SCBWI Summer Conference is HERE!!!!

It’s all starting, friends.

Are you ready?

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SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-conference Interview: Bonnie Bader

Is your suitcase out? Your conference ducks all in a row? Or, are you like me, making lists of all the things you still have to get done as you stare at piles of laundry that must be tackled before you fly away to LA for the upcoming conference?

I had one more bit of pre-conference interviewing fun that I got to do yesterday with Bonnie Bader. And, really, how much does Bonnie rock that she took time out of her busy Monday to answer some questions for us? She's got to get on a plane in a couple of days, too!

Take a peek at Bonnie's conference bio: Bonnie Bader is the Editor-in-Chief of Grosset and Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan, two imprints of the Penguin Young Readers Group. She oversees a group of eight editors who actively acquire a wide range of books from series to readers to novelty to licensed properties. The editors are always looking to hire writers to work on both a “for hire” and a “royalty” basis. While licensed publishing is a staple of the group, a big focus is on middle-grade series. Some of the bestselling series published by Grosset include Camp Confidential, Hank Zipzer, and Katie Kazoo.

WELCOME, BONNIE!

JOLIE: I hope it's as beautiful on your coast as it is here. If we were able to sit down in some little coffee spot for this interview, what would be your drink of choice?

BONNIE: It’s a beautiful day here in New York – we have a brief respite from the unbearable heat! Emailing is fun, but if we were to sit down for coffee, it would definitely be at Starbucks and I’d order a Coffee Frappuccino Light.

JOLIE: Those of us in the Pacific Northwest have been jealous of that warm east coast weather, but glad to hear you're getting a bit of a break from the intense heat. And, I haven't tried the Frappuccino light, so I'll have what you're having!

You have been a long-time friend of SCBWI and this summer conference. I believe you've been at each and every one I've been to--this will be #6, with one year missed, for me. I've watched your daughters grow up! What keeps you coming back year after year?

Bonnie: Right now, I’d take some of your cold weather over our heat! But then again, it is summer…

You’re right – I’ve been coming to the SCBWI conference for a long time. I’m trying to remember how long exactly – I think this will be my 8th summer conference! This year, I won’t be bringing my daughter Lauren – she’s at a Choral program in upstate New York for the month of July. She’s sad that she’s not working in the bookstore this year. Oh well, there’s always next year….


I love SCBWI, especially the summer conference. Although it’s a lot of work for me (each year I seem to have more and more work to do!) the energy at the summer conference is incredible. I love meeting all the writers and illustrators and it’s fun catching up with colleagues, too!

JOLIE: During the past few conferences you've offered a on-going class (requiring advanced registration) on pitching a series. I know it was immensely popular. But you're switching things up this year. I see you will present a two-part session called "Start: Write Your First Page." I have a feeling your room will be packed, which is why it's probably being offered twice. Can you give us a bit of a taste?

BONNIE: You’re right, I have offered several master classes over the past few conferences, but this year I’m doing something different. My workshop, Start: Write Your First Page will be offered twice and each “class” will meet twice – an “a” and “b” part. Since I don’t like my workshops to be all lectures, this one will be very interactive. On the first day, we’ll talk about what makes a good opening line, and we’ll do some exercises turning boring first lines into great hooks. Then, I’ll have the participants “go home” and work on the first lines of their manuscripts, taking into account all they learned in the class that day. Part “B” will consist of “workshopping” those first lines.

JOLIE: That really sounds fantastic, Bonnie. And something very new and different for this conference. Conference-goers out there, I'd get to this one early for a seat!

You're also giving a "Nonfiction Early Readers" talk. Tell us a bit more, if you would.

BONNIE: In this workshop, be prepared to learn that writing nonfiction early readers is not only creative, but you can learn a lot too! You’ll learn the best parts about writing non fiction early readers, and the most challenging parts, how to pick a topic for your book, which types of sources to use, and other handy tips. I’ll also talk about our reader program and exciting opportunities for authors.

And finally, I have to ask, are you prepared for the "Heart and Soul" poolside party?
 
BONNIE: I had an outfit picked out, but my ten-year-old daughter said it was too boring. I think I’m going to go shopping after work…

JOLIE: Ha! How about ten-year-old daughters and their honesty (I have one, too!). But, you're doing better than me. I don't even have a boring outfit picked out yet.
Thanks for the chat, Bonnie!

Monday Moment #79: 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 am seriously squeaking right in under the Monday wire. What is with today? Is it something with the stars? There is a full moon tonight!

I ALMOST forgot to post a Monday Moment. Almost! I can't blame Blogger or anything else. This piece of forgetful wonderment is all mine.

But maybe I can blame it on the stars, just a bit. Maybe? Saturn is moving into Libra and this hasn't happened since, like, 1982. It's supposed to be a pretty big deal. Big stuff is suppose to start happening. I'm supposed accomplish big things. Be highly organized. Become extraordinarily busy. Busy. Busy.

I think it's already beginning. Bring it, Saturn!

This got me thinking. I've never thought much about horoscopes/astrology related to my characters. I would if it was important, in some way, to a particular character. But, have you ever considered your character's sign? Considered what traits represent that sign and work them into your character? Just for the sake of character building?

I know, personally, my Libran scales fit me well. Why not for a character too?

What's your character's sign? And what does it mean to him/her?

Monday Moment #78: 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. )

Competition! It's everywhere, at every age.

And how 'bout this idea of one-upping? It's fascinating to me, and in certain degrees, I think we've all been guilty of it a time or two. Maybe three.

I witnessed a humorous incident of one-upsmanship at the pool as my girlies were taking swimming lessons. Three young girls (maybe five-ish) were edging their way along the side, having this conversation:

Girl One: You know, I'm not very good at seeing.
-then a pause...
Girl One: I'm not very good at hearing either.
Girl Two: We're not good at seeing either.
Girl Three: (agrees)
Girl One: But your only bad at seeing. I'm bad at hearing and seeing.

Now, if I only knew what started that conversation. It gave me a pool-side chuckle none-the-less.

How has your character one-upped or been one-upped?

SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-Conference Interview: Ginger Clark

How can it be that the SCBWI summer conference is only a few short weeks away? Is it that the weather has been so cold it doesn’t seem possible that the end up July could be that close? Okay, I suppose that only goes for those of us in the Pacific Northwest. But still! How excited are you to be there? Or…OR are you still deciding? There’s still time. You don’t want to miss the many fab agents attending and critiquing, like Ginger Clark.

From her conference bio: Ginger Clark has been a literary agent with Curtis Brown LTD since 2005. She represents science fiction, fantasy, paranormal romance, literary horror, and young adult and middle grade fiction. In addition to representing her own clients, she also represents British rights for the agency’s children’s list. She attends the Bologna and Frankfurt Book Fairs every year. Previously, she worked at Writers House for six years as an assistant literary agent. Her first job in publishing was as an editorial assistant at Tor Books. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and a member of the Contracts Committee of the AAR. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.

You can follow Ginger on Twitter HERE.

Welcome, Ginger!!!

Jolie: Is this your first time on faculty at the SCBWI summer conference?

Ginger: Yes, first time on the faculty for the LA conference. I'm incredibly excited to be on it. What an amazing group of writers and professionals! I'm honored to be going. This will also be my first trip to California--I know, very late in my life to have never visited our most populous state.

Jolie: Well, we might just have to come up with some sort of Cali initiation for you!

It’s quite different from the New York conference. What are you most looking forward to? And, have you heard all about the poolside gala?

Ginger: I am looking forward to the critique sessions I'm doing with authors--because I've never done this before at a writers conference. I've never come with extensive comments ahead of time for writers, and I like doing something new. I'm also looking forward to having my own private "lanai" outside my hotel room, because the Golden Girls had a lanai, and I've always wanted one. And I know there's a poolside gala, but I don't know w hat to expect--will there be tiki torches? A swim up bar? Will someone get drunk and fall in the pool? Will there be synchronized swimming? Do tell.

Jolie: I hope your lanai overlooks the pool. As far as the poolside gala, just about anything could happen. AND, there has been synchronized swimming. I have pictures to prove it. I can guarantee there will be costumes galore, fun food and drinks, and a whole lot of dancing (so bring your dancing shoes).

Attendees will have several opportunities to hear from you during the conference. One of your sessions is titled How to Approach Agents Without Scaring Them Off (LOVE THAT!). Can you tell us a little bit about it without giving too much away? Perhaps a common offense.

Ginger: A common offense would be probably approaching agents and editors at writers conferences at inappropriate times. Examples that have happened to me and people I know would be approaching an agent while they are on the treadmill in the fitness room; while they are in the pool; while they are soaking wet having come from the pool and wearing sweatpants (that's from my own experience); while they are washing their hands having used the ladies room (also my own experience); and my favorite, the famous "the editor found a query letter waiting on her hotel pillow when she checked into her room" story. That's how you scare an agent off--approach at times we consider "private."

Jolie: Okay, I’ve never heard the query-on-the-pillow story.

This one’s a two-parter: What’s one piece of advice you have for writers who are having consultations? And, have you ever discovered a client at an SCBWI conference?

Ginger: Switch your brain into "business" mode and pretend you are talking about a book that isn't yours. You'll find it a little easier to absorb criticism and commentary. And no, I don't think I have, but I very, very much hope to.

Jolie: Great advice, Ginger. Thank you so much for sharing with us. We can’t wait to see you in LA!

Monday Moment #77: 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 headed out to the great out of doors over the weekend.

(I believe in my last post I said I planned on still meeting my writing goals while away. I'm calling myself out now. Didn't happen! But I'll add it to my catch-up list for this week.)

We went to the beautiful Salt Creek State Park. I'd never been there before. It's quite an amazing place, especially its tide pools. When there are negative tides (in our case between 7:30 and 8:00 am) all sorts of amazing critters are revealed, including something I'd never seen.

There's an area called Tongue Point. It's a cropping of rocks that is exposed when the tide is out, pretty much the shape of a tongue sticking out at the Puget Sound. At the tippy-tip of that tongue was this amazing site.

That starfish was a the size of a basketball! I wish the camera could capture their true colors: the orange of the starfish, the purple urchins, and the green anemones.

But, I had seen all those things before (not that I didn't love seeing them again), but this next thing I had never seen...

Is it just me, are those things a bit creepy? My first reaction was they looked like a sea cockroach. My second was that they looked prehistoric. It was like I was looking at an exposed spine.

Chitons! That's what I learned they were later. And a chiton is the most primitive of all mollusks, so I guess I wasn't so far off about prehistoric bit.

What is something that your character sees or is exposed to that they've never seen before?

Spurts! Writing Where You Can, When You Can!

How are you getting the writing done this summer?

I mentioned in yesterday's GO OFF in July post that I'll be doing much of my writing in spurts and bursts. The writing will happen when it can, where it can. (Ah, how I miss my coffee houses!)

This morning my office will be the orthodontist waiting room. Inspiring space, no?

But I do have on lovely space which gives me 30 solid minutes of focused time four days a week. Take a peek...

Monday - Thursday my girls have swimming lessons at this lovely pool with a view of a bay on Puget Sound. When the girls are taking lesson, I'm eyes in my notebook, knowing the girls are safe with their instructor. Then I take another 30 minutes to watch them swim while I let the wheels between my ears turn (or I just take in the loveliness of it all).

This weekend my notebook will be packed along with graham crackers, Hershey bars, and marshmallows for a weekend of camping. And it will be used.

How do you get to your writing in the busy and distracting summer months?

GO OFF in July

Hello, bright and shiny blogosphere peeps. What a difference a little sunshine makes. *beaming big smiles from all the vitamin D*

If you aren't in the Seattle, what you need to know is, we had one of the coldest, wettest June's on record and it was miserable. This week that bright globe in the sky finally made its presence known. It had been so long, it was hard to remember that the thing in the sky was made up of only three simple letters:

SUN

I mentioned a few days ago that I needed a Do Over for June, but instead I would take on work in July with a BaNg. Now, Seattle friends, you and I both know this is hard, because HELLO the sun is out.

BUT, many of said you too were going to make your work GO OFF in July. So, let's join forces, use each other as a bit outside accountability, and get 'er done.

What do you say?

State your GO OFF in July goals in the comments.

I'll do some posting on my bigger writing days to see if anyone wants to hunker down with me. It's always nicer with friends. BUT, I will most often tweet about my working spurts (Don't you find you need to work in spurts during the summer month?) on twitter. I did this the other day with a tweet stating that I planned to write 500 words within the hour and asked who else was in...and lots were. It makes it so much more fun and motivating that way.

Here's what I propose for twitter. Let's use a #gooff hashtag and we can also add #amwriting. Yes? Yes!

You can follow me on twitter HERE.

Now who's ready to GO OFF in July?

(In the comments leave your goal, your blog (if you have one), and where we can find you on twitter (if you're there.)

Monday Moment #76: 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. )

The Fourth of July always makes me nostalgic for my hometown: Livingston, MT. 

There, it's three days of celebration...all day long. It's the time of year people come back home to celebrate the special holiday in a special place.

There's the small town parade. With horses, and what they drop. With kids, young and old. With snow cones to help beat the heat. And every once in awhile a thunder and lightning storm.

There's the rodeo. Three nights worth. With cowboys and clowns. Under the stars. With corn on the cob; buttered, salted, and peppered. And elephant ears.

There's fireworks. Right after the rodeo, each of the three nights. The big ones that look like they're going to reach out and grab you up with their bright colors.

But I realize, especially now that I no longer live in Livingston, that The Fourth is such a different experience depending on where you live.

What is your character's Fourth of July experience?

Do-Over Please!

Can I get a do-over for June?

No? Really?

A whole month. GONE!

I had high hopes. It was to be the month of Make It Shine!

Sadly, nothing was shining. NADA! Not even the sun. Wow, that all sounds so Debbie Downer. *wah-wah-wah*

This means JULY must blast off and become an explosion of work even bigger than the 4th!

Yeah...I think that's a great image for the work to come in the next 31 days (okay, maybe 28 days because I'll be off to the SCBWI summer conference on the 29th, of course).

My youngest girlie is still recovering from pneumonia. (How long can one kid be sick?) That nasty stuff threw her body into a crazy mess. She's getting there. Time for the energy to go into the writing.

It's a brand new month. One worth a whole lot of shine. (That means you too, Sun!)

So, my friends, I hope to be checking in (a lot like I did in March) on writing days. So if you're around and need and extra push, we can help each other light the fuse.

I have only about this *--* much time today, but I'm shooting for 500 words. Yes...500 words in one hour!

How 'bout you?

Ready, set, write!