SCBWI Conference-A Time to Connect

I'm finally getting around to posting about the SCBWI Carolinas conference I attended in September. Now, obviously, I can't give you details about what I learned in the classes offered because we've been asked not to do that, but I can tell you that I came away invigorated. Renewed. And ready to write.

The best thing about the conference was having a break from my kids meeting other people who are as obsessed with writing as I am. It is always amazing when you immediately connect with another person. I enjoyed meeting other writer moms who are trying to balance writing and mothering. We could definitely relate to each other!

Here I am pictured with some of the amazing women I met:

So fun!!

We had three agents and several editors attend this years conference. Unfortunately, I didn't sign up for a critique session, which I have now learned is a MUST! But I did take the opportunity to introduce myself to one of the agents. I was so scared. So nervous. I had to talk myself into it, but I'm so glad I swallowed my fear and just DID IT! I don't know how many of you know the lovely Christa Heschke, but she is truly the nicest person and so easy to talk to. I knew I wanted to meet her because of a blog post she wrote only days before the conference. Her words helped ease my anxiety of approaching a real, live agent. If you're nervous about talking to an agent at a conference, then you MUST read this post.

I also had the opportunity to meet authors in the Charlotte area. And I got to chat with the amazingly talented Carrie Ryan (NYT Bestselling author of the YA novel, Forest of Hands and Teeth, who I hope to interview in the coming months. *keeping fingers crossed*)

When I got home from the conference, my house was still intact, and my children had been fed and cared for (pretty much). Just kidding. My husband did a wonderful job taking care of the kids while I was gone. But they sure did give me BIG hugs when I got home. I think they might have missed me (just a little).

Oh, and this is my week on Unicorn Bell, so please stop by and say 'hi.' If you are in the process of querying right now, you may benefit from the info. Thanks!

How about you? Been to any writing conferences lately?