Right before heading to NYC, I realized that the Teen Author Carnival would be taking place while we were in the city.
See, all these amazing names? I was torn because I was on my honeymoon telling my hubby how much I wanted to go there but of course knew that he would not really enjoy it…Plus we had tickets for the Daily Show right before so I knew I wouldn´t be able to listen to both sessions…And see I love The Daily Show, I´ve got the biggest crush on Jon Stewart…but the conflict, oh the conflict…I wanted to have it all and my hubby (the greatest hubby) enabled me to indeed have my cake and eat it too!
Right after attending the taping of The Daily Show, we hailed a cab and went on our way to the Jefferson Market Library. There, I stood outside for the end of the “You don´t know you´re beautiful (keeping it realistic)”. And listened, laughed while taking in the crowd, the enthusiasm and the fact that I was just a few feet away from authors I admire.
Then, I turned to my hubby and told him that if he wanted to go have a drink while I was going to the next panel, he could. I mean I did feel bad about dragging him along…so on his way he went.
And I attended the next panel entitled “Where have you been all my life? (let´s talk boys)?”….
I even asked a question. Yes, I raised my hand, forgot how self-conscious I sometimes get about my French accent, tried to ignore the erratic beating of my heart…and did it 😀
I did mention before asking my question that I was French and on my honeymoon (also highlighting how cool my hubby was since he dropped me off there). I am glad I did because that´s how Rebecca recognized me (yay again!). I asked the authors about developing crushes on their own characters (not necessarily the love interest but those who suddenly become more important in their eyes and that they have issues letting go).
The answers made me laugh and made me nod and made me smile and made me wonder how lucky I was to have those wonderful writers look at me in the eyes as they were answering. Totally fan-girling the event 😀 Some pointed out how crazier you become the more books you write since you have all these voices in your head. When I mentioned this to dear Chemical Engineer, he shook his head and gave me the eyes (the ones meaning: wait, you can be even weirder? :D)
Here are some notes I jolted down while listening to the different sessions (I am not sure who said what…reminder: next time, be more careful about taking notes):
About cursing in YA novels:Â
- “Always stay true to character…that is the most important. Teenagers can smell if someone is being fake and then it doesn´t work.”
- “There is a different between ´I have a problem´ and `I have a fucking problem´”
About sex in YA novels:
- “I always try to have sex scenes in my novels. But one time, it just didn´t work with the characters. I was all about having them do it and suddenly, one of them says she´s tired! So basically in my head, my story ends like this ´The End. and then they went to have sex´.”
- “My editor did scrap some of the making out scenes I had…because, well, they didn´t make the plot advance, it wasn´t important for the story. I just had them making out for pages and pages. I loved writing those scenes but…”
Elodie Nowodazkij 
This sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing the highlights.
It was really great! I am glad you enjoyed this post, Kelly 😀 I wish I could have shared more of the event or of the funny things those amazing authors said …
Wow, you were in luck! Such an amazing event! And thanks for sharing 😉
No problem 😀 I got quite lucky indeed 😀 It was really amazing! Hope you´re doing well Juliana!
Haha! Love that hubby got a self-esteem boost. 🙂
It sound like you had a great time and picked up some insightful tidbits too. I wondered how you and Rebecca managed to connect in the midst of so many people. How cool is that? I might have to try and get to this and to BEA some year. The stories I’ve been hearing over the last week have made me so envious. 🙂
😀 I cracked up when he told me the story, he sounded so happy, lol 😀 Rebecca caught me on my way out of the room, she had heard my question and figured out who I was…It was a tad surreal and quite amazing 😀 Oh I hope you can manage the next SCBWI, it´d be so awesome if we could all make it!
Sounds like fun!
It was really amazing 😀
Great recap! So glad you asked that question. 🙂
Thanks Rebecca 😀 I really wished I had taken a notebook with me or something 😀
What an amazing experience! You’re incredibly lucky. Thank you for sharing that. 🙂
Thanks Robin 😀 It was truly amazing, I still have stars in my eyes!
Man, I skipped this because I was exhausted, but now I’m so wishing I went. Thanks for such a thorough recap, though. I feel like at least I know what I missed!
BEA also sounded like great fun and quite amazing 😀 I have to say it is just wonderful to be in a small room with wonderful authors (not in a stalker kind of way but still :D)…
What joy! Great timing, hope you are really inspired now 🙂
It was indeed perfect timing 😀 Those people are really inspirational and so much fun to listen to!
Oh my! I used to live in NYC, and I would have LOVED to go listen to those talks. Thanks so much for sharing the highlights with us. Almost as good as being there. 😀
Those authors were just so much fun to listen to, interesting, full of insights and humor 😀 I am glad I was able to share tiny bits of this wonderful event! Glad you enjoyed the post 😀
So much awesome in one post! First of all, your hubby is a total sweetheart for being a good sport about you to attending the event during your honeymoon. He scored a drink or two out of the deal, but still… 🙂 I’m so glad you shared a few of your takeaway notes. I love learning about how pubbed authors do what they do, and it sounds like you heard some fascinating anecdotes. Finally… I’m so envious that you and Rebecca got to meet! Two of my favorite blogging friends uniting in NYC. So cool!
Awwww thanks Katy! 😀 My hubby did earn a lot of brownie points that night…I was amazed to sit so close to these authors. I kept looking at Jennifer E. Smith and thinking how much I loved loved loved her book! 😀 Meeting Rebecca was wonderful and totally unexpected! Are you thinking of going to a SCBWI at some point maybe? It´d be so great to go have some drinks altogether! 😀
I’m so glad that you got a chance to make it to this Elodie! It sounds like it was so much fun. And your husband is such a good sport!
Thanks Jessica 😀 My hubby was very understanding 😀 And the event amazing so it was a big plus all around!
How fantastic that you got to work this into your trip! And your husband sounds like a truly wonderful guy – no wonder he got hit on. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experience and your notes from the event!
Thanks Kitty 😀 Hubby is indeed quite wonderful 😀 I just read your comment to him and he was like “hey hey hey that´s true” lol
What a serendipitous event and how sweet of your hubby to give you such a wonderful opportunity! 🙂
I do have a very sweet and amazing hubby. I am one lucky lady! 😀 The event was wonderful! 😀
Awww, I’m so jealous, sounds like awesome fun! & you shouldn’t be ashamed of your accent, I’m sure everyone loved it! Kudos for asking a question, I don’t know if I would be brave enough 🙂
Thanks so much Kat 😀 It was really amazing and well..I really cannot get rid of my accent. I mean I like it but sometimes it can make for awkward moments – I might share some at some point 😀 I´m sure you would have been brave enough too! And my heart pounded really hard in my chest as I prepared to raise my hand 😀
I still wish I had gotten the chance to meet you at this event! Funny, because I was sitting next to Rebecca at both sessions and still didn’t realize until after the fact that you were the one who’d asked that question! I’m glad you were able to go, and your hubby sounds awesome. 🙂