Wednesday, May 12, 2010

IN DREAMS...

Last night, the amazing Karen Cushman took the evening off from her hectic Alchemy and Meggy Swann book tour to speak at the year-end SCBWI Western Washington monthly meeting. Her talk was entitled "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities." She discussed writing her first book at age 50 and her desire to give readers positive stories. She told us that writing was "giving power to your thoughts." And she generously described not only her writing process but her feeling that each writer must take the license to write in the way that works best himself or herself.

Best things about last night?

*I had the pleasure of meeting many blogger and Facebook friends (some for the first time in person) including the charming Molly Hall and that dynamo known as Holly Cupala (more on that tomorrow).

*I got my very own autographed copy of Meggy Swann and was able to actually tell THE Karen Cushman that I'd just sold my first novel (braggy but oh-so-fun!)--she offered her congrats.

*I drove home loving the community of writers to which I belong and oh so inspired. Today, right after posting this, I am gifting myself with a giant chunk of offline, uninterrupted writing time. Woo-hoo.

Tune in tomorrow for a SECRET... (curious?)

8 comments:

Laura S. said...

I love Karen Cushman!!! Catherine, Called Birdy was one of my favorite books as a child. I haven't read Alchemy and Meggy Swann yet. I think I need to bump it up higher on my to-read list so I read it soon!

I'm super curious about the secret!

Stasia said...

Thanks for stopping by again, Laura! My favorite Karen Cushman book is The Midwife's Apprentice but I'm going to start Alchemy tonight and then we'll see... Love your comments! Stasia

Tahereh said...

OMG I TOTES SPELLED UR NAME WRONG I MEANT TO WRITE STASIA! SWEARS! NOT STACIA! STASIA!

#soembarrassed

Tahereh said...

awww yay congrats!!!

ZOMG WHAT'S THE SECRET?!

tricksy Stacia! TRICKSY!!

Stasia said...

Thanks, Tahereh. And no worries about the name spelling thing. Mine takes practice (kinda had to double check on yours, too)!

Jennifer Wolf said...

It was a great meeting. I'm so happy about your book deal!

Kristi said...

Congrats on your first sale...that is awesome feeling I'm sure!

And thanks for sharing your experience!

Molly Hall said...

I can't keep up with you this week, Stasia! So many posts! It was great to meet you in person, too! I LOVED Karen Cushman's talk and haven't been able to summarize my feelings about it sufficiently. I think she is incredible. I completely look up to her because of her talent, her attitude, and her compassion.

And... CONGRATULATIONS!!! GREAT news about your book!!!!