Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Recharging the Batteries


There is nothing like a great conference to recharge the batteries that power creativity.

Do you have a favorite conference or retreat that you find inspiring and energizing? I love the annual SCBWI conference in LA. This year is the 40th Anniversary Conference, which means an extra sprinkling of celebration and excitement. I’ll be flying out to LA tomorrow. I am buzzing about this event for a bunch of reasons.


To begin with, this conference is promising keynotes and workshops by best-selling authors such as Laurie Halse Anderson, Libba Bray, John Green, and Norton Juster, just to name a few of the talented people that will be sharing their wisdom and insights. And, of course, there is the poolside party on Saturday night and the Golden Kite Awards Luncheon on Sunday. Fun!

Want to be part of the excitement even if you can’t make it to the conference? Here are a few ways you can join in:


You can follow the conference on Twitter by using the hash tag #LA11SCBWI .


You can also read the conference blog. SCBWI’S TEAM BLOG will be blogging live from the conference. Here’s the link: http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/


If you happen to be at the conference and spot me (don't be surprised if it's in line at the hotel lobby Starbucks), please elbow me and say “hi”! It would be great to meet face to face (not that there’s anything wrong with blog to blog).


That's a bit about my most delicious get-away. I’d love to hear about your favorite conferences or retreats or ways that you recharge your creative batteries. Do tell!

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26 comments:

  1. Kelly PolarkAugust 3, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Oh, lucky you! I hope to go one day.
    Have fun, learn lots, and come back and tell us all about it! :)

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  2. Jessie HumphriesAugust 3, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Mother f...ather! I am so jealous you are going. I almost want to drop everything and run down to L.A. and stand in line with you at Starbucks. Maybe I will...

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  3. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 3, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Thanks, Kelly! Maybe we'll meet there some day. : )

    Ha! Jessie, that would be GREAT! That Starbucks line is a great place to catch up because it's usually long. : )

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  4. Doralynn KennedyAugust 3, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Conferences really are a great way to 'recharge the batteries'. My favorite one is the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. It's in my backyard and the only one I can get to easily. We have several writers groups that meet in the various Starbucks around town. Enjoy your trip!! Sounds great!

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  5. Bish DenhamAugust 3, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Oh you lucky! Thanks for the links. So far I've only been able to go to a couple of conferences. I've enjoyed them immensely.

    I expect a report when you get back.

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  6. Sabrina SteylingAugust 3, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    I've never been to a conference because I honestly just can't afford it, but the whole concept does sound cool. Have fun - and enjoy the pool for me too! :)

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  7. Lisa Gail GreenAugust 3, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Hopefully I will see you there! :D I tend to have a bit of tunnel vision (my friends tease me all the time) so if you see me please say hi!!

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  8. Janet JohnsonAugust 3, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    So exciting for you! And I'm so jealous. One of these years, I'm gonna get there. :)

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  9. Karen StrongAugust 3, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Ahhh, you're so lucky! I can't wait for you to share what happened when you get back!

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  10. David P. KingAugust 3, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Wait. Duracell's aren't rechargeable!

    Kidding, but I agree. Conferences are great. I wish I had gone to some of them when I first started writing. You learn from the best.

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  11. nutschellAugust 3, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Oh you're going! Yipee!! Maybe we'll finally get a chance to meet. I shall be there too! Plan to be there early on Friday to attend the first timers orientation. Will you be attending the ball and the kidlit drink night on sunday? I do hope i bump into you!
    nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  12. MG HigginsAugust 3, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    I've never been to one of the "biggies." They must be great fun and the lineup of authors is incredible. Enjoy yourself!

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  13. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 3, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I'll have to look into the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Doralynn. There's so much out there that I don't have a clue about. Thanks!

    Ahh, you can definitely count on me to report back, Bish. I'm always so fired up when I come back from this conference. ; )

    Thanks, Sabrina! You're right, the far away conferences can get expensive, which is always hard. Do check out the blog, though. I think you'll get a lot of information from reading it.

    Yea, Lisa, I will keep an eye out for you. I am sort of like you with the tunnel vision, but it would be fun to meet in person!

    It really is a great conference, Janet. I hope you do get to go some year.

    I will Karen! I promise! : )

    LOL, David--you're right about the Duracells, but the charging battery pictures were so bleh.

    I'm planning on attending both, Nutschell, so I hope we meet!

    Thanks, MG! I hope so. ; )

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  14. J.L. CampbellAugust 3, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Thanks for the links. A writer's conference is an experience I've never had.

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  15. Lydia KangAugust 3, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Lucky, lucky you! Someday I'll go too. Have a great time!

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  16. Peggy EddlemanAugust 3, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    That sounds like SO MUCH FUN! I'm way jealous. I need me a great writing conference right about now.

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  17. julie feddersonAugust 3, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I'm green with envy! Until I have a chance to conference (my dream would be the RWA annual conference), I recharge by trying to see something that gets me feeling creative--a concert by an underground band, a local art show, independent theater productions.

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  18. TessAugust 3, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I'm missing it this year (sob) ... it is a fantastic one for certain.

    have fun!

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  19. Maeve FrazierAugust 4, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Thanks for the links. I have been to the NESCBWI Spring Conference and several of the workshops. I'll follow on twitter and the blog. Hope you have a great time and come back with stories to share.

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  20. Carol KilgoreAugust 5, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Here's hoping you're having a great time at the conference. Recharge enough to beat that little pink bunny in a race :)

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  21. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 6, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Thanks, everyone! I'm about to head down for day two. After day one I have pages of notes, lists of new books I want to read, and I am seriously wishing I could get by on only two hours of sleep. All good! And thank goodness for Starbucks. ; )

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  22. Nancy ThompsonAugust 7, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    I would have killed to attend ThrillerFest in NYC last month. Alas, my bank account would not cooperate. It would have cost me nearly $5000.

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  23. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 7, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Wow, Nancy, that's a lot of money. I'm not familiar with ThrillerFest, but it sounds really interesting. : )

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  24. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 10, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Thanks, Lola!!! You made my day. : )

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  25. AnonymousAugust 16, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    The surprise guest was wonderful.

    I hope to see John Green at another conference since he couldn't make it to this one.

    I read a few SCBWI blog posts, but I should visit again to read the rest.

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  26. Cynthia Chapman WillisAugust 17, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    John Green is amazing, Medeia. I heard him present at another conference. And I was equally entranced by Judy Blume. What a great lady.

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