Turbo Monkey Tales is a group blog focusing on the craft, production, marketing and consumption of Children's Literature. We are illustrators, writers, animators and media mongrels. We are readers! We are published, unpublished and self-published; agented and searching, and 100% dedicated to our Kid Lit journey, no matter where we are on the path. Join our Tribe and grab a vine. The more the merrier!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Monkey Meet & Greet

In October of 2010, eight people arrived in Virginia City, NV to take their places in the SCBWI Nevada Mentorship Program. Little did we know, we would be making such fine monkey friends and would go on to support, tease, love and critique each other into a solid monkey tribe. Below are some snippets of how we eight mentees became Turbo Monkeys.

Hazel:
The first Turbo Monkey I met was Craig Lew. Arriving at Reno airport for the 2010-2011 SCBWI Nevada Mentor Programme I was told to look out for a six foot Chinese Cowboy who would be my transport. I thought they were joking! Then it was off to Virginia City, a haunted hospital and the rest is history. It was a fantabulous time and I'm privileged to know and be associated with this creative bunch of TURBO MONKEYS! They say the best thing about the Kidlit World is the people - and I agree. I'm a children's illustrator and writer and you can see more of my work and books at www.hazelmitchell.com.

Craig:
It was a dark and stormy night, well, actually no...it wasn’t. It was rather sunny and cool. But it should have been dark and stormy because Hazel and I were making our way to the historic cemetery in Virginia City. After a few wrong turns, we found the proper road and that’s where we stopped to chat with Messy McGuire and Squeaky Voice AKA Sarah and Amy. Later that night we went out for drinks at the Palace and on the return Sarah and Amy became my window puppets, as I had an SUV full of people and they got stuck in the hatchback.

Julie:
These guys totally thought I worked in the kitchen—which I did happily as a member of Team Nevada SCBWI—but little did they know it was a cover. As I plotted crock pot vittles and revised the dirty dishes, I spied in on scandalous, chocolate-infused conversations between writers, editors, and agents. When I wasn’t a fly on the wall, I poured through my work-in-progress like my literary life depended on it. I was intent on handing pages over after one last peek to agent extraordinaire Tracey Adams that weekend. I probably missed out on great writer camaraderie with my nose stuck in my lap top, though I did make a harrowing midnight run to the cemetery with some frighteningly cool folks (YA Muses and Naomi Canale shout out!). To think—I nearly missed getting to really know the future monkey crew. That would have been tragic as these monkeys have some seriously great tales (and hearts)...not to mention how they’re truly gracious to the kitchen staff (always a good sign when shopping for future partners).

Amy:
I have so many fantastic memories of my monkeys. It’s hard to believe I’ve only known them a couple years. I remember…seeing Hazel and Craig in the lobby of the hotel our first mentorship weekend and thinking they were a nice, married couple from England. Rooming with Sarah and the hours and hours of serious ab-crunch giggling. Whispering conspiratorially with Kristen, so many times, because there’s something about Kristen that makes you want to conspire. Realizing Julie and I shared a similar story theme and talking away a lazy afternoon about the inspirations for them. Splitting a bottle of wine, snuggled into a couch with Ellen in LA. Halfway paying attention to everything Marilyn says because I’m always blown away by her amazing, effortless elegance. But the best thing is knowing these wonderful people will be in my life for years to come. Because we’re family…of the monkey variety.

Kristen:
As I drove over the mountain into Virginia City I had no idea I was about to meet seven people who would become my Turbo Monkey tribe. Amy, a Steel Magnolia whose Southern charm more than makes up for the fact that she doesn't like chocolate. Cowboy Craig, who I bonded with over tales of our adventures in Hollywood. Ellen, Fellow California Girl, who shares my love of history. Hazel, the Wacky Brit, who can talk to anyone, anywhere and make them laugh. Julie, Provider of Tasty Treats, who is as warm as a fresh baked cookie and wickedly funny. Marilyn, my Mentee Sis, whose writing is as lovely and magical as she is. And Sarah, Fellow Tall Person, who makes me believe that if she were my teacher, math might actually be fun. Since our first meeting, in the wonderfully atmospheric St. Mary's Art Center, they've become much more than my fellow mentees. They're my support network, my cheerleaders, my inspiration, my friends. I'm bananas about all of them.

Ellen:
When I arrived at St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City, I was very nervous. I remember opening the front door and stepping into the carpeted foyer. Boisterous voices came from down the hall. I followed them and found myself in a sunny kitchen. "Hello," said a voice in an English accent. And so I met Hazel, a talented illustrator who loves horses as much as me . . . which is a lot! Sarah was there, my fellow teacher. Sarah managed to find a bakery in Virginia City that had chocolate croissants . . . yum! I remember Craig and his joking and how he had us laughing tears. He wore cowboy boots, too. Halloween was around the corner and Marilyn won the Scary Story contest. Not only did she tell an eerie story, but I learned that she is quite the tap-dancer. (No, she didn't dance while she read her story!) Kristen, my Fellow California Monkey, soft-spoken and funny, took my picture while I was taking hers. Dueling cameras. One morning, I ran into Amy as she was going to visit the Old Catholic Church. We both have an interest in old cities, so I guess she is a Time Traveler, too. Once during the weekend, when I felt overwhelmed and unsure, Julie offered me some scrumptious cookies which made my day. I will never forget her kindness. So now you know about me and my Monkey Friends, the most special of friends!

Marilyn:
Two years ago this October, I climbed the steps of St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City, Nevada, and tried to hide my shaky legs. Not because I was afraid of the ghost that was rumored to haunt the former hospital, but because I knew hardly a soul among the 30 or so people inside. I'm so timid about meeting new people that normally I might have turned around and gone back to my hotel room. But that day, my reason for being there--having been accepted into the renowned Mentor Program sponsored by the Nevada chapter of SCBWI--propelled me up the steps and into the center. For so many reasons, those were some of the most important steps I'd have ever taken, all because of the people gathering inside--an amazing group of talented writers and artists and editors and teachers who were there because of their mutual love of children's literature. My people! My tribe! And, though I didn't know it at the time, my monkeys!
I had actually met Kristen recently through email, because she and I were two of the three mentees who shared the same mentor, the amazing Emma Dryden, and soon we called ourselves "Team Emma!" Once we met in person, right away I loved her intelligence, her wry wit, her family stories, and the way her nose sometimes crinkles when she talks. Later during our mentorship, I learned what a fantastically imaginative writer she is. Oh, and she's the only person I've ever been sorbeted with.
The next person I remember meeting was Craig. He was quite a sight in his red cowboy boots and cowboy hat (yes, Craig?) during our group introductions. Later I had the pleasure of sitting at his end of the table during lunch and hearing about his adventures in Hollywood. I think Craig is a bigwig there, but I don't want to sound like a starstruck tourist by asking. So, I'll just stay cool and keep my ears open. Craig is easygoing, has the quickest wit south of Idaho, and a huge heart. And he writes sharply drawn, good-creepy fiction and graphic novels that are scary enough to make you want to read through your fingers.
Next, I remember meeting Sarah during the introductions. The first thing you notice about Sarah is that she looks like she stepped out of a Renaissance painting. And then you find out she's a high school math teacher, and then you remember that she's also a writer. And then you discover that she's also super nice! When I read her beautiful fantasy prose for the first time, it fit its creator perfectly. You can imagine Sarah sitting in a castle turret wearing a velvet and satin gown (and a crown), writing beneath a shaft of sunlight.
Then, Hazel introduced herself as The Wacky Brit, and right away I loved her too. Hazel is warm and funny and oh-so-clever, and even a little naughty--but in a proper British/Maine sort of way. She creates illustrations with heart and soul and whimsy. Later during that weekend, I also sat with her at lunch (maybe the same lunch with Craig) and watched her toss her scarf behind her shoulder as if she were about the take the reins of her horse before setting off for a country ride. Instead, she took hold of a story. I don't remember exactly what story she was telling, but I was enthralled by the way she told it. In fact, she might have been carrying on two conversations at once. Hazel can pull that off because she's both writer AND illustrator!
Next, I remember meeting Julie, who sat a little behind me. When I turned to see the person from whose mouth the gentle voice was coming, I was struck by her dimples, her dark eyes, and her shockingly beautiful hair. Julie is not only a beautiful writer with deep love for her characters and her readers, she's also a teacher of profoundly gifted students. At first I wondered if she ever felt intimidated by her students, but as I got to know Julie better and learned how smart and kind she is, and how well she knows and respects the audience she writes for, I realized that her students must know what a gift she is to them.
The first weekend of the mentor program was a bit of a blur, and sadly for me, I didn't get to know Amy and Ellen until we had all said good-bye for six months and began talking on Facebook as a group. And then I wondered how I could have missed meeting Amy, because she IS the quickest wit in all North America--maybe on all continents. How do you keep up with Amy? You don't--you just sit back and watch her talk...er, type. Amy is also an architect specializing in green design, and a devoted mom. When we all returned to Virginia City in April, I knew who Amy was, and I gave her a big, warm hug on the front porch. It was a treat to know her. Amy's writing is just like she is--smart, clever, hip, warm--and it's filled with characters that stick with you. She's our uber-organizer, keeping our group on track and on schedule.
And, last but not least is Ellen, whom I got to know best also when we returned in April. During lunch one day, Ellen and I discovered that (1) we both lived in Northern California, (2) were both thinking of going to the SCBWI national conference in LA that summer (2011), and (3) both hated to fly. So, we cooked up the idea to drive together to LA and be roomies. It was sort of a dare. Well, we ended up not driving together (I flew), but we did room together, and it was so much fun! Ellen is smart and fun and deep. Her writing is beautifully detailed and descriptive, and she writes equally confidently in a contemporary novel as in an historical. (Though I suspect that her favorite place to be is far in the past.)
Now that you understand why I love the monkeys, is there any wonder that I jumped at the chance to be in a critique group with them? I had been looking for a group of writers just like us for several months, and was blessed the day they swung into my life.

Sarah:
I got to know some of the Monkeys at the Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program, and didn't have a chance to really know others until we had more time at the 2011 LA SCBWI.
I met Amy the night before the Nevada SCBWI program started. After five minutes with her, I figured that the program was going to be just fine. I blame Amy for the sleep deprivation I suffered those weekends. I'd have gotten much more rest if she hadn't been so interesting or funny.
Hazel was the person you see in a room and want to talk to. She's just that fun. I've been fortunate enough to be able to talk with her ever since. We once shared a flight into Reno and chattered the entire time. The poor man at the window seat put in his earplugs and requested a drink. Hazel and I kept talking.
It didn't take too many conversations to discover that being with Craig was like drinking Red Bull. He's fast, wicked funny, and absolutely capable of saying just the right thing at the right time. Also, he knows EVERYONE. He's the best name-dropper I've ever met.
I heard Julie's query read aloud at the Nevada program. If not for her amazing smile and warmth, I would have been too intimidated to talk to her. I got to know her better at the SCBWI conference in LA. I remember wondering how such a talented writer could make me feel that I was smart and funny as well.
Some of my first memories of Kristen involved carpooling in Nevada. She made the miles slip away, or at least made us laugh so hard we didn't notice the drive. And she's tall enough to look me in the eye and then tell me exactly what I should do with my manuscript.
Ellen is my fellow teacher Monkey. My favorite memory with her was sharing a lunch in LA. We discussed teaching and writing, and tried to act casual when we spotted a celebrity. She gives incredible crits, and sent me a box full of curriculum when I announced I'd be teaching Creative Writing.
Marilyn never told me that she had been nominated for the Sue Alexander Award at the LA SCBWI (which she won!). She has such lovely, insightful writing and she's so humble that you just might miss that, and her mad tapdancing skills.
How lucky am I to have such a terrific Monkey Tribe?

And now for YOU!!  Let us know about you, your favorite fellow monkey or your amazing monkey crit crew.  Share the love--share the vines!  Welcome to the jungle!



The Turbo Monkeys will be posting twice a week so be sure to check back Mondays and Thursdays to check out the chatter in the kid lit jungle. We'll kick off our first official blog post at 8 am, Monday August 13th with a virtual launch party and lots of giveaways!!

103 comments:

  1. Fun post. And I got to know you all at once at LASCBWI11. Was I overwhelmed with all that talent? Why, yes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You were a major highlight that weekend my dear Joanna!
      And someday soon Moto GP!

      Delete
    2. Joanna, we had barrel o' monkeys fun at that conference, didn't we? I'm so glad we got to see you again at Tahoe! Congrats again on this year's mentor program!

      Delete
    3. Loved getting to know you, Joanna! Can't wait for next time!

      Delete
    4. Joanna, we're so happy to have you in the Tribe! You're a major monkey around here!

      Delete
    5. Joanna, thanks so much for coming to the blog. It's so nice to know you, too!

      Delete
  2. I was at the Oct. 2010 conference but as an "Other," a non-Mentee. I just have been friends with Suzy Morgan Williams for many years, highly respect Ellen Hopkins and want to know her more, but mostly take any excuse to return to the state I love, Nevada. First monkey I met was Amy, whom I accosted in the lobby because I really didn't know where to go what to do or if I were in the right place. She was very kind. Later, I met the rest and enjoyed the wonderful sessions. Learned so much my brain turned mush. I write and illustrate; am a storyteller; write poetry; tutor; spoil grandkids and this year will teach Art one day a week at a Homeschool Center.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda ... it was great to meet you and I have enjoyed our interaction on Facebook!

      Delete
    2. LInda, were you also at the Granlibakken retreat? I do remember you from Virginia City and have enjoyed our FB exchanges over since. Thanks for checking in here.

      Delete
    3. Linda, I remember your great ghost story at the Nevada SCBWI conference. I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other a bit more since then!

      Delete
    4. Hi, Linda! Welcome! I hope we'll see you lots more!

      Delete
    5. Yay, Linda! Thanks so much for following the trail to our little part of the jungle!

      Delete
    6. Linda, so nice to see you here! Thanks for joining us!

      Delete
  3. How I wish I'd met you -- any of you, all of you -- at SCBWI LA '11. Instead, I've come to know Hazel through Facebook (because of Joanna Marple, to whom I owe a lot of bananas).

    Delighted to be in on the launch of Turbo Monkey Tales, and my own Blue Monkey (who is blue because he's happy, not because he's sad, as he marches to the beat of a different banana) is thrilled to be in such august company! In August, no less!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darn! Me too .. but we will meet again I knoe. We love your blue Monkey. Beth ... I have never really found out what genre you are writing?

      Delete
    2. I love your blue monkey. Have you named him?

      Hope we do meet soon Beth!

      Cheers

      Delete
    3. Thanks for being a member of the monkey tribe, Beth! I hope we get to meet in person soon!

      Delete
    4. Looking forward to running into you here and on Facebook, Beth!

      Delete
    5. Beth, thanks so much for being a strong monkey supporter! We're sending a banana bunch just for you! And some nutella. :)

      Delete
    6. Beth, thank you so much for supporting us and being part of our tribe!

      Delete
  4. So nice to get a sneak peek into how this whole monkey business started! I am also a Nevada Mentor Program graduate, but have only met two of your monkeys: Craig and Kristen in Niagara Falls, Canada. Just goes to prove all events that begin with an 'N' and end with an 'a' are worth attending! Good luck guys! You've already passed the first rite of passage...coming down that mountain from Virginia City and living to tell the tale....forget the cemetary and the ghosts at St. Mary's...that's the scary part!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stacie ... thanks for commenting ... I loved VC! It's a great place and it's a great programme. What do you write?

      Delete
    2. Stacie,

      Surviving the border crossing to and from Niagara was more harrowing i think.

      Delete
    3. Stacie, I'm so glad we were in a group together at Niagara! Fellow monkeys, not only is Stacie hilarious, she is a master at writing dialogue! We're lucky to have her in our tribe :).

      Delete
    4. Hi, Stacie! I'm just off to search for N--A events! :)

      Delete
    5. Oh, it's always GREAT to have a master dialogue writer in the tree. :) Hi Stacie!!

      Delete
    6. Stacie, so nice to meet another mentee!

      Delete
    7. Stacie, so nice to meet another mentee. Thanks for joining our tribe!

      Delete
  5. Hey Monkeys! Great blog launch...I'm a bit late to the party, but anyone who knows me, knows that's not unusual. I guess I can proudly say I know all the Monkeys! I first met Craig in a critique group at an Andrea Brown Big Surr event where we bonded instantly and became fast friends. From there, I coerced him into going out to Nevada (though I'm not from there, but that's another story) and then convinced him to try out for the Mentor Program, where all the rest of the monkeys connected! From there, I met each of you via fb, then finally met you all face-to-face last year at the LA International SCBWI event. As Stacie mentioned, Kristen and Craig then came over to my event in Niagara! YAY! And well, the connections continue. Hazel is my go to for all sayings 'Brit', (thank you Hazel), I've enjoyed great heart-to-heart writer's chats with a number of the rest of you, and anyone who needs a bit of cheer need only hop over to Craig's fb thread for a giggle and some encouragement. I too, am a former Mentee (I think I just made up that word?) of the Nevada Mentorship Program, same year as Stacie, where her and I bonded over some snacks and a bear (but again, that's another story.) Congrats to the Turbo Monkeys, this is a great idea. Great fun. Great company. Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jackie ... good to have you here. You need a medal for knowing us all. Lovely to read your memories of us ... and Brit speak anytime. xox

      Delete
    2. Jackie! It's been too long--but will hope to meet up with you soon!

      Delete
    3. We need to have a Monkey Meet-up in Niagra next year!! Jackie runs a pretty hopping jungle up there!

      Delete
    4. JACKIE!

      You darling, talented writer!

      Thanks for hanging with us here.

      Delete
    5. Jackie, I'm so glad you're here!
      Monkey tribe, take my advice, if you want to meet tons of awesome writerly folks and attend awesome events in beautiful locales, you must get to know our monkey pal, Jackie Garlick!

      Delete
    6. Jackie, so glad you dropped by! I've been so jealous of the Monkeys who were able to go to Niagra. It sounded like it was a wonderful event.

      Delete
    7. Jackie, thank you for coming, you busy, talented lady!

      Delete
  6. Nice to meet all of you! You're all very talented. I'm glad you have this blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Roberta .. and glad you have the lovely purse!

      Delete
    2. You,too, Roberta! Thanks so much for checking in!

      Delete
    3. Thanks for swinging by, Roberta!! Hope you get to fill that monkey purse with lots of Advance money! oO!

      Delete
    4. I am glad you are enjoying the Monkey Business!

      Delete
    5. Hi Roberta! Nice to meet you too!

      Delete
    6. Roberta, thank you so much for coming! Very nice to see you here.

      Delete
  7. I met the lovely Hazel Mitchell at SCBWI LA '10, where I admired her drawings over her shoulder and we chatted about the quality of tea provided at the conference. (Having lived for four years in merrie olde England, I know the proper value of good tea!) This is a lovely blog launch, I look forward to getting to know the rest of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane! So we did, I had forgotten that. Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting. What are you working on these days?

      Delete
    2. We look forward to getting to know you, too, Diane! What sort of monkey are you? We like them all. :)

      Delete
    3. Hi Diane,

      Tea is an essential part of Monkey's day I've come to find.

      Delete
    4. Craig is SOOOOOO right. I drink Yorkshire Tea .. but I know Craig has GOLDEN MONKEY!

      Delete
    5. Hi Diane! I'm always happy to have another tea drinker for company. Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
    6. Diane, thank you for coming by. Any friend of Hazel is a friend of ours :)

      Delete
    7. Thanks, Hazel and other monkeys! I am a Renaissance monkey: writer, martial arts instructor, foster kitten mom, quilter, and webmistress for SCBWI-Michigan. I spent all last year working on a history reference (Defining Moments: The Gilded Age) and now am back to my first love, YA fantasy/sci fi. Got some great revising ideas at LA this year, so busy on that as well as a new novel. I look forward to reading more on this blog.

      Today's tea: Pu'er direct from China, thanks to my second cousin, who lives in Beijing.

      Delete
  8. What a great concept... thanks for letting me join in on the monkeying around!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I met Hazel when I asked her to sign my arm at the NESCBWI spring conference in 2010. She had just won an award for an illustration she did, and was so warm and full of laughter that I started following her on Facebook.
    This is a brilliant idea for a group blog, and after reading about all of you monkeys I can tell it's going to be a swell place to hang out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MARY!!! Oh no, you were one of my 'arms'. That is so funny. We look forward to hearing more from you, feel free to chat anytiime on the blog. Hope your work is going well!

      Delete
    2. Welcome, Mary! Any friend of Hazel's is a friend of ours! Are you an illustrator monkey, too?

      Delete
    3. Aw Mary,

      So nice to have you here.

      Delete
    4. Hi Mary! We're happy to have you, come hang out any time!

      Delete
    5. Thanks for the kind thoughts, Mary! I hope you'll find lots to enjoy here!

      Delete
    6. Mary, thank you for your support, and for dropping by!

      Delete
  10. Hi there to all you turbo monkeys. I don't know any of you at all but I'm butting in anyway to say hi. Love the concept of a bunch of crazies getting together to monkey around in children's lit. I guess I would have to be a turbo cow as I live on a dairy farm and write from there. Happy to know you and look forward to seeing what nuttiness (no, guess that would be turbo squirrels) you come up with. Visit the crop circle of craziness I call home at www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com....I'll hang out the welcome banana for you. Great blog! Can't wait to see where it takes you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Turbo cows sounds like a fab idea. You should start a group blog!! Milk it for all you can! Thanks for dropping in and saying hi ... come back for more crazy stuff!

      Delete
    2. Hi Sharon! So glad you butted in :).

      Delete
    3. I just popped over to check out your blog and I LOVE those treat boxes! Such a fun idea.

      Delete
    4. I had to pop over, too, and spent a wonderful stretch of time reading through your blog! It's terrific! Thanks so much for saying, "Hi!" Looking forward to seeing you here and there! :)

      Delete
    5. Sharon, thanks for swinging by. Love your blog. I just learned 10 random things about chickens. So cool!

      Delete
    6. Sharon, thank you so much for coming by. I love your blog! (I'm also a lover of tiny things.)

      Delete
  11. Turbo cows must make stellar milkshakes!! Add some bananas and we'll tip over to monkey around! Welcome Sharon! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I could make a turbo cow to be Turbo's friend...what should I call her? Bessie?

      Delete
  12. So cool to see you all dancing and monkeying around here. Feeling a bit like a yenta or a god mother or maybe it's a fairy god monkey. Looking forward to more posts and more fun. They are saying I'm "unknown" but I'm the person formerly (and currently) known as Suzy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzy--our Monkeyenta! Big hugs from your whole monkey tribe! The only thing that even comes close to being a Turbo Monkey is being a mentee! xoxo

      Delete
    2. HI Suzy!
      Yes, you of all people should not be "unknown". Thanks for checking in here and checking up on us.
      Having a barrel of a time but then...look who I'm surrounded by?

      Cheers

      Delete
    3. Suzy! I can't decide between Fairy GodMonkey and Fairy GodMentor...Either way, your presence in our lives has been magical! Thank you for being here :).

      Delete
    4. Fairy Godmentor is an excellent name. Some times it's good to be incognito. Thanks for making us possible.

      Delete
    5. Suzy!!! So lovely to have you drop by! Just look at what you started...

      Delete
    6. Suzy! Thank you so much for coming by. I echo Hazel--thank you for making us possible.

      Delete
  13. Looking forward to reading your posts and getting to know the whole tribe. (~waves~ to Amy)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sharon! We're so glad you've joined us!

      o['-']o <--That's a monkey! HUGS!

      Delete
    2. Sharon, thank you for coming by and joining our tribe!

      Delete
  14. I am SO PROUD of "Team Emma" and so very proud to know all the turbo monkeys! You are one heck of a talented bunch of writers -- and I'll never forget our time together during the SCBWI-NV Mentor Program! Go, monkeys, go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Emma, you are one heckuva mentor, teacher, editor, cheerer-on. Thank you for your encouragement. We love you!

      Delete
    2. We're so proud to have you drop by! And proud to have a good portion of Team Emma in the Tribe! You raise good monkeys!!

      Delete
    3. We owe a lot to you Emma. Thanks so much for your guidance, support, love and vodka.

      Delete
    4. Thanks Emma! And thanks for supporting us!

      Delete
    5. Thanks Emma and thank you for supporting us!

      Delete
    6. I'm so proud to be a member of Team Emma! I wouldn't be here without you, Emma, and I can't thank you enough for being my mentor!

      Delete
  15. What a terrific blog launch! The SCBWI Nevada conference in Virginia City meant a great deal to me, too. It was one of my first SCBWI conferences. I'm delighted to be able to follow the Turbo Monkey mayhem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat, it's so nice to see you here! I enjoyed spending time with you in NV and hearing your ghost poem.

      Delete
    2. Hi Pat! We've got to plan our next staycation pretty soon!

      Delete
  16. I met all my "monkey" friends through online events like Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo last October and Julie Hedlund's 12 X 12 in 2012 which began January of this year. Added more when I joined Children's Book Hub Facebook page and finally gathered the last of the imps with WriteOnCon. I certainly didn't know what to expect when I first began my journey into professional writing a year and a half ago but I am pleasantly surprised by all the lovely people I have come across in the wonderful writing community!

    Donna L Martin
    www.donnalmartin.com
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thats such a great story!! I love how so many people say, the best thing about kid lit are the people. I absolutely believe that. So glad you have a tribe, too! :)

      Delete
  17. Hi Donna! We're so glad to meet you and welcome you to the tribe!

    ReplyDelete