A coward no more! (I hope.)

I had a marvelous time at the SCBWI conference in Los Angeles last week. I was able to hang out with friends from Chautauqua, the Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program, and my too-cool-for-school mentor Harold Underdown.

I had no trouble repeatedly walking through the lobby of a swanky LA hotel dressed as a monkey. (---->)

And yet, I have been an abject coward, because I really don't like to talk about my book.

When asked, I said that I wrote YA. (Which is only a little more specific than saying I write for children.) When pressed, I said it was a fairy tale adaptation. (Which is kind of true, but not really.) The truth is, I don't like to tell folks what my book is about because I am afraid.

I'm afraid I won't explain it clearly and concisely.

I'm afraid someone won't like it if I do manage to be clear and concise.

I'm afraid.

That fear is one reason why I gave the worst elevator non-pitch to an agent, ever.*

So I have resolved that by Sunday I will have written out my story in four sentences or less. Doesn't matter whether I call the description a pitch, a hook, a log line, or give it a Dickensian name like Estoria Quattlebush. From Sunday on, whenever someone asks what my story is about...

I. Will. Tell. Them.

How about you? Is it easy for you to talk about your story? Hard? I'd love tips for making it easier or stories that make me feel better about myself.

* He made small talk about staying on the floor right under the penthouses. I said the first thing that came to mind: "But you'd be the first to die if we had a fire." He had a funny expression on his face the next time he saw me. I don't blame him.

Meeting in the Hague

It sounds so glamorous, doesn’t it? Dashing across the country, from Groningen to Den Haag, for a meeting of the Netherlands chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). In reality, it was a long train ride. But I got to leave my son with oma and opa and be a grown-up for a while. Besides, I’d never been to the Hague, so it was a good excuse to go.

The meeting was small. Only three of us showed up. I suppose everyone wanted to get out and enjoy the first sunny Saturday this winter. The chapter leader, Laura Watkinson, and another woman, Linda Lodding, and I sat down and talked. We talked books. We talked writing. We talked inspiration. And we talked about the plan of events for the coming year. The chapter is small and only started halfway through last year. So it’s pretty cool that next month we have British author Leila Rasheed visiting us for a reading, a talk, and manuscript critiques.

For me, it was nice to get out and talk to other writers, to speak English freely without worrying that I should be practicing my Dutch. And best of all, Linda and I made a pact. I’ve had some stories lying around ever since their last round of rejections in October. They really should be on their way somewhere or sitting in cozy slush on some editor’s desk. So Linda and I have agreed that by Friday we will both send off our stuff. Anyone else want to join in on the pact?

Oh yeah, then I got to walk around this beautiful city. I missed the Escher museum, but maybe next time.