I signed up for the WriteOnCon this summer with a bit of hesitancy and skepticism. Hesitancy, because I’m a long-time member of S.C.B.W.I. (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). If fact, I joined before the “I” was added. That’s neither here nor there.I’ve co-chaired two (live) writers conferences in this chapter, helped with several SCBWI conferences in CO, and was SCBWI newsletter editor for the Dakotas chapter. I’m rather invested in the organization, and will continue to be so, and continue to attend live conferences (like the one in October). The bug-a-boo (i.e., hesitancy): One of our Regional Advisors discouraged us on our listserv from attending this upstart conference.

I had skepticism about participating in WriteOnCon, because I simply had my doubts about how such a conference was going to work. As a past conference organizer (and of two others, non SCBWI), I was also curious about the technical side of it and how the sessions would be presented. Besides, one could not help but feel the excitement vibrating over the internet about it.

Once my decision was made to attend, I decided not to be shy nor embarrassed and put my name right out there, not hiding behind a user name like mewriter2. (Apologies to anyone who picked that name.)

This is the morning of day two of the first WriteOnCon. I’ve “attended” most sessions at the time they were presented, and must say WRITEONCON IS AWESOME! (Yes, I shouted. Sorry.) A large round of applause needs to go out to the conference organizers. I’m impressed with the variety of speakers, subjects, and methods of presentation (YouTube, narration, live, monitored chats).

Thank you risk-takers, Casey, Elana & Shannon. You three rock!