Where I've been and what...scratch that... WHO I've seen....

So, I've been a bit negligent about ye ol' blog lately....sorry about that. But I have an explanation. And visual proof that I have been doing worthwhile, writing related activities. Really. (Okay, I've been gawking at the stars of young adult literature but that counts as writing-related, right?) May I present exhibit #1, from the recent RT Convention Teen day:

Yes! That is Holly Freakin' Black (TITHE series, SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, THE CURSEWORKERS SERIES) smiling next to me!!!! I got a signed copy of White Cat and she was just so nice and gracious. THEN she was a speaker at the recent SCBWI - Western Washington conference this last weekend and did a breakout session on magic systems that was perfectly AWESOME as well as a very funny and inspiring ending keynote on Plot.  Did I say AWESOME? Because she totally was. And FUNNY.

Here is my excuse....exhibit #2:

Yes, queen of the faerie stories - Melissa Marr (WICKED LOVELY series + others) and my lovely daughter Carly. We sat in on a panel that Melissa chaired where several authors talked about where they came up with their story ideas at the RT conference. That was lots of fun to listen to. And Carly got to do some speed dating rounds with several other authors: Richelle Mead, Simone Elkeles, Margie Stohl and others.

If you read young adult fantasy then you've got to know of the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES trilogy. Here is Carly with Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl. Both so lovely, nice and friendly!

and not to be a name-dropper BUT (hee hee - why stop now, right?) we also got signed books and pictures (obviously) of Carrie Ryan, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH and DEAD-TOSSED WAVES:  (she was SO nice!)

 and here's Carly talking to Melissa De La Cruz of the BLUE BLOODS series fame:

Cassie Clare was there too, but the line was sooooooooo long we never got to her. HOWEVER, the very kind and sneaky (in a good way!), Joe Monti, managed to get Cassie to sign a book for us:

So yeah - I feel like I've just got to meet ten different rock stars. Totally SURREAL and GREAT!!  and even though I'm a writer, I've rarely met any other writers and never any FAMOUS writers so it was all pretty darn cool.

I didn't take pictures at the SCBWI conference but it was fabulous and so inspiring. Holly's talk on magic gave me an idea for a new book.  Fragments of the story have been floating around in my head for awhile but as I was listening to her talk it suddenly came together and I knew the title and everything. I love that feeling. It will be YA fantasy and I'm excited to get to work on that.

Anyway, that's my excuse for not posting as much lately. However, I am back now from my travels and will be back to it.  What's new with you?

~Kiki