SCBWI Los Angeles 2013 - Inspirational Moments

This past weekend I attended my 5th year of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Los Angels Conference, filled with encouragement, inspiration and craft.  Woven between each keynote speech and workshop session were unforgettable moments with friends.  We laughed. We cried. We learned from one another. But most of all, we reminded each other that we are not alone.

It's not a surprise that I gleamed from the talent and love for our craft that was oozing from the California Ballroom stage and throughout the Century Plaza conference rooms all weekend. From the moment SCBWI founders, Steve Mooser and Lin Oliver welcomed us, I listened and watched and learned from authors, illustrators, publishers and agents. Here are just a few moments that inspired me.

FRIDAY

Your job is to defend, protect, and celebrate childhood. - Laurie Halse Anderson





















Don't put kids to sleep, for God's sake. Wake'em up. - Jon Scieszka



Do the unexpected. - Deborah Halverson

We hold a mirror to [our readers], but behind them is a world of fiction. - Peter Lerangis

Look right into the eyes of your audience; children. Know what they are going through and what inspires and excites them. - Michelle Markel

SATURDAY



Editors Panel, moderated by Lin Oliver, with
Nami Tripahi, Andrea Pinkney, Donna Bray, Claudia Gabel, Allyn Johnston, Melissa Manlove
This was the best editors panel I've ever heard. Everyone spoke candidly and was full of heart.




The story about Nico and his whale. - Mac Barnett

Read every line you write, out loud, standing up. - Richard Peck

Enjoy your writing. Don't worry about perfection. - Carolyn Mackler

You just have to sit down and work or nothing's ever going to happen. - David Wiesner

SUNDAY

Agents panel, moderated by Lee Wind

 The bar has been raised for all of us. - Steve Malk

Keep trying. Don't let rejection hold you back. - Jenny Bent

Publishers want to put out a personality. - Mela Bolinao

You can't force yourself to be a different person. - Ginger Clark

Know the market. Read books. Know what others are doing. - Joanne Volpe

If the story deviates from the image, ditch the image and follow that story! - David Wiesner

We are in an age where we compete with media. We need genre breakers. Attention grabbers. - Andrea Pinkney, author and editor at Scholastic

The craft of writing is getting your brain to bleed directly onto a blank page. - Richard Peck



















History is cool. Nonfiction is a way to remember truth. - Jeri Chase Ferris, Golden Kite Winner for Nonfiction

We live in a world where awful things happen, but sometimes there are things that are so atrocious that happen to kids and

we can't fix them. We create magic, wonder, escape.

- Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady book series

Fellow writers, Meg Lentz and Bridget Casey, building characters through improve
in our intensive workshop with Henry Winkler

Don't overthink. It's all in your mind. You need to let it out.

- Henry Winkler

And a few more fun moments...


Joanne Rocklin, Golden Kite Winner for fiction



Mo Willems won the Sid Fleishman Award for humor, but unfortunately
he was tied up and couldn't be at the awards luncheon.

 


Meg and I enjoyed laughing with Marla Frazee at the book signing on Sunday



After Mike Jung signed a copy of his new book for my son, a lucky few of us
had the opportunity to enjoy our own personal concert as Mike played
the ukulele and sang with Arthur Levine.



You never know who you're going to spot in line at Starbucks. 

Meg and I met Jarrett Krosoczka on Monday.

Having a blast at the Black and White Gala with Lori Degman and the "checkered people"
(I later found out that they were Jessica Freeburg and Jay Asher)



This photo truly summarizes the weekend for me. Hanging out with my peeps. My tribe. My family.
I don't know what I'd do without the friends who help me through the ups and downs of this crazy literary journey.
I have a heart filled with gratitude to be a small part of the best organization in the world,
including many of you who were unable to attend the conference this year.

 I love you SCBWI!!!

Please be aware that the inspirational moments in this post were taken from my conference notes and may deviate from the speakers exact quotes.
All photos are copyrighted material and may only be used with direct permission.
(But, I'm pretty cool, so just ask.)


If Can't Was Not a Word

Sometimes it just happens. One minute you're making a cup of coffee and the next minute you sit down and spit out a poem you love in three minutes flat.  It doesn't happen often, but I'm glad it happened to me today.

 

If Can't Was Not a Word

An original poem by Jenni Bielicki

What if every word you spoke
Was exactly what came true?
What if CAN’T was not a word?
What things would you do?

Would you soar with all your might
Past all the things you see?
Would you touch the moon and sun
And be all you could be?

Would you smile at every turn
Excited and enthused
By all the things that you could do
If that word wasn’t used?

Would you hold your head up high
Accomplishing extremes
Without that single word to hold
You back from all your dreams?

I think you could. I think you would
Make all those dreams come true.
If CAN’T was not a word you used
What things would you do?

Happy New Year!

My eight-year-old daughter said something to me the other day that really took me off guard.

“Mommy, I want to go skydiving.”

I have to admit that my first impulse was to tell her how unbelievably scary and dangerous it is to skydive. And how people get hurt or even die. And how one of my closest friends lost her husband in a skydiving accident. You’ve got to be kidding me if you think I’m letting my baby girl skydive. 

Seriously. Really.

Then I started to think about it. How beautiful and wonderful it is that this little eight year old girl is fearless and outgoing and amazing enough to even want to do something like that. At eight.

Seriously. Really.

So instead of saying what I really wanted to say, which was, “There is no way you are ever going to jump out of a plane! The. End!” I told her how proud I was of her being so courageous and how exciting it would be for her to do that. But yah, of course I added, “And even though it’s very scary and Mommy wouldn’t do it, I think it’s great you want to skydive, Sweetie.”

And then I started to think about how I need to be more like her when it comes to my writing. You know… fearless. I need to just grab a hold my story, clinch my teeth and jump.  Of course, I don’t have to jump without my parachute (which is the revision process that I’ll pull out eventually). 

So in honor of us all jumping into the new year, I’d love to know what makes you to “jump” into your writing process. What inspires you to pick up the pen or paintbrush and dive into your story?

Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you all a productive 2013!

Polish, Purpose and Pride

 Yesterday I pulled out the ugly, corroded silver dishware from my china hutch: a plate and large serving tray from my husband’s mother and a gravy boat and saucer from my mother.  Horribly tarnished and gray, they weren’t much to look at. And although I’ve always known that there is something more, deep underneath the tarnished layer of nasty, sadly, I’ve never used any of them.

Of course, it’s understandable that we haven’t used the silver from my mother-in-law. It was passed down to my husband only a few months ago when his mother died. But the gravy boat, on the other hand, the one that’s been in my family for four generations, the one that was passed down to me by my mother ten years ago when she died, should have had more attention by now. I’ve never used it. Ever. It’s just sat there on a shelf in the hutch.

 

As I pulled out these prized, yet dull and stained dishes, I reached for the silver polish too.  I mean, they deserve it, especially this year. The dishes deserve to be more than just a tarnished thing of the past. I sat on my back deck, clouds overhead. I reached for a rag, scooped up some polish and began to work on one piece at a time, one corner at a time, and one detail at a time. I paid special attention to the areas that had been neglected for so long. Little by little, I could see what began to reveal itself as my reflection. And as the sun began to break through the clouds, my reflection became clearer and the brilliance of something special began to show itself. It shined with a clarity that I hadn’t imagined. It was beautiful. The kind of Beautiful that has purpose and pride.

 

So as the New Year’s season comes upon us and the thought of revisions and revival arise, I’m reminded that those stories from the past that look ugly and tarnished, may very well need some extra polish and scrubbing, especially in those areas of fine detail. And who knows, perhaps something stunning will emerge with purpose and pride, just as the fine silver dishes will tonight as they present the most sparkly Christmas Eve dinner ever.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and happy revising to you all.

 

 

*Cheers*

That's What It's All About!

Every skate night consists of the same routine; races, boy's skate, girl's skate, song requests and of course, a few slips and trips around the rink.  But my very favorite part of every single skate night is the Hokey Pokey. Because as the song goes, that's what it's all about, right?

Well, I had a Hokey Pokey moment this morning.  While sorting Friday Folders in my daughter's kindergarten class, the teacher asked me if I would read a story to the children.  Of course, that is my favorite place to be in the entire planet.... reading to kids!

I began reading Beatrix Potter's classic, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, to 22 tiny faces.  Those faces were concerned when peter got lost. They were worried when Mr. McGregor chased Peter. They were happy when Peter found his way home. And those 22 tiny faces felt bad for Peter when he missed his supper and had to go to bed early with a tummy ache. Those 22 tiny faces hung on to every word and stared intently at every single illustration.

And you know something? As a writer, I was reminded that spending over two years on a 100 word picture book and editing it over and over (as I'm doing right now) is NOT what it's all about.  It's not about the insecurities of ever getting published. It's not about critique groups, or conferences, or even agents and editors.

It's about looking into 22 tiny faces who are learning, and growing, and loving words.  THAT'S what it's all about. Those tiny faces, filled with excitement and hope and dreams about their world. That's exactly what it's all about.

True Freedom and the Power of Words

As we approach Independence Day this weekend, I’ve thought much about my blog’s upcoming post and historical report on our holiday. My notes include the date of our birth as a free nation, July 4, 1776. I planned to link my readers to a copy of the Declaration of Independence as a source of reflection and study. And, as usual, I searched Flicker.com for some great photos.

Then I began to think deeper. I couldn't help but be reminded of all that is happening in Iran. The suppression of voices echoes through my mind and I’m thankful mostly right now for my freedom to speak.

Words are power. They equip the speaker to encourage, defend, calm, motivate, and move their audience. One speaker with an encouraging word is more powerful than a thousand people in silence.

Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the coarse of history through his words spoken from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the freedom march on August 28, 1963. That moment in history when he delivered that famous speech titled, “I Have a Dream” was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. A Congressman, John Lewis, said “Dr. King had the power, the ability and the capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a modern day pulpit. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.”

King spoke words that gave vision. They inspired change. They evoked passion and faith. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

This speech, spoken by one man, made an impression on our country and United States history. Together with the participants of the march that day, pressure was put on the presidential administration to advance civil rights. Lyndon B. Johnson was able to get the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 passed, followed by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Words are power. Words can change the course of history for millions. Words can change the course of history for one. The number of people listening is not what makes the words powerful. What makes the words powerful is the outcome from which is spoken. What is one life worth? What is one word worth?

As an American I celebrate my freedom to speak through the democratic process we call voting. As an individual I celebrate the liberty I hold every day as I live my life to its fullest, without hesitation and without restraint. As a writer I celebrate my freedom to write the words I so choose while simultaneously celebrating your freedom to read them.

I wish you all a happy fourth! Enjoy your day. Enjoy your freedom.

Sincerely,

Jenni B.

(photos by e-strategyblog.com, Malik ml Williams, Drew Myers, and B Tal on www.flickr.com)

Getting Out of the Box

I’m ready to get out of my comfy, little, warm box! My box is where I’m safe from failure and I don’t have to deal with fear. The problem with my box is there is no room for risk and risk is the only way to get what I want.

Without risk, there is no possibility for triumph. Risk is what produces glorious achievement. When there is no risk, there is no room for growth. If I want the triumphant achievement of growing, I’ve got to take risk. The challenge is; if there is no risk in my comfy, little, warm box, I’ve got to get out of the box.

Writing stories and sharing them with my friends and family is a safe place to be. They all love me and want me to feel good about my writing. Therefore, whatever writing endeavors I reveal to them, they will love and support me. They’ll see the good through the bad and pat me on my back as they tell me how wonderful of a writer I am. The only problem with this is the lack of constructive criticism. Although I get warm and fuzzy feelings when I receive their kudos, I sit stuck in the same old comfy box; unchanged and unchallenged.

In order to grow in my writing, I need to hear the good, the bad, and especially, the ugly! How else am I to improve if I don’t know what needs to be improved? So, I’m stepping out of my box into the unknown. I’m dealing with the fear of failure by looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to having my work critiqued by other writers and reaching that moment when I have the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. After all, it’s our mistakes that teach us the most in life, isn’t it?

(photo by orangecrazy at www.flickr.com)

A Second Chance

Appreciation for something we adore will often overwhelm us when we either no longer have it, or are threatened with losing it. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could travel to the future and find out what we should appreciate the most? This adventure would illuminate what we’ll miss the most. We could gather knowledge and understanding about those people, events, and things that we had once, but lost. Then, we could return to our present day and understand what it means to have those wonderful things again, so to speak.

Truth be told, this scenario isn’t so far out of reach. Sometimes I imagine what it will be like when my young children are grown and off to college, married, or submerged into a profession. I place my heart into the future as I miss them and the ‘younger days’. Then, I’m able to look at them today as if to say, thank you for these special moments and thank you for today. I’m thankful for the trivial happenings of holding hands, bike rides, cereal at the breakfast table, and telling my children no in line at the market. As I look forward to future events, with all their emotional ties of the ‘empty nest syndrome’, I realize that they are in all actuality positively satisfying. I think of how good days today will lead to good days to come. Then, a question comes to my mind. What if the days to come aren’t so good?

I was inspired this morning by a story of a family who broke the news to their nine-year-old daughter that she has cancer. I found myself weeping for this girl and for her family as the unimaginable dared to change them forever. I found myself thinking of what it would be like to enlighten my eight or ten year old about a sickness that threatened their young life. How would they respond? How would our daily family schedule change? How would our priorities change? What would be our passions in life then? What would matter most? Then immediately, I realized how blessed we are to have happy, healthy children and happy, healthy lives.

Isn’t it amazing how we are able to get a second chance at things without first going through the trial or enduring the loss? I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for the wonderful childhood that I am able to help shape and mold for my children’s future memories. I’m thankful that one day I can look back and know that I helped them laugh ever day, I hugged them every day, and I nourished their relationships with each other and others around them the best way I knew how. Most of all, I’m thankful for today and for the opportunity to realize and appreciate what I adore the most.

Memories and Dreams

If memories are our yesterdays and dreams are our tomorrows, today is that fine line where your memories and dreams colide. Sometimes I find myself mindful of my past through memories of regrets, botched relationships, unfinished accomplishments, or pivotal failures. At these times, I cannot help but fall into a dark hopeless place called despair. On the contrary, I often find myself catapulting through space and time to a place where I have no regret and accomplishment is a common word. This is a place where confidence is my life’s blood and drive is my every breath. Individually, my tomorrows are full of dreams and hopes and aspirations that only I can achieve. Today I stand in the middle of my past and future. I see that my specific challenge is finding the ideal today by simultaneously reaching both back and forward resulting in a perfect balance here and now.

My memories provide stability through the individual torrent of what has made me who I am. I draw on my life’s experiences, good and bad, that have shaped and molded my character. I reflect on words said or not said; accomplishments completed or left undone; thoughts shared or kept private. These events provide a sense of strength knowing that I have a choice today to repeat mistakes, or draw and learn from a precedent. Who I am is not left up to those who brush by me in an instant. Who I am is not even up to those who have left and imprint of courage, determination, or integrity upon my life. Who I am is completely and utterly up to me.

My tomorrows and my dreams provide a picture perfect ideal of who I can be. It is through my tomorrows that I am able to push through the tough seasons of today. It is through my tomorrows that I am not willing to settle for anything less than everything I can be today. My dreams define me in every way. My dreams identify my time, my focus, my relationships, my attitude, and my response to every experience. My very character is defined by my dreams, which are my ideas, desires, and potential.

While my yesterdays continue to accumulate, my dreams are persistently fine-tuned with every crossroad, every shudder, and every detour along the way. The way I see it, a dream is more than a heartbeat. A dream is the very essence of purpose in life. Without purpose, we are selfless. Without self, we are nothing.