Write in Private or Write in Public?

Dreamwalkers, are you a Write in Private type of author or a Write in Public type?  I think of myself as a Write in Private sort of person.

Maybe it’s because I laugh out loud when a character says something unexpected, tear up in poignant moments, or need to jump up and physically act out a scene to get un-stuck. Do I want any of these behaviors on public display? Hardly.  

Or maybe it’s because I’m always trying to capture the illusive magic

 

But yesterday (drumroll please) I did something Bold! I met with fellow author Justina Chen

 

to Write in Public at a local coffee shop.

After a delicious conversation with Justina on life, writing craft—hashing out plots and twists, and writing  careers—her newest brilliant YA novel A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS is coming out next week J, we opened our laptops and got down to business.

I discovered something there. Having to shut out the hissing, spouting, belching espresso machines, the nauseating overhead music, the conversations at the nearby tables forced me into uber-concentration. I dove into the scene and fell out of time and space right into the book.  It was . . .

 

Magical!

Yesterday I saw for the first time how the distractions forced me to Focus. Is this why many authors love to Write in Public? I have a sneaking suspicion it is. How about you? Which do you like best?

 

Until next time Dreamwalkers, walk well

 

ONCE UPON A STORY Spring Conference

I won Free Tuition to our Western Washington SCBWI Spring Conference!

By some magical confluence of energy, the ever-amazing
Deb Lund

(poster by art-magician DanaSullivan)

Drew my raffle ticket from the sack at last night's SCBWI meeting. My golden ticket to Once Upon a Story

It was as if I’d zoomed past the Phantom Tollbooth

And beyond reasonable Expectations to the land where authors, illustrators, agents, editors, and all species of children’s books bibliophiles converge (said destination may or may not be

noticeable on Milo’s map).

I’m already looking forward to meeting friends, honing my craft, and gleaning the latest tips from the publishing world at the bountiful 2014 conference. I’m grateful beyond words and since words are an author’s arsenal – that’s saying something. Or, I guess not saying something.

A Bit More About Last Night
Despite being rear-ended and having her car totaled on the way to the SCBWI meeting. (Pause to hug Deb here and send her love.) Deb Lund inspired us all, sharing 9 of her Fiction Magic cards that encouraged, challenged, twisted and tickled our writer minds. If you weren’t there to get this pure creativity gold, find out more about it @ Fiction Magic. Note to Deb: I must have the whole deck as soon as they’re available!

Deb also passed out magic wands.

I’m bringing mine to the conference. Are you?