WE'VE MOVED ON TO BIGGER & BETTER THINGS!

Check out our new and improved site at: www.kritiquekritics.com

It has something for everyone. We have a BLOG, writers' websites, children's section, art, etc. I don't want to spoil the fun of looking inside our new home. It's only a week old, so all the furniture hasn't arrived yet and a few rooms still have to be painted. But, you can tell we went for LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

See you there.

Debra Davis Hinkle

Conference

What?

Writers are supposed to do research, right?

More thoughts on the Conference

During the SCBWI conference I had such ups and downs. One minute I was thrilled to be away from home around exciting people the next I was lonely for my family and just wanted a peaceful hug from my daughter. One minute I was confident in my writing while the next my self-esteem was in the toilet. But I did come away with a sobering epiphany: Art-World I is not even near ready to send to publishers. And I know why. It is still plot driven rather than character driven. I haven't been staying inside my character's skin. Instead I was trying to write exciting events or put pretty words on the page.
Not any more.
From now on I am going to look at every sentence as if it were in my character's mouth. All of the metaphors, descriptions, and feelings will come from him/her instead of Laurie.
It is time to do major surgery to Art-World.
Wish me luck.

More Party Photos

Here I am with Sid Fleischman.

Debra and Laurie Paint the Town Red

Paint the Town Red Party

After two days of stressing out over saying the right thing, meeting the right people, pitching the right pitch, blah, blah, blah, I finally got to do what I really came to the writing conference for: DANCE.

Now the other Kritique Kritics didn't know this about me before the conference, but I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. And it is serious. Oh yeah, music is my obsession and whenever I hear it I have to dance. It starts with my fingers tapping to the beat. Then my head begins to bob up and down. Finally my feet are tingling so much to jump that if I don't let them I'm afraid they'll hop right out of my shoes and take off by themselves.

Now, Debra knew I wanted to find famous authors to have my picture taken with. And she is so sweet that she searched high and low until she did. First it was Sid Fleischman who was charming, gracious, and didn't even tell me to hush when I did my "I'm-having-my-picture-taken-with-Sid Fleischman" scream.

When the music was really pumping Debra managed to find Bruce Coville. Using my feather boa she yanked me off the dance floor. We scurried across the grass and there he was: the amazing, inspirational, famous, multi-talented, opening speaker of the conference. When I posed next to him I thrust my hand behind my back so he could feel my palm instead of my disgustingly gross sweaty shoulders. Celebration played during the polite conversation that followed and I tried to focus on talking to him. I really did. I even shared some sentiments on what is valuable for children. But the music was calling to me. I was seeing the moves in my head. Then came the B-52's. I love the B-52's! Come on Laurie, focus I tried telling myself. But it's Love Shack. You can jump, jerk, and be-bop to that song. I told myself to be polite. I told myself to talk books. I tried. I swear.

But in the end my compulsion won out. It's a disorder. I can't help it.

I stopped Mr. Coville mid-sentence. "Excuse me, I have to dance now. Thanks for the the picture."

Then I ran off and boogied the night away.

Sorry Mr. Coville.

They Said Yes!

The Willows Magazine is going to print my poem, "Blazing Ice!" Editor Ben Thomas said, "We'd be delighted to take this one for an upcoming issue! Please fill out the attached contract and mail a copy to us:"

Wow. I feel like it's my birthday.

I love the name Ben. Thomas is pretty nice too. But put Editor in front of it and add a yes and my heart just skips a beat.