Recovering from the SCBWI Winter Conference

Zoom-Zoom, NYC - February, 2013.

Pleased to be home from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Winter Conference, while still trying to recover from my busy weekend. This year's commute is brought to you via Greyhound bus service... not a sponsored post, but yes I was pleased with the commute. I both recommend the bus as a transporting system from Boston to NYC, and will be using them again in the future. Fingers crossed I can return soon.

The light of Central Park upon leaving.

I was little hesitant about the visit since I was both nervous and excited about attending the Writer's Roundtable this go-around. In short: It made my trip. I got a LOT of great feedback from fellow Roundtable guests. This was an experience to be had. I only wish I had the opportunity to indulge in both the Writer's Roundtable and Illustration Intensive activities!

The story for my picture book is currently in "RE-Draft-Mode," thanks to the lovely assistance of the 16 others who nudged me in a the right direction. At least one significant goal was completed over this long weekend: I finally conjured up a name for my giraffe character. I can't take the credit for this because my mentor/roommate/former-professor (Sheli Petersen) came up with his name, just before the start of the conference.

Now that the conference is over, a whole new set of goals have been appointed. These include:

• Revision #... 4 or 5 (?) of my PB (Giraffe) story
• Storyboarding the book
• Dummy book assembly (praying for a March/April deadline)
• My first book submission (aww!)
• My second EVER postcard blast (Late February/Early March)

New postcards are on order... along with some stickers (naturally!) Since I haven't been too far removed from the SCBWI calendar, I've signed up for the New England Chapter SCBWI conference for this May. February and March are almost booked up with weekend activities, so I'm returning to a busy-busy schedule. Nevertheless, I'm inspired, (almost) revitalized, and ready to get things rolling.

Welcome Home!

~Samantha