The last weekend in June, I attended the New Jersey SCBWI Annual Conference. I entered the conference nervous but excited. I left the conference exploding with ideas, anxious to start revisions, and encouraged by the connections I made.
I was inspired by illustrator and writer Floyd Cooper‘s Opening Keynote speech, and choked up after listening to Rachel Vail‘s Closing Keynote speech. If a writer leaves me with a lump in my throat and tears threatening to make my mascara run, then her words have reached the core of why I persist with passion. Surely, I’m on the right path?
Hon, I thought you’d enjoy quotes from the conference paired with pictures.
“Voice puts color and emotion on the page.” (Susan Hawk)
“What does love require of us?” (Rachel Vail)
“We have to have the courage to press that bruise.” (Rachel Vail)
“Make me laugh.” (Quinlan Lee)
“Being brave is not the opposite of worry.” (Rachel Vail)
“Gaze through a world made up paper and ink.” (Rachel Vail)
This quote isn’t from the conference, but it speaks to me just the same.
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” (John Wayne)
Naomi M. Gruer 
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Now I know why you needed “more energy” … love this post so creative & inspiring!
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Thanks for commenting. I go-go-go until I can’t anymore…until the next day!
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Thank you for sharing these inspiring pictures and words today. Life is a constant celebration of the best, worst and everything beautiful in between. From laughter to tears, from love to loss, life is a constant blessing of sunsets, sunrise and many unforgettable Summers with love ones.
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I appreciate your thoughtful comments. One of my (many) mottos is to live in the moment as much as possible!
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Those triplets are yours? Holy Hanna! And I thought twins were hard. (actually the one grandson is more work than the two:)
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Yes! That armful of babies is mine. Hard to believe a short time prior to that photo, I was still pregnant. How did they all fit?
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I understand, I barely fit thru doorways and I only had two, but two very large ones nearly 15 lbs together. Sadly I went over 1 month and 1 day. Seems like yesterday…they’ll be 29 next week. Feeling old 🙂
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Wow–nearly 15 pounds! Remember how heavy it was? Happy bday,Mom!
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No, don’t remember but I do remember having trouble getting thru doors, I had to sleep in a recliner the last 2 months and I had elephant legs. My shoes went from 7 to 10 to barefoot cause nothing wood fit. I remember when I was one month over due thinking I would be pregnant forever and I would die with two grown adults inside me – good thing I delivered the next day.
So what was your experience. I can’t imagine 🙂
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It was wonderful meeting you at the conference – and I share so many of the emotions you experienced – nerves and excitement and inspiration! It was really fun to see these pictures reflecting the quotes that struck a chord with you!
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Thanks Katey, so nice to meet you, also. Moving on from the nerves, its time to revise!
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