A Breath of Inspiration

Every speaker at the SCBWI writers conference had words of wisdom, wit, and inspiration for us. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from them:

Books are proof that humans can do magic! –Anonymous

Be the antidote to disappointing grown-ups—defend, protect, and celebrate childhood. –Laurie Halse Anderson, author

Don’t expect your success to look like anyone else’s success. –Melisssa Manlove, editor

To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong. –Joseph Chilton Pearce

Don’t avoid problems and weaknesses; address them front on and make them strengths. –Allyn Johnston, editor

Be bold and experimental. Childhood by definition is experimental. –Mac Bartnett, author

The hardest definition to break and defy is self-definition. –Matt de la Pena, author

There will never be another one of You. This is it! Your one life! –Carolyn Mackler, author

Writing should come first! –Jenny Bent, agent

You have to know the rules in order to break them to do something powerful. –Anonymous

Writers help people become humans. –Namrata Tripathi, editor

All stories are about survivors. – Richard Peck, author

Make magic, preserve wonder. –Jarrett Krosoczka, author