Monday, April 8, 2013

Midwouth SCBWI Revision Retreat

“Revising is like getting ready for summer, you have to trim the fat.”  ~ S. R. Johannes  

Although many us at the retreat successfully trimmed fat off our manuscripts this weekend, I don't think we were quite as successful at losing our body fat!  The dangerous wealth of snacks overflowing on the countertops made sure of that.  Despite the extra pounds I know that I personally left the retreat with a better manuscript than I came with, and I strongly encourage every writer in the midsouth region to attend the next revision retreat.  It was an extremely valuable experience.  




Here are a just a few of the many highlights from the trip:


  • Zip-lining at night.  I found out just how fearless writers truly are as I watched my fellow SCBWI members don their climbing harnesses and without hesitation leap into the darkness.  I thought zip-lining was only for high school and college students.  Boy was I wrong!
  • Sitting in the back porch with Mary Uhles enjoying the beautiful weather.  It was so nice to share that bit of peace and quiet with her as we set to work with our sketchbooks, pencils, and watercolors. 
  • Devouring Pat Nesbitt’s delicious banana muffins, banana pudding, and desert bars.  She is an incredible cook! 
  • Riding in the car with Beth Dotson Brown.  We shared the two-hour drive to the retreat together and I found her to be a delightful conversationalist.  We covered topics ranging from cows, past writing experiences, and childhood memories. 
  • Finding my place in the Midsouth SCBWI community.  I don’t think you could find a nicer group of people anywhere in the whole world!  



8 comments:

  1. LOL very true about the not trimming of the actual fat. Great write up Heather! I'm linking from my blog

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  2. Heather, I'm so glad you found your place in the Midsouth community. We're thrilled to have you join us! This was an amazing weekend of inspiration and productivity. A constant flow of creative energy flowed through this weekend like electricity in the air. I was glad to get to meet you!

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    1. I am thrilled to be a part of it! I agree, the flow of creativity there was very contagious. It's wonderful to be around so much positive energy! I was very glad to meet you as well.

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  3. Enjoyed seeing my old friends and made some wonderful new ones.. Heather you are what I wish I had been 35 years ago but I wasn't as fearless are you are... make the dream happen

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    1. That is such a wonderful compliment coming from you Pat! I don't think I realized how hard it would be to be a writer until I jumped right in to the fray, but I'm so glad I did because it means I get to meet wonderful people like you!

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  4. It sounds wonderful, Heather! Like you had a great time and learned a lot. Good luck with whatever you were revising :)

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    1. Thanks Susanna! I had a wonderful time. SCBWI is a wonderful organization.

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