TO RETREAT OR NOT TO RETREAT In November, I attended my first writing retreat. Weekend on the Water Retreat on Bainbridge Island was offered through the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). The retreat was held at Islandwood, an immense, wooded park equipped with cabins, an education building, a dining hall, and several cabins.… Continue reading

The Necessity of Self-Care for Writers

My first writing-related article was published in the June 27, 2018 issue of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – Oregon Region online newsletter, Newsworthy. Following is a revised version of that article. THE NECESSITY OF SELF-CARE FOR WRITERS The SCBWI-OR conference in May was full of helpful information, inspirational speakers, and networking… Continue reading The Necessity of Self-Care for Writers

Conference Critiques: What They’re Like

In May, I attended the SCBWI-OR conference. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is the largest organization for the support, education, and networking of – you guessed it – children’s writers and illustrators. It is an international organization with over 24,000 published and pre-published members, and more than 100 regions (or chapters) worldwide.… Continue reading Conference Critiques: What They’re Like