Loving my local library

I sometimes feel a bit sad that we live in the outskirts of Perth when there seems to be so much going on closer to the city. It's true that there are advantages to living outside the hustle and bustle, but you know how that grass can look look when it's way over yonder.

With that said, we were lucky enough to have a couple of author talks recently at our local library in Clarkson. In late January children's book author Ken Spillman spoke about his 'Jake' series of books. My very-nearly-four-year-old got a kick out of his signed copy of Jake's Gigantic List, the story of Jake's quest for the perfect birthday present.

I was multi-tasking as always, listening for writing tips, birthday gift hints and corralling the littlest mister. Afterwards whilst getting our books signed I learned that the proceeds of 'Jake's Gigantic List' go to the Children's Book Council of Australia. What a great show of support for a very hard-working organisation.

Then a couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a flyer advertising a talk by local author Sara Foster. Her latest book 'Beneath the Shadows' was released last month.

So off I went again, this time without children, to attend a very civilised event which even included refreshments! Of course, the crowd were all there to listen. Many had questions - including myself, but I was not quick enough to get them in! Anyway, Sara was very easy to talk to afterwards during the book signing. As fate would have it I bumped into her at the local market the following night. So who knows, maybe next time she'll be ahead of me in the grocery queue and I can ask her how the heck you're supposed to write novels with young children in the house!? As for the book itself, I'm very much engrossed and cannot wait to stop writing this so I can get back to it.

So, I'm very much looking forward to finding out what talent will be heading our way next. We really do appreciate them thinking of us out here in 'upper-whoop-whoop' :)

All That I Need

I have all that I need. I am very healthy, happy and loved.

All children deserve health, happiness and love. When I wrote a little picture book called All That You Need, I was writing for all children. But in particular, I was writing for a little 5 month old baby boy who had been separated from his parents. I have a special wish for this story. Today I edited it and took the first step in trying to make this wish come true.

I feel so glad that this story has now taken it's first step into the big wide world. Whether or not fate brings this story to children out there, I feel great that now it has at least a small chance - a much bigger chance than if it were not written at all!

Caz

Nose Picking just got better

It's been a little over two months since NaPiBoWriWee 2010 when I wrote my first batch of picture book drafts. I was fairly pleased with a couple of them, especially seeing as they were my first attempts. However, the thought of editing them was scaring me. Why? I believe there were several possible reasons for my dread and panic:

1. I feared I would break them
2. I feared that my writing ability had expired - ie: the stories were a fluke.
3. They might get better - which meant that they weren't perfect in the first place - tut, tut! Imperfection? Mois?

Well, I have my project manager(!), Glenn to thank for flagging my picture book edits as very important - even more important than washing socks! This afternoon I grabbed a quiet moment while Cy was asleep to look through others' critiques of "I Didn't Pick My Nose". First I made one small change, then another ... and another...and I felt very satisfied after each successful alteration. It wasn't at all scary. In fact, I felt very proud. I am still glad that I let it simmer for a couple of months, though. The weaker parts just got weaker with time, and the stronger parts stayed strong.

'Edit Number One', I like you. You are a good read. However, you wouldn't be what you are today if it weren't for the pioneer, the bold and inaugural 'First Draft' who went before you. Thank you, First Draft. You will not be forgotten.

Caz

A thorough day's work

How can it be that a thorough day's work as a writer can look like so very little on the surface? I spent the day reading, clicking, reading, clicking, clicking, clicking, reading, tapping, tappity-tapping, deleting, adding, reading... but somehow I don't feel like I achieved very much!

The good news is that I completed assignment number two for my Professional Children's Writing Course. I hope I did what was expected - once again it wasn't too difficult. I guess it was because the idea was already firmly in my brain. It's sort of taking some time to get my head around the fact that I am totally enjoying what I am working on. I mean... is that allowed?? Do I deserve to be sitting here enjoying what I'm doing? I guess I am more accustomed to the idea of work being a bit of a drag - like a lot of other people, I'm sure.

I am really in awe of the people I've met through SCBWI, and others, who have followed their dreams and utilised their skills in the arts. They must have had some great support to get to where they are today (one would hope!) There are definitely some negative people out there who will try to stop creativity in its tracks. I guess they might be well-meaning, but they sure can confuse a person and throw them off-course.

Anyway, I am not dealing with people like that in my happy, little bubble. I hope you're not either.
:)
Caz

Getting set to go...

It won't be long now until I'm sitting studiously at the SCBWI Summer Conference, pen and paper poised! I have been looking at the schedule, trying to figure out which talks I cannot miss. It is really difficult - especially as a beginner. There is so much to learn! It's especially hard because I don't know what kind of writer I am. I have drafted several picture books, but now a little idea for a chapter book is whispering in my ear! Pssst...

I submitted assignment number one of my writing course this evening. I do feel very clever. It has been more than three and a half years since I last did an assignment! It was a nice little introductory piece. I had to introduce myself, talk about my motivation for writing for children and set a few goals for the next year and beyond. I thought it was strangely simple, but I realised after a while that although I had set out to write in an informal tone ('...as if chatting to a friend,'), I had gotten all academic in the midst of it. So I went back and did a bit of editing and made it sound more like me. I am guessing that is a lesson in 'voice'? Anyway, it was quite therapeutic. It made me think about why I want to write, and I decided that I have some pretty good reasons.

Well, it's time to knock off! Another day of reading and writing to look forward to tomorrow...

Take care,
Caz