If Pines Could Talk -- they'd whisper:)

I did something for myself! How lovely:)

Sometimes reading email can lead to something good. One wintery day, I got an email from the bottomless cup of local author Pam Vaughan. Just when you think she can't possibly have any more in her: more Pam Vaughn. She's amazing and also usually smiling--two great qualities!

So, thanks to Pam and her fellow volunteer Julia Boyce--the Whispering Pines Retreat found a new home this year at Endicott College in Beverly, MA, which so happens to be a hop-skip-and-a-jump from my house. How convenient! So, I signed up!

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I had big plans to be ready and packed ahead of time, but as weeks usually go--I pushed off from my dock much later than expected. The sweet images of a full face-plant into a pillow upon arrival started to dissolve into the reality of hoping I got there before the whole thing was over. I arrived exhausted and wondering how I would string together even one coherent sentence. Check-in. Luggage lugging complete. I had a full 9 minutes before the itinerary was in full swing, so even though I have yet to be published--I slipped right into the role and did what any professional, published author would do upon arrival: face-plant! Eight and a half minutes of paranoid (like, I might actually fall into a deep sleep and miss everything, so I kept checking the time) face-plant felt so luxurious.

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Thanks to Pam V--I am sure to get all these names right, or should I say left to right: Christy Yaros, Paula McLaughlin, Laurie Murphy, Me (I forget my name;) & Kristina Giliberto.

I got up and tried my best to look and talk like a human who was actually going to remember anything that was being said or be able to later recall one single name. I revealed my very faulty method to one attendee who I knew already. Step 1: Say Hello. Step 2: If they look familiar, try to remember their name and just go for it, "John!?" Step 3: Apologize because I got their name wrong and explain that I am legally brain dead at the moment . . . play the four kids card if need be. That's like an ace in the hole because, I mean: four kids! Teens, no less!! Step 4: Listen to them tell you their real name while laughing off the awkward. Look at their nametag and ask where they are from and foolishly convince myself I will remember all of this. Step 5: Forget everything that transpired and, mere moments later, see someone vaguely familiar to the person you just talked to minutes ago and call them by the name bobbing to the surface of your mind. Step 6: Start process all over again with new person. Step 7: Find someone you actually know fairly well to reboot the system and rebuild confidence that your memory does indeed actually work on some level, but not usually on a Friday night after a week of crazy (and the four kids;) when it is in need of a serious recharge. (As an aside: I think there were only about three steps in the original "Step" program I had explained to my writer friend at the retreat.)

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So, that there was too much information. I know. Sometimes that's how I waste all this precious brain space, so that when it comes time to remember a name, a location and something specific that may need recalling in the future--there's a bit of fog. Anyway, the Whispering Pines Writers Retreat was great! It was small enough to be manageable, and it was filled with people I wanted to follow up with forever after I left. I haven't quite gotten to that part yet, but I'm working on carving out some more time to do it. 

What a great weekend! Such talented participants to be immersed among along with some really great--and very fun--editors and agents who enlightened us with their industry knowledge and insightful honesty: Matt Phipps, Associate Editor, G.P. Putnam’s Sons|Penguin Young Readers; Marissa Brown, Associate Agent, Pippin Properties; Olivia Luchini, Assistant Editor, Penguin Workshop|PRH; Alexander Slater, Agent, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates; and ​Ariel Richardson, Senior Editor, Chronicle Books.
Now . . . I will clam up:)

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