Missions Accomplished at NESCBWI Regional Conference

From left to right: Sera, Me, Cybele, Patty & Penny

This weekend I attended New England's Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Regional Conference (NESCBWI) with a group of writers from my area.

I had two goals:

1) Participate

2) Find resource for starting my own critique group



And once there, I created a third

         3) Find way to be more active in my region.

MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!!

Happily, I facilitated two Special Interest Groups with NO CLUE of how what it entailed.  I had planned to have a chat with one of the chair's directors prior to the conference, but it didn't happen.  So, I went into the situation winging it.  And it was AWESOME!!  I met some really great people with the same interests I have. The two topics discussed were social media and realistic YA fiction. And man, did we talk!  So, in retrospect, I'm glad I didn't have any expectations because then I avoided restrictions as well.

As for starting my own critique group?  Yeah, I've been procrastinating-making a thousand excuses as to why or how I wasn't ready.  Well, it just so happened, Sera and I sat next to the Regional Director of Critique Groups Saturday evening.  There goes ALL my excuses out the window!  So though it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest, I'm gonna push it off and DO IT.  I'm scared, beyond belief, but I need to push through it.

And finally, I asked the Co-Chair of the conference how to get more involved in NESCBWI.  She said, "Well, next year's conference will be in Springfield.  Where do you live?"  HOW CAN I NOT JUMP AT THIS CHANCE??  So, I gave her my direct contact information and told her I'd be honored to help out in any way possible.

And now, on my first day back to my "real world", I think about all I accomplished.  Really, it's nothing compared to what I learned.  So much creative energy in one building, it's hard to not to feel a tad smarter.  So, as I embark on the next level, I do so with great pride.  SCBWI is a great organization for all children's writer's and illustrators and I GET TO BE A PART OF IT!!!

Yeah, I'm addicted to Victorious. Can you blame me?

YES, I'm addicted to Victorious.   I could give a thousand excuses, but I won't.  It all comes down to my writing.  The more I watch this show, the easier it is for me to create the strong teen girl character I want to portray.  Plus, the show's theme song really takes the edge of my fear of success.  And let me tell you, that fear is growing by the second, especially with what I see happening in YA today.  Realistic fiction is making a comeback.  Strong female characters are in demand.  Uh, oh world look OUT:

"Cause you know that if your live in

Your imagination

Tomorrow you'll

Be everybody's fascination

In my victory

Just remember me

When I make it shine"

Victorious
Tags: Victorious Episodes,Victorious,Victorious Games

Reflections on AGAINST ALL ODDS by SCOTT BROWN

If it weren't for my 12 year old son's (aka The Boy) interest in politics, I'd probably be like many Western Massachusetts residents.

"Who is Scott Brown?" they ask me when I mention I read his book.

"Uh, only our United States Senator," I say.

"Oh...." The person vaguely stares at me.

"He won Ted Kennedy's seat after he died,"  I explain.

The person's eyes glaze over. "Oh, well, I'm not into politics...."

I shrug and walk away or make a wisecrack at this point, because I know  that Scott Brown is not someone who be unknown for long.

The Boy with Scott Brown-Barnes and Noble Book Signing

When I heard he was having a book signing in the area I immediately asked The Boy if he wanted to go.He was pumped.  Just a few weeks prior, we'd heard Scott speak at the Republican Committee brunch in our area and both of us liked what he had to say. (And yes, even at 12, The Boy knows a lot of what's going on in our world.)

I saw it as a great opportunity to share a morning together, waiting in line.  Was I shocked when I arrived to find few people waiting....he's our Senator, but, then I remembered...no one really knows who Scott Brown is.  All the better for us, I thought.

Like I do for most books purchased for The Boy, I read it first.  I didn't expect to like it.  I mean, who wants to hear someone successful talk about how hard he had it?  Frequently, these types of stories are whiny or make the person look like a superhero.  But, I loved it.  More than that, I related to it.  Everyone has to grow up.  Some people are better than others at it.  For some,  like Scott Brown, it came sooner than it should have.  And he's used every opportunity-good and bad-to better himself.

Maybe I'm naive in believing his experiences separate him from the rest of the pack of politicians.  Maybe I'm falling victim to a ploy of self-promotion. But I don't think so.  Since the Republican Brunch in February (where he dissed me-the voter- for The Boy), I've been paying close attention to Scott Brown.  He's in the area of Western Mass a lot, with little media fanfare. And he's requested to spend time training in Afghanistan this summer, according to the Boston Globe.  

Something's different about him.  I'm willing to bet his quiet, steady and focused demeanor will continue to propel him to higher levels.  I certainly hope so, because I live by many of the same beliefs:

"I believe that we each create our own playing fields and that we are all capable of overcoming whatever challenges might otherwise hold us back.  The ability to persevere, whatever the circumstances, lies in each one of us" -Scott Brown

And YES-The Boy will be allowed to read this book, whenever he feels he's ready!

Mother's Day Thoughts

So many people say that their mother made them who they are today.  And it's true...moms influence us in ways that no one else can.

But what happens when YOU are the mom?

                                               

Doesn't that change you as a person too?

Of course it does.  And I'm so thankful to be a mom.  I've learned more from my kids collectively than any experience in my life.

They are the mirrors of my soul: reflecting who I was, can be and will be in the future.

Does that put a price on them?  NO...the cost is always mine.  

I can choose to acknowledge what they are showing me or not.  Sometimes it's easier than others.  Often times, it's easy to overlook, explain away or ignore.  But something in me won't let me.  I need to grow, learn, develop.  And my little critters help me so much.

So, today, Mother's Day...I'd like to thank THEM for making me a better mom than I ever thought possible!!!

Love you D & A...