Category Archives: SCBWI

Finding My Own Inspiration

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Jennifer Kay

Last weekend many of my writing friends returned to VCFA for residency. I did not – for the first time in two and a half years. It was harder than I expected to view the social media posts about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Creativity, Home Improvements, Jennifer, MFA, SCBWI, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Post-Grad Revelations

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Jennifer Kay

Last month I checked a few major writing milestones off my bucket list: 1) Delivered my graduate reading of my young adult science fiction work-in-progress, Eraser. 2) Presented my graduate lecture, Shift That Narrow Trend Line into a Scatter Plot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Engineering, Family, Jennifer, MFA, Nature, RVC, SCBWI, Teaching, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Open Question

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Jennifer Kay

My first revelation of 2018 is that MFA programs have magical time slip powers. I last blogged in September when my third semester at VCFA was just getting started and I had taken on the challenge of writing a pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Jennifer, MFA, Nonfiction, Reading, SCBWI, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing, Young Adult Books | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Open Question

Subtext: Two Plus Two Equals A Reader Connection

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Jennifer Kay

Eons ago, at my first SCBWI Prairie Writer’s Day Conference, I heard the popular writing tip “show, don’t tell.” That catch phrase should be writing advice to live by, except this wide-eyed newbie didn’t understand how to “show.” I jumped … Continue reading →

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Super Hero Writers

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Jennifer Kay

Last weekend Super Heros flew to Chicago to gather for SCBWI Prairie Writers & Illustrators Day. This year my conference posse grew from two writers to four, including one of my VCFA classmates. We happened to sit in the Maw-ha-ha section … Continue reading →

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Wild, Wild Midwest

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Jennifer Kay

Last weekend 500 Wild, Wild Midwest children’s authors and illustrators gathered in Chicago for the SCBWI regional conference. The faculty list was a who’s who of awesome children’s authors, featuring keynote speeches by Lisa Cron, Sarah Aronson, Linda Sue Park, … Continue reading →

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Writing Characters Who Don’t Look Like You

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Jennifer Kay

Last weekend my critique partner and I journeyed into Chicago for SCBWI Prairie Writer’s Day. Once again it was an event filled with awesome people in the publishing industry (or aspiring to be), invaluable knowledge, and heaps of inspiration. This … Continue reading →

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Summer Slacking Ends Here!

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Jennifer Kay

The summer slacker has officially taken over, keeping me away from the blog (and grown-up responsibilities) for almost a month.  Where has the time gone?  My family has been busy celebrating the 4th of July, camping, and taking every opportunity … Continue reading →

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Do You Read Enough?

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Jennifer Kay

Linda Sue Park shared a wealth of knowledge at the SCBWI Downstate Craft Retreat, everything from basic writing concepts to her own personal revision methods. Among all that awesome practical advice, the comment that most stuck with me was an … Continue reading →

Posted in Downstate Craft Retreat, Jennifer, Publishing, Reading, SCBWI, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 94 Comments

Set The Scene

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Jennifer Kay

I came home from the SCBWI Downstate Craft Retreat inspired and ready to write!  Linda Sue Park was of course amazing, but more on that next week.  First I wanted to chat about the lovely Julia Durango, our Friday evening … Continue reading →

Posted in Downstate Craft Retreat, Jennifer, SCBWI, Travel, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments