Jacqueline Woodson - Recap of the 2010 Winter NY SCBWI Conference

Continuing with the celebration of Black History Month I am re-running my recap of the 2010 Winter NY SCBWI conference....

The SCBWI NY Winter Conference was a whirlwind of inspiring guest speakers and workshops. Exhausting and exhilirating. If you have never attended you must put this conference on your MUST DO list. Your brain will overflow with essential information and inspiration to make a go of your writing career.
The luncheon keynote speaker was Jacqueline Woodson, a three-time Newbery Honor winner, two-time National Book Award Finalist, and winner of a Coretta Scout King Honors.
Ms. Woodson started off of her speech with the work of someone else, because as she said we all started learning from the work of others.
"Locking the door, reading, and learning from others. Close the door of the negative so you don't feel less." Phew! What a profound statement.

I continued to jot down excerpts from Ms. Woodson's speech, but I became absorbed and mesmerized by her. Her soothing and even keeled voice set me in a trance and I soaked in every word. Below I share with you bits of her writing journey in her own words...forgive me for not having all the details, but as I said her speech was mesmerizing and I lost focus on writing it all down.

"Writing for 20 years...
Prior to children, having the freedom of writing for hours...

Reading the work of others...
Then working full-time and writing at night...
Then working part-time and writing part time...

Then children...

Closing the door to write and having the right to tell your story..."

I know this is bits and pieces, but to truly feel inspired by Woodson visit her website and absorb her writing career...you'll be happy you did... http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Jacqueline Woodson ~ Luncheon Keynote Speaker at SCBWI NY Winter Conference

The SCBWI NY Winter Conference was a whirlwind of inspiring guest speakers and workshops. Exhausting and exhilirating. If you have never attended you must put this conference on your MUST DO list. Your brain will overflow with essential information and inspiration to make a go of your writing career.

The luncheon keynote speaker was Jacqueline Woodson, a three-time Newbery Honor winner, two-time National Book Award Finalist, and winner of a Coretta Scout King Honors.

Ms. Woodson started off of her speech with the work of someone else, because as she said we all started learning from the work of others.

"Locking the door, reading, and learning from others. Close the door of the negative so you don't feel less." Phew! What a profound statement.

I continued to jot down excerpts from Ms. Woodson's speech, but I became absorbed and mesmerized by her. Her soothing and even keeled voice set me in a trance and I soaked in every word. Below I share with you bits of her writing journey in her own words...forgive me for not having all the details, but as I said her speech was mesmerizing and I lost focus on writing it all down.


"Writing for 20 years...
Prior to children, having the freedom of writing for hours...
Reading the work of others...
Then working full-time and writing at night...
Then working part-time and writing part time...
Then children...
Closing the door to write and having the right to tell your story..."
 
I know this is bits and pieces, but to truly feel inspired by Woodson visit her website and absorb her writing career...you'll be happy you did... http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/

Book Review ~ Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Title: Show Way

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrated by: Hudson Talbott

Soft cover: 48 pages

Ages: 6-8

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

ISBN: 0-399-23749-6

Published: September 2005

Price: $16.99

The fabrics of our lives are woven through the generations with rich history to be shared. Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson is a heartwarming and heart wrenching story all at once about Soonie’s family and their plight across the generations in the quest for freedom. To learn of the struggles and successes individuals endured to ensure their eventual path to freedom has an inspiring stronghold across hundreds of years, one not to be forgotten.

Immerse yourself in the elegant storytelling of Newberry Honor winner, Jacqueline Woodson, and be prepared to be mesmerized. To learn more about author, Jacqueline Woodson visit: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/.

The awe inspiring illustrations of Hudson Talbott will leave the reader emotionally satisfied. Visit the fascinating world of Hudson Talbott at: http://www.hudsontalbott.com/.

Personal note: I had the thrilling opportunity to listen to Jacqueline Woodson speak at the NY Winter SCBWI Conference in January where she read Show Way to the audience. Her writing is exhilarating while reading on your own, but to hear her in person is breathtaking. While I read, Show Way Ms. Woodson’s voice echoed through my mind bringing chills throughout. The experience will stay with me forever.