WIFYR: Writers and Illustrators For Young Readers

This week I've been attending a 5-day extensive insightful inspiring educational work shop about writing and illustrating.  Needless to say, I'm learning a lot.

On the inspirational side, this was today's list of "life lessons learned" from YA novel author A.E. Cannon:

1.  Take risks
2.  Not all (if any) rejection is personal
3.  When chances come to pursue opportunities, TAKE THEM!
4.  Learn to walk in the direction of your own fear
5.  Don't say "no" too quickly
6.  Don't lose sight of who your audience is
7.  Be willing to accept change  (see things as opportunities instead of threats)
8.  Don't be jealous
9.  Getting "published" doesn't make life suddenly magical and grand... find your happiness in ALL life has to offer.
10.  Stay connected to the WRITING (or art) part.
11.  Work to stay positive, even if you have to write a daily affirmation.

*          *          *

This year WIFYR had a new activity in which I heavily involved myself: each group was given a song to rewrite and perform!  My group wasn't too enthused, but I LOVE rewriting lyrics and singing them.    I took the rewriting upon myself, my group loved it, they were awesome and acted out all the parts around the stage, Jared even sang a part with me, and even though the sound system killed our song at the end, it was FUN.  I decided to share them with you.  Note: the names in the song are well known authors, editors, and agents, aka: this year's faculty at WIFYR.

Somebody That I Use To Know

By Gotye

Ginny stands at microphone. All rest sit on chairs behind her posing as faculty, each member is assigned a faculty name to follow actions assigned when name is sung.  They continue in actions until song is over.


Ginny:

Now and then I think of when I went to WIFYR

When I walked in I felt so happy I could die

Told myself that this was right for me

But then I looked up at the faculty

And suddenly I felt a change in the weather

I think they got addicted to a certain kind of madness (facultys start twitching here)

Like reading, writing, editing, always editing

I realized it was too much for them

The transformation started to happen

But I'll admit that I was glad ...to be at WIFYR

Carol Lynch Williams grew seven eyes

Greg and Cynthia they sprouted tentacles from their sides

Trudy Harris magnified

Ann Dee Ellis grew a tale, and she said "RUFF"

Tim Wynne-Jones stooped below

And he rose up as a werewolf and ate Alex Penfold

Trent Reedy disappeared and so

Now you're just some writers that I use to know

Jared posing as John Cusick:

Now and then I think of publishers who looked me over

They want me believing there is always something wrong I've done

But I don't wanna write that way

I hate every single word they say

I'm feeling hot, I'm gonna blow...

I just can't get a hold of it and now WIFYR is gonna know

Ginny:

John Cusick sprouted twenty horns

Then Ruth Katcher and Matt Kirby chewed and chewed up the floors

Julie Olson's skin went cold

Mette Ivie Harrison joined Ann Dee's “Ruff”

A.E. Cannon blew a dragon's blow

Had my friends collect my records then I changed my number

I'm hoping they don't find me, oh

Now they're just some writers that I use to know