Monday, August 10, 2009

My Town Monday: More from Hollywood!

First off, I'm having a technical problem with the My Town Monday post about how Editor Wendy and I BRIEFLY played hooky from the wunderbar and inspiring SCBWI national summer conference for an unexpected Hollywood adventure. Weirdly, Wendy and I have the same Canon camera. Hers behaves itself, not letting in light willy-nilly, not giving people reptilian, sci-fi-ish skin; mine does not. And that, folks, is as far as we're taking that particular metaphor!

Anyway, the MTM post relies heavily on photos. Which Wendy dutifully shot with her well-behaved camera. I did not download the photos in a timely fashion, and Wendy and I will not cross paths today. Wendy and her camera are off enjoying the day. My sullen camera lies zipped up in its dark case for an extended time-out. So....Wendy will email me the photos later this week and I'l throw the post together then.

In the meantime, I'm in the lobby of this swanky Beverly Hills hotel, enjoying the last half hour before the ride back to San Diego and my crazy-too-busy life. For example, I'll pull into the driveway just in time to zoom my kids over to swim practice. And the copy-edits have arrived for I So Don't Do Makeup and must be dealt with.

So....my thoughts on the conference:

HIGHPOINTS
-hanging out with Editor Wendy
-meeting Lin Oliver (who writes, among other things, a tres successful middle-grade series with Henry Winkler/the Fonz). Lin's a little head of me in the raising-thre-teen-boys business and we had a nice chat.
-hanging out with Editor Wendy
-hearing Sherman Alexie speak
-hanging out ...okay, you get the picture. :)
-hearing Richard Peck speak
-making lots of new writerly friends

REGRETS
-not hanging out with Georgia Bragg, fellow Delacorte Press author (Matisse on the Loose)
-not finding Author Debbie Garfinkle after I lost her. We keep trying to meet at various functions, but it never seems to work out. Wah.

NOTES TO SELF FOR NEXT TIME
-bring more snacks
-bring warmer clothing. I've had serious goosebumps for the entire four conference days due to the sub-Arctic A/C temps. Next time, I will be the woman in a toque and mukluks!

10 comments:

  1. I think so, Barrie. Or maybe we just ran out of steam.

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  2. I don't think you can ever bring enough snacks!

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  3. I can't wait for the picture part of the post, and I really want to see you in a toque and mukluks in Hollywood in the middle of summer!!!

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  4. The notes for next time work for pretty much all life events

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  5. I hate when they crank up the AC. I get so cold so easily. It sounds like you had a great trip meeting great people and networking with your peers :)

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  6. There's never enough time at a con to do all you'd like to do.

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  7. Barrie,
    It was nice meeting you this past weekend. I'll be sure to do less lurking and more posting in the future.

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  8. Buy a new camera. You need it to capture your busy life.

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  9. That's one thing about the darn conferences--the sub-arctic temps. Power bars and cardigans and slippers! Sure, you'll look eccentric, but you'll also be unforgettable;)
    Sounds like a truly incredible experience.

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  10. It sounds like things are really falling into place, love it! What a great time you had.
    Of course transitioning back to real life, with your kids will be great too. Then you will be off again, book tour????
    I agree, get a new camera for yourself, you deserve it!

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Comments are always welcome!