Beyond IQ was fantastic. Everybody there is so well informed and yet still open to learning from one another. I went in hoping to glean a tidbit or two, but left with a feeling of inner peace and a sense that all my kids will end up doing ok. For whatever reason, DD 8 (who has requested that I call her Artemis online) was on my mind the most.

One speaker talked about creativity and peak experiences, and I realized that my best moments have been those that required a long and difficult journey. Much of what she said reminded me of Artemis and her deep investment in her passions. She is very much the artistic type. Artemis attended a Tamora Pierce writing session on Sunday. She rarely shares her writing with people outside the family, but she felt comfortable enough to open up in this session and talk about her writing and what it means to her.

If you don't know Tamora Pierce, she is a very prolific and talented writer. Check her out on amazon or go to her web site at www.TamoraPierce.com .


I often had a hard time choosing one session over another. It was a far cry from the plain vanilla conferences which often have me looking for the "least worst" option. Every speaker had something interesting to say, though at times people disagreed and the room got a bit heated.

It was a wonderful weekend and I hope that many of you can attend next year.

What a happy post! Thanks, Lorel!

Love the online name Artemis, BTW. Good choice, Lorel's DD!

Oh no! Tamora Pierce was there? Giving a writing workshop for kids?

Doggone it, I should have gone and brought DD along - though we were stuck here because of her other commitments. Sounds wonderful and love your DD's screen name.

Sounds great! Would you say it was mostly parents attending? Educators? I went to SENG and thought it was most educators, which was a disappointment at the time because I was dying to talk to parents of HG/PG kids to see if I was insane.

(Yes, is the answer...)

Anyway, I also thought the talks were geared toward folks who knew nothing about gifted, and I felt I knew/had read about a lot of it. This sounds more like what I had envisioned.

Wow! DOK!!!!

How cool is it that Tamora Pierce was there working with the kids!


Officially envious!

I'd say that most were parents of HG-PG kids. There were also many therapists, assessment specialists, etc. A nice mix, all in all.

Tamora Pierce did THREE sessions over the w/e! I sat in on the first, sans kids. My Mom had my girls that day. Artemis really enjoyed the session she attended. But I want to let everyone know that these were not actually workshops that taught writing skills. Rather, they were roundtable discussions on topics like , "How do you get your ideas?" "Is it important to finish every story you begin?", etc. Tamora did share some details on her process and she also talked about what she has in the pipeline.

It's nice to know there are other TP fans here. I share the Pierce books with DS 11 and DD8.

Cym, I am surprised and a bit dismayed to hear that you found SENG disappointing. I am (or was!) upset that I can't attend the national conference this July. I haven't been before, but I do know some amazing people who are involved, and I would expect more than elementary gifted stuff to be offered. Gosh, I hope it's more than that!

Lorel,

I am so disappointed that I couldn't get there! Maybe next year. Glad to hear the conference was so good. I truly wish I was there.

Best,

Questions

Yeah, me to...d'oh! And to think, I did virtually nothing that weekend, while the kids were out of town. Next year Questions!

You're on!

Oh, and in the interests of full disclosure, I have to admit that I had to google Tamora Pierce. I had no clue...

I've got the straight dope on the SENG conference:
www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25312.asp

There will be an ADVANCED track for experienced parents and educators!

take care-

Thanks, I really enjoyed your article.