More From the SCBWI in LA

If you ever get the chance to go to LA to the SCBWI conference do so!!! Oh my goodness it was so much fun. I got to meet so many people that I have been blogging with since forever. It was

emotional, refreshing and informative. This is the conference every children's book writer and

illustrator needs to attend just once. This was my very first time and I was there as one

of the many awesome Keynote Speakers! Sean Qualls brought us to tears and Kat Yeh inspired us with her moving speech on diversity and I got a whole room to do the Hookie Pokie with me!! LOL!! We had a ball. There is something so very special about being allowed to be yourself.

I believe when we can see ourselves, then we can free ourselves so that we can be ourselves.

In a healthy healing way. Linn Oliver asked me about 9 month ago if I would be the Keynote

for the first morning session. I told her, "If you'll have me I will be there." "Aren't you a little afraid?"

She asked. I told her, "No." and then laughed. Not because I was full of myself, but because I didn't feel the need to be afraid speaking my truth. Fact is everyone is not going to like you and that is okay. All I have to give anybody is MY TRUTH. When I am open and honest about me and I share

from that very vulenrable and open place I am enpowered by God to be me and do me and that is super duper freeing. That room was filled with such love and acceptance and I was overwhelmed by it all, but then to see a room full of people crying and laughing made my heart

skip a beat with humbleness and joy. Sometimes people just want to know that they are not

the only ones in the stuggle. That is just the real of it. I wanted to share a few moment with you today. Hope it brings joy to your hearts and laughter to your souls.