Sunday, April 6, 2008
Colorado Teen Literature Conference
Alane Ferguson and Gail Giles were the keynote speakers at the 20th Colorado Teen Lit. Conference, Saturday, April 5. The conference was topped out with 400 participants, I believe, and some workshops had floor space only. It was an energetic mix of authors, teens, educators and librarians.
I was pleased to lead a one-hour workshop "Get Published" where I shared some of my experience in freelancing for magazines, journals and newsletters. We focused on writing the all-important query letter. What an engaging group of writers, of all ages! Teachers, librarians and students attended and worked on their query letters. One young writer (Alexa?) bravely shared hers with the group, and I was extremely impressed. (I wish words came as quickly to me!)
On the panel we were asked the usual questions of what inspired us, who our favorite authors were, etc. One teen asked what advice we might have for readers. Now, this is a thought-provoking question. The other authors encouraged readers to read what they love, as much as they could get hold of.
But I beg to differ. Yes, read what you love; that's a given. But my advice to readers (including myself) is to challenge yourself. Get out of your reading comfort zone and try something different. Don't always be a follower, reading what everyone else is; explore. Be adventurous in your reading!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained...
I was pleased to lead a one-hour workshop "Get Published" where I shared some of my experience in freelancing for magazines, journals and newsletters. We focused on writing the all-important query letter. What an engaging group of writers, of all ages! Teachers, librarians and students attended and worked on their query letters. One young writer (Alexa?) bravely shared hers with the group, and I was extremely impressed. (I wish words came as quickly to me!)
On the panel we were asked the usual questions of what inspired us, who our favorite authors were, etc. One teen asked what advice we might have for readers. Now, this is a thought-provoking question. The other authors encouraged readers to read what they love, as much as they could get hold of.
But I beg to differ. Yes, read what you love; that's a given. But my advice to readers (including myself) is to challenge yourself. Get out of your reading comfort zone and try something different. Don't always be a follower, reading what everyone else is; explore. Be adventurous in your reading!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained...
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