writer – Page 3 – My Pilgrimage to Publication and Beyond

The Blessing

VBS week at St. Lukes United Methodist Church. Jemma in a red Monumental t-shirt with Jen in a navy blue Monumental t-shirt

The pressure I feel to find success in this “extremely subjective” business hit it’s boiling point in early-May. I’d worn my brave face for weeks, but one especially wrenching rejection ahead of a HUGE contest announcement left me spiraling in the stakes that seemed higher-than-ever. On Mother’s Day, we went to church, where we sungContinueContinue reading “The Blessing”

The Juggle Struggle

Jemma in gold, sequined Mouse ears with a red bow, Jen in pink sequined mouse ears with a pink bow, at Chef Mickey's at Walt Disney World

The month of April was nearly more than I could juggle! Submitting to contests, a big family Disney World Vacation, and my first ever SCBWI Conference were some of the most brightly highlighted in my calendar. First, I applied for the #PBChat Mentorship program. Boy, did I put my whole heart into that application! AndContinueContinue reading “The Juggle Struggle”

Feelin’ Lucky

Jemma coloring with markers, drawing a St. Patrick's Day rainbow

I woke up this morning to the best news I’ve received to date in my journey to publication! I am a Grand Prize Winner of #Storystorm! And I needed a win… But what does this all mean, Basil? Well, it means I’ve been paired with a literary agent who will take the time to lookContinueContinue reading “Feelin’ Lucky”

StoryStorm, 12×12, PBParty, Oh My!

A Flight of Cool Chardonnays at The Metro Wine Bar and Bistro in Oklahoma City

It’s been an all-consuming January! Every free thought has been devoted to how can I get this year started off perfectly? StoryStorm headed up by Tara Lazar has been a joyful, daily reminder to keep ideas flowing and has introduced me to tons of Picture Book authors I didn’t know. All in all, a veryContinueContinue reading “StoryStorm, 12×12, PBParty, Oh My!”

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Jemma in her Grinch pajamas sipping egg nog out of her Grinch cup excited about her copy of Tammi Sauer's Wordy Birdy Meets Mr. Cougarpants

I spent the first few weeks of December carting my daughter back and forth to Choir practice. “Practice” turned into massively long rehearsals, which I found annoying because she’s SEVEN. When I signed her up for choir I didn’t know I was signing up for a Christmas Musical! We’re talking choreography, five songs, and speakingContinueContinue reading “All Is Calm, All Is Bright”

Cornucopia of Continuation

A glimpse into The Funny Women of Kidlit Confab where Tammi Sauer and Francis Gilbert talked with Bethany Hegedus

So much has happened the past few weeks! Nothing HUGE but a conglomeration of little things… I completed a significant round of querying for GG and have had only a few rejections. It’s been several weeks now. Hopeful. I also queried a very personal, sort of historic in theme, Young Adult Poem to a handfulContinueContinue reading “Cornucopia of Continuation”

Onward & Yonward

A cup of coffee in a teal-colored coffee mug, a "cinderella" pumpkin, bright orange with some green, a container of candy corn, and a pumpkin apple candle burning, surrounding a book titled Illustrating Children's Books

I feel better when I’m moving forward. It doesn’t have to be much, even baby steps in what I think is the right direction gives me complete satisfaction. Sitting and waiting I can survive. Not a big problem. But when I have a perceived set-back, no matter how small to someone else, I stumble intoContinueContinue reading “Onward & Yonward”

Death of the Storybook

Jen's vast collection of Little Golden Books, Board Books, and other Story Books, most of which were from Jen's childhood. Divided out semi-organized on black shelves.

Yes, it’s very dark and depressing. And, no. No one told me until now. I completely missed the funeral. There was no kindly written obituary or eulogy. Just a collective decision among the publishing world, I suppose. Apparently, the concept and therefore the genre of Storybook is dead. Extinct. I grew up reading storybooks. TheseContinueContinue reading “Death of the Storybook”

Bad News/Good News/Great Views

Jen riding the Ferris Wheel at the Wheeler District in Oklahoma City with the Devon Tower standing high in the background above the Oklahoma River

I went to bed last night mid anxiety attack. I received a rejection email yesterday in the early evening on this new, very personal picture book manuscript, and there was some feedback that I struggled to understand. It wasn’t until the middle of the night that I actually made sense of her words. Then IContinueContinue reading “Bad News/Good News/Great Views”

Our Pond Runneth Over

The view of Jen's favorite pond from her back yard after a plentiful rain storm. Cotton Wood, Wheeping Willow, and Bald Cyprus trees line the pond's bank.

Thank you, JESUS, for this glorious rain!!! Apparently, there’s even more where this came from! I’ll take it. I’ll take my clothes and hair being completely drenched because of the sudden downpour as I arrived home after errands. Then, there was no power because it’s THAT big of a storm…and I couldn’t open the garageContinueContinue reading “Our Pond Runneth Over”