Thursday, May 9, 2013

A Fun Day at SCBWI-WI NE

Our "Saturday in May" workshop has become an annual event. This year we had TWO workshops on Saturday, May 4. Picture book writer Linda Skeers spoke in the morning about how to incorporate humor into a manuscript. That's a question we all want to know the answer to, as humor can be tricky! I had the privilege of presenting my Idea Explosion Workshop again, in an expanded version, during the afternoon session.
 
We had 23 attendees, a fantastic welcome from the Muehl Public Library in Seymour, WI, a perfect-sized meeting room, a scrumptious snack table, and wonderful planning by our NE WI Area Rep, Miranda Paul.
Yes, I did actually use the Power Point. Just not quite yet. :)

It was a great day to connect with friends new and old, and I'm happy to say that both workshops received rave reviews. A good time was had by all!

Have you attended a conference or workshop lately? Gotten together with other writers? Come away with any tips?

20 comments:

Barbara Watson said...

Sounds great, Marcia! I haven't been to any workshops or conferences lately...doesn't fit into my family's budget right now. :-(

Vijaya said...

Smart Marcia!!! Love that. Happy you had such a good time ... I am always invigorated being with other writers, talking shop. Can't wait till Sept for the Carolinas SCBWI conference. Until then, write, play, swim, watch the gators and squirrels.

KatieC said...

It sounds like a great time! I recently went to a writer's conference across my own town. It was small, but it was nice to meet with other writers :).

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Conferences are such fun and it sounds like you had a great time. I haven't been to a conference in a while and I miss the experience. It's on my "to do" list. : )

Leandra Wallace said...

How cool, I wish I could stumble upon something like that in my area. My public library brings in authors for NaNoWriMo, and I love attending those!

Marcia said...

Barbara -- Oh, I know! I also watch them due to budget concerns. I've only been to as many as I have lately because I spoke at them!

Vijaya -- LOL, I had to go back to the picture to see the "smart" on the screen. I love how you always manage to slip gators in someplace. :)

Katie -- I think the small ones and the large both have advantages!

Cynthia -- I too miss them when I haven't been in a while. I think the $$ means a hiatus for now, though.

Leandra -- Are you an SCBWI member? If you're in central IN (I remember that b/c so is my son), there'd almost have to be events in Indy...

Rena Jones said...

It sounded great. I really need to get myself to some of these sometime. I do homeschool conventions, but we're not having one for my state this year. Maybe I can do a writer's one next year. :)

Mirka Breen said...

You look lovely and professorial up there. I have no doubt I would have enjoyed your presentation and learned a lot. Brava!

Marcia said...

Rena -- I think you'll love it! It's such a shot in the arm.

Mirka -- I love to use a lectern so my notes can be on a slant and just that height. I wish the camera had caught me looking up. :)

Kim Van Sickler said...

Idea Explosion! That sounds meaty! I'm sure you did a fabulous job. I'll be attending the Backspace Writers Conference in NYC in a few weeks--my first non-regional conference and I'm psyched! And Muleskinner is being reviewed by an agent right now--so cautiously optimistic--but at least feeling on the right track.

Marcia said...

Kim -- Have a great time at the conference, and good luck with your agent search!

Janet said...

Sounds like a wonderful day. I'll be going to a bunch of workshops the 2nd weekend in June. Can't wait!

TerryLynnJohnson said...

I just got back from the Niagra conference. Great time! Glad you had fun too.

Stina said...

Sounds like a great workshop.

I attended a workshop with Donald Maass last week. Not only is he hilarious, it was a great workshop.

Marcia said...

Janet -- A bunch! Sounds fun and educational.

Terry -- That one sounds good!

Stina -- I'll bet that one was well-attended! Humor and tons of information BOTH.

Daisy Carter said...

I love workshops - so impressed you lead one!!! If I ever get your way...

Marcia said...

Aw, thanks, Daisy! :)

Emily R. King said...

What a fun event! I just got back from a conference. Aren't they inspiring?

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Sounds like a positive experience for all!
I attended my first mini-conference last October and I'm hoping to go to another one this winter.

Marcia said...

Emily -- Yes, a shot in the arm! Sounds like you had a great time.

Ruth -- Hope you get to go!