For the last 2 and a half days I’ve been immersed in the world of the New England Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s a mouthful and it’s equally ridiculous as an acronym NESCBWI. Anyway! Being here, and being completely immersed in a world where everyone writes books for kids has been luxurious and unbalancing all at the same time. Here are a few things I’ve learned (without breaching the rights of the presenters which I was sternly warned against in the conference’s blogging policy.)
I should probably have business cards. (Although, other people’s business cards just collect in my bag along with various pens that don’t work and a bag of crumbled cookies I’ve been hanging onto for 9 months just in case.) Mostly I just remember people’s names and then find them on twitter. I’m @sashikaufman by the way.
A workshop is only as good as the presenter. A workshop can sound incredible on paper and be as dry as the chocolate cake they served at lunch on Saturday. (And believe me, my standards for chocolate cake are not that high.)
Shmoozing at conferences is a good way to meet interesting people who share your interests. -I met some great people from Maine who are kid lit. writers. It’s also exhausting as hell and sometimes I’m just as happy to eat an eggplant parm sub in my room and watch the Amazing Race on my laptop.
Gosh, this sounds a little negative so far. It’s not meant to be. So far this weekend has been eye-opening and creativity-sparking. I feel lucky to be here and I’m looking forward to one last day of learning. Perhaps that will be the focus of part two.
Ideas In Things 
It is easier to find people when you get home and google them now…but I always forget who I wanted to google! I will grab a business card and make a note on the back or how I met the person and why we traded cards so later I can keep that relationship going!
Who are you again???? 😉
That’s a great idea! -Writing on the cards. My memory is pretty good, but I could probably use it for better things; book ideas, dessert recipes, etc.
I’m a little better with my cards than my receipts. OMG my purse is like a trash sack with those. Great to meet you!
I just wait until all the little papers and receipts decompose until sand-like confetti, then once a month or so I shake them into the trash. -Great to meet you too!