writerjenn

mood: jubilant

Next weekend is the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature's annual One-on-One Plus conference. Though nostalgic for my own trip to this conference a couple of years ago, I am excited for my talented friends who were accepted this year: Colleen Rowan Kosinski, who writes contemporary YA novels with a supernatural twist, Jessica DiMuzio (accepted for the second time!), who writes nonfiction books based on her experiences in Africa, and Kelly Fineman, who's been working on picture books and poetry.

Applications are usually opened in late spring/early summer for this fall conference. If your application is accepted, you get to meet one-on-one with an agent, editor, or author who critiques your manuscript and talks with you about your career. Then you meet in small groups with other writers, agents, and editors for Q&A and discussion. But wait, there's more! Speakers on various aspects of the writing process, lunch and networking time . . . Truly one of the best conferences I've ever attended.

The mentor I had that year talked with me about developing the voice of my main character (among other things, he suggested keeping a diary in that character's voice . . . not to appear in the book, of course, but as a tool for me), and sharpening one of the conflicts in the book. All of which I did, and which made it a better book. In addition, I got to chat with other writers, editors, and agents, and picked up a lot of information about the publishing industry and the requirements of specific houses. And that year, we wrapped up with one of the most inspirational keynotes I've ever heard, courtesy of Joan Bauer , about lighting that fire and not letting rejection stand in your way.

So have fun, everybody!