Live blogging from the annual Society for Children Book Writers & Illustrators national conference in Beverly Hills, CA! Here's what  happened on Day One...

Above is a photo (L-R) of my very good friends - children's book authors Kelly DiPucchio (Grace for President/Hyperion); April Young Fritz (Praying at the Sweetwater Motel/Hyperion); me; Carolyn Crimi (Where's My Mummy?/Candlewick); and Lisa Wheeler (Boogie Knights/Antheneum). I met my pals poolside for drinks and food. Afterwards, I attended the Faculty Dinner where I got to see my agent from The Writers House, some cool editors and other fellow writers. The Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) is a great organization that is home to both the aspiring writer/illustrator as well as some of the world's most famous and prestigious children's book authors and artists. SCBWI co-founder Lin Oliver said that more than 950 people are attending this year's conference!

 WRITING TIDBIT: In chatting with my agent and another editor, I learned that agents and editors love it when their writers do not simply treat their editorial notes as a checklist of "To Do" things they have to revise in their manuscripts. Instead, they love it when writers go beyond the editorial notes and think more deeply about the notes thematically - in other words, using the editorial notes from the agent and/or editor as a "springboard" to think more deeply about the bigger picture when revising their drafts. I found that to be very helpful information and something to keep in mind the next time I get some notes from my agent and editor!

After the buffet style dinner (they served ravioli and for some odd reason, Chinese stir fry, but both entrees were yummy), I met up again with my writer friends in the lobby to hang out for awhile. I just got home and am blogging live from my humble office.

Tomorrow is the big first day of SCBWI where all the panels start. Mine is called "SCBWI Success Stories" and will be at 5 p.m. Stay tuned for Friday's blog!

Until then, I leave you with the view April Young Fritz and I had staring up at the ceiling in the hotel lobby of the beautiful but scary looking lamps...