It's LA time!!

Well, almost . . . .

As you can see I'm back . . . again. But this time I'm making sure it STICKS!

Today was the start of registration for THE biggest conference of children authors and illustrators. Every summer, the first weekend of August to be exact, The Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) has their national conference in Century City. Professionals from all over the world descend on Los Angeles to hopefully start or grow their writing careers.

And I will be there.

I'm actually feeling like quite the veteran at this. In 2004 I made the conscious decision to focus as much energy and time - that wasn't devoted to my three kids - to making my dream of becoming a Children book writer a reality.

That year I went to my first LA conference, and it was . . . overwhelming!

I have been to LA every year since then - except for 2008 when I was at my Grandpa's 90th birthday - and no two years have been the same . . . .

Like 2004 when I felt like a COMPLETE fish out of water, but I got to experience the wisdom of Richard Peck and how he painstakingly researches his amazing books.

And 2005 when I met a woman who educated me to the world of Autism spectrum disorders.

In 2006 I got to meet and had author Rosemary Wells sign a Max and Ruby book for my youngest child . . . she's STILL one of my favorite picture book authors!

2007 was a BLAST!! I met more people that year including a teacher from San Diego who got up and did the entire Rapper's Delight with the DJ during the Saturday night Gala.

But last year was the most memorable because one of my YA novels was critiqued, and the manuscript requested, by an editor . . . a major, MAJOR first for me.

So what will happen this year? That's a good question . . . and one I can't wait to find out the answer to. :)