Whispering Pines Writing Retreat 2022 Recap with Chris Mihaly and Kathy Halsey

Whee! After two-plus years away from conferences, we (Kathy, from Ohio and Chris, from Vermont) met up at the wonderful Whispering Pines Writing Retreat in Dedham, Massachusetts this weekend, with forty-some other writers and illustrators and a crew of five magnificent mentors. Organized and run with panache by Pam Vaughan and Julia Boyce, this SCBWI-New England workshop is a gem. Here's a quick recap:

Words of Wisdom (from the mentors)

Each mentor shared an amazing presentation. From our copious notes we've distilled a single shining sentence from each ...

Jessica Anderson (editor, Christy Ottaviano Books) offered practical pointers on optimizing symbolism and plot devices, and weaving them organically into your writing.

 

❤ "Your opening pages will be more powerful and resonant if they include a nod to your most significant symbol or plot device."

Alex Aceves (author, associate editor, Holiday House) explained how to create compelling characters that readers will feel a connection to. 

❤ "Deploy character flaws strategically: readers don't connect with a perfect character, so write a protagonist whose flaws make us care about them and their success."

Sera Rivers (agent, Martin Literary Management) revealed the secret of "why THIS book!" -- what makes a work stand out from the slush pile.

❤ "Bring a fresh perspective to a universal theme, and make your work accurate and authentic."

Abby Mumford & Brent Taylor (Photo, Mary Cronin)

Brent Taylor (agent, Triada US) broke down the business of children's books. Even the seasoned authors learned a thing or three. (Territories: World, World English, North American) 

❤ Books like Prince & Knight  "would have meant the world" to Brent as a kid. Brent believes territory is just as important to negotiate as royalties."

Chris Krones (editor, Clarion Books) energized us to knock the socks off writer's block.  They suggested going to the bookstore for inspiration and what gaps your book could fill.

❤ For Chris, "interest in the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. 'they,' and creating a simple list, led to The Pronoun Book. Create lists, look for simple yet compelling concepts. 

Applying the Lessons

L to R: Brent, Alex, Sera, Jessica, Chris (photo, Mary Cronin)

We applied mentors' suggested writing exercises and pointers to make fresh improvements to our WIPs. A couple of examples:

Chris: I used Jessica's insights into symbols and structure to review a picture book manuscript word by word, working to instill visual and other sensory expressions of my major theme. I think it's better!

Kathy: Thanks to Sera's writing exercise, I changed a problematic setting in my picture book manuscript which enabled me ramp up the conflict.

Parting Thoughts: Top Tips for Writing Workshops

We're each sharing a single top tip for workshop and conference-going. (What? Are they contradictory??) We also include a couple of pointers from other attendees -- because WPWR is all about learning from one another! 

Chris: My top tip is: Say yes! Even if your first reaction is that you don't want to play the silly picking-up-dice-with-cups-on-your-hands game with these people you just met ... just say yes. You'll (probably) be glad you did.

Sally is game! photo by Charlotte Sheer

Kathy: My top tip is: Say no! Know when you've reached your limit socially or mentally. Take a break. Nap, walk in nature, write in private and come back refreshed. 

Laura Renauld: Step outside your comfort zone and be receptive to new ideas. That's what it's all about!

Connie Smith: Ask questions. If you don't understand what a presenter is saying, ask for an explanation ... and if you forget other people's names, just keep asking!

Books by WPWR attendees (photo, Nancy Tupper Ling)

Is it time to break your pandemic-era isolation and congregate again? Thinking of brushing off your Lucky Scarf and signing up for a workshop or conference soon? 

If you're looking for a little help getting back into the swing of things, check out these GROG posts from the archives: 

Introverts attending conferences: words of advice 

Flying high with SCBWI Southern Breeze

Writing conference critiques

The write conference for you

Highlights: Nuts and Bolts of Science Writing

Leave a comment below about your favorite book gatherings. 

And good luck out there!

Introverts Attending Conferences: Words of Advice ~ Christy Mihaly

As the summer conference season gets underway, this post offers some conference tips and techniques for introverts—ways to optimize your experience in what may be a challenging forum.

Charles Dickens, by Herbert Watkins

At first you may think, isn't a writer's conference something of an oxymoron? I mean, isn't writing a solitary activity? 

Yes and no. Most writing requires time alone. But improving your writing, and getting a book published, require interacting with others who love writing: illustrators, editors, agents, and authors willing to share what they've learned. That's what conferences and workshops are for. So what's an introvert to do?

Recommended reading for all

Okay, yes, I realize some writers are extraverts. These folks thrive in crowds, get pleasure from promoting themselves, and are otherwise somewhat incomprehensible to those of us who revel in retreating to our quiet writing corners. 
[Note to Extraverts: This post isn't for you, and you need read no further – unless of course you’re interested in better understanding your introverted friends and colleagues.] 

Being introverted is not the same as being shy, or anti-social; introverts can be just as friendly and fun-loving as anyone else. The difference is that for an introvert, socializing comes at a cost – it’s tiring. (For an excellent further explanation of introversion versus extraversion, I recommend Susan Cain’s 2012 book, QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.)  So, here are a few introvert-friendly tips for getting conference-ready, and enjoying yourself to the fullest once the conference gets going.

1. Before committing: Research and select with care. Conferences come in many flavors. Where you go should depend on what you're looking for. You'll focus on different types of conferences if your goal is meeting an agent, working on craft, or meeting more people writing nonfiction, for example.  (There's a list of GROG reviews of various conferences at the end of this post.) But overall, I’d break all these writerly events into three main categories: national conferences; medium-sized or specialized conferences; and smaller writing retreats. 

Large (SCBWI)!   

National conferences: Think large, crowded halls, loud voices filling packed dining rooms, anxious people thronging around the big editors and agents  . . .  you get the picture. The advantages of large gatherings include the opportunity to meet lots of people in the industry and hear top-notch speakers and panels. If you’re an introvert, though, there are obvious disadvantages. This is not your natural scene. Crowds make you tired and sap your energy. It might be well worth it, but you’ll need to psych yourself up for the event, and plan for some recovery time afterwards.

Medium (Falling Leaves)

Regional/specialized conferences: Regional conferences and meetings organized around a particular subject or genre tend to be smaller (though sizes will vary). I've attended conferences focusing on nonfiction and on picture books, for example. Like the big national gatherings, these usually offer keynote speeches, specialized panels and instructional workshops. They often include the opportunity for one-on-one critiques, round tables or open-microphone events or pitch competitions. Remember that SCBWI regional conferences are open to people from outside the region, so don't feel limited to your own geographical niche.

Medium (WOW)

Writing retreats or workshops: Smaller in size, these retreats (sometimes called "master classes") are often held in rustic locations and may offer quiet time for contemplation or writing. In this more casual atmosphere, attendees have the opportunity for relaxed socializing with other writers, editors and agents, walks in the woods, and often writing time too. The one-on-one critiques often run longer: 30 or 45 minutes. And did I mention there's less noise and more time for leisurely conversations? 

Small (Picture Book Boot Camp)

Evaluate your options. Try to talk with others who have attended an event you're considering, or see if you can convince a writing or illustrating friend to attend a conference or workshop with you. But wherever you go, never fear—lots of other conference-goers will be in the Introvert Boat with you.

2.  When registering: Some ideas to consider.
      Sign up for individual critiques. If they're available, they're almost always worth the price. You'll have a designated time period with an expert to discuss your manuscript. This is much more conducive to a productive conversation than one of those on-the-fly interrupted hallway exchanges with your Dream Agent, trying to shout above the crowd.

     Volunteer to help. Many conferences, especially at SCBWI, rely upon volunteers to keep things running smoothly. Volunteering is a great way to meet people, including workshop presenters, and get involved with the organization. 

·      Think about requesting a single room. Some retreats have limited space and will assign roommates. If you really think you’d rather have a single room, ask whether it’s available and how much extra it would cost – and consider springing for the extra. How much is your sleep—and sanity—worth, anyway?

3. Getting ready to go: be prepared.

Print up something to hand to people you meet. Maybe it's your business card. Or you might prepare bookmarks or postcards (especially if you illustrate). When you're momentarily stuck for the next witty thing to say, it's handy to be able to hand over a card with your contact information printed up.

·      Practice your pitch. Don’t be trying to invent a summary of your latest work in progress on the spot. Take the time before the conference to write down a quick synopsis of your manuscript. Turn that into a witty pitch. And use it when people ask you (as they will) what you’re working on.

4. Enjoying the conference: Techniques and Tips.

·      Take photos. This is an old introvert’s trick. Assign yourself the job of taking photos of your group, or of people you meet (famous or not!). Offer to take photos of speakers during the panels, and offer to email photos that you take to the people you’ve photographed. Most folks will appreciate this. And it makes meeting people a snap.

  Review the program, and plan for breaks. With some conferences, you'll sign up for small group sessions ahead of time. With others, you'll choose when you arrive. Either way, you'll want to be flexible. But study the schedule, and determine how you'll get the down time you need. An early-morning walk, a work-out in the gym, or a quick reading break in your room can rejuvenate you for the next big group gathering.

        Get offsite: If there are one or two people you’d like to get to know better, see if they’re interested in going to dinner or lunch or drinks off site. This may not always be possible, but can be a nice option if the group scene is a little overstimulating, especially during a longer conference. 

FOCUS on your GOAL: Set yourself a manageable goal for the conference. (And no, “sign a three-book contract” is not a manageable goal.) Maybe it’s “meet Edith Editor,” or “make two new contacts who might want to start a critique group,” or maybe it’s “figure out how to get that manuscript unstuck.” Focus on your main goal, and don’t worry if you aren’t the loudest, most rowdy writer in the room. 

GROGging at SCBWI

That said, be open to the possibilities that arise. The best part of conferences is meeting new (or old) writing friends. Because, really, no matter how much you may love your solitary writing, nobody can write alone all the time! 

RESOURCES: 
In compiling the list below, I've confirmed that GROG writers really do believe in conferences. Here are a few prior posts providing conference reviews and other conference-related information:
21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference (T. Burleson & C. Mihaly)
Asian Festival of Children's Content (T. Cho)
Highlights Foundation workshop (J. Annino)
Library Conventions (K. Halsey)
Making a memorable author card (J. Reinart)
NF4NF (Nonfiction for New Folks) (J. Reinart)
Jane Yolen's Picture Book Boot Camp (C. Mihaly)
Rhyming Picture Book Revolution (S. Leopold)
SCBWI Florida (J. Annino)
SCBWI Illinois (P. Toht)
SCBWI National (Los Angeles) (K. Halsey & P. Toht)
SCBWI New England 2016 (K. Halsey)
SCBWI New England 2014 (C. Mihaly & P. Vaughan) 
SCBWI Northern Ohio (K. Halsey) 

SCBWI Rocky Mountain 2015 (L. Tribble)
SCBWI Rocky Mountain 2014 (L. Tribble) 
SCBWI Rocky Mountain Nonfiction Picture Book (L. Tribble)
SCBWI Southern Breeze (J. Annino)
Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth (K. Halsey)
WOW (Week of Writing) (L.C. Tribble); WOW (GROGgers)
The Write Conference for you (K. Halsey)

Laughter and Learning

at Letters and Lines

SCBWI's Rocky Mountain Chapter's Fall Conference

By Leslie Colin Tribble

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the Rocky Mountain Chapter's Fall Conference, Letters and Lines. This is my second year at this annual event and I loved every minute of the classes, industry panels and keynote session. Here are a few thoughts about what I learned and some general impressions about the conference. 

First, it's a glorious time to be in Colorado. It's an eight hour drive for me to attend this conference, but it's such a beautiful time of year the drive goes by quickly. The weather is still warm, which is incredibly helpful because everyone kept running outside to stand in the sun after freezing through sessions in the overly air-conditioned rooms. Besides, it's Colorado so you definitely want to be out under that blazing blue sky, enjoying the change of seasons.

Dan Yaccarino was the keynote speaker this year and he did a great job. Dan's speech was funny yet instructive, humble yet inspiring as he spoke of his career in illustration, writing, producing and designing. The theme of his keynote was, "Say Yes." There have been many points in Dan's career where he was asked to do something he'd never done, never even contemplated nor even entertained the remotest thought of doing it, yet he "Said Yes." I was inspired by the intersection of saying yes and as Dan put it, "the ability to work on an even bigger canvas." All of his varied projects have simply been a "bigger way to tell stories." It was especially reassuring to know he still gets plenty of rejections and not all his projects are home runs.

My next session was given by Deborah Warren of East/West Literary Agency and Erin Dealey. It was fun to hear how this agent-author duo sees the publication process and how much they enjoyed each other's presence. For them the agent/author relationship is "all about the connection and making sure the chemistry is there." One tidbit from this session: never submit on a Monday as agents and editors get slammed by submissions after weekends.

I missed part of the session given by Emma Ledbetter, Associate Editor for Atheneum Books for Young Readers. But what I did take home was her recommendation to add pagination to your manuscript submission, making sure you don't start with pages one or two (title, copyright, dedication, etc.) She also told us that Margaret Wise Brown said picture book manuscripts should be whistled to catch the rhythm and cadence.

Erin Dealey, author, had a great class on Strategies for a Long Shelf Life. She suggested asking yourself, what can I do for my local booksellers and librarians to make their job easier? Also, authors are completely worth an honorarium so ask for one or better yet, have it stipulated in the contract you send out to the store, school or library.

Deborah Warren gave a helpful session about marketing your work. She said, "Authors start the food chain of publishing," and "your passion for your book has to go up the whole food chain." Non-fiction writers will be happy to know Deborah doesn't consider NF a trend, it's here to stay since it's filling a need in the market.

The second day of Letters and Lines started with an impulse on my part. Instead of continuing on a picture book tract I sat in a session about writing novels in verse by Melanie Crowder, author. This session absolutely struck a chord with me and I'm excited about giving this new (to me) genre a try. To become familiar with this type of writing, Melanie suggested reading as many verse novels as you can find as well as reading lots of poetry.

Jenny Goebel gave a good talk on "To Plot or Not to Plot." I was pleased to learn that my haphazard way of winging it and then coming back to make sure I have all the plot necessities is really a method.

I also participated in the final picture book intensive which is a great way to get lots of eyes on your manuscript and comments from industry professionals. 

All in all, I thought this year's conference was great. The faculty was stellar and I learned so much. I'm excited to get out the red pen and revise, revise, revise!

Ten Ways to Prepare for Your Upcoming Conference by Pat Miller

The kids are back in school, the semester is revving up, and your thoughts may turn to some classes or conferences for your own education. After you book that special event (see conference directory at the end of this post), consider these ten tips:

1. MAKE SESSION SELECTIONS IN ADVANCE Highlighting your choices on the schedule in advance can be a big help when you have to cross a conference center in 10 minutes.  

2. KNOW YOUR SPEAKERS Facing the dilemma of two must-see, but conflicting, sessions? Research the speakers. If one of the speakers has a writing book or blog, opt to attend the one that doesn't. Then read the blog or book for a post-conference boost by the other presenter. 

3. READ THE VISITING AUTHORS Read a book or two by every author you intend to hear. It makes for a richer experience. 

4. UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS CARDS Does yours include your photo? Make it easier for that agent or editor to remember you. Free or inexpensive online sites make it easy to design your own. I designed my first business cards in Microsoft Publisher and printed them on pin-perforated linen cardstock. This card was done on Vistaprint. I included different information on both sides to make the most of this tiny real estate.                         

5. MAKE A CHATTY CHEAT SHEET Not every encounter needs an elevator pitch. Make notes on your favorite speakers in case your paths cross (try to make that happen!) Because of a conflicting luncheon, Suzanne Bloom had only me in her autographing line. From online research, I knew that she has cats, two sons, and a brother who is also an illustrator. Asking about them kicked off a fun 30-minute conversation. We bonded because I was prepared, and have since become friends. (Full disclosure: I discovered Suzanne is so friendly that we would have bonded without the notes—but I didn’t know that in advance.) 

6. INVITE THE SPEAKER FOR LUNCH If your session finishes just before lunch or dinner, ask the speaker if he has plans. If not, have lunch or dinner together! It’s okay to have separate checks. It’s surprising how often wonderful presenters end up eating alone. (Speaking from sad experience.)

7. PREPARE FOR AUTOGRAPHING Add your must-see authors’ scheduled times and locations to your general schedule. Will the author’s books be sold onsite at a discount? In their publisher’s booth? At a signing party? Or should you bring your own? Bring sticky notes to adhere personalization info for the author. They will appreciate it!

8. YOU’LL THANK ME LATER When you get someone’s business card; write a note on the back about any conversation you shared. Then when you write to that colleague, editor, or agent, you can mention the future of pop-up books at their company, ice fishing when she was a kid, or about his twin grandsons. After the post-conference dust settles, it makes you a standout from the hundreds they may have met. 

9. TAKE PHOTOS OF ATTENDEES especially if you will be spending several days with the same people in a retreat setting like October's NF 4 NF Nonfiction for Children’s Writers conference. Ask the person to hold their name tag near their face, so that when you take a close-up, you will create a photo directory to help your memory long after the conference is over. 

10. SPECIAL THINGS TO PACK                                                                              

·         Special events – Do you need to pack a costume? A book to autograph? A gift for a friend, agent, or colleague? Don’t forget your phone recharger.

·         Bedtime – Sharing a room? Bring ear plugs, your roommate may snore. Unfamiliar beds often keep people from sleeping—pack your sleep aid medicine.

·         Bring snacks – Think protein (beef jerky, roasted edamame, peanut butter crackers) and fruit (trail mix, dried fruit, grapes, apples),

·         Stay hydrated – Research shows that brain function is the first to be affected when your body is thirsty. By the time you are aware that you are thirsty, your brain is already stressed! Especially if you fly—keep bottled water with you at all times and DRINK it!

·         Thank you cards -- Complete one during a session and give it to the presenter before you go. I guarantee you will make her/his day! (And it will give you a warm feeling as well.)

How can you find a conference that feeds your needs, your budget, and your time frame? Kidlit 411:Conferences, Workshops, and Retreats is a goldmine arranged by month. Kidlit 411 is a comprehensive site that you should have on speed click. Founder and author Elaine Kiely Kearns and author/illustrator Sylvia Liu have compiled an amazing, and beautifully illustrated, one-stop site for all things writerly. Best wishes for a wonderful conference!

The Write Conference for You by Kathy Halsey

On your mark, get set, GO! Conference season began with a bang yesterday with SCBWI LA registration. SCBWI LA and NY are the annual "big kahuna" events of the season, and I am lucky enough to attend the LA event this August 1-4. We writers have few resources and lots of choices for professional development, so how do you decide what is the WRITE conference for you?

Begin Small

Go "big" or go home isn't always the case. I worked my way up to attending a large conference. Being a newbie and only having less than a year under my belt, I dreamed of LA last year but didn't feel I had enough experience to take advantage of all that was offered. Instead, I spent my time and money at a smaller venue that still had a big bang for the bucks. Hidden in Findlay OH is a fabulous conference with a small writer's tract at the Mazza Museum which house the LARGEST COLLECTION OF PICTURE BOOK ART IN THE WORLD! Yes, I'm shouting because many folks know about the Eric Carle Museum, but the Mazza Museum is a fab find for families, writers and illustrators alike. You'll want to sign up for their monthly email newsletter, too, even if you are too far away to visit.

  
Here are a few teasers entice you to put this conference on your radar:

• Enrollment in the writing strand is free w/registration (You must attend for the full week.) 
• Registration is flexible-choose one day for $75 or the entire week for only $225 - a steal
• Frugal folks can opt to stay in student housing and walk to all sessions on the University of Findlay campus. I did this and felt like a college "girl" again!
• There are 2 keynote sessions a day and we're talking pb royalty, folks...and you can go out to dinner nightly with these keynoters
• This year Mazza hosts Bob Staake, Laura Seeger, Lynne Avril, Margery Cuyler, David Shannon, Loren long, Jarrett Krosoczka, Aaron Reynold, Pamela Zagarenski, Mike Wohnoutka & David Slonim!!!!!!!! (Yes, excessive exclamations)
• During the writer's strand, you'll have access to a published writer for several days as the artist-in-residence. In 2013 Michael J. Rosen ate with us and even critiqued an ms of our choosing for 15/20 minutes, all FREE.  

Other Thoughts and Tips

After you get your feet wet at a smaller venue, look to your state and if you are a SCBWI member, attend your annual conference or a SCBWI conference in a neighboring state. 

Then you are ready to tackle the big kahuna at the national level!

To make your first big conference better, I have these tips:

• Room with others from your state/region/critique group
• Carpool if possible or coordinate flights and share a cab
• Set up a meet & greet with "your tribe"-I plan to meet with my fellow RhyPiBoMo-ers, WOW nonfiction peeps, and, of course, my fellow GROGgers! 
• Divide and conquer with your writing buds - do not all go to the same sessions, multiply your effect by divvying up sessions and sharing handouts, ideas later!

So what conferences are you attending this season? Comment on the GROG and share your conference tips, too. See you in LA and also at Kristen Fulton's WOW Retreat for nonfiction in July!