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It’s good to be back! I have taken time off from writing this blog to concentrate on writing children’s books. It takes a while to create meaningful, exciting and engaging characters who jump off the page, climb up your nose and playfully mess about with your brain. I shall be posting soon about some exciting new […]

The above quote comes from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

Special thanks to Laura Cook who shared this on Facebook.

The above quote comes from the book Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

Special thanks to Laura Cook who shared this on Facebook.

Happy New Year! Have you written down some writing aims for the year ahead? I have, and this year I have tried hard to set realistic goals about the things I'd like to achieve, whilst still pushing myself to go further. My friend and fellow Aussie children's author, Hazel Edwards, sent me a link to her acceptance speech for the prestigious ASA Medal (2009). There are some great words of wisdom

You must write for children in the same way you do for adults, only better. (Maxim Gorky)

You have to write whichever book it is that wants to be written. And then, if it's going to be too difficult for grown-ups, you write it for children.(Madeleine L'Engle)

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you just can't help it.(Leo Rosten)

Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none. Jules Renard

When I am dead, I hope it may be said:'His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.' Hilaire Belloc

"If you would be loved, love and be lovable." -Benjamin Franklin. We should probably listen to this. He's a smart guy.

 I'm hosting Kaza Kingsley, author of the fabulous Erec Rex series, on her blog tour today over at Deliciously Clean Reads.

And...I came across this absolutely wonderful quote and wanted to share it with you...

Benjamin Franklin said, "If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing."

Last night, the same dream haunted, tortured me all night long.

You know the submission that I've had my heart set on for a while? Well, it has been 4 months. Their stated response time is 2. I know that four months is the blink-of-an-eye in publishing time. But I'm going to send a status query postcard. My first status query ever. Do you think I should wait? I really don't want to be a pest.

Anyway, last night...

My brother decides to write a couple picture books and send them to the same editor I've been waiting on. Within a week, he gets a call from her. She wants to meet him. He's brilliant. I'm terribly jealous. But he loses track of time and misses his appointment. She calls him and says not to bother rescheduling.
Then the editor calls me. We arrange to meet at her publishing house Saturday night. I lose track of time, showing up to our appointment an hour late. She doesn't mention it. I visit with her, talking about my love of books and my blog. She tells me she hates one of my stories, but she's seriously considering two others. I'm tapping my foot, waiting for her to get to the point. DOES SHE WANT THEM OR NOT?

Then, I wake up.

In other words, even my sleeping brain knows I have to keep waiting.

I'm telling you this because I know you understand this obsession. I dream about getting that yes. I stalk the mailman. I hate mail holidays because it usually means that I check the mail several times wondering why the stinkin' box is still empty. I crave that yes while I'm eating, reading, showering, drying my hair. My heart stops for a frightening moment every time my phone says Unknown Caller. Non-writers just don't understand how much I want that one phone call I'm waiting for.

Now I know why so many writers are eccentric. They've lost their minds waiting.

Want to know something about me? I really look forward to speaking engagements. This is one of the reasons I want to be published. Speaking makes me nervous, but I find it quite thrilling.






“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost..."-J.R.R. Tolkien