Society of Children Book Writers & Illustrators Part 2 (finally)

So as I mentioned in Part 1, the first scbwi conference I did not meet any new friends. 

Now, if I attend a conference I am blessed with being greeted by my wonderful and growing tribe!  How did that happen?

PART 2 / FINDING A FRIEND / MAKING CONNECTIONS

It was not something that I forced. I didn't walk up to a group of people and push myself into the center. I didn't stand on the sidelines and melt into the wallpaper either.  So how? 

It happened naturally. 

I met some local authors and illustrators, I went to another conference, I sat with one person I recognized from a local group and who I really got along well with. That person knew a few others. We kept in touch. 

We went to a conference together. 

We met more people we liked, and so on and so on.

Why am I bringing this up? 

Because you go to a conference with hopes of publication, hopes of discovery, signing up for critiques, hopes of meeting editors, hopes of finding new friends, and I can tell you all those things can happen, but not at one conference.

Not at the first conference. 

YOU invest in a meaningful friendship.

YOU focus on what you have to GIVE, not get.

YOU treat everyone as you would want to be treated.

YOU share your story. No, not that story. The story of YOU.  (not in a creepy- "let me tell you all about myself" way) but in a genuinely interest of sharing way.

Then maybe you will find a friend.

This is how you find a friend.

This is how you find a spouse, wait, we aren't talking about that. But lets. This IS how you find a spouse, isn't it?

YOu be you. YOu be open. YOu share your interests, and your time. YOu don't look at people as though they have something for you. 

Let me repeat... DO NOT LOOK AT PEOPLE AS THOUGH THEY HAVE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO TAKE FROM THEM.

You are not a  creepy predator. 

If you want a relationship, personal or professional, you have to be genuine.  

Be patient. 

Meeting one friend. One good friend can mean the world.

So now you went to one conference and soaked up the advice, and you went to another and met one friend.

Now you may also want to submit a story for a manuscript critique, or a portfolio for review. 

That is going to be Part 3 ! : )

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators / part 1

Do you want to write or illustrate a children's book? Then you may want to belong to 
the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, scbwi.org. 

I can't say enough for this organization. I was so glad I had the opportunity to thank one of the founders, Lin Oliver, this weekend at the New England conference. Her encouraging energy has a wonderful trickle down affect!


This group is based on mentorship. The current members openly share their experiences with newbies. The website is packed with information including a blog page that keeps you up to date with the latest information.  Oh, and the conferences I must tell you about the conferences!


Years and years and years ago, I signed up for my first regional conference. If you are a newbie, I think the regional conferences are definitely the way to go.  Obviously they are smaller than the national conferences (which are awesome) but I think a huge benefit to that small size makes connections with other writers and authors easier.


There are agents, editors and art directors at all of these events. Many a writer or illustrator goes with first pages or portfolio in hand hoping to be discovered. Which is fine and quite normal. But more often than not, something more magical happens, or can happen if you pay attention. You might find your tribe. Which for an artist or writer is no small thing. It is HUGE. Finding your tribe, can change your life in the best possible ways.


Now, I did not find anyone at that first conference. I was alone. 
Being alone is not the worse thing to happen to you. 
I left inspired by all the wonderful work, but I didn't make any new friends. Not one. Which was fine. I wasn't really looking for them either. I was in awe of the process.
That first conference, was the first time I went away alone, without my husband or kids. It was new, it was liberating and I needed that time to think about the work and what I wanted to do.
I think if you go into a new situation without an agenda you will find magic or morsels of inspiration.


~end of part 1, more to come..

ducks # 3

Working out my painting style for this illustration.

Retreats so Sweet!

Last fall I was invited to my friend's house for our annual writing retreat. But I couldn't go. So, we planned to get together in the spring and this weekend was finally our chance to re-connect!
She lives almost 6 hours away in the country, on the water, outside a beautiful little New England village. The setting is perfect for connecting with nature, and really regrouping after a long snow-filled winter. The only thing she didn't tell me, is that the foot bridge is out.

Normally, it looks like this..........

But, instead we had to cross like this........(and we had to carry luggage and food across too!)

That is our cabin the back ground, I was crossing to get back to the car. The logs would shake up and down as I stepped. I said I would wade through the water, rather than fall in the muddy water.. But, my John (my husband) and Robin (writer friend) said I could do it.

I am not an adrenaline junky by any stretch. I am not a fan of heights or falling into rivers!

but, they kept me going, and 

I looked up, and step by step I made it across!

I think I crossed over these tree logs 6 times during the weekend. 

Each time a tiny bit braver. 

I was a little less terrified. 

I stopped thinking about falling in the muddy river.

I stopped thinking about what I didn't want to do.

I stopped doubting.

I just kept moving.

and

finally, on the last rip across, I looked up!

Nothing about the logs changed from the first walk to the last.

Nothing about the logs changed.

I wanted them to change.

I wanted the logs to be a bridge.

But they stayed logs.

so

I changed.

I looked up

and 

I thought about where I was going.

I thought about the other side,

the destination.

I can't say I was ever thrilled to face those logs.

But in the end, I have to admit, it felt good to do something I didn't think I could.

NIghtstand re-do......

This is the nightstand BEFORE. It belonged to my grandmother. See those tacky silk flowers? Those were a gift from my 4 boys with this sweet sentiment,"These flowers won't die, so we never have to buy you flowers again." they are so practical! : )

The nightstand got primed, painted, and polyurethaned. I tried to replace the drawer handle but it is small, and I will have to order one. I can't part with my "forever flowers" so I cut them down and put them in a small lenox vase, much better.  

It looks fresh, and now I am anxious to repaint those green walls.  Why oh why did I paint the walls green? 

It's spring and house projects are blooooming!!

I would love to have two bathroom renovations.
But, for now we are working with facelifts! (not my face, the house's face!)

BEFORE old bathroom cupboards....

 and the bathroom cupboards AFTER.

Giving old furniture a new lift!

I almost forgot to take a  BEFORE picture, so I stopped priming and took a quick shot.

This trunk belonged to my grandmother, the veneer top is all chipped and dry.

So, I decided to paint it white (linen white) and see if I could freshen it up.

This is the scary middle. It is when the whole thing seems like a huge mistake.  I use Zinsser primer, because you do not have to sand it first! Which is awesome!!! But doesn't it look horrible, all primed.

There is Gibbs, my furry assistant. He didn't lick the paint, which amazed me! He likes to taste just about  everything!

I let the primer dry and set all day. Then, I painted thin coats of linen white, softer than a bright white.

I love it! Fresh-clean and less of a giant blob in the middle of the room.

Next is the night stand in the far corner!