Thursday, August 18, 2011

A Magical Highlights Retreat


It has been a while since I’ve posted, but I’ve been away at a writer’s retreat and have been far too busy to blog –in a good way.

First, some news – I want to announce I had a poem (one that I really think is a rhyming picture book) called The Monster Hairy Brown, chosen to be included in an anthology called Fifty Funny Poems for Children to be published in England next year. I guess that will make me an internationally published author!

Last week, I flew to New York and was picked up at the airport by a driver for Highlights Magazine, the wonderful Pam Box, and whisked away to Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania, to the original homestead of the founders of the magazine. This is a magical place. I have attended two workshops and two writer’s retreats there. You can read about one of the workshops by clicking here. I always make great progress in my writing and learn a great deal when there. This time I spent a week with six other writers and Carolyn Yoder, editor and teacher extraordinaire. Five of us were in a similar retreat last year and all intend to be in another such next summer. In fact, I think all are already signed up. I know I am.

Each of us had our own little cabin with good work space and lots of quiet time. The people from the Highlights Foundation treat us like royalty. They pick us up when we arrive from whatever airport we get to. If you come from the west coast as I do, they are happy to have you come in a day early and, if necessary, leave a day late. No extra charge. The meals are spectacular – always made with fresh, local ingredients and great imagination. When I say great food, I’m not foolin’. Even the oatmeal is the best I’ve ever had!

Each day we came together for meals and cocktails. We each had one-on-one time with Carolyn every day but one as well. No kidding! Every day. Everyone came with work in progress and many of us started new projects while we were there. It was such a collaborative effort. Supper every evening was followed by a critique session. When we read our latest version or chapter or story, we received lots of kudos and helpful suggestions. Everyone there was a published author – some more than others – trying to improve their craft.

I spent most of my time working on two projects – my middle-grade historical novel, The Incredible Journey of Freddy J. and an article for possible submission to Highlights called The Princess Who Wouldn’t Take “No”. I made a LOT of progress on my novel and…Tah Tah Ta Dah…Carolyn took my article to Highlights for submission. That means she liked it and I’m over a big hurdle with it. Fingers crossed!! She also mentioned to someone that I had sold my article on FDR to Highlights! She submitted that last year, then asked for a rewrite. I think there is still one more person who has to give it the thumbs up, but it is looking very good for both articles.

I also started a new picture book. It’s an idea I’ve been kicking around for awhile and have completed some research , but had kind of gotten stuck. Besides getting great help from Carolyn, one of the attendees was particularly helpful to me. Lois Huey, an archaeologist and writer with lots of notches on her writing belt and who was at the retreat last year, was someone willing to share her knowledge and expertise and even write to experts she knew to help me with that project. She is still sending me info by email (as well as a great cookie recipe!). She also took extra time to proof some work for me and offered great suggestions. And my picture book is coming along, largely thanks to her and Carolyn.

One of the other attendees, Nicole Groeneweg, also an accomplished and many-times published writer working on an amazing book about Eisenhower, was so generous with her time helping me prepare for some submissions – proofing and offering excellent suggestions. When I didn’t have a return envelope with me (What was I thinking?), she interrupted her writing to take me to town and buy what I needed. Wow. And you heard me right. Submissions – plural. That poem the Brits are publishing next year, that I always thought of as a rhyming picture book, The Monster Hairy Brown, has now been submitted to Boyds Mills Press as a picture book with Carolyn’s approval, which, I am sure, carries some serious weight. I know that it will at least get a close reading, and I can’t ask for more than that.

Upon SecrecyI’d like to give a shout out to the other attendees – Selene Castrovilla, Tracy Helixon, Norma Lewis, and Lisa Idzikowski. All were generous with their time and ideas. In addition to learning more about my own writing, I learned a lot about the Revolutionary War thanks to Selene (Check out her many books – great stuff!), Air Force One and the Kennedy assassination thanks to Tracy, life in 19th century Alaska from Norma, and sooooo much about Thomas Jefferson from Lisa.  

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.We had visits from editors from the press and from the magazines, as well as the much-published author Kate Messner who brought each of us three of her books and graciously signed them for us. Watch for reviews of those books here in the coming weeks.

Yes, it was another magical week at Boyds Mills. Unfortunately, my trip home wasn’t quite so magical. My left knee dislocated during my charge through Kennedy Airport, and I am still nursing that. The pain is unbelievable, especially after physical therapy or my exercises. Ice is my new best friend. But this too shall pass and I will be left with the memories of my magical time at the retreat and my much bolstered writing career!

 If you are reading this in your email, don’t forget to click on the headline to go to my blog. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do. And please leave a comment. I love to hear from you.

12 comments:

Margaret Duarte said...

Go, Rosi. I'm so excited about your progress. What a joy it must have been to spend time with such talented writers. You're so very, very close.

Gwendolyn Hooks said...

WOW! That's all I can say.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Rosi, I am so happy for you. It sounds like you are really moving along . This is such exciting news, and such a good share. What a wonderful experience. I'll be watching for those reviews, too.

Michelle Fayard said...

Rosi, I've been waiting with much anticipation to hear about the retreat but then to learn about your rhyming PB picked up for a poetry anthology and you have two articles out on sub with Highlights--wow, congratulations! Then all the great news regarding your other PBs and MGs. I'm wishing you much continued good luck and a speedy recovery for your knee.

Morgan said...

Congratulations on your progress on many fronts, and thanks for an account of your trip. It sounds amazing!

lvharris said...

Congratulations on becoming an internationally published author! Good luck with your submissions to Highlights and thanks for sharing your inspiring experience.

Rosi said...

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and for all the nice comments. I can't say enough good things about the Highlights workshops and retreats for anyone writing for children and young adults.

Joyce Moyer Hostetter said...

Congrats on the submissions and acceptances! Terrific all the way around! Bet you just convinced some other writers to check out those Highights workshops. Great description of the usual fabulous treatment there!

Shannon Hitchcock said...

I'm very jealous you met Kate Messner. I love her books!

Rosi said...

Thanks, Joyce. I'm almost afraid to talk about the workshops and retreats for fear they will fill up before I can sign up! Shannon, Kate was a spectacular addition, and a total surprise, to our retreat. I've only read one of her books, but loved it. It was so clever and fresh. I can't wait to share it with my granddaughter.

Bethanie said...

Sounds like exciting times Rosi, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an amazing week for you, Rosi! You've been putting so much energy into your craft that you really deserve this success!
Helen