I’ve been posting a lot about how to re-claim your creativity and account for your creative time. The following exercises are a great way for you to really dig in and be honest with yourself. What are your priorities? How does your use of time reflect those priorities? Exercise #1: Your Priorities and Your Time…
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Nine Ways to Find the Time and Achieve Your Creative Goals!
Laurie Halse Anderson is an inspiration! During her breakout session at the 2011 LA SCBWI conference she shared her insights on how to create and honor your time and creative life. She offered the following nine tips to help us all embrace the creative life we’ve been dreaming about! Nine Tips to Help You Set…
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Three Writing Myths That Drag Us Down
Author Laurie Halse Anderson spoke at the 2011 LA SCBWI Conference about how to stay creative and make time for your writing. She shared the following three myths that she felt held people back when it came to their writing careers. 3 WRITING MYTHS THAT DRAG US DOWN Myth #1: If you get published you…
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Yes You Can! Finding Time For Your Creative Life.
One of the most inspiring sessions at the 2011 LA SCBWI Conference was Laurie Halse Anderson’s talk on crafting a creative life and how to find lost time and creativity. I’m doing a series of posts from her talk but the following makes me want to stand up and cheer! We all can find time…
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14 Quick Tips for Fantastic Fantasy Writing
Start with action, be funny, and ask the tough questions! Fantasy author Bruce Coville shared the following insights on writing fantasy for children at the 2011 SCBWI Southern California Writer’s Day! Here are fourteen quick tips he suggested to make your fantasy novel soar! 14 Quick Tips for Fantastic Fantasy: 1. Start with Action. Set…
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Finding the Fantastical!
Fantasy Author Bruce Coville spoke at the 2011 Southern California Writer’s Day. Filled with enthusiasm and joy, he spoke with passion about the adventure of writing fantasy novels! The following notes were taken during his talk: Fantasy is about Building Dreams: Fantasy helps us to start to build dreams, which is what lives are built…
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Nuts and Bolts and Chocolate
Picture book author Tony Johnston has over 125 books for children in her repertoire! She was kind enough to speak at the 2011 Southern California SCBWI Writer’s Day and share her immense knowledge and insight. This was one of the most heartfelt talks I’ve ever been too. Johnston is passionate and moved by her responsibility…
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Five Things to Make Your First Page Shine!
The first page is your chance to make a strong impression with your teen reader! Don’t blow it! New York Times bestselling young adult author Rachel Cohn spoke at the 2011 Southern California SCBWI Writer’s Day event, and shared her list of the top five things you need on page one! The Five Things To…
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The Importance of First Impressions
You only get one shot with a teen reader! You’ve got to grab your reader from the first page or it’s over! Author Rachel Cohn spoke at the 2011 SCBWI Writer’s Day in Southern California and shared her insight on why it’s so important to make a stellar first impression! The Importance of First Impressions:…
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Finding the Heart to Unlock Your Story
Newbery Award winning author Susan Patron spoke at the 2011 Southern California Writer’s Day. A former librarian and lover of children’s books, she had a lot of heartfelt insight on writing for children. Her talk ranged from finding the courage to write to insights from childhood. The following are my notes taken from her presentation:…