Monday, June 20, 2011

WIYFR in review

You guys, I can not even express how grateful I am for WIFYR (Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers). I learned more in one week than I have in probably all my years of writing.

I signed up for a morning class with the talented writer Holly Black & after meeting her I've decided I pretty much want to be her when I grow up. She is an honest critique-r who softens the blow with jokes & her own self deprecating humor.


Also, I was incredibly lucky to have a awesome group of ladies, both in writing & personality, in my class. The critique I received from each of them is invaluable. I have a lot to change but my manuscript will be all the better for it.

(two lovely ladies in my group with blogs: Rachel & Celesta)

Holly's comments were spot on, every time she mentioned aspect of mine or someone else pages I wanted to shout "AMEN!" She was SO right about the things that I need to work on & I'm excited to say I even earned a couple smiley faces from her.

After our morning critiquing, we had small "break out" classes about a myriad of subjects & at the end of the week there was a book singing (there may or may not be a giveaway soon!).

It was amazing, please any writers out there, come to this with me next year. It was awesome!

10 comments:

Smithy said...

so glad you went to this! ps. holly is not at all how i imagined her... jealous you got to meet her!

Celesta said...

I'm so glad I could meet you at this conference, Olivia. I think we all are in the same "revision boat"--and the company is most welcome! I like the photo of your critiqued manuscripts. It's quite a pile isn't it?

Melanie said...

Smiley faces made me happy, too. So did the little hearts you drew on my manuscript!

Kerrigan Byrne said...

That looked SUPER fun! I'm so glad you got to go. A critique from someone who's successful in "the biz" is priceless!

Meagan Brooks said...

Yay! Can't wait to hear more!

Rachel+Co said...

Such an intense experience for me. I'm STILL processing it all. It was a joy to share it with you!

Kate Coursey said...

Yay!!!

I didn't know you blogged, but I'm glad I found it! WIFYR was such a great experience and you guys are all so good!

Monica @ All Things Lovely said...

how GREAT for you.

Esther Noelle said...

I'm so glad you were able to do this conference and the bit with Holly Black! Can't wait to read your book! :)

M said...

Well done! I'm so proud of you for taking steps to make your dreams happen!!