Not making the grade

I have been reading 3 books about writing children's books and am becoming overwhelmed. I have learned a lot though and I hope I can gain some momentum again in my writing. I keep looking at my first story and wonder if it can actually go anywhere. My excitement for it dwindling as I read through what a picture book should include. I can't get the language the way I want it, I am not sure how to start it, and I wonder if it will hold the attention of a first grade and not sound too preachy. I polled my first graders about different aspects I want to put in the story and the kids seemed to like my ideas. We shall see. I know that it is incredibly difficult to write children's book and that it is rare to actually get published, but I don't want to feel like a failure before I have even gotten started. I think I better step away from the "how to" books for awhile and focus on my story.

The Beginning

1/2/13

At this point I can't remember when the idea for my first picture book came. I think it was about 3 years ago when I was in bed. The name Savannah Simple came to my mind and the idea that her name exotic, but also simple. It is like life. Things seem exotic and difficult, but as we practice they become simple. I wanted students to understand that just like other skills they have learned, reading can also become simple with perseverance. Then to tie it all together I love the idea that writing can be simple, but will take you to exotic places. I wouldn't say that writing is really simple, so I am not sure how to fix the ending. Maybe all that hard work will take you and others to those exotic places and new adventures. I suppose that is where I am at right now. I have a lot of hard work to do, so that my dream of publishing a book will come true. You can join me on my adventure as I trudge my way through the thick mud of writing and publishing that is before me.

That night I first came up with the idea of Savannah SImple I remember having to get up and write all my thoughts down, just so I could go to sleep. About a year later I was at Glacier BIble Camp in Montana (our yearly vacation) and I felt like God was telling me I need to write this book or at least a book. I had another one in my head (Seymore) that I will talk about later. 

Still a year later I had not really spent time focusing on getting my book published. I had lost the original notes and tried to restart. It was a couple of weeks ago that I really got serious. I thought about a parent of one of my students who worked for Microsoft and yet he retired and wrote a children's novel. Another friend of mine just got a book published about a month ago and last week I learned that another one of my student's parents is an author of young adult novels. I thought I can do this! I have been a teacher for 15 years, have 3 young kids of my own, and I LOVE picture books. I know kids really well. I in know way think this is going to be easy and I am actually questioning after doing some research whether Savannah Simple will even fly, but I have to try to find out.

I always considered myself a terrible writer growing up and my grammar skills are a little pathetic, but I guess that just means I have to work even harder to make this work. 

So why now? Where did the sudden passion come to really put forth the effort make this dream a reality? I guess part is because God keeps nudging me. I also have been through a lot of medical issues over the last month. I had a lovely brain scan last night. No results until next week. I guess I figure I better do it now because life is short. There are also all those medical bills. Living on my salary as my husband follows his dreams is putting us short every month. Now, if I do get a book published, it won't be anytime soon, so I don't suppose any extra income is going to help us now. Then there is something exciting about being a published author. Those last two items make me feel a bit selfish and prideful though and since I want all my work to be in honor of God, I have to make sure I remember that all I do is for him and not myself. Anything else that happens is a bonus and I have to figure out how I will use any success to honor him. He may just want me to work hard at something and learn from the failure, so I have not high ideas here. I just have an unexplained desire to publish a children's book. 

So, I really focused on my story last week and even created some illustrations that I had in my head. I wouldn't illustrate the book myself, but I just wanted to get my ideas down.

 

Savannah Simple in an exotic setting, but she is simple.

 

On Monday I actually came across the lost first attempt when I was cleaning my classroom. It was really bothering me that I lost that, so I guess God was just saying- press on.

Last week I ordered three books about writing children's books.
        Writing Children's Books for Dummies
        You Can Write Children's Books

2013 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market Two of them came yesterday and I have begun perusing them. I also found some websites with great information. http://www.memfox.com/so-you-want-to-write-a-picture-book.html http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/book_marketing_maven/2010/03/your-author-photo-how-to-project-the-right-image.html http://www.laurajoyrennert.com/writers-checklist-picturebooks.php http://www.darcypattison.com/picture-books/check-your-picture-books-story-arc/ So, with all that I decided I would blog about my experience. If I succeed it may give others insight into the process. If I fail, others will know what not to do. : ) Win, win!