feel comfortable. And asking for an autograph, or walking up to an author, a celebrity, always makes me feel weird. I'm afraid to bother them. Too shy, maybe. Hearing you, I'm missing out. If I go, next year, I'll stick to you like blue gum :) Blum glue. Blue glue. Whatever :))
Hey Katia,
I am shy of crowds too...but the one place I feel comfortable in a huge group of people is when they are all children's authors and illustrators. It is so much fun to line up for the signatures and as you can see the authors and illustrtators go out of their way to give of themselves...I wouldn't miss it...would love to have you stick to me...but can it not be at the bum...I already have blue bum syndrome and it's not pleasant ;) But it's OK if the blue is glue...sorry, if the glue is blue ;) What a great way to live life...savoring the last SCBWI conference while already looking forward to the next one...
OK, I'll just perch on your shoulder :) Come to think of it, maybe I could sit behind a table and sign my own books. Or is it only for established authors with several books under their belt? Because, come to think of it, that would be much easier. I can play "let's pretend I'm an author". I'd bet it's easier to be generous and giving and gracious from that place... You better keep that blue bum of yours on that chair, so you can sit next to me at the signing, signing your own book. How is that for a deal?
Fabulous deal, Katia...my bum is very blue 'coz I just FINISHED MY LATEST NOVEL! Now to send it out before I come to your part of the world. Wish me luck... p.s. I think in order to sign books at SCBWI you need to be on that year's faculty...I think... also... they seat authors alphabetically, so we will either have to change one of our names or knock off all writers between J and N so that we can sit together ;0 See ya soon.
Mm, I don't see myself as a faculty. Ha ! Let's be serious. OK, another idea : you get there, and I'll sit on your lap and hold your pen for you, Indian style, you know, like when you go to the hair salon and one person holds the blow dryer while another holds the brush? And, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your novel. Rilla, I'm proud of you. Hurry to get your blue butt here so we open a bottle of champagne.
Katia
Hey Katia,
THANK YOU!! The blue butt was worth it!!! Champagne yippee.... here I come...
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