I took 7 students from my school to the Young Authors Conference in Winona, MN.  It was a great day for me, too!  The kids loved it.  I was so happy to see their interest in writing grow like it did.

But, now I'll be a name dropper.  I had a wonderful, writerly day.

I met with Dianne Gray, who just won an award for her book Tomorrow, the River.
Dianne remembered me from when she visited our school and gave me some free software.  Too cool!

I talked with Terri DeGezelle.
She hugged me and encouraged me so much!

I sat in on Sandra Humphrey's presentation for a little bit, because we both belong to MNSCBWI.  I didn't get to talk to her, but I saw that the students responded very well to her presentation.  Some of the kids had very intelligent, creative responses.  Awesome!

I saw Gary Harbo, who had just visited our school the day before.  Great Lutheran guy!

I also dropped my own name with the coordinators of the YAC, so that I can (hopefully) lead a session there one day.  It would be oh-so-cool to be an author on the stage instead of the teacher in the background next year.  My students were psyched by the whole idea.  They REALLY want to come, if I lead a session. 

I guess it's a lot cooler to be in my class if I'm an author than if I'm just plain ol' Mrs. Hovland.