Hitting the Ground Running

It seems that no matter how many times I think "I really should do another blog post," I don't. Well, now I am. On the eve before the first SCBWI Summer Conference I've been to in three years. What have I been doing since my last post? Working two part-time jobs. Taking care of our son, who will be starting school full-time in (gulp!) a month. Adopting another cat. Writing, writing, revising, writing, getting critiques from fellow writers, attending other SCBWI events and getting great--and horrible--professional critiques. Winning an award at one of those events. Researching agents. Sending the first ten pages of my Middle Grade novel to an agent who'd had an open period during which he'd critique MG query letters. Getting a fantastic personalized rejection (my first!) for said ten pages, along with an invitation to send any other novels I might have (it just so happens...). Watching friends and fellow writers get agents, get book contracts, have book launches and trying to remind myself that my path was my own path and shouldn't be judged by anyone else's timeline. Going to Schmoozes and expanding my personal/professional network. Continuing to meet with my critique partner, Jennifer, and give/get support and advice from each other.

You know, living life.

The thing is, I realized amongst the times when I'm happiest are when I'm talking about books with other writers and readers. I joined a book club for adults who read Young Adult, and after each meeting I come home feeling energized, even when I didn't like the book. I've been anticipating tomorrow for a while now. Last year and the year before were the only times I've missed attending the conference in fourteen years. I've missed it. I've missed not just the creative information I get, but just soaking up the atmosphere by being around 1000 other people who love books as much as I do--reading them, writing them, and talking about them. When I plunge back into my revision in a few days, on the other side of the conference, I know I'll be hitting the ground running, and I can't wait. Hooray, conference! Hooray, writers and illustrators! Hooray, revisions! (Yep, even them.)