Writer Spotlight: Dave Stricklen

 

Trilogy, budget, Ripley II, Tween Lit, book sales, Art Prize, and bikes: Author Dave Stricklen

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI. In this piece, meet  author David Stricklen.

I remember meeting you in a Grand Rapids-area coffee shop when you first joined SCBWI. When was that? How fresh from your airport job were you then? 

I was fresh at learning what to do with my free creative time. Wow, that was about 12 years ago! I think we met halfway between Grand Rapids and Lansing. You were teaching me the ropes in running an SCBWI-MI conference.

Did you have the first book in your Blackwater Pond trilogy written at that point? What prompted you to write an adventurous middle grade novel? 

Yes, the first book was in print in 2011. I’ve always thought that if I had any special gifts, they were a result of my active imagination. I thought writing a MG fantasy adventure would be a way to take full advantage of that.

Did you always conceive of the series as a three-book deal, or did the story keep growing as you wrote it? 

The story grew. It was as if the characters had more to say and more adventures to explore and who am I to argue?

Did you attempt the traditional publishing route? How did you find your publishing team, the artist, editors, designers, and printers.

Finding the traditional publishing doors locked up tight despite glowing reviews, I hired Beachhead Publishing. They had an editor with 30 years experience in the industry, a type setter and my best friend happened to be an amazing illustrator with 40 books to his credit. 

I used a quality international printer, (Color House Graphics) in Grand Rapids. Being competitive as I am, my goal was to put out a product that exceeded what the traditional houses were producing. I basically hired my dream team.

The BlackWater Pond books are a middle grade fantasy adventure series: Beneath and Beyond (a Midwest Book Review Bookwatch Selection), Through the Eyes of the Beast and The Heart of the Swarm.

Did you set a budget on what you would spend in order to create your dream of writing for young people? Were you ever at the point where you considered pulling the plug on the whole publishing thing? 

I was always willing to spend whatever it took to produce a quality book. Glossy hard covers, best paper, best art, quality editor, typesetter, printer, etc. I have never considered pulling the plug. Every door that was closed had me crawling through a window. The books have paid for themselves. The money from my book sales paid for each addition book and my website. Profits always go toward my next creative project.

You added a standalone novel. How did Ripley come to put worms under his spell? 

I started with the idea of finding the craziest competition that I could find. I then wrapped the plot so tightly around it that how many worms come to the surface in a half hour becomes the most important thing in the world. Ripley Robinson and the Worm Charmer, is reviewer recommended by KIRKUS Review, featured in their October 2019 magazine and on their 35 great indie books worth discovering list.

Any more novels in the works?

I am currently working on a Ripley II. I also have three PB drafts in a drawer that were written after having grandkids.

You incorporate magic tricks into your school visits. What age were your youngest audience? Your oldest? 

I normally present to 6^th or 7^th grade. I will go as young as 5^th grade when requested.

Covid disrupted your school visit regimen. Were you able to do Zoom visits? How have your sessions changed since then? 

My presentation is very interactive which does not work as well over zoom.  I made the decision to wait and do it right…I just didn’t know it would take so long for Covid to go away. 

I did however, produce a zoom video with MA, MFA Erin Brown through her True North Book Club. Erin Brown created the entire very cool program. In the program, students read a chapter from Beneath and Beyond  then watch a video and learn how the chapter was written. Erin interviews me on word choice, plot ideas, vocabulary, critical thinking, etc. BTW: The 1^st chapter is free…

Below is the link:

https://truenorthbookclub.com/middle-grade/

I also created a website with author Kristin Lenz and retired principal Sue Spahr and called Tween Lit Review. The idea was to have students (the target audience) be the actual reviewers. That would give authors the ability to take on the big titles on an even playing field. I got the idea as I had been beating the popular titles on ground level in school libraries. It was ready to launch when Covid hit. It’s in the can and ready to plug in as soon as the schools catch back up and have time for something new. 

You sell a lot of your books when you visit a school. How do you do it? 

Normal for me would be 60 to 80 books sold per grade. My record was 147 which was more books sold then students. I don’t go in as a book salesman. I share the creative process and the fun of creating stories on the fly with the students. 

I do use my books as examples during my visit and sprinkle in magic tricks as memory cues. I hand out order forms after the presentation. I always come back the next day to deliver books. For more about what I do, simply see the below link to the school visit video that I did for the SCBWI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjn7SI_M0PM

 

How about that 3-D art you’ve been doing for Art Prize? What inspired your first reverse perspective painting? It was a big piece. How and where did you paint it? 

I discovered that I have some kind of a geometric reverse perspective knack for it. I love solving the complex puzzle of angles and then paint the lines and shadows in reverse to make the painting move. My largest painting was 9ft long, however, all my paintings are large. 

You’ve done different paintings since then, all employing the painting chops that makes the painting seem to move with you. Were you able to streamline your process each year? 

Yes, I get a bit faster and more complex with each painting. I am seeing it all a bit more clearly than I did when I first started.

Below is a link for videos of some of my favorite reverse perspectives showing the movement. 

https://www.blackwaterpond.com/artprize-entries/

You’ve won awards, even sold a few paintings. How many years have you entered ArtPrize? Do you have plans for next year’s entry? 

I have entered ArtPrize 7 years. I have already started working new angles for 2026.

Exhibition History & Recognition

·      Multiple Grand Rapids ArtPrize 3D Popular Vote Finalist placements. (largest attended art competition in the world)

·      Several Colors of Community Popular Vote 1st Place awards (post ArtPrize)

·      1st Place 3D at the IQhub Museum Art Competition

 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not, has purchased two of my paintings:  “Guardian Angel” is hung at the brand-new Ripley’s Pigeon Forge Illusion Lab in Tennessee. They also recently purchased my “Space and Time” from this year’s ArtPrize. It is currently planned for their museum in Queensland, Australia.

You were the Police Chief at the Grand Rapids airport. What are some of the stories you’re willing to share about your time as the Top Cop at the airport? Any plans to write a memoire?

There are too many stories and not enough room here, but I could easily fill several hours at a coffee shop. There were many over the top crazy incidences, like pulling onto the runway to block a departing Lear jet with a possible kidnap victim. The plane stopped, the door sprang open and a screaming girl (and others) spilled out. 

Other things like: organizing/orchestrating security for presidential visits, drunks on planes, working with DEA, grabbing bank robbers trying to get out of town, running into yellow flames in shirt sleeves and fire extinguisher to save the airport from burning down, etc…each life story another cup of coffee.

Dave and President George W. Bush

You are a steampunk rocker and sometimes host a Strickapalooza. Set the scene for the uninitiated.

I do dress up on Halloween. This year was my steampunk costume. We had a few Saturday afternoon concerts in my large backyard over the years and called it Strickapalooza. My son Jordan is an amazing musician. We had 120 people, beach balls in the air, shade tents, dunk tank, 3 bands, you get the picture…a real good time. 

You drove editor Arthur Levine partway to a Mackinac Island conference. What do you remember of your encounter? 

It was fun, I liked him…we had several hours to chat about books and writing, etc. What I recall the most is him saying, “Your books exceeded the national average.”

You’ve worked in various positions for SCBWI-MI over the years. Would you list a few, what you did, how long you stayed? 

Grand Rapids Shop Talk coordinator 9 years.

Michigan Shop Talk Liaison (Overlord) 6 years off and on again.

Michigan Indie Coordinator 4 years?

Co-chaired the Eberhard Conference with Jay Whistler in Grand Rapids as well as assisted in multiple conferences anytime requested. Co-presented at a few conferences.

Started up the 1^st Critique Carousel with Anita Pazner

Some of the non SCBWI events include speaking at the Rochester writers conference 3x, Rally of Writers in Lansing 2X, Gun Lake Women’s Club 2X.

You had some surgery, but now you’re riding your bike again. How’s the biking going? 

I had full knee replacement about 6 years ago. I can’t run on it anymore but I can bike as well as I ever have. I co-lead a bike group every Tuesday called The Tuesday Trail Trek. We ride a different trail within an hour of Grand Rapids every week. Our distances are 25 – 45ish and we average 16-18 mph. We have several pics of our fun trip in the Michigan Trails Magazine every year. I have always been active and don’t sit still much.

Please share any social media you care to:

My Website: 

WWW.BlackWaterPond.com

My video on independent middle grade fiction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjhi7dsA6eQ

My video on How to Rock Your School Visits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjn7SI_M0PM

The True North Book Club:

https://truenorthbookclub.com/middle-grade/

My 3D Reverse Perspective Paintings:

https://www.blackwaterpond.com/artprize-entries/

 

 

 

Memories of Mackinac Island

Beautiful spaces, 2011 or 2014?, medicinal fudge, wet bike rides, Arthur Levine, plein air painting, and butterflies: the SCBWI-MI 2014 Mackinac Island conference

Compiled by Charlie Barshaw

Disclaimer:  There were two SCBWI-MI conferences--2011 and 2014--as well as a number of Michigan Reading Association conferences around the same time. So we're going with Mackinac Memories. It may not have happened in 2014, but it happened on Mackinac Island. Thanks to everyone who contributed. 

First memory begins here:

I blame the Mackinac Island conference for my addiction to writing in beautiful spaces. Until then I had been content to labor away in my office or the dining room table at home. Now, I look for every opportunity to write in places wooded and wondrous.

The Mackinac Island Bridge
photo courtesy of Ann Finkelstein

My favorite thing about writing conferences is the community. Getting to chat with other people who love stories the way that I do is a rare treat. Being on Mackinac with that particular group of writers was incredible. Time just slows down on Mackinac. I loved going on walks with other writers, strolling along the shore, down the streets through town, and feeling like we were outside of time. That this space was sacred and we could write and share and never run out of time.

Since that conference, my writing life has really taken off! My debut book, Hanging with My Peeps, was published in 2016. I met the editor for my second book, Junkyard Dogs (Peachtree Teen, 2023), at a MI SCBWI conference. Junkyard Dogs has been a huge success for me--with the audio book being narrated by Robbie Daymond! and the story making the shortlist for the Indiana Author Awards (since I work in Indiana). 

One really cool thing that's happened: As a teen I used my babysitting money to pay for a subscription to Writer's Digest, which I read cover to cover. Just last month, I was asked to write an article for them! What a full circle moment!

--Kat Higgs-Coulthard

I don't think I did a presentation then. I was really new to the group. I think I just attended as a participant. And, yes...it was glorious!
--Deb Gonzalez

Boats and dock
Photo courtesy of Vicky Lorencen

I remember being overwhelmed by all the talented people around me, and surprised by everyone’s kindness! Most meaningful of all was a wonderful walk and talk time that Heidi Sheffield and I shared. She is such a wonderful person!
--Elizabeth McBride

I recently remembered that at that Mackinac Island SCBWI conference I had a fabulous critique by Candace Fleming. I remember she told me that manuscript would definitely one day be a book. And finally two years ago it was published. My Christmas book.
--Lindsey McDivitt


My 2014 conference memories are muddled - nothing stands out! Was I even there, lol! Strangely, I remember the Mackinac conference before that more clearly, not even sure when that was (2010?) when I roomed with Terry Lynn Johnson from Canada and she entertained us with her funny adventure stories.
--Kristin Lenz

Scenic view
courtesy Ann Finkelstein

You've asked me to take a trek down memory lane, and to the 2014 lane to be exact. I'm flattered that you think I might have a good memory. Haha.
At my age, my memory kinda goes in and out, so I'm not sure what I can dredge up from the 2014 conference.

So, I went to THE MITTEN blog and to 2014 and found a treasure trove of pictures and summaries from shadows and others who were in attendance.

September/October might have had lead-in articles, but the Nov blog has a lot of pictures. (See posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

Sorry that I can't offer more to you. I, seriously, remember being there and working hard. I didn't sightsee, or take a carriage ride. Didn't even get to buy fudge.
--Rachel Anderson

plein air in the butterfly house

What I remember most is the 1st Mackinac Island Conference with Donna Jo Napoli, Beverly Horowitz and Tamra Tuller.

Couple memories from that conference (even though you didn't ask.) Donna Jo's dinner speech was a hoot. She had us all in stitches. It had something to do with starting out in the field and making all the mistakes when it came to submission.

Sunday afternoon after the conference ended Donna Jo, her husband Barry (?), Kristin Nitz and I took a walk around the island - through the interior if I remember correctly. Somehow we ended up near the Grand Hotel and snuck in through a side door. It wasn't as grand as expected but somewhat shabby - at least the part we saw. (Maybe that's where the help stayed and not the public part?)
--Pat Trattles

Arthur and Heidi
courtesy Heidi Sheffield

The Mackinaw Conference was one of my most cherished SCBWI-Michigan conferences of all time. I think my favorite remembrance was buying a raffle ticket and getting the prize of a manuscript critique and phone conversation with Arthur Levine. I was SOOOO EXCITED!!!! At the time, ICE CREAM FACE was unpublished, so Arthur took a look at the manuscript and we discussed it on the phone. 

Later that year, I was in NYC for the SCBWI Winter Conference and visited Scholastic with a group of illustrators. We got to see “the great wall,” (I think that was the name) a place they would pin favorite illustrator postcards. I couldn’t believe one of mine was there and was practically tearing up. :)) I had brought a mockup of ICF with me and gave it to Arthur, who ultimately passed on it, but he gave me some feedback that helped me refine it that much more. 

Heidi and Ruth

At the LA conference in 2017, Nancy Paulsen from Penguin/Random House saw it and offered a contract the next week to buy ICE CREAM FACE, which is now a Dolly Parton Imagination Library Book. I encourage members to keep their minds and hearts open to the revision process, going to conferences when possible and meeting folks like Arthur and Nancy. When preparation meets opportunity, it is a beautiful thing.
--Heidi Sheffield

From the best of my recollection, Dana Atnip, Kara Marsee, Nina Goebel and I drove up to the docks in my show van I used to sell my books, often referred to as the Book Mobile. After getting to the island Dana, Nina, and I got an extra roommate to share with, and that was Beth Rayner! 

We shoved all our gear into that room for the SCBWI conference, which was a hoot and a half! Four women and one bathroom! I remember Dana and I renting bikes to take an island round trip ride and headed back up for more conference doings after buying fudge in town. The fudge was for medicinal purposes only, 

I was slated to speak at the conference on self-publishing, a new venture and turn for SCBWI. I remember being extremely nervous but with the help of friends and fudge I was able to deliver. I was happy to meet some great authors and illustrators, some whom I've kept in touch with since then, such as Doris Holik Kelly.

I have been to Mackinac Island before and recently as last summer, 2023 to do research for my book. It's truly a magical place especially off the beaten or paved path. 

photo courtesy Heidi Sheffield

I remember that the trip went by far too quickly, but I did sneak time in to get down to the Mission Point shore to observe and sketch a mother beaver and her clan working on their lodge. This was all that stayed in my mind from that trip. The industrious beaver family and the overcrowded room. 

Sadly, last summer at the island the beaver lodge had been torn down and the family not seen. Some say that they are secretly housed safely up further on the eastern side of the island, I should go back again to look for them! 

Yes, all in all, a great conference with great connections and would love to rejoin the SCBWI gang to return to the island for another conference.
--Lori Taylor

Plein air and visitor
courtesy Ann Finkelstein

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

Arthur Levine who was with Scholastic… (the publisher of the Harry Potter Series) was visiting some friends in Saugatuck and wanted to get to the conference (as a speaker) a day early. Anita called from her up north cottage and asked if I could drive him up to the island. I explained that Saugatuck is not a close drive for me and I would not be going up for another day. Anita is so personable and nice that you just can’t say no to her, so I came up with an alternate plan. I said, “If you can get him to my driveway, I will meet someone halfway.”

Arthur’s friends dropped him in my driveway. He commented on how much yard I had and how uncluttered and organized everything was. I imagined that in a New York City apartment things are a bit more cramped. I drove him up in my 350Z to make it fun. We had interesting conversations. He said my books exceeded the national average but would never publish them as they had already been published.

That halfway person was the wonderful & good friend Jay Whistler, whom I didn’t yet know at the time. He bought us lunch before she drove him the rest of the way.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

It is a magical place. Yes, I have been there many times. On this trip the sky broke loose and it poured. Water was gushing out of the eaves. Christine Grabiel & Linda Barley rode bikes from Linda’s cottage on the other side of the island. They were soaked to the skin however, they were still all smiles and laughter.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

I think I spoke with three others on indie publishing. Sandy Carlson, Julie Hedlund & (sorry I can’t recall the 3rd one maybe Lori Taylor?). I only had 10 minutes to speak and wanted to get a lot in and thus probably spoke way too fast. I was impressed that RA’s Carrie and Leslie sat in on the session.

Anita and me
courtesy Anita Pazner

Ha! I remember that you and Anita dressed up in 18th century garb.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

My wife also came to this one. We didn’t do too much walking around due to the rain.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

I recall Kirbi showing me her amazing artwork portfolio. I was very impressed.

I felt like I knew Arthur pretty well after the long car ride. We talked shop nonstop. He had many questions about indie publishing.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

Having been there before I don’t recall. I think we may have ridden a bike around the island on a dry day.
--Dave Stricklen

In the butterfly garden
courtesy Anita Pazner

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I live in Marquette in the UP, so I drove south to the ferry marina. I remember thinking that most of the attendees from Michigan would be driving north to get to the same location. And lucky me, I got to experience three of five Great Lakes in one day: Superior, Michigan, and Huron. The ferry boat is the coolest (literally) transport method! You can see for miles across pristine freshwater oceans, and as Mackinac Island approaches, slowly leave behind the normal hustle and bustle of cars and trucks and enter the beguiling magic of a simpler time.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been to Mackinac Island as an enthralled child (biking! horseback riding! fudge eating!), a moody early teen (“can we go now?”), and finally as a woman in her late twenties vacationing with her long-term boyfriend. I left that trip engaged!

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

They were all fantastic. So giving and authentic. I believe they all loved leaving their real lives behind for a few days and sharing what they knew with attendees. 

Arthur Levine floored me with his description of editing the Harry Potter series for the US market. Greatness in our midst! Then, he floored me again in our one-on-one critique of my middle-grade novel manuscript. I had a big inferiority chip going into it (did I mention he was the US Harry Potter editor?), but he nudged me out of that unhelpful mindset and treated me respectfully. The gems he gifted that day are still part of my writer toolbox.

Eric Rohmann, Anita, Candy Fleming and me
courtesy Anita Pazner

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

We were too busy with the conference to do much sightseeing, but one delightful memory involved Arthur again. As we walked to dinner on Thursday night with faculty and volunteers before the conference started, he sang show tunes a capella. He had a great voice, but his enthusiasm was unparalleled.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

Anita and Heidi
courtesy Anita Pazner

Conference coordinators Charlie Barshaw and Anita Pazner thought of all the details that would make the weekend special, organized, and memorable. They were effective, funny sidekicks who modeled partnership at its best.

What was your biggest surprise?

I was surprised that so many people made the effort to drive, ferry, horse taxi, and walk to be together and learn. Our community of bookmakers is truly remarkable.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Charlie!
--Carrie Pearson

I’m afraid I am mixing up the two events we had on the island. One with me and Monica as RAs and one with me and Carrie.

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I remember we got a late request from Arthur to pick him up a day earlier than we had planned. The planners were already near the straights. We ended up contacting Sue Thoms and Dave Stricklen and Jay Whistler, who coordinated picking him up and driving him north. Ask Jay about this, her memory is probably better.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been there a few times. Always magical

Leslie, Arthur Levine, and Christy Ottaviano
courtesy Anita Pazner

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

Donna Jo Napoli—a class act. Not about her work, which I love, but about her manner and capacity for sharing with attendees.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

Several of us rented bikes and rode around the island. We visited the library and sat on the back deck with books, visited the school and walked up and around the Grand Hotel grounds.

What was your biggest surprise?

I remember the tulips and getting everyone to hold up their arms to invoke good weather

Leslie plein air-ing
photo by Anita Pazner

--Leslie Helakoski


What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

I enjoyed spending time with the illustrators in the butterfly house.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I had been to Mackinac Island before, but I hadn’t stayed at the Mission Point Resort.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

I remember talking to Sandy Carlson, PJ Lyons, Lori Eslick and Heather Shumaker.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

I remember the gardens were gorgeous.
--Ann Finkelstein

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

When I attended this conference, it was my first at Mackinac. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a friend’s cabin for the night before the conference so that I wouldn’t have to drive so far. 

While there, a bit of a situation arose: presenter Arthur Levine’s transportation fell through. The RAs and conference organizers were having a tough time finding someone so last minute, especially because he needed to be picked up in South Haven (or maybe Saugatuck). Wherever we had to collect him, there didn’t seem to be anyone in that area attending the conference the next day to bring him along. 

plein air painting
courtesy of Anita Pazner

Instead, we cobbled together a solution. Dave Stricklen would drive from Grand Rapids to pick him up, and then I would meet them halfway to Mackinac (near Big Rapids). This meant I had to drive 1.5 hours south of the cabin, meet Dave and Arthur, drive north to St. Ignace for three hours, take the ferry across, and get Arthur to Mission Point in time for the Friday night opening activities. All this after having driven four hours the day before to get to my friend’s cabin.

Needless to say, I was wiped out, so I don’t remember much about the conversations Arthur and I shared on the drive. I do remember asking him some specific questions about publishing in general, and he was gracious enough to share his thoughts. At one point, he said, “Tell me about your current WIP.” I almost drove off the road…maybe. I don’t recall. I was very tired. But it seems likely, doesn’t it? THE Arthur Levine wanting to chat about my work? He offered some great advice that helped me with some sticky spots in the plot. I will always be grateful for that.

When I told my husband about all this when I got home, he said, “Isn’t that nice,” and I could practically feel him wanting to pat me on the head. So I explained who Levine is and how huge a deal this whole thing was, and that it would be like a non-writer being asked to chauffeur Tom Hanks somewhere. My husband finally understood and honestly got happy for me.

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

Lori Eslick
plein air leader
courtesy of Anita Pazner

I had been to Mackinac about six years earlier, when my husband and I took our daughters there while on vacation. Though we only spent the day, I remember walking through the streets and marveling at how lovely the gardens were. It seemed the neighbors competed to win “Most Beautiful,” but I don’t know how anyone would be able to choose. I also thought it was remarkable because all the flowers were annuals, which they probably couldn’t plant until June, and yet here they were, in the middle of July, a glorious riot of a rainbow.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

I’ll be honest that I don’t remember much about the presentations. That was partly because I had volunteered to run the conference bookstore, and there was a huge issue with the spreadsheet, messing up all the calculations. I spent a large portion of the conference trying to fix the issue, and eventually had to do things by hand. That meant I wasn’t able to attend as many sessions as I would have liked. It was also the last time I did the bookstore. To those of you who do it now, there is a special place in heaven for you.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

Photo courtesy Ed Spicer

I did not sightsee, which I was sad about. I had hoped to spend some quality time along the water, but the bookstore debacle commanded all my free time.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out?

Several people stepped in to keep the bookstore moving while I dealt with the technical issues. Jennifer Rumberger and Dave Stricklen were especially helpful, and Cynthia Mathes, an SCBWI member from Louisiana, offered her support by running to the local bookstore to pick up some speaker books that hadn’t been delivered. I would never have been able to manage without their help. If there is anyone else who helped out and I have forgotten, please accept my apologies, but know that I am truly grateful for all the support.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

I love a good ferry ride, unless it’s the kind where I am stuck in my car the whole time. Then I freak out that the ferry will capsize and my car will become a coffin. This is what happens when you have anxiety. ;) Thankfully, the weather over was nice, just a bit chilly, but not too cold. Arthur wanted to sit on the upper deck to enjoy the view of the Mackinac Bridge and the fall air. He seemed to be basking in the moment.

more plein air
courtesy Anita Pazner

He also commented on the buggies and bikes and was fascinated by an entire island with no motorized transport. He asked questions about when this happened, why they decided to do this, how people traveled in the winter, etc. I realized that, despite being a nearly life-long Michigan resident, I didn’t know the answers to these questions. So I looked it up to be able to share it with Arthur. (In case someone needs that history, here’s a link to it.)

What was your biggest surprise?

My biggest surprise was probably the bat I would see every morning and evening in a back hallway as I walked to breakfast and back to my room at night. To be clear, the bat was outside, so I was safe, but I loved being able to watch it through the window. Sometimes it spread its wings to stretch (perhaps between naps?), other times it didn’t move at all. But he was my little companion for the entire conference. And it seemed like the perfect time of year to spend a few days with him.

What's happened to you over the past 10 years?

Since that conference, although Arthur helped me see through a sticky plot issue, I've put that novel on a shelf. Actually, I've put that novel in the trash. I can hear the collective gasp right now. But it was the right move. What I realized that it wasn't just the plot that was stuck. It was me. (All the Swifties now have the lyrics to "Anti-Hero" running through their brains.) Although I spent years on it, I got what I needed out of it. When I started, it was the novel of my heart. As the years went by, it became the albatross on my back. (I may be mixing metaphors here, but you get what I mean.) And while it will never see the light of day, it is the novel that taught me how to write.

It was also holding me back because it showed me that I had gone as far as I could on my own. I no longer knew what I didn't know. I needed a different approach. As soon as I deleted all my files, shredded all my pages, and let it go emotionally, my writing path changed in a big way. 

butterfly and flower
courtesy Anita Pazner

First, I went back to graduate school and got my MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After graduation, I started my own editing business, helping other authors develop their manuscripts and their skills. I have spoken at conferences here in Michigan, around the country, and internationally. 

I became a submissions reader for three different literary agencies and two literary journals. I've judged multiple writing competitions. But even more importantly, I am now a published author with two MG titles, one short story, and a second soon-to-be-published short story coming out. I'm currently working on another MG, this time historical.

Deleting an entire manuscript was a scary step, but it was what I needed to move forward. And though it may seem trite or hyperbolic, it's fair to say that Mackinac was the tipping point, so I took a leap and changed my life.
--Jay Whistler

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression? 

Yes. We’d been there a few times. Loved the facility we were at. Perfect!

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you? 

Yes. But for some reason I can’t remember her name. She had me in tears at one point, I remember. She kinda wore old hippie clothing. And I had read her most famous book. God! My memory is slipping . . . who were the presenters at that conf.? Tell me, and I can pick her out.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon? 

Yes. Went for walks. Always loved going up over the hill and through the woods. Past the cemetery.

Any interactions with faculty or fellow attendees that stood out? 

Heidi 
courtesy Heidi Sheffield

Got to know Heidi a bit more. But always, loved seeing folks.

What’s writing life been like for you these past ten years? 

(What! You want a treatise? It’s always been full of ups and downs. I have a new agent now, after 21 years with my old one. I’ve immersed myself in writing a lot of poetry as I wait to hear about book manuscripts. And after about 10 years just submitted a new novel manuscript to my agent. We’ll see if it sells. Still loving the process, even without any major sales lately.)
--Shutta Crum

To close out the Mackinac Memories, prolific author and esteemed faculty member, Candace Fleming:

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island 2014, and/or the return trip home?

The moment I remember most was when one of the participants sang OH, NO to me in the lobby.  He used the book’s text and put it to the tune of “Froggy Went A-Courtin’.”  Then other attendees chimed in, and suddenly I was being serenaded with my own words.  How amazing!

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

I’d been to the island before, so I was excited to return.  I remember being charmed by the hotel… and the fudge.

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

Christy Ottaviano’s talk resonated with me.  Her words inspired me to be a better writer.  Arthur, I remember, made me laugh.  And I met Jodell Sadler there… the beginning of a friendship that continues to this day.

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

It was rainy so I don’t think I did a ton of sightseeing.  I did eat a lot of fudge.  Yup, I know.  I’ve mentioned that already, but let’s face it, the fudge is memorable.  I love that little knife that comes with one’s brick of chocolate.

What do you remember about the ferries? The horse-drawn wagons? The bicycles?

It was wet going home on the ferry.  I didn’t ride in the horse-drawn wagons.  I did, however, take a ride around the island when I first arrived.  It’s such a beautiful place, and so different from one end to the other.   

What was your biggest surprise?

Ruth plein air painting
courtesy Anita Pazner

I was delighted by the conferees – smart, kind, hard-working.  I wished I’d lived closer so I could make them all my best friends.  Honestly, I remember it being one of the coziest, companionable conferences I’d ever attended.  And I met you and Ruth there!!

--Candace Fleming

 

Charlie Barshaw conducts interviews for The Mitten. He co-chaired conferences in 2013 and 2014. He is fortunate to know so many talented and giving creators in the Children's Literature community.