My Top Ten

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to share my experience at the SCBWI writers conference I just got back from. Like I mentioned earlier, it has changed my life. And I’m not even sure how to convey the scope of it all. So I made a list.

Top 10 Things I Learned:

1.      The writing community is made of the most generous, friendly, and funny people out there.

2.      Authors, agents, and even editors are not only super creative and passionate about children’s books, but are authentic, warm people

3.      Editors are not cold, heartless people who love rejecting your work—they are smart, creative experts who have a passion for books and children

4.      Every author, no matter how successful he/she is, has been rejected multiple times and still struggles with his/her craft

5.      To succeed as a writer, you have to view it as more than a hobby—it’s a career and should be taken seriously as one by yourself

6.      Be unique and be yourself because that’s what editors and readers want from you

7.      To be a great writer you must be brave and unafraid to be wrong

8.      Know who you are, where you come from, and why you write

9.      Never give up

10.  The writing comes first! Write!