LUNA TURNS UNO!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET PUPPY!

Is that not the cutest picture?

Monday Moment #49: 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. )

'Tis the season to be jolly

Fa La La La La La La La La

Ah, 'tis the season for carolling. What a joyous, lovely thing.

NOT!

At least not for me.

But hold on. I'm not going all bah-humbug on you, it's just that, as much as I like listening to holiday tunes, I don't want to sing them. (Please don't make me!)

I have singing issues. There you go. I said it. Fully admit it. I don't know where they come from, but I almost don't remember a time I didn't hate to sing in public. It's truly cringe-worthy for me.

Even Happy Birthday. The only time I ever really belt it out is for my daughters, even then, I'm like, UHG, that's going to be on video.

So, when last week's school concert started with a sing-a-long, well, I'm sure you can imagine how I felt about that. As almost all other parents joyful belted out the holiday fa-la-las, I sat and smiled or whispered in the ear of my youngest. If I would have sung along, I'm sure I'd be mouthing the words.

What is a cringe-worthy activity for your character?

SCBWI Exclusive Conference Interview and Other Great Linksies

Jump over to Alice Pope's CWIM Blog for another conference exclusive with Tina Wexler, literary agent at International Creative Management (ICM).

While you're there, she has super interview with some super fly LA conference attendees. Take a read HERE. You don't want to miss their conference fashions (I'm not sure how I did when I was in LA).

Also, the second place cookie winner from the contest I judged the other night at the SCBWI WWA meeting has posted the recipe. Thanks to Holly Cupala for sharing, and for saying things about me that are as sweet as her delish cookies.

You can also find photos of the cookies which took home the prize for most-creative cookie. Not only were they beautiful, but they were yummy. Thanks for sharing, Lida! Go and look! And, Lida mentioned she'd soon post the recipe.

Now, we must work on that No. 1 cookie recipe winner, Chadwick! 'Cause those whoopie pies made me whoop with joy!

Singing in the Rain Part 2

The title might have been better last night if it was:

Singing in the Freezin' Cold Weather: One Seattle Writer Talks About How to Defrost Your Vocal Chords

Wow, is it cold in Seattle right now. I so appreciate everyone who came out last night, braving the cold weather and slick roads. (Sometimes it hard to believe I grew up in Montana. I'm such a wimp about the cold.)

I must say, once inside it was festive and yummy. There were cookies and books and friends galore. And I got to judge the cookie contest. Yum! And, oh my aching gut. But I'm still dreaming about the winner which some sort of awful yumminess in the form of a gingersnapish whoopie pie. Oh my!

Now I'm coming down from the night, back at home, typing this little post to you, while I munch on popcorn and Junior Mints. Yes, that's the truth, popcorn and JMs.

Just a brief report on the evening, however I plan to do several post related to my talk in the near future (very near, promise).

The evening kicked off the two fantastic YA authors, Lisa Schroeder and Liz Gallagher. So great to hear about their journeys. They were both warm and charming and full of good knowledge.

So, as many of you know, I posted yesterday about the fact that I was speaking and that I was tad nervous about what I had planned in regard to my use of technology and music. But, I went through all the step to be prepared: the room was checked for my needs beforehand, I arrived earlier in the day to test everything with tech people on-hand, and joy of joys...it all worked wonderfully. Whee!

Okay, backing up even more. My day hadn't been going so great. No need to elaborate, things just not going my way. Once I got to SPU and tested everything and saw it worked flawlessly, I was certain it was all turning around for me. I was ready for a great night and a fun, informative (I hoped) talk. I even called my hubby, who knew I was worried about it all, and let him know everything was on point. Woot!

Then off to dinner with one of my dearest friends, Sara, who later introduced me before my talk: the nicest introduction a girl could ask for. AND, it was mentioned that Sara postponed having her baby (you can come out now, little one) just so she could be there to intro me and hear my talk. What a friend! And she truly is.

So there I am, starting my talk (a little on the late side and feeling a bit like I need rush and skip over some things) and then WHAT? WHAT IN THE WORLD? The power point suddenly does not fit the screen at all. The top 30% of the slide was cut off. Ugh. But, we all powered through, and I was relieved I still had my sound. But I felt a little muddled and not on top of my game. That said, everyone there was a wonderful audience and it was a pleasure.

I've heard from many today with the most lovely words. Some of my favorites: that the talk was original and an out-of-the-box way to think about voice. That totally makes my day. Plus, the many who mentioned it sparked an idea for them. Gotta love that.

Because of the time crunch, I missed saying some of the things I'd hoped to and we didn't get to do the writing exercise that I had planned for the end. People ask if I could still share, so hopefully soon (with a little help from my techie Jaime friend) we'll get it up on Cuppa Jolie.

I also plan to do a post or two about the talk, as well as post my talk playlist. That will be fun. Yes?

Thanks again for all of your support. This community of writers is truly a gift in my life.

NOW, why didn't I take any pictures? Sheesh.

Singing In the Rain or I'm Speaking at the SCBWI WWA Meeting Tonight

I'm off today for the big city to talk about VOICE!

Here's the blurb...

SINGING IN THE RAIN: ONE SEATTLE WRITER TALKS ABOUT HOW TO TUNE YOUR VOICE, with Jolie Stekly. We hear it over and over from editors and agents, “I’m looking for a strong voice.” And not only that, but “I know it when I see it.” But what does that mean? How do you know you have it? And how can you make yours stronger? In this interactive and rollicking session, Jolie will use music to define and discuss what voice is, and how to tap more clearly into yours so that you can make your writing sing and strike a chord with readers. Come prepared to warm and stretch your own vocal abilities, but Jolie promises she won’t make anyone stand up and belt out a tune.

And I follow this amazing trio:

THE ABCs OF CRAFTING A CAREER IN YA, with Lisa Schroeder, Liz Gallagher, and Jen Bradbury. Lisa, Liz, and Jen share their journey on writing successful YA, focusing on the importance of craft, wisdom about agents and editors, and the differences between a commercial and literary approach. Lisa is the author of FAR FROM YOU and I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME; Liz is the author of THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE; and Jen is the author of SHIFT.

You can find us here:
Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University - Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration at 6:45 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m. Get Map and Directions here. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. To see the complete meeting line-up, please visit our Monthly Meetings page.

I hope I see some of you there!

I have made this as complicated for myself as possible: adding in technology and music. Crossing my fingers it all goes as planned and that my tongue and brain cooperate.

Monday Moment #48: 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. )

Last week I attended a holiday, school concert. There's almost nothing cuter than a group of 6 to 8 year olds singing, except when one of their two-year old, little sisters dances with joy in front of the stage to every song. *melting* Too sweet.

Two classes of fourth graders followed my daughter's group. As a writer, observing kids is always fascinating, and this age of children in a concert setting didn't disappoint. It's such a mix of size and shape and style.

There was one particular girl who stood out that evening (to me, at least). She obviously had some color in her hair, wore a bit of makeup, dressed in a black dress, and wore heels. While most of the kids, the girls in particular, still looked much like kids, she looked a bit grown up...too grown up for me. That said, I'm sure as she got ready and arrived to her concert, she felt pretty and grown up. I could see it in the way she smiled and stood tall. But, it made me feel a bit sad.

A few songs into her concert, the piano accompaniment started the intro of a new song and one child belted out a note too soon. I'm sure you can guess which child it was. Of course, she was sandwiched between two boys: one in his jeans and t-shirt spending much time being silly, and a kid in his jacket and glasses looking smart, in more ways than one. Both boys sent whispers her way after her goof. I knew the smile on her face was now one meant to disguise the embarrassment she was feeling, she was laughing it off.

But then an even bigger embarassment: those heels got the best of her! Down she went, from her spot on the top riser, right into the person in front of her. I can not even begin to tell you how this pained me. She'd already been embarrassed once, but now she had to stand herself back up between those two boys, who again sent whispers her way. Another smile was on her face, but I had a view of her from top to bottom. That smile up top was forced into place and her feet...well, let's just say she shrunk about two inches as she rolled onto the sides of feet until, I'm sure, her ankles could not take it another minute and she had to stand back up on those heels. All the while she continued singing as she swiped tears away from her eyes.

I so felt for her.

When did your character go from feeling their best to feeling their worst?

All I Want For Christmas is the 11th Annual SCBWI Conference!

Has your sweetie or the gift-giver in your life asked you what your heart's desire is this holiday season?

Did you tell them it's attending the 11th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC? Especially since the iconic Jane Yolen (yes, that Jane Yolen!) has been added to the faculty roster and will wrap up, what is sure to be, an amazing conference.

Early registration pricing will be in effect during this holiday-shopping season (perfect!). You can register HERE.

And you can the Official Conference Blog HERE.

Wouldn't this image look great with a big, shiny bow around it?

Let us know if we'll see you there.