Wow! What a trip to Seattle!
I got to meet Mitsy, the Dragon who guards the entrance to the Mirrorstone Books office. And of course, I also met with Nina Hess, the Senior Editor Extraordinaire.
Then, I almost got swept off my feet with the windstorm that hit the city, sending fall leaves blowing. I had a great evening that included supper with author Susi Fowler from Juneau at the McCormick & Schmick seafood restaurant, along with a visit to the Seattle Art Museum.
Friday morning, before our hosts picked us up, I had breakfast with the fabulous Denise Fleming–what a woman! Her energy and passion for her art challenged me all weekend, as she taught the picturebook retreat that was parallel to my retreat. BTW, it hailed that morning.
Finally, I got to meet Jolie Steckly and Sara Easterly, Co-Regional Advisors for the Western Washington SCBWI, who set up this Novel Revision Retreat, 
and illustrator Jaime Temairik.
We drove up in the mountains to the Mt. River Lodge in Easton, WA, where it snowed on us! It was the earliest snowfall they’ve known, beating the record of October 31.
I finally met Meg Lippert, the efficeint retreat director, who had put all this together. And then, there were the writers. Twenty-four fantastic writers had worked hard to complete the homework assigned, including reading three other works-in-progress novels from their group members. We laughed, ate chocolate, talked, watched the Pirates of the Carribean movie, ate chocolate, and talked children’s literature and novel revision all weekend. Great people, great fun.
Rain, wind, hail, snow. Art, words, encouragement, inspiration. Thanks Washington for a great retreat!