Each day at this conference is filled with gems, gold nuggets, inspiration, rude awakenings, and new friends.

Some of my favorite quotes today:

Karen Cushman: “Writing is giving power to thoughts and ideas” and “I don’t force myself if the writing isn’t going well. Recess and relief feeds my writing.”

Eve Bunting on her books: “It’s not always the ones that win the awards that are closest to your heart.”

Kadir Nelson on getting ready to draw: My hand has to be steady. I spend a lot of time stalling. The bathtub might need to be cleand or the dishes washed…something to get my mind off the pressure.”

Ellen Hopkins on her rise to the top: “Do not look for the easy way to the top and expect to work hard” and “You don’t decide to be a writer. You are a writer.”

And lastly, Karen Cushman quoting W. Somerset Maugham: “There are three rules for writing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.”

More tomorrow!