Monday, March 14, 2011

2011 Conference Series-Distinguished Faculty: Jolie Stekly

The 20th Annual Writing and Illustrating Conference is just around the corner!!! Although the event is full, you can still get your name on the waiting list. One reason I'm so excited is because we have the most amazing faculty! The talent, experience, and all-around-awesomeness is overwhelming! Another one of those super stars is our own Jolie Stekly.

Jolie is a writer, mom, and former elementary teacher (she writes mostly YA). She is the Retreat Director for our annual fall retreat for Writers-Weekend on the Water, and also writes for SCBWI Team Blog. Jolie was the co-regional advisor for our SCWBI WWA region from 2006-2009. She is represented by Rosemary Stimola (who I found out also represents Suzanne Collins).

I first heard Jolie speak at the Conference Orientation for First-Time Attendees at last year's annual conference. I'd never been to the annual conference (and was still relatively new to SCBWI). I wasn't sure what to expect, and was a little nervous, but after listening to Jolie share her first time conference experience, and go through the weekend's events, I was so excited for the conference! Jolie is empathetic, energetic, and encouraging; which really sets the tone for the entire weekend. She really encouraged us to get to know the other attendees, and that turned out to be my favorite part of the conference.

Her blog, Cuppa Jolie, is a great blog to follow! Jolie has a wonderful regular post called Monday Moments, which she started in January 2009 (she's on post #110). Monday Moments are writing prompts for works-in-progress. They are questions that come from Jolie's experiences, are very useful writing post/tool if you're working on developing your characters.

So if you're a First Time Attendee attending the annual conference, make SURE you attend the Conference Orientation session (which Jolie organizes). Check out her blog, and you can also follow her on Twitter. You can also get your name on the conference waiting list by visit the event website.

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