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Firstly, HI! It's been a while. About 2 years since I posted about leaving my desk job. So some updates: {crickets-crickets-crickets} Just kidding! I'm launching a bunch of projects. Writing that out just now makes this sound like an unachievable resolution, but its essentially just making the activities I've been working on privately, public. The first of which is the biggest, (and completed) because it has me out of my comfort zone 100%: I launched a YouTube channel (finally). And it should probably go without saying, but if you're reading this blog, I hope you will subscribe to my channel {winks}. I don't know how often I will be churning out content, because it is all new to me. However, I am melding with iMovie pretty quickly, and very much like the casualness of the experience. What's with this channel? It's about books and macrame/crafting. Yes, Books + Macrame. I have designs for macrame projects for books I've read. I am planning to bra...

Last Saturday I attended the New England SCBWI Encore Writer's Workshop. I am 0 for 3 for successful navigations of Providence, but I am inspired and knowledgable from the experience, so I call it a win! There were a TON of key notes that all authors/writers can really benefit. The workshop had a Middle Grade-Young Adult edge to it, so there wasn't a lot of focus on the Picture Book writing, but I can see how I could apply the advice to my personal writings. Some of the key points addressed: Write, write, write, write and then write some more. READ! <-- Pretend that was shouted. Read everything you can get your hands on... specifically works from your genre. Read it, even if you think/have heard it's going to be crap. LEARN from that writer's mistakes. Uh, re-write... a lot. Critique groups are necessary; start one or one! You need someone other than your mother/friends/coworkers/etc. playing the editor's eyes and giving you concrete criticism. <-- Th...

THRILLED to have gone, but a little bummed I couldn't attend the entire weekend. With work, travel and a tight-tight budget (so that we can attend the LA conference,) I was only able to join for the Saturday workshops. Though I take away a lot from my single day on site, I still wish I could have stayed for the full conference. "C'est la vie!" To really get the most of the conference my advice to myself and other potential goers: 1. DO the poster contest (illustrators) 2. DO the portfolio/manuscript review, especially that quick-query. I didn't meet a single person who felt it was money wasted 3. Don't get the chicken (lunch) 4. Do the portfolio showcase (illustrators) - ALWAYS show that folio when an opportunity presents itself 5. Take more pictures for more visual interest when you go back to Blog about your experience so that you don't just end up hoisting your business card up on the site for recognition The only real negative I take away fr...