Let's Celebrate Author Fun!

It's time to CELEBRATE This Week with Ruth Ayres from Discover. Play. Build.  Every week Ruth invites us to share our celebrations from the week and link up at her blog. What a fun way to reflect on everything there is to be thankful for. 

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This week I'm celebrating ALA award-winning books!

*throws confetti*

Last weekend was so my weekend. We took the kids to meet author Aaron Reynolds at The Book Stall in Winnetka on Friday night and then I spent all day Saturday at Anderson's YA Literature Conference in Naperville.

Aaron Reynolds was super enthusiastic and the kids are still walking around sayind, "Woot woot!" all the time. It was great how Aaron explained what his job is like as a writer and answered the kids' questions.

At the YA Lit Conference, we heard from wonderful keynote speakers and attended some great breakout sessions. I was thrilled to meet Gary D. Schmidt and hear him speak. His story of how he tells others' stories and encourages them to write was amazing. I was moved to tears. We also heard from Marie Lu, Ally Carter, James Dashner, David Baldacci, and David Levithan. I was surprised that so many wonderful authors were there. It was definitely a cool event that I hope to get back to next year. 

The timing was completely perfect for me. I needed a refresh and to feel re-energized to push through revisions. I find it helpful to be surrounded by people who nourish my creative spirit and remind me I can go on and I should. Hearing from the authors was perfect but hanging out with my friend Amy Pine and running into Christy Rush Levine were also highlights of my day. I've spent many late nights and early mornings writing with Amy and I'm so glad she invited me to join her this year! 

Me and Amy Pine

Me and Christy

It was definitely another weekend of pinch-me moments when I'm constantly reminding myself that this is my real life. I'm so lucky for every amazing experience I've been able to be part of! I think one very important skill we need to teach children and young adults is to know what nourishes their soul. I love music and quiet car rides but I also love being around people who are passionate about books - reading them and writing them - and happy to share their excitement for them. What fills you up and gives you energy to persevere?

What are you celebrating this week?