Attending my first @kwelijournal virtual conference. Thank you @FineAngeline for an inspiring welcome keynote address!

"Community = a feeling of belonging to something larger than yourself."

"Sometimes 'no' means 'not yet.'"

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First breakout session at @kwelijournal => Worth A Thousand Words: Unblocking the Power of Picture Books.

"We are experts in our own experiences. Our stories are ours to tell." @TashaSpillett

Picture books are hugs for young children." @NoNieqaRamos

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Second breakout session at @kwelijournal => Tips on Crafting a Short Story for an Anthology.

"Read poetry that has characters in it. Zone in on one moment and make that moment profound." @reneewauthor

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Third breakout session at @kwelijournal =>
Love as Revolution

Q: How do you define love?

"Love is always evolving. Love is a skill. It's a place where you feel safe to be vulnerable to another person." @ShebaKarim

"Love is a constant negotiation." @misallaneous1

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@kwelijournal => Love as Revolution

Q: How do you define love? (continued)

"Love is hard work. It critiques, challenges, and pushes you to be better." @reneewauthor

"Love is giving in to spiritual development of self or someone else." @liaratamani

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Fourth breakout session @kwelijournal => Chapter Books & Early Readers

These gems dropped by @SusanDarraj

"Never underestimate the child reader. They are very savvy."

"Focus on your secondary characters. They are the thread throughout the series."

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@kwelijournal => Chapter Books & Early Readers (continued)

And this practical tip from @SusanDarraj:

"Make sure you have it written in your contract that you have input on the illustrations. This is still a white industry."

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Fifth breakout session @kwelijournal =>
Historical Fiction

"History constantly repeats itself in these disheartening and startling ways." @VeeraHira

"Know who your narrator is even if your narrator is not a character in the story." @poetweatherford

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Sixth breakout session @kwelijournal => Reimagining the Publishing Industry

"There's not this scarcity mindset that the traditional white publishing industry wants us to believe." #NamrataTripathi

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@kwelijournal => Reimagining the Publishing Industry
(continued)

"It's not enough just to have brown faces in the book. It needs to be more than checking a demographic box." #ChristopherMyers

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The closing keynote address at @kwelijournal was by @mafiasafia

"Home is about love, community and care. I have always felt at home in books."

This has been such an amazing day listening to so many creators of color. Thank you for a fantastic first day of panels!
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Day 2 of the @kwelijournal virtual conference Self-Care Presentation was by @NadiaOwusu1 who provided a visualization and breathing moment to help us start our day.

Also, dropped this knowledge:

"Practicing self-accountability is a form of self-care."

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@kwelijournal breakout session #1 =>
Ask Me Anything: Scene Building

"Write the scene from each character's point of view to determine which works best. It'll help you get yourself out of the scene and your character into it." @FineAngeline

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@kwelijournal breakout session #2 =>
Ask Me Anything: On Voice

Comments by @Areliteration:

"Wherever your audience is, meet them there. Especially in children's books, honor your readers."

"The voice is already inside you. It flows freely."

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@kwelijournal Ask Me Anything: On Voice (continued)

Comments by @ArthurALevine1:

"The only way to hear the voice of your writing is to speak it; read it out loud to someone else."

"You don't always have to speak in first person to tell your story."

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Breakout session #3 @kwelijournal => Ask Me Anything: On Writing and Illustrating

"If I am not deeply moved by the words in the manuscript, it is not the best project for me." @juanamartinez

"As an editor: step back and let the illustrator go." @EditorHsu

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@kwelijournal => Ask Me Anything: On Writing and Illustrating (continued)

Comments from @jessxsnow:

"Create a cinematic feel to the illustrations." (discussing the picture book The Ocean Calls)

"Hold compassion for all the characters in the story."

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@kwelijournal => Ask Me Anything: On Writing and Illustrating (continued)

"Make what's important to the character (i.e. fear, greatest triumph) relatable to the readers. Answer the readers' question: 'Why should I know [this character]?'" @storiestolife

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This Keynote & Closing on Overnight Success at @kwelijournal is absolute

Knowledge drops by @Meg_Medina:

"Don't be afraid to ask for what you think you deserve to be paid."

"What's wrong is you're not doing this thing. THIS thing that is uniquely yours."

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Keynote & Closing on Overnight Success at @kwelijournal (continued)

@JerryCraft on Imposter Syndrome:
"I had to reposition myself that I do belong and this is what I was meant to do."

AND

Getting into the industry:
"Write what you wished you had as a kid."

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Keynote & Closing on Overnight Success at @kwelijournal (continued)

Inspiration from @ibizoboi:

"I was writing everything just to get in the door. It gave me the skills to write quickly."

"We are selling heart products."

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What a fabulous first event with @kwelijournal and the amazing panelists.

I learned so much, found new books to check out, and new authors & illustrators to follow.

As @ibizoboi eloquently said, "[We are] taking up space so we leave space for others."

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