A little while ago, I posted about the Writing for Charity Event at the Treehouse Children’s Museum in Ogden, Utah. I was invited to take part in the workshop as a debut author, and I think I was the “newest” writer at the event. It also happened to be my first time participating in something like this as a presenter, rather than an attendee. I didn’t really feel like there was much of a difference between me and the talented writers we were presenting to, but I had a wonderful time.
I got to participate in a big group panel, and then a smaller session with Emily Wing Smith, Sara Zarr, James Dashner, and Wendy Toliver. After that, I guided a critique of first pages with several soon-to-be-published writers. I was quite impressed with the quality of storytelling in those pages (like I said, not much difference between me and them). I hope I said some helpful things.
As a fundraiser, the event was very successful. The museum raised $8,000, which will be used to put books in the hands of kids, and Deseret Books donated a sizable portion of that. As a workshop, the feedback from attendees was very positive. The mood was light and supportive, and everywhere there was a real sense of community.
Some highlights:
1 – Getting a cool mini harmonica from the Treehouse Museum. It’s what their volunteers wear.
2 – Being introduced by Shannon Hale. Shannon Hale! (She’s one hilarious MC)
3 – Using a commonly accepted expression for bad first drafts, which contains a swear word, in front of a group of attendees, getting some laughter and also possibly scandalizing the grandmother of one attendee.
4 – Seeing my friend DaNae there, who bravely stepped out of her comfort zone and brought her picture book manuscript for critique. Go DaNae!
5 – Assisting Brodi in reenacting the time a woman hit on her at the SCBWI conference in LA. You see, Brodi was dancing at the Blue Moon Ball and… wait, you know what? She tells it much better.
6 – Having dinner afterward with a group of writers I admire, and realizing that I’m pretty lucky to be a part of this community.
To cap things off, here’s a picture that was taken of all the presenters.

photo credit: Gailon Tucker
DaNae
/ September 4, 2009Look at you standing there Iike, “I could pull Jessica George’s hair at any moment, and Brandon Mull is standing in my shadow.”
Thanks again for the push. I still have whiplash.
Brodi Ashton
/ September 9, 2009Awesome recap, Matt. And I loved that you said the s- word. It’s so descriptive, and one of my favorite chapters in Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”.
Now… Dance, Matt. Dance like the wind!
Matt Kirby
/ September 10, 2009Ah, but remember, Brodi:
“I’m not your monkey!”
Sarah
/ October 8, 2009I can not tell you how jealous I am that you met Shannon hale! Have you read forest born yet?
Matt Kirby
/ October 8, 2009Not yet, but I plan to soon.