Social Networking – A-Ha Moments in Santa Barbara

A late-comer to the world of computers and all they offer, I decided a crash course in social networking was just what I needed. It’s time to catch up and join the rest of the world of writers and illustrators out in the virtual world.

Writer Alexis O’Neill (SCBWI’s Ventura/Santa Barbara Regional Advisor) organized a great weekend at the Santa Barbara Mission, with a prestigious and generous band of experts: Harold Underdown, Anastasia Suen, Greg Pincus, Lisa Yee and Peepy, and David Boeshaar.

Here are Harold Underdown, with April Halprin Wayland,

the two Gregs (Pincus and Trine),

Lisa Yee...........

 Peepy!

and David Boeshaar.

Along with having a great time with the experts and fellow attendees, here are some really helpful things I learned:

• Start small, be realistic – no one can do it all, so do one thing at a time.
• It’s an on-going process – you’ll make mistakes: correct them and learn from them.
• Just keep moving forward – if you fall on your face, at least you’re moving forward.
• There’s never been a more exciting time to be a writer or illustrator – with social networking, you can have more influence on the success of your work.
• If you resist, you’ll be left behind!
• And -- very important! – don’t forget to leave time to create your books and pictures.

My biggest a-ha moments:

• I can do this! (well….some of it) soon (well….it may take me a while longer…).
• It’s not that hard! (well…..not too hard).
• I don’t have to do it ALL at once!
• Since the retreat fellow attendees Erica Silverman, Mary Ann Fraser and Caroline Arnold have produced trailers for their books. Thanks to the instruction of David Boeshaar, and Tina Nichols Coury’s helpful input, I think I could do one now!