-At Pam Zollman's speech: I can turn my fiction writing into nonfiction magazine articles for fun and profit!

-At my personal critique with Alyssa Henkin: My writing is technically good, but would be improved with an injection of more emotion for the main character. In other words; I've got good plot but need better character development. Also: I'm definitely MG.

-At the red-eye critique sessions with other writers and the discussions following: The difference between publication and obscurity might just be listening to others. It is pointless to go to a critique if you're not willing to at least listen to others' suggestions and comments.