This weekend I am attending a SCBWI conference in Gettysburg PA. It's a huge conference for the Eastern PA and Western PA chapter, and Maryland Chapter.
I always love these conferences, so much to learn and great fun! As you all know I am primarily an artist, and even though I write picture books, I am not published. But recently, on a lark, I thought I would try my hand at writing a YA novel. I had an idea that gnawed at my brain and wouldn't leave me alone. It was a big idea, one that would never do in a picture book. After a few months, I gave in to the YA novel idea. I wrote the novel. I wrote it three times and I see at least twenty more rewrites in my future. Picture books, with their 800 words are a piece of cake compared to 70,000 words. Lord knows I was challenged! Long story short - I threw aside self-doubt and signed up for a book critique at this conference. Self doubt came back with a vengeance and I have regretted it ever since.
I received my critique appointment, this Saturday, 9:15am, with no other than
Wendy Loggia.
Author of
Ever After,
and Editor of
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Are you serious?
It's too late to crawl in a hole, travel to the other side of the world, or have my wisdom teeth extracted - anything to avoid this appointment. I will be there. I figure all is not lost, for my $40 critique fee,
I'm getting one hell of an autograph!
I'm so excited and nervous for you!!! Way to put yourself out there, Judy. And big congrats on completing your novel! I'm so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you on Saturday. Just remember to breathe, have fun and enjoy it!
*Hugs*
I had to laugh at what Jamie said ... because I am nervous for you too!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember when my mom wrote her first novel ... I helped her rough edit it when I was a teenager. So much more work goes into a novel than most people realize.
And yes, please do remember to breathe! This is a wonderful experience to treasure!!!
I once was in a class (when I was in third or fourth grade) where we got to meet the author of the classic novel Gentle Ben.
ReplyDeleteWalter Morey was a dear guy. He showed us the rewrites of his original manuscript. Back then they didn't have computers. There were whole sections marked and blocked out.
It was a mess.
(grin) SO much work goes into a novel. I, too remember all the work our Mom did when she was writing her first novel. She hand-typed it page by page on a little typewriter, with our youngest Sister sitting on her lap.