This weekend was all about writing. I attended the SCBWI’s (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) winter conference in the city. As always, it was incredibly informative, overwhelmingly inspirational, and genuinely enjoyable. I was just happy to be there, surrounded by writers and people who know what it’s like to regularly have others not understand what it is that they’re trying to do.

 

This is my third SCBWI conference in four years, but the past twelve months have yielded very little in the way of solid stories and chapters from me. Sure, I’ve had plenty of ideas, just not fully thought out visions. Most of my energy has gone to other writing endeavors, like copywriting and ghostwriting and editing and freelancing. Oh, and acting, of course.

 

But I’m anxious. I want to write children’s literature. Period. So what’s keeping me? What’s the hold up? We discussed it at the conference. The usual: fear, procrastination, uncertainty, other work, lack of motivation, misdirected focus. And everyone spoke about it, from the people sitting around me to the amazing speakers who told us their stories, including R.L. Stine (very funny, honest, and apparently a fantastically prolific writer – I still remember one of my older sisters getting me my first Goosebumps book…good times), Jules Feiffer (the illustrator for The Phantom Tollbooth, rocking out at 82 years old), and Lois Lowry (author of Number the Stars and The Giver).

 

So that was obviously comforting, even though I’m sure it’s much easier to speak about writer’s block and nerves when you’re a bestselling author/illustrator many times over.

 

We also met with agents and editors who assured us that the Kindle and the Internet haven’t done away with the printed book just yet. People still like holding bound sheets of paper. They still like the smell of a newly purchased novel. They still like curling up under blankets, with cups of hot chocolate, and getting lost in a story.

 

In fact, we spoke a lot about that. The story. How it all comes down to just writing it down, saying what you have to say, bringing to life something that the world has been missing. The power of story cannot be denied, and perhaps in children we can see it clearest. Not to mention, many of today’s bestselling books are technically considered children’s literature but are read by quite a lot of adults. They transcend age and touch something far more universal.

 

So I’ll concentrate on that – story. And only story. The worry and uncertainty can wait. I just have to start writing…

If you’ve ever been on set with me, or anywhere with me for that matter, you’ve probably seen me with a pen, a notebook, a stack of papers, an envelope/folder/binder of notes and books, a laptop, or a mix of all the above.

 

I’m always writing. Or at least thinking about writing. Or jotting down ideas. Or writing down a note that reminds me I need to write later.

 

But so often, I get so overwhelmingly busy throughout the day that the writing never happens. Nope. As much as I try, I end up writing at 2 AM, when the world is asleep, as are schedules, to do lists, errands, and non-writing priorities.

 

And…most of the time, the writing isn’t even my own creative work. I’ve been blessed with a lucrative career as a magazine writer, copywriter, and ghostwriter, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

 

So I have to figure something out. Not quite sure what that “something” is yet. But something. At the end of the month I am attending my third SCBWI children’s literature conference in the city, and I’ve elected to make it a kickoff of sorts. It will be the weekend that I pick up the creative writing again and get back on track to writing the manuscript that will be my first novel.

 

Check back with me in two months. I aim not to disappoint.

I’ve updated my acting reel (hence, the title of this post). Check it out on Vimeo -

 

 

I also recently took new headshots from the photographer whose name is behind my current ones, Sam Khan over at SK Headshots.

 

And that’s just a fraction of the craziness that has been my November. I also…

 

Finished up my second month of scene study classes at T. Schreiber Studio with an amazing performance of the “Final Placement” scene in Win/Lose/Draw by Ara Watson and Mary Gallagher. I played the character of Luellen. It was completely different than anything I’ve ever done before, so it was a struggle, but the feeling I got after we performed it this past week reminded me of why I love acting so darn much – and especially a live audience =)

 

Met with Eileen Schellhorn, at the Actor’s Green Room, a very cool VO agent from Innovative Artists. The agenda of the evening was video game voice overs, what they are, who does them, how to break into them, and how to master them.

 

Played the lead role in the short film “Chance”, directed by Heajin-Hailie Kim and shot in Sunnyside, Queens.

 

Updated the format of my resume. Not super exciting, but the tedious hour it took garners it a spot on this list =P

 

Followed up with people, met with people, auditioned for people, conversed with people – all that is networking.

 

Wrote (in my other profession and second passion) chapters, paragraphs, newsletters, sell sheets, proposals, short story/novel/play ideas, song lyrics, website copy, and all manner of copywriting. The goal for December? Concentrate more on my creative writing. I have the SCBWI children’s literature conference at the end of January, and the idea is to have at least a somewhat-finished manuscript of my novel ready to go.

 

And that’s about it for now. Stay tuned for a new headshot gallery, and have an awesome Thanksgiving!!

Happy New Year!!

 

Things are still busy – always a good thing – but I'm working extra hard on getting and staying organized this year, both personally and professionally. When you're doing so much and you have so much more that you want to be doing, it's far too easy to get bogged down doing…not very much at all. For instance, that pile of receipts that was building up for the greater portion of last year took several tedious, undisturbed hours to sort through and make sense of – two good hours that I could've spent being far more productive in the creative realm. But nevertheless, it got done, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. Note to self: Don't let paperwork build up, ever, unsorted, unchecked, unmonitored. Lesson learned.

 

I recently signed up for the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) International Winter Conference in NYC at the end of January. The last time I went was…two years ago? Since then, my writing goals changed a bit, from concentrating on my novel to working on freelancing, ghostwriting, and copywriting projects, which I am doing all of now. But while I love my current work, I'm aching to complete my children's literature novel. The idea is that this conference is the kick in the pants I need to sit down, tough it out, and finish my manuscript by, dare I say it, May 2010.

 

As for acting, we finished filming on a NYFA short film this past week. Nothing says commitment like 1 AM call times and bitterly cold temperatures in Central Park. I have gained a new level of respect for warm socks, winter boots, and the power of layering.

 

Also, we're happy to announce that the two-part film we're shooting in Boston, where I play one of the leads, has now been moved up to feature-length status and will be ready for festival submission by mid-February.

 

Stay tuned for more headshots, my updated reel, and additional writing excerpts to be up on the site soon!!

 

- Melissa