NJ SCBWI RA, Kathy Temean with Jerry Spinelli and his Stargirl, Eileen SpinelliIt was so wonderful to see so many of you representing HCCWIG at the June conference this year (we've added the I to our name for all our Illustrators out there, btw) .
I thought it would be really fun to open up a session at a time to discuss here in the comments section. After I feel we've had a scintillating enough discussion, we will move on to another session, etc.
So please, DO NOT FEEL SHY. We want to hear about your experience conference-goers.
So let's start with Friday - Jerry and Eileen Spinelli. What an adorable writing duo and so down to earth and not full of themselves one bit. They could have said, "We're gardeners," with the same amount of non-egotism then we are multiple award winning authors...
For me my top three take-aways were...
- when Jerry said he doesn't do rewrites. He begins each day by reading yesterday's pages and then writes forward and repeats until the end. And only then will he read the whole thing. I loved this because it validated for me my process - well at least the reading of yesterday's pages and then writing forward. I have read and re-written my story countless times and I still haven't reached the end. But hey, maybe I'm a Spinelli in the making...
- when Jerry said, it is a different market now. Writers today are smarter about their craft so it is harder to break in. (I don't know if that made me feel relieved or like throwing up!)
- and when Eileen read her book aloud to us. I was moved to tears!
- Oh and (I know I said three, but...) the fact that I probably have one of the coolest end-of-school-year gifts to give to my daughters' teachers - autographed Jerry Spinelli books. How cool a gift is that for a teacher?!
So what about you? What was your take-away from that session?
5 comments:
I agree - they were just the most wonderful couple. I, too, loved Eileen reading that story aloud and was very touched. I also was amazed when they shared the number of rejections they'd each received on specific projects. That Eileen received so many rejections on one book after being published so many times gives us pause ... even if you're famous your story may still not be what a particular house is looking for at a particular time.
I loved hearing how they shared their works in progress with one another - what a team! They were a really terrific pair to have as speakers.
Oh, I wish I could have been there! It sounds like you guys have an amazing conference!!!!! Wow!
So I guess I have nothing to comment since I wasn't there, but I'll second the sentiment that it is so nice to meet down-to-earth people!
I agree Jeanne.
I know PJ - you have to come to our conference next year!
I, too, enjoyed the opening session with Jerry and Eileen. It was fascinating to hear their story ... how they met and how they began their careers. I was spellbound. It was also encouraging to hear how both Jerry and Eileen faced rejection at one time or another. I believe for Eileen it was Hero Cat ... rejected 19 times before it was finally accepted. And Kathy Temean facilitated this session beautifully.
I agree Pat and to hear that Eileen still gets rejection slips even at her stage... Very interesting and promising...
Post a Comment