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I've been a writer for most of my life. I started out with creative writing in grade school, penning stories, poems, journals, anything to express my adolescent ego and angst. In my career as a paralegal, I am still writing, but things like legal briefs, record summaries, position papers, and basically whatever someone else asks me to write. The work is okay for the most part, but it isn't very gratifying and now seems rather meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

My perspective began changing a few years ago, when my then 3-year old daughter began asking me to make up stories and songs at bedtime. Of course, I indulged her, and some of them were (dare I say?) kind of good! I typed those up and shared them with my mom, who insisted each and every one should be published. I never took her all that seriously, though. After all, that's what moms are supposed to say, right?

Then last year, inspired by my daughters' fascination with the moon, I wrote a poem about moon phases. I read it to my mom and, true to form, she felt it should be published. The difference this time was that I agreed. I looked into self-publishing and immediately rejected the notion. Instead, I joined SCBWI and then submitted my poem in a picture book manuscript contest. I am proud to say it was awarded the Corey Rubbo Memorial Scholarship, which not only financed my attendance at the 2008 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles, but gave me affirmation that I could be good at this.

I have since submitted the moon manuscript, as well as a second picture book manuscript, to publishers and am patiently waiting to hear back from them. Obviously, my focus at this time is on writing picture books, but as my target audience (aka my daughters) matures, I'm sure my writing will keep pace. I already have a YA novel mulling around in my head and hope to flesh that out one of these days.

I know I won't get rich writing children's books, but it gives me an opportunity to write what I want to write. My two muses inspire me daily with their creativity and active imaginations. Looking at the world through their eyes, I have rediscovered what a wondrous, mysterious, and often humorous world we inhabit ... and that is what I want to write about!

I've been a writer for most of my life. I started out with creative writing in grade school, penning stories, poems, journals, anything to express my adolescent ego and angst. In my career as a paralegal, I am still writing, but things like legal briefs, record summaries, position papers, and basically whatever someone else asks me to write. The work is okay for the most part, but it isn't v... More