This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a virtual conference hosted by @TheWritingBarn for non-fiction kidlit creators. The founder, Bethany Hegedus, started off the weekend sharing the manifesto of The Writing Barn. She asked us which line stuck out the most to us and to share it in our breakout groups. Among many brilliant lines, I chose: "Creativity takes bravery." Many times as I have worked on a project, I wonder to myself, why me? Who am I to write this person's story? I have self doubted more times than I am happy to admit. But creativity takes bravery. If not for me, then who. Maybe, just maybe, I can capture this person's life in a way not seen or known before. Maybe I can show this person's story to some who may not know. It is scary and overwhelming, but I've got to start somewhere. My subjects' stories are my big WHY- why do I write? Because I believe the world should know their stories and I believe in them.
There were many lightbulb moments for me this weekend. Like when author Christina Soontornvat said, "If you can make someone feel something, you can teach them something." This really stuck with me as I am working on the emotional connections in my PB Bios. The incredible Lesa Cline-Ransome reminded us to continue to ask questions and Candace Fleming advised us to find experts who share our passions. Finally, debut author Meghan Browne shared, "Never be afraid to ask for what you need." After hearing her detail how she obtained her primary sources, I was inspired. I have been afraid to ask for favors with my writing as I feel no one owes me anything. I am nobody writing this story. But again- we all have to start somewhere. And I am going to ask my way up. Less than 24 hours after the conference, doing some online google stalking on Twitter and Facebook, I have found one primary source who is willing to talk to me and am working on connecting with another. All because I had the courage to ask. Thank you, Bethany Hegedus for a seriously life changing weekend. PS. Did I mention during the conference author Kirsten Larson retweeted me and Lesa Cline-Ransome responded to my tweet? GEEKING OUT!
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