In Which Tiffani Attends a Writers Conference

      Who is this blur and why is she so important that I would actually post such a poor quality picture?  

Answer: Judy Blume! (the one on the right--absolutely gorgeous at 73!)

     That's right, the popular children's author was one of the many surprises at this year's SCBWI conference, along with the likes of Gary Paulsen (who has had the most amazing/crazy/unbelievable life of anyone I have ever met), Laurie Halse Anderson, Bruce Coville, Richard Peck, Norton Juster, Mary Pope Osborne, Libba Bray, just to name a few.  I have to admit, I was more star struck than anything else I've experienced since moving to LA. 

             Me and Norton Juster (author of the Phantom Tollbooth)

   What an awesome weekend it was.  Going, in I half expected that I would leave a little depressed after having the reality of the difficult writing industry hammered into my brain.  Instead I left the conference feeling inspired and motivated, and most importantly hopeful.  I was excited to learn that publishers are actively seeking new writers and each want to be the first to launch the next big career.  They also aren't as concerned with current trends as I thought.  There was a point in my life where I was afraid that if I didn't come up with something that involved vampires, I'd never get published.  Instead I learned that publishers are already saturated with whatever's popular and don't have room for much more.  They're looking for books that will start the next trend or books that readers of popular genres can easily move on to next.

    If you're a writer I really recommend going to this if you can spare the time and the money.  Totally worth it.  Incredible keynotes, success stories, opportunities, and new friends; an event I'm not likely to forget.  

    To top it off we had a fabulous pajama dance party on Saturday night where even the best of us got a little crazy :)