Genevieve Nine

Allyn Johnston: Most picture book manuscripts we receive don't leave enough room for illustrations. #la15scbwi

Athletes need to take in protein for training. An author must study hundreds of books to learn the craft.-- Varian Johnson. #la15scbwi

Establish your central metaphor in the beginning. It should build on itself, @VarianJohnson says. #la15scbwi

"Little to nothing should be unintentional in a novel, even the names of the characters." - @VarianJohnson #la15scbwi

"You don't have to get all your symbolism down in the first draft. Work out character arcs and plot points first." @VarianJohnson #la15scbwi

"Where it emotionally feels right is probably where the metaphor needs to be." —@VarianJohnson #la15scbwi

"Write what obsesses you." -- Meg Wolitzer #la15scbwi

Agent @barrygoldblatt on spurring productivity: "We are monkeys. The best way to make something happen is to reward yourself."

"If you're good enough to get published, you will get published." @barrygoldblatt

.@DanSantat was discovered at an SCBWI conference by Arthur Levine (@aalbooks) #la15scbwi

"Your time will come. It's not a race to the top of the mountain." -- Caldecott winner @DanSantat #la15scbwi

"You have to write a lot of lousy stories in order to get to a good one." —@DSantat #la15scbwi

"The hardest part of finding your voice or style is trusting your own instincts." @DSantat #la15scbwi

"Do what you love and the work will find you. Don't think about the money. Think about the craft first and foremost." @DSantat #la15scbwi

"We're colleagues. We're not out to undercut each other. You're not competing with anyone in this room." @barrygoldblatt #LA15SCBWI

.@AgentPenfold: "If you have a rich reading life, you will have a rich writing life." #la15scbwi

Advice from Jenny Bent: Be a mensch. (Be kind. Be helpful. Be generous.) #la15scbwi

.@BarryGoldblatt: "Take all the steps you can to toughen up. This is a tough business. It won't always be a kind business." #la15scbwi