Word Weaves

When I announced my Highlights Fiction Contest win last week, someone steered me to the Verla Kay message boards for children’s writers and illustrators. A Highlights’ contest thread started on Verla Kay last year. Writers shared their experiences, from story conception through contest results. Some stories were bought, others returned with editor’s suggestions. I enjoyed reading their posts and was sorry not to have been a part of their journey.

My own path wasn’t without support. My husband is my first reader. I value his insight and I’m always thrilled when he laughs at the right places. My contest entry was also vetted by the talented group on the Yellow Brick Road, an invitation only critique forum for children’s writers. They made excellent suggestions on my first draft and annointed my final version. I sent it off with their blessings. When I heard the good news from the editor, they were the first to hear outside my family.

Before YBR, I joined the Florida Writers Association. Critique leader,  Vicki Taylor, honed my skills, reinforced what I was learning in books, and taught me the fundamentals of critiquing. Then I found Eugene Orlando’s terrific SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) group in Brandon, Florida.

Earlier this month, I attended my first Florida SCBWI conference. I can’t explain the feeling of being surrounded by writers who share my passion for children’s stories. It was like smelling bread baking or tasting rich chocolate…a great delight. I listened to their first page critiques and felt honored to be a part of this amazing group. SCBWI provides a wealth of support for children’s writers. And it’s needed. We shut the world out when we’re creating, but writers need society. My Highlights’ win pays respect to all who shaped my writing.

When I started writing two and a half years ago, one of my goals was to attend a Florida SCBWI conference. We have two, a winter event in Miami and a summer workshop in Orlando.  Saturday, I attended my first conference. Whew, what a day!

We left early with my husband at the wheel and Hobbit, the terrier in the front passenger seat. You’re thinking there’s something wrong with that picture, right?  Naw. I wanted to sit in the back. My friend, Leslie Zampetti rode with us and I was looking forward to the chat time.

We arrived at the Coronado Springs resort with plenty of time to check out the digs. Very nice indeed. After the general assembly, we split into focus groups. Leslie headed for the Picture Book room and I settled in the Middle Grade track.  Alvina  Ling, Senior Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Kathleen Duey, author of over ninety books for K-YA led my group.

Alvina and Kathleen started with a lively discussion about what distinquishes MG from YA, and moved on to creating memorable characters and realistic dialogue. Florida critique group coordinator, Sue LaNeve brought the word “interiority” to the table. Kathleen adopted it and talked about the importance of interior dialogue. At lunch, the hot topic was . . . groan . . . electronic publishing.  One of these days those words will pass but for now, they continue to agitate.  I headed back to my track, energized by the meal and good vibes from the writers I’d met.

Alvina continued with a session on what editors are looking for, trends and industry focus. I silently cheered when I heard vampires and werewolves have sunk to the bottom of publisher’s  wishlists. Paranormal hasn’t cooled in the YA market, but editors are saturated. The same is true for fantasy. Alvina prefers literary works, in particular, stories about under-represented ethnicities. Many publishing houses lack MG titles. 

Kathleen and Alvina finished the day by reading ALL forty-something of the participants’ first pages.  I was blown away by the talent and proud to be a Florida SCBWI member. The ride home was tinged with sadness. Leslie’s moving to New York this week. We met in a Brandon SCBWI critique group last year, but I feel like I’ve known her longer. 

Today, I’m clutching four editor coupons ( courtesy of the conference ) with my eye on the goal . . . four months to submit. Can I finish and revise my new book in time? Not a chance. Do I revisit my first book which already feels dusty? There’s some consolation in knowing authors around the state face the same deadline and might be asking the same questions. Good luck to all the Florida SCBWIers and best wishes to Leslie. I hope her writing dreams come true in New York!