the kindling catches and blazes

It’s going to take a while to think through all I experienced this weekend, but I wanted to post a couple of photos and say a few things while I am waiting for my ride to the airport.

(For those co-retreaters who asked me to post the final quote from my presentation this morning, I promise I’ll do that tomorrow.)

Saturday started with author, illustrator, and editor strands/presentations, then a day filled with informal discussions about our craft and the creative life. We enjoyed a couple of hours of wonderful readings after dinner, then we bundled up and headed out in the snow

Image and video hosting by TinyPic to the bonfire.

I think everyone should have a bonfire with their friends once a month. At least. We roasted marshmallows, sang a lot of songs, and threw our wishes into the fire, then retired inside for more lively conversation until the wee hours of the morning.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic In the red scarf, that’s Linda Sue Park, then Tanya Lee Stone, and in the jaunty hat, Vera B. Williams.

Somehow we all staggered into breakfast, and from there to the last round of presentations. Like I said, more about all of this tomorrow. But I am so incredibly grateful for a weekend spent in a magical creative community. Thank you, everyone. Life is good.

The fires blaze

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Gregory McGuire, who gave one of the funniest introductions I’ve ever heard for tonight’s keynote speaker, Linda Sue Park.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Katie Davis and Jane Yolen!!!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Sara Zarr in the cute Utah hat sitting with Kate Messner.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Wendy Mass and me.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic The outstanding and magnificent Vera B. Williams!

The food continues to be tempting….

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Breakfast fruit

Image and video hosting by TinyPic The dessert table at lunch.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Close-up. Feel the love.

My second presentation is tomorrow after breakfast. I am STILL not happy with Chapter 20, but I am happier with it than I was when I woke up. Will try again tomorrow.

Starting to rub the sticks together

I am in Burlington VT, taking a break from chapter 20, to say how exciting it is to be here at the Kindling Words retreat! There are old friends here, and people I’ve been looking forward to meet.

Oh, and there is food.

No, not your typical rubber chicken fare. This retreat is held at the Inn at Essex. Yeah, that’s right. Home of the New England Culinary Institute.

Yes, that sound you hear is me gloating. And trying very, very hard not to be a glutton. For lunch I had Thai carrot soup and an omelet with portobello mushrooms and a little tiny bit of boursin cheese (I asked them to go easy on it) and it was so yummy I nearly wept.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Dinner included butternut squash ravioli. This photo does not do justice to the dish.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic The dessert table looked killer, but I managed to satisfy myself by taking pictures.

I want to do some writing before bed. Tomorrow is my first presentation. I am so stoked! Jane Yolen is here, and Ellen Wittlinger, Sara Zarr, Vera B. Williams, Tanya Lee Stone, Kate Messner, Linda Sue Park, Gregory Maguire, Wendy Mass, and many, many more!! it is a rare treat to be in the same space as so many creative people.

More photos tomorrow.

polishing presentation, packing for take-off

By this time tomorrow, I’ll be on my way to Kindling Words. I have about 48 hours of work to do before I leave. It’s going to be a long day.

Re: Heath Ledger. So very sad, so awful for his loved ones.

I am syndicating this blog to Amazon Connect. It’s a terrific idea, but I’m having a hard time with some of the technology involved. The first thing I had to do to make it work was to change my browser from Safari to Firefox.

Do any of you have an opinion about Firefox vs. Safari? If I stay with Firefox, which add-ons should I consider?

Have any of my author buddies out there done this? Did you have any trouble finding your titles with the Verification process? They don’t seem to be listing some of my books in the box where I am supposed to verify things – like Speak and Twisted – which is kind of a big deal.

Do any of you read author blogs via AmazonConnect?

(No, I’m not listed yet, I think it will take a day or two for everything to be verified.)

I’m not sure if I’ll be blogging from Kindling Words. I promise to take lots of pictures.