Friday, April 30, 2010

Saying Goodbye to a Friend

This week I found out my favorite work place would be closing. Many of you have come to know The Vault through Cuppa Jolie since this is place I have affectionately referred to as My Office. One of my very early posts was about this spot.

So, it's a day that I say goodbye to more than just a spot, or an office, because The Vault has become a friend. I will miss its great drip, yummy cookies, cushy chairs, the tall-skinny tables and the short-fat tables, but most of all I'll miss the people...especially the manager, Debra.

Many, many words have been produced and deleted and reworked right here. They've watched me walk in frazzled and happy and stressed and tired and over-joyed (and in every other state you can imagine, well...almost).

You know, this is where I was when I was offered representation from my agent. I'll never forget that day or where I was sitting or that I was sure that she sent the email to the wrong person. (Ha! That's a fun story I'll have to tell some day.)

Goodbye, Vault. You've been good to me!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Why Didn't You Tell Me!?!

I thought it seemed awfully quiet yesterday! I had NO idea my Monday Moment didn't post. Wanna know how I figured it out? My mom was speaking with my grandma today (Hi, Grandma!) and she asked, "What's wrong with Joile?" She thought something was wrong because I didn't have a Moment up. It was technology. That's all. Now it's up.

In other news...another thing to tell you! They've added two more amazing workshops to the summer conference, I mean, they're couldn't-really-get-any-better-than-that workshops. WOW!


STRONG EMOTIONS ON THE PAGE: A MASTER CLASS with Arthur Levine. (Yes! I know!!!)

THE MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL: GROWING YOUR STORY with Linda Sue Park
(I heard nothing but raves about the class Linda gave last year!)

Details are on the SCBWI Blog and you can register HERE.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Monday Moment #67: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

Pack rat or pitch-it person?

Call me Miss Pitch-it. I love to get rid of stuff. But, some how it seems that you marry your opposite. My husband is most certainly a pack rat. Not only that, but one of my girls (the most artistic of the two) is even worse than her dad. She finds value in everything. Any wrapper or box or doodad has potential to become something wonderful, and she usually makes it so.

Even though I'm the pitch-it type, I do still have "those" kinds of drawers and closets. You know, the ones that need to be cleaned and organized. This past week I got a bit of an organizing bug and cleaned out my nightstand's three drawers and my closet which also has an area with more storage drawers and shelves for things non-clothes related. Basically, a mess!

If you've moved at all in recent memory, you know how it is when you just need to get things put away, so you shove them in drawers and think, I'll change/organize that later. Well, this was later for me...three years later. Hello! I had a ton of stuff to pitch and it felt great. GREAT!!!

The fun part was coming across the non-pitch items, like photos and many cards and letters my hubby has given me over the course of our 18 year relationship, like this handmade Valentine (from forever ago)...


This was a FIND. Do you see that bottom *!?! It states: Use of coupon endless! Woot-woot! As I flaunted it to him later, he kept saying, "I must have put fine print in there somewhere." So, I took a closer look. AND SURE ENOUGH, HE DID. You probably can't see it, but it says, "Or until practitioner takes away!" So, I'm now hiding this lovely find to pull when needed.

My pitch-it session inspired him to do a little of his own...I'd like to say pitching, but for him, it was more like reorganizing. And what was one thing his finds? A Greyhound bus ticket to Chelan, WA from 1987. There was nothing special about this trip, no sentimental reason to keep the ticket. He actually said, "I don't know why I kept this (for 23 years!)." But here's the million dollar question: Did he then throw it out? NO. His thought? He'd kept it that long, why toss it now? *wife hits head* Help me!

Is your character a pack rat or pitch-it person? And, what have they come across something they'd forgotten about?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

SCBWI 39th Annual Summer Conference: Have you registered yet?

Registration for the most awesome conference on the planet has been up and rockin' for 2 hours now. Have you added your name to the list of attendees?

This truly is my favorite conference around for many reasons! Fellow member of Team Blog, Jaime Temairik, listed 5 reasons you should go, I thought I'd throw in 5 more.

1. Have you seen the keynote lineup?

MT Anderson
Marion Dane Bauer
Ashley Bryan
Gennifer Choldenko
Paul Fleishman
Gordon Korman
Gail Carson Levine
EB Lewis
Loren Long
Carolyn Mackler
Rubin Pfeffer
Jon Scieszka
Rachel Vail

Really now!

And you can't BELIEVE how many more. Check out the entire faculty HERE.

2. The Saturday night gala is a blast! This year's theme is "Heart and Soul." It's my favorite party of the year.

3. It's four full days, friends. Four! There is more goodness than even Team Blog can keep up with. It is amazing!

4. The editors and agents are out of the office. So, just like you, it's a great chance for them to get away from home, hang out, and have cocktail with children's book friends.

5. Team Blog wants to meet you. I want to meet you. Or see you to see you again. So, join us. We'll raise a glass together and toast to the many success that will result from a fantastic conference experience.

You know you want to.

Here's the link to register. I'm going there RIGHT NOW!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Monday Moment #66: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

I've been quiet this week. I know I have. Especially after a great conference. But it's been for good reason. Promise. I haven't wanted to be a big downer.

It's just hard to share right now. I have all these great photos and I can't even access them.

I sort-of feel like I lost an appendage.

It's my computer. It crashed and burned over the conference weekend. Now I'm relying on an archaic desktop (it often can't even keep up with typing) to get things done and it's frankly not been so great for my mood.

Moody. Yeah, I guess you could say I'm moody, which is so not me (usually!).

It's my computer!!! I know you all understand that.

The good news: I did not lose any of my work. Back things up, friends! It a good, good thing.

I considered having a virtual bake sale to raise funds for a new computer.

But, as you can see, those cupcakes are totally resistible compared to the real thing with their most cake and thick, sweet frosting and sprinkles.

So, as for now, I must learn to function (or tolerate life) without my computer. I will attempt to pull myself from this funk and not pout. and I promise not to whine about it anymore here at Cuppa.

What item does your character have, that if they lost it, would feel like losing an appendage? And why?

Monday, April 12, 2010

Monday Moment #65: a writing prompt for your work in progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

I just returned from the wonderful SCBWI WWA conference. It was so much fun to see so many of you there: people I already know, and those who read Cuppa but have never met face-to-face. Love that!

I had the honor of getting to welcome those attending the conference for the first time. It was such a pleasure to get kick-off their conference experience. It took me back to 2001, when my journey into this crazy world began. A good reminder of how far I've come and how hard I've worked.

That's just what it is, right? A journey. A long, busy, frustrating, exhilerating, grit-your-teeth, dig-in-and-do-it journey.

All that said, meeting those first-timers and visiting with friends who've also been on the long journey (and persevered!), it reminded me that from beginning to end you have to sieze every opportunity  (big and small) that comes your way. If you don't, who knows what might have been or when the next opportunity might come along.

(hint, hint)

When does your character have a chance to seize an opportunity? More importantly, do they take it?

Saturday, April 10, 2010

SCBWI Western Washington Conference

That's where I am!

I've been quiet this last week. Have you noticed?

I've been busy preparing for this weekends SCBWI WWA Conference. I had the pleasure of doing a session prior to the conference open; an orientation for first-time attendees. I've also been working on a little something-something one of my favorite books!

I've just wrapped up my Orientations session. So, I'm done. Woot-woot. Time to sit down and soak it all up.

I'll be doing some live blogging over on the Chinook Update throughout the weekend, as well as tweeting.

I hope you'll say hi throughout the weekend and come along for the ride.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Monday Moment #64: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

First, I don't think I have any readers under the age of 12, but if I do, please stop reading now. (Yeah, I know...that doesn't make anyone want to stop reading, but I'm just saying.)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, and if you celebrate Easter, I hope yours was lovely.

My hubby and I (sans kids) attended a friend's wedding on Saturday night. Since I knew we'd be out late and that I might have a glass of red or two, I helped the Easter Bunny get prepared for a late night visit. At my house the Easter Bunny leaves two empty baskets with a note to be found in the morning. The note leads the girlies to another and another until they find their baskets. The empty baskets are for gathering hidden eggs around the house.

After the wedding (and consumption of a glass of red or three) I returned home to don my ears and bunny tail. I must say I was very thankful I had it all ready to place before I left. That said, when I tiptoed into my girlies' room to quietly place the empty baskets and note, I proceeded to...
CRASH
.
.
.
BANG
.
.
.
TRIP

...in a so not graceful manner.

I stopped, let the quiet settle back in, searched through the dark for stirring blankets, and then heard the lovely sound of sleepy-time breathing.

Deep Breath!

I didn't blow it. Because, what an awful way to reveal the truth about a magical childhood belief.

When and how does your character learn an unexpected truth?