Looking back: I had 5 books come out last year! WOW! |
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My favorite thing about January 1st is looking ahead. What are my hopes? My dreams? The things that make my insides vibrate with excitement so that I rumble a squeal such as: "EEEeeeeee!" ?? |
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It can be hard to narrow down. It can be hard to determine what's realistic. It can be hard when you feel pulled in many directions or if you don't know how to start. And once you have a list of dreams... How do you get those onto your calendar? Heh, heh... I know how. |
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Over the last couple years I've developed a Time Management system that I'm really proud of. I've taught my system in a masterclass, in a webinar, and now *trumpet blarp* I'm giving my Time Management class at the Marvelous Midwest! If you don't know, the Marvelous Midwest is the SCBWI conference located in the Midwest region. If you're curious about writing or illustrating children's books, I highly recommend joining SCBWI (the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators). If you're going to the Marvelous Midwest this April, I'll see you there!! |
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Here's one of my goals for the year: I want to be an author. |
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I actually already consider myself an author - I tell stories with my pictures which is just as author-y as writing. But I want to grow a story from start to finish, something that came from a little seed of an idea in my head... all the way to a book on the shelf. I know, I know, I can't really control if this happens. But I can try to put myself in the way of some luck, right? |
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I'm writing several stories right now, which are all in different stages of development. I love each one, and I hope an editor will too... Fingers crossed! |
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Once I have a sketch of the story and a couple finished pieces, my agent will put my story "on submission," which means emailing it out to editors to see if it's something they're interested in acquiring. Here's a crop of something I'm writing now: |
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I'm finishing a page or two so they see what style I want the book to be in. I don't want to finish more than that, because an editor will likely make changes to the story to improve it (or make it more marketable). I'm so curious about what that's like. My favorite thing about illustrating in publishing so far is working with a team... Just polishing my ideas alone isn't very satisfying in itself if I'm being honest. I'm sharing my dream with you all, which feels pretty scary. It's competitive out there. I may not get a deal this year or next year or the next. BUT... I have hope and I have the chance to try, so I'm writing, y'all! |
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I want to tell you about a new favorite!! |
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but I forgot it at my parents house after Christmas... |
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SO I've asked Pencil to tell you about an old favorite instead! Take it away, Pencil! |
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Hi, everyone. Pencil here. This is the best book and I will tell you why. |
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This book has cats. Lots. Millions you could say. And a cozy house. Also, a moderate amount of violence is implied. Which, as a carnivore, I appreciate. |
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You should only read books about cats. We are the best animals. Why do any other books even exist? Oh, and Chloe says to tell you that you can walk inside this book at the new immersive storybook museum opening in Kansas City, the Rabbit Hole. Sounds like a delicious place. |
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Thanks, Pencil! This month in Nebraska was COLD. We got down to -20 degrees! Yeow! See you next month, CB |
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