Today I turn 40.  (Yay?)  Although I typically give my husband a mile-long wish list, I chose not to this year.  Instead, I gave myself a big present.  A really important present.

I gave myself the gift of time to focus on my writing.

Many writers are quite adept at carving out time to write in their busy days, but honestly, these past few months have been particularly challenging for me, and I haven’t been writing as much as I’d like.  This weekend served as a reboot for me.

I’ve always loved learning, so immersing myself in the craft of writing for a few days was invigorating.  I felt like I was back in graduate school as I listened to the master teachers who spoke at the conference.  It’s hard to describe the zing of electricity to my brain and my heart that happens when I listen to someone conduct a bit of well-executed analysis.  The authors and editors who presented work hard to understand the craft of writing, and it was amazing to collect their insights.  It takes some of the mystery out of how to massage a good idea into a great story.

I do not consider myself to be a naturally gifted writer, but I can analyze text and I can work hard.  One of my take-aways from this weekend is if I’m smart enough to apply what I’ve learned, then perhaps there is hope that I can write something that speaks to kids the way that my favorite books spoke to me as a child.

This weekend gave me direction and solid ground to stand on.  It gave me a chance to breathe and feel like a professional again.  I feel in control and full of purpose.

Best birthday present ever.