Writing For Charity a Wheelin' Success!

Today was the writing for charity conference at the Salt Lake City Library. It was great! There were about 100 people in attendance. We started out sitting together as authors for a panel discussion where Shannon Hale guided us in some questions about writing, getting published, and dealing with writer’s block. Then we broke into workshop sessions based on our particular writing genre. It was fun hearing the conference attendees read their manuscripts and giving each other feedback. I had a touching moment where I read a manuscript written by a young girl—I’m guessing she was twelve or thirteen. Her manuscript was quite good, especially considering her age. She had these beautiful eager eyes and I could feel her dreams of being an author beaming through. It reminded me of the dreams I had as a young girl. Oh how I hoped I would be published! Her mother was right beside her, supporting her in every way. I will be very surprised if she doesn’t have all her wishes come true.

Today’s conference earned approximately $5400 for the Wheelchair Project. Shannon Hale is planning another conference next year, perhaps for another charity. I’d be thrilled to be a part of it.

Afterwards I had a great time having lunch with many of the authors who came. The only bad thing was walking down the sidewalks of Salt Lake City in 98-degree heat, wearing high heels, and carrying a 25-pound bag of picture books. SOMEBODY (initials RW) lead us to a defunct address and we were hopelessly lost in the city. Earlier I had considered bringing my luggage bag on wheels, but thought, no--I'll just be parking right at the library. Never could have imagined a ten-block sauna trek. The lovely Wendy Toliver helped me carry my massive bag, spelling me by switching off with me every other block. She is a true sweetheart! Thanks, Wendy!