Kidlit lunches and write-ins, oh my!

Whatever happened to that group that was meeting for "write-ins?" Are they still doing that?

Lisa and Dori: We are! And it's starting up again THIS COMING TUESDAY, JANUARY 13! But we're changing things up a little in the New Year. We're now calling it "Kidlit Lunch and Write-In." We meet at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue every Tuesday and we'd love to have you join us. Lunch/writerly chat starts at noon. Grab something from the International Public Market/Food Court and look for our table mascots, Dr. Seuss' Thing 1 and Thing 2 (see photo, below). Stay for a "write-in" after lunch. Or not. It's up to you! Lunch is from noon–1pm, with the write-in period from 1–3pm.

What's a "write-in?"

Lisa and Dori: It's a term borrowed from NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). People who do set out to write an entire novel during the month of November will often bring their laptops and meet up with others who are also doing NaNoWriMo and they'll write together for a couple of hours, each one working on their own novel.

 

Look for the Things on the table!

 

Yeah, but it's not November.

Lisa and Dori: We know! We just like writing together for a couple hours a week. There's a certain energy that comes from sitting quietly in a group, working on your WIP away from the distractions of home, family, THE INTERNET. . . not to mention looking around and seeing everyone else working on their WIPs.

Do you share what you've written?

Lisa and Dori: Nope.

Then what's the point?

Lisa and Dori: To make progress on your WIP.

What if you're not working on a novel?

Lisa and Dori: That's okay. Some of us are writing picture books. Some are writing articles. Some are brainstorming plots in notebooks.

I don't know. I don't think I could write in a group...

Lisa and Dori: Yeah, that's what we thought, too––until we tried it. Why don't you give it a go this coming Tuesday? Or just come for lunch (noon–1pm) and chat about writing before we begin to write (1–3pm).  Hopefully, you'll be convinced to stay!

What if I have a question? 

Email Lisa at lisa@llowens.com or Dori at dhbutler@kidswriter.com!

We hope to see you there––both Eastsiders and Westsiders!

Rollin Thomas Article

If you're an international SCBWI member you receive the SCBWI Bulletin (which is a wonderful resource for both writers and illustrators).

In the current September/October issue there's a fantastic article by fellow SCBWI WWA member Rollin Thomas. Rollin's article in the SCBWI Bulletin is titled "How Do You Say Brrktzzzpd!!!?" and it's about writing sounds. Check it out!! Thanks to Dana Sullivan for the heads up!!

3… 2… 1… LAUNCH!

VivaScriva is a new website dedicated to critique, the writing process, and the nuances of collaboration. Launched by a tight-knit group of children’s book authors and illustrators, we believe effective critique can make your writing sing and your career soar.

More About the Viva Scrivas: We are eight women writers, from our thirties to sixties. We are writers of picture books, middle grade, YA, textbooks, graphic novels, fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, folklore, and nonfiction. We are also mothers, artists, geneticists, lawyers, ski instructors, magazine editors, teachers, students, librarians, linguists and book lovers. We speak French, Romanian, Spanish, German, and a smidgen of Portuguese, Swahili, and Ancient Greek. We have published over 20 books and have articles in many well-known magazines.