In addition to writing, I'm also a Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
(SCBWI). I hold monthly meetings & organize conferences in Utah and Idaho (with the help of my assistant Neysa Jensen in Boise). I love helping aspiring writers & illustrators improve their craft & make those helpful connections. Just like
Carol Lynch Williams &
Rick Walton did for me when I was just starting out.
Children's writers are friendly like that!
Volunteering as a Regional Advisor has also helped me learn skills I've needed as an author. I'm no longer a shy speaker & by promoting others I've gotten better at promoting myself.
Today I ended up on NPR--part conference promotion & part celebrating our supportive Utah writing community. Take a listen!
http://tinyurl.com/29pop8g
So this week I'm spending more time phoning caterers, taking last minute conference registrations, and answering emails instead of adding to my WIP word-count. But maybe I'll have some small part in helping someone else's publishing dream come true.
And that's totally worth it!
Published on November 11, 2010 08:26