Saturday, April 2, 2011

Spinning Tales

I've just come home after Spinning Tales, which was an awesome weekend conference on children's writing. My mood is best summed up as tired but inspired!

As usual when I go to one of these events I have come away reflecting on what a great bunch of people children's writers are. I don't think you could ever meet a group so generous with their time, advice, knowledge, and friendship.

Maybe it's the toughness of the industry that makes children's writers so nice?

Here's my Recipe to make a Children's Writer:

Take a measure of adversity and a ton of perserverance. Mix it up with set-backs, difficulties, and things that make you shake your head and say, "What the--? "
Add the tiniest pinch of financial reward... actually, don't stir it in, just wave it over the top of the mixture with a mocking smile.
Heat slowly in a pressure-cooker and watch the solidarity and companionship grow.
Eventually you'll find a large sense of humor has formed. But be warned - you may need to add a large dash of alcohol to really bring out the flavors.

Okay, my recipe's a bit corny, I admit it. But it really was a delicious weekend all 'round!

1 comments:

Melinda Szymanik said...

i think this is brilliant - especially the bit about waving the money over the top. Its amazing what we cook up when you consider the tough old ingredients that go in - we ARE a nice bunch of people :)