Public Speaking at SCBWI

/

I attended the SCBWI (Society of Children Writer's & Illustrators) fall conference held this weekend in Charlotte, NC.  I was one of the featured speakers on Friday, the opening night of the conference.  My talk was on public speaking tips for writers.

I'd been told to expect 20, maybe 30 people.  It was the first day and people were still arriving, getting settled in, having critiques, etc.  But just to be safe, I made 45 copies of my handout.  I always come prepared. 

Or so I thought.  I handed out my last copy and they kept coming!  I'm guessing we ended up with close to 60 people in the room.  Next time - more handouts!

I gave my talk and as anyone who does public speaking knows, you always have that "I could have done more," moment after it's over.  I even address this in my talk.  Every speaker forgets a certain point or two and is kicking themselves afterward.  What I remind my audience though, is that the people you're speaking to don't know that you've forgotten anything.  So I did forget to do one of my favorite interactive audience exercises, but am letting it go.  What's done is done.

I received fantastic feedback from the group all weekend, which brightened my mood.  Dena_speaking.jpgThey were such a fun group to speak to anyway - the best groups ask questions and interact and this group was right on target.  My friend and fellow road tripster Maggie took a picture of me while speaking.  

 

Here's another pic of the me and the three women I drove down to Charlotte with - we nicknamed ourselves "The Charlatans." 4amigos.jpg

Bruce Coville, the author of over 90 children's books was a guest speaker and was amazing - just one of those everyday hilarious Jim Carey like people.  Please forgive the brevity of this e-mail.  My brain is on information overload.  I allowed myself the luxury of concentrating on nothing but the conference this weekend and, as a result, came home to a LOT of work.  Which of course I'll dig into--first thing tomorrow ! =)

Saturn Possessed

/

I promised you a car story so here it is.

Two days ago I'm driving my Saturn station wagon home from yoga and all is good.  I pull up to the house and turn off the car, but as I go to lock the door, I notice something odd about the locks.  They are simple push button locks with the "Lock" button on top and the "Unlock" button below, but now both buttons appear to be almost recessed, like they've half caved into the door.  I press the "Lock" button and the whole car shimmys as the locks on all four doors start to rattle in a rising hum.  Click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click.  I'm surrounded by the noise.

So I press "Unlock."  Now the locks are actually vibrating in the door - ack-ack-ack-ack-rurh-rurh-rurh-ack-ack-rurh-rurh.  Very scary noises are coming from the locks.  Plus, the locks in all four doors are doing this so it feels like the car is possessed with someone shaking and rattling all the doors.  Naturally, I got the hell out of there.

Later that night I inform Blair the car is possessed.  Or broken.  Whatever.

"I'll drive it to the dealership, you follow," he says and hops in my car and takes off.  I can never get out of the house as fast as he can, having to track down shoes, wallet, and pet the cats at least once before I go.  But no big deal because he'll need a little bit of time to write out the night-drop ticket.

So about 5 minutes later I follow.  As I pull up to the closed service door, I notice Blair just sitting in the Saturn.  I get out and as I walk toward him I hear the locks rattling and humming and doing their little dance. I grin at him through the window.

"Locked in?" I ask through the glass.

"Yes," he answers.

"Mmmm. Bummer."  The car continues to rattle and hum.

"Would you unlock the door?" he asks, motioning to the keys I hold.

I look hurt.  "You didn't say 'please.'"

He then gave me a look that made me unlock the door in a hurry. 

Anyway, the dealership called yesterday and it's no big deal - something like $50 to repair which I don't know for sure but is probably cheaper than an exorcism. 

I missed my chance though.  Blair locked in the car would have been a prime time to negotiate for a third cat.  Maybe with luck the Lexus will become possessed next and I can try again.

To Do List - Very Boring, Feel Free to Skip

/

This entry is for my own peace of mind.  I'm getting that shallow breath "too much to do--can't process correctly" feeling and so feel the need to regurgitate for all to see the tasks I need to remember "to do."  As I type these words I'm literally thinking, "I'll forget something.  Oh no, make a list of things not to forget to put on the to do list."  Time for drugs.

So this is more of my "calm down, it's all here list."  Pretty mundane stuff so try again tomorrow.  I've got a cute story about how my Saturn station wagon became possessed and trapped Blair inside.  Good stuff.

Here we go!

Dena's To Do List:

Decorating

  • Have Blair look at lamps one more time for bedroom and decide yes/no.  I lean toward yes.
  • Call Steve and see if we can order tile from Cabinet Lady but have him install.  If yes, call Cabinet Lady and order tile.  If no, see if he will install heated floor and then if C.L. will install tile.
  • Call Marty and get on his schedule to contract all this.
  • Take 2 days and scrape wallpaper off bathroom walls - asap! 
  • Order bathroom faucets (for shower) - get same ones as in guest bath?
  • Order sheets for bed (Someone recommended overstock.com)

Conference - Charlotte, all weekend

  • Print out the first 15 pages of both "Millicent" and "Sam" - 2 copies of each.
  • Remember to bring: handouts/postcards/business cards/camera
  • Extras: water/sunglasses/extra contacts/healthy snacks/tea bags
  • Pack tonight. What wearing for speech tomorrow?  Will last 2 hour car drive or change once there?
  • Go over intro to speech several more times - Remember to bring my notes!!!
  • Make self exercise before leave tomorrow - get up early!
  • Review conference brochure so can talk semi-intelligently to other faculty w/out embarrassing self by not knowing who they are

News & Record Auto Articles

  • Next week - schedule next 4 appointments
  • Find antique car clubs / motorcycle clubs / RV clubs - any interesting care for "Tire Tracks"
  • Follow-up with Brian for woman who just bought Hummer
  • Compose e-mail and send to all dealerships explaining what Tire Tracks is so they may give me referrals
  • Delete photos off camera

College PreView Magazine Article

  • While at conference this weekend, write 3 profiles AND rough draft of entire article
  • Call student back and set time for interview EARLY next week
  • Need to interview a female African-American or Hispanic high school or college student who runs her own business.  Call Drena's son, e-mail Robbyn, call Universities.

Website Updates

  • New blog page- Readers Cats (need better name). Add in couple of photos/stories I have
  • New blog or LIS page - organizations I donate book sales to
  • New Blog or LIS media page - media appearances - when and where
  • Add NSA confernce info to sites
  • Lessons In Stalking Website - need to add e-commerce options that can track codes.  Review bids, award project and move work forward.  Must be done by end of next week!!!
  • Dena Harris website - MUST ADD IN BOOK COVER AND LINKS FOR Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul.  I have no idea how to do this.  Call Melody.
  • Netfirms - are stats tracked just for DH site or also for LIS site?  How can I track separately?
  • Need to better promote all sites - submit to search engines, etc.
  • UPDATE site so says the book is here instead of "coming soon"

Lessons In Stalking  Book

  • Call Borders about book launch - NOW NOW NOW!!!
  • Book Orders for pre-orders need to go out SAME DAY book comes in
  • Follow-up with Shana on time frame for second printing
  • Need sign for book signings - one for book and one for "Tell Me About Your Cat" for blog page
  • Find balloons with cats on them?
  • Guest book for contact list?
  • Contact every cat site under the sun and see what media exposure I can drum up - need to devote at least a full day to get this cranked up
  • Send out review copies of book - but first need to make a list of where exactly those copies would be set out
  • Meet w/Michael & Pam re: sales
  • Go through media folder and GET ORGANIZED - track where when I pursue media and results - avoid duplication and annoying people!
  • Send copies out to everyone who blurbed the book with note of thanks.
  • Press Releases to local media
  • Send to Amazon ASAP
  • Write note to mail out with book, asking readers to review on Amazon?
  • Stock up on shipping supplies - need to be ready to roll...
  • Much, much more that I know I'm missing....

Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Book

  • Remember to take camera to radio interview next week - go prepared with notes and favorite quote
  • Follow up on morning TV show interview
  • Make sure Dusty Dunn has received copy of book
  • Post on blog and website
  • e-mail friends - I can get 50% discount but need to factor in time/shipping costs
  • Order additional copies to sell or use as give aways at my book signings

Novel & Short Story Article

  • Compose outline and questions
  • Call Katherine and interview her
  • Get 3 contacts and interview
  • Need rough draft done by end of October! This one needs work and should have time to sit!!

Public Speaking Book

  • Simply must make time for this, starting 1st week in October, back on writing schedule
  • Get my sections written then add in stories/anecdotes - pull from contact list
  • Find stories/anecdotes - obtain permissions

Teaching

  • E-mail and find out curriculum and begin preparing
  • Creative Writing Class - need course outline and exercises / syllabus
  • Find new exercises for standard P.S. workshop - it's feeling a bit stale, needs new energy

Miscellaneous

  • Figure out how to work the stupid cell phone - delete or save in middle of message, get rid of pics and go back to text
  • Exercise schedule
  • New filing system that will probably have to wait until less pressed for time
  • Time spent with Blair and the cats would be lovely