Profession Series Meeting Preview: December 13

And if you thought December was exciting enough all by itself, here's a Professional Series meeting that will have you singing into your eggnog for weeks to come....

WHEN: Thursday, December 13 from **6:45-9pm
WHERE: Seattle Pacific University, Demaray Hall 150

Christi Krug is in the business of inspiration. Her business, Wildfire Writing, combines her expertise as a writer, teacher and personal coach in all aspects of the creative process. She teaches independently as well as in conjunction with Clark College in Vancouver, WA. An award-winning writer whose poetry, short stories, and articles have appeared in everything from national magazines to handmade publications, from religious periodicals to horror anthologies. She is the author of seven resource books, and Burn Wild: A Writer's Guide to Creative Breakthrough, out in January 2013. Her talk is titled, "Burn Wild: Breaking Through Creative Blocks."

She has conducted workshops for writing conferences and worked with individual writers around the globe, offering helpful prompts through her blog, Kindling, and other exercises to jump-start the writing process or push a writer's mind out of those treacherous ruts. She specializes in out-of-the-box approaches to creating, and to the belief that the best ideas are simply waiting to be invited out into the world. We are thrilled to welcome Christi this month, and to celebrate the season with a huge dose of inspiration!

There’s no mystery why our membership chose The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson as our region’s Crystal Kite winner, but this book does include a mystery that hasn’t been solved.  

I am Miss Kanagawa. In 1927, my 57 doll-sisters and I were sent from Japan to America as Ambassadors of Friendship. Our work wasn't all peach blossoms and tea cakes. My story will take you from New York to Oregon, during the Great Depression. Though few in this tale are as fascinating as I, their stories won't be an unpleasant diversion. You will make the acquaintance of Bunny, bent on revenge; Lois, with her head in the clouds; Willie Mae, who not only awakened my heart, but broke it; and Lucy, a friend so dear, not even war could part us. I have put this tale to paper because from those 58 Friendship Dolls only 45 remain. I know that someone who chooses this book is capable of solving the mystery of the missing sisters. Perhaps that someone is you.

The Crystal Kite is a regional version of SCBWI’s national award, The Golden Kite. Each of the 70 worldwide regional chapters votes for their favorite book published by one of their region’s SCBWI members. “Like the Golden Kite Awards, the Crystal Kites are selected by peers---authors and artists working in the children’s book field,” says SCBWI Executive Director Lin Oliver. “That makes them unique and especially satisfying to receive.” 

        

Please join us as we celebrate Kirby and soak up inspiration from her talk,  “I believe, I believe, I believe: Miracles on Writing Street.” We believe, too, Kirby. We know it hasn’t all been peach blossoms and tea cakes, but we all need someone who models success with integrity, contribution, and storytelling that speaks to our hearts. That someone is you.

BUT WAIT....THERE'S MORE!!

Did someone say "cookies"? 'Tis that delectable time again, folks, for our annual 

COOKIE CONTEST   [crunch, crunch, crunch]

Here's the scoop: You must enter by **6:45pm. Bring a plateful of your favorite homemade holiday cookies (the judges will pull off 3 cookies from your plate, and/or dish). The rest will be set out to share with everyone. The judging will be done shortly after 7pm, and the winner will be announced during the meeting (with fabulous prizes).  

And because we love you, enter the meeting-wide RAFFLE to win tuition to our always-fabulous, always-inspiring April 2013 Regional Conference! DETAILS: Get your raffle ticket when you pick up your name tag. Drop your ticket off as you enter the lecture hall.

Merry, merry, everyone! See you next week!