The Hollywood Schmooze Wraps Up 2012

The Hollywood Schmooze is off for November and December, so our last meeting for 2012 was in October. Rene produced the original list of goals we’d made earlier in the year. For some, it was way back in January . . . the embarrassing moment (at least for me) came when we said how far we’d gotten in accomplishing our goal.

One thing I am learning is to set more realistic goals for myself – I never knew how long writing a novel would take and what an involved process revising is. But it is important not to rush.

Some people had surprises – I asked if it would be okay to report on specific members achievements. And they said, “yes!”

Rhonda Hayter reported that her historical fiction novel is being shopped around by her agent, after her success with The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams (Dial.) And she now has a new writing assignment – content for an ipad App FAFARIA. She provides 500 word stories and enjoys the puzzle aspect of fitting the words into the structural requirements set by the editors. It pays too, which is good!

Avi de Turenne reported that he is researching a new novel and needs to meet with other writers in order to connect and share and not feel alone, which is critical for keeping his spirits up. He is sending out one query letter a week for his completed manuscript. Go Avi!

Jane Rosenberg, who published several well received books of Ballet and Opera Stories for children (Thames & Hudson) in the 90’s has written a novel that teaches about music and is exploring possible audiences for it. One suggestion was the homeschooling network, micro learning academies and CAVA, the California Virtual Academy.

Richard Manning had finished the first draft of his middle grade novel and is researching agents.

Cheryl Manning shared an adorable illustration and her four picture book manuscripts that she is readying for submission.

Many of the other participants shared as well, but that is all we have time for now.

Keep up the good work everyone! Get out there and network and increase your web presence. One thing I noticed, fact checking for this post was that it is a lot easier to find out about a writer if they have current web listings.

Oh, and guess who is the new co-coordinator of the Hollywood Schmooze to work with Rene? Yours truly, Deborah Fletcher Blum. Melanie had to step down due to her busy schedule. Thank you Melanie for starting this Schmooze.

As for me, I am working on the final (ha!) draft of my middle grade novel to ready it for submission and researching the life of Carl Laemmle (my cousin three times removed who founded Universal Studios) for a biography.

I look forward to working with the wonderful Rene Rawls and having a great 2013 with SCBWI and all the Schmoozes, especially the very special Hollywood Schmooze.
Happy Holidays – Hanukah! Christmas! Kwanza! New Years! Etc!

THE HOLLYWOOD SCHMOOZE FEBRUARY MEETING

The Hollywood Schmooze met on February 16^th at the home of Rhonda Hayter. We had some tea and introduced each other. We discussed our recent experiences in the world of children’s media and book writing. Then, we attacked our topic of goal setting. The evening's discussion was valuable and enlightening.
We pondered the challenges of setting daily writing goals, working efficiently and completing specific projects. We shared our fears holding us back – the dragons we need to slay.
Stating concrete goals to be accomplished by October, 2012, our last meeting of the year, we heard our words echo and felt the call to action!
Turns out forcing oneself to set a specific, calendar-based goal is an important exercise, and not just because it might prompt you to work a little faster, but because it makes you plan ahead for all the eventual things that might get in the way. Pinpointing a date on the calendar helps you not plan other things.
At least for me, that is the way it has worked so far.
Thank you Rene for organizing.
See you at the next meeting!

Deborah Fletcher Blum, the blogger for the group

A schedule was set: 7 times a year: January – June, plus September and October.
(with July, August, November and December off)
Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.

Topics include: 2 guest speakers and discussion of the craft on a Newbery winning novel to be decided at the next meeting.