Mentor Workshop

(Had to start this post with a pic of my little guy. He's my world!)

On with it. I forgot to give an update! The mentor workshop went well. I enjoy being around like-minded individuals. It's so inspiring to me. They push me to be my best self.

So the night before the workshop, I get an email asking for me to bring in a printed copy of my first 30 pages. Wierd, right? I'm thinking "Oh no! They lost my work!" Arghhh!!!! Well it turns out that my work was submitted to Marissa Walsh of Fineprint Literary. She had reviewed my work at last year's conference and felt that a new agent/editor should look at it so I could get different feedback.

She was nice enough to read my newest version of Armstrong and give feedback. I also got critiqued by Allison Wortche of Knopf. So I'd say all in all it was a great day.

Marissa gave me some really thought-provoking questions. For example: What is Armstrong's motivation? Why should we the reader feel sorry for him?

I've been using these questions to drive my writing. I can't wait to see where Armstrong takes me!

Thanks Marissa, Allison and the NJSCBWI team for a successful workshop. See you at the next one!