Jacinta Lou – Writer

Category: picture books

  • Car Trouble and Comfort Zones

    Car Trouble and Comfort Zones

    Is there anything worse than car trouble? I’m sure there are a million things worse, but when you live in the bush with no public transport, car trouble can feel like the end of the world.

    But I’m a hermit, I hear you say, and that is true, but I still need to get to the shops, take my grandson to school and, most importantly, pick up books from the post office or the library. It’s a 30 km round trip, so too far to walk. Car trouble is serious!

    I’ve known my car was dying for a while, so only drove it when I had to while I saved for a replacement. But my anxiety driving it increased to the extent I had to take action.

    Facebook market place. I’ve always bought from car dealers, but as this last one came from a dealer with preexisting problems they wouldn’t cover, I saw no advantage going back, so I searched for vehicles, and more importantly, reputable sellers. It’s a minefield out there.

    My rusty investigative skills came in handy. If a deal looked too good to be true, I looked up the seller to see if they were even in Tasmania. Quite a few weren’t. If I answered an add and the seller was pushy or wanted a deposit before I’d even seen the car, block and move on. Eventually, I found a car advertised by someone with a mutual friend. Now that in no way guarantees the car, but I did trust the seller was a real person and I answered straight away. I now own that car and the mechanic said it was safe to drive and in good condition for its age. One problem solved.

    Now I had to sell my dying car. Still going but not healthy. Aha – this is the reason I buy from car yards. I can get rid of my other car with no hassles.

    I advertised on FB, making sure I worded the advert to specify the car was dying and only suitable for a mechanic or someone who wanted it for parts. I had zero expectations.

    Within minutes, my phone was blowing up with responses. Over thirty before I switched it off. The person I sold it to was initially very pushy, so I wouldn’t deal with him, but had I understood the industry, I would have sold my car for the asking price in five minutes. As it was, I sold it for the price I wanted within twenty minutes and organised to meet the next day to complete the transaction.

    I WAS NOT going to meet an unknown person with a tow truck in the bush at night! Some comfort zones are safety zones. No need to stretch those!

    It seems there is a whole word of people who buy cars like mine and rebuild, resell or scrap and getting in first is quite competitive, hence the pushiness. You learn something new with each new experience.

    So what has any of this got to do with writing picture books? I’m glad you asked. This year has been a year of stretching myself and gaining confidence in my writing and myself as a writer in a very competitive (but very kind and not pushy) industry. I’ve conquered some fears with CYA and I’m working up to submissions.

    Once upon a time I would never have e dreamt of selling a car on my own. Even buying filled me with dread. I tend to drive within the car’s capacity until I’m forced to take action.

    Parents are good sounding boards, even if they don’t know about the subject. Dad always knew the questions to ask and what to look for, but I’ve lost mine so this one, I had to do alone. And I think facing my fears with CYA made me strong enough to face my fears about buying and selling my car.

    I think if you aren’t putting yourself out of your comfort zone, just a bit, that zone shrinks and your world gets smaller. I’ve seen it in myself and others, especially after lockdowns and retirement.

    It’s easy to live a small life. But, as Malcolm Fraser once said, ‘life wasn’t meant to be easy!’

    What if you faced a fear or three and stretched what is comfortable? What would happen then? What if you made your life, ‘not easy’ a little bit at a time?

    For me – I now have a car I feel safe in and can leave the property more often. I also know I will never put up with a broken car because the process of changing it is hard.

    Stretching the comfort zone becomes an ever-increasing circle.

    I stretched by having assessments at CYA. That gave me the confidence to do something about my car and now I’ve done that and sorted out all the insurance, registrations, etc. I will use that sense of accomplishment to submit some stories.

    Coffee first!

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  • The Morning After CYA

    The Morning After CYA

    The CYA conference 2023 is over, oh and before I forget, CYA stands for Children, Young Adult, and Adult Writers’ and Illustrators’ Conference. Well worth a look for writers and illustrators of all genres. Any way, back to what I was saying. The conference is over so for me, getting manuscripts ready for the competitions, booking assessments and preparing submissions, attending assessments and the conference over four weekends on zoom has kept me busy from January till yesterday and I am exhausted.

    Was it worth it? Yes, I think so. Too tired to tell right now. But I’m going to say YES! I received some great feedback both positive and constructive and listened to some great presentations along the way. In the breaks we were put into breakout rooms on zoom and so it was also a great opportunity to meet other writers. I have a better idea of where my writing sits and even though no contracts were offered to a chorus of dancing unicorns, the dream is still alive. Well at least it will be once I’ve had some sleep.

    Assessments can be confusing and I’m sure I looked like a stunned mullet half the time as I worked my mind around the differing views of editors on the same manuscript. But that’s part of it. Finding a home for your writing is about finding the person who sees it the same way you do, or who can give you feedback to get it where you want it to go.

    It’s challenging sitting and listening to words that don’t support your vision of your amazing, perfectly crafted manuscript. And I’m sure it’s challenging for editors to give constructive feedback. It’s a lot easier to receive these words in written form via manuscript assessments, but I decided to do it via CYA this year and I’m glad I did. I think. I got to meet some amazing editors and there aren’t many opportunities to meet face to face, especially in Tasmania.

    My approach to assessments was just to listen and take notes as you only have 15 minutes to look at two picture books. So I probably bumbled through responses when asked questions. I wanted to know what they thought. But they wanted to know about me as well. I’ll be better prepared next time – and yes, there will be a next time.

    My only question was, do my stories have potential? And it seems the ones I had assessed do so now I have to do the ‘Verk’, as Jen Storer would say, and edit, rewrite, restructure until I feel they are ready for another assessment or I submit them to publishers. And that’s a whole other journey!

    Stay tuned as I work to keep the negative Nellie and imposter syndrome at bay!

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  • Finding My Tribe

    Finding My Tribe

    Writing is a solitary activity. And, unless you are writing to contracted deadlines, it’s purely voluntary. No-one is making you write! Well, except for that little voice in your head urging you on. Write, write, write! (Or is that just me?)

    The point is, we writers write because we want to. Write because we have to. Write because we need to communicate, clarify our thoughts, tell a story and we do it by writing.

    So if it’s such a solitary, self driven activity, what are writing festivals and groups all about? I must admit, I used to wonder why a group of writers wanted to get together. It seemed a weird thing for a bunch of predominately introverted people to want to do. People in large numbers (shiver) It didn’t seem like something I would ever enjoy.

    I’m a self-confessed loner, recluse, hermit, and I’m generally happy with my own company. But since entering the world of children’s literature, the kidlit community, I’ve found myself joining groups, attending more live events and fully immersing myself in the community and loving it.

    I have discovered since calling myself a writer, like most things in life, it’s better with friends. Meeting other writers either in person or online, becoming part of a community who will understand your struggles, celebrate your wins, commiserate on your rejections, adds a depth to this writing gig I couldn’t have imagined. And I love it!

    Maybe I’ve found my tribe.

    Writing is still a solitary endeavour. It’s still up to me if I write or not, but now I can talk to others who understand what I experience without explanation. They just get it because it’s their reality too.

    And the very best part, for me, is supporting other writers on their journey.

    So whether I get published or not, I will celebrate everyone who does, because I have some idea what they went through to get there.

    So as I sit at my computer, looking out at the bush, I can talk to other writers, read their stories and see their journey. Celebrate their wins. Empathise with their losses. Have long conversations about all things kidlit.

    What we rarely discuss is why we do it. Why we struggle for weeks, months, years to find that perfect word to finish a story. Why we rewrite, restructure, re edit our writing to prepare it for submission. Why we agonise over every typo we find after we hit submit. Why we share our rejections and know each one is a step closer to a yes.

    We already know. It’s in our blood.

    We are a tribe.

    ©Jacinta Lou

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  • CYA – First Assessments – Self Belief Growing!

    CYA – First Assessments – Self Belief Growing!

    Is it too early to ask for CYA gift cards for Christmas?

    I had two assessments this weekend and I’m so relieved I didn’t shred my stories and run away and hide. Turns out both editors are of the opinion I can write which filled my heart with joy!

    Both of these editors had different stories so I got feedback on four stories which will help me decide whether to keep working on them now, or in the future.

    No offers of contracts with unicorns cheering in the background but a real feeling I am heading in the right direction!

    I have more assessments to come. Hoping for more useful feedback! Wishing for unicorns 🙂

    Imposter syndrome, feeling like nothing you do is good enough etc is incredibly annoying and can be debilitating. It is for me.

    I’ve struggled with self belief for ever, so when someone thinks something I did was good, it feels like, wow – happy dance, huge smile, want to hug the world! And its a genuine surprise.

    I will take this external validation and tuck it into my growing self belief in myself as a writer. I must have a little bit of belief, right? Or why am I doing it?

    The most important message I gained from these assessments is to trust myself.

    I am a writer and I will publish books for children!

    I really want to succeed so I don’t want this pesky Negative Nellie who lives in my head to muck things up for me. Might be a story in that.

    How have you silenced your negative self talk? Perhaps you have never had any? Love to hear your stratagies!

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    © Jacinta Lou 2023

  • Imposter Syndrome and CYA

    Imposter Syndrome and CYA

    CYA is happening!

    It’s two days till I meet my first editor for a CYA assessment. I’m looking at the stories I sent her and I want to pull them back through the internet and throw them in the bin. What was I thinking?

    But – the money has been paid, the assessment booked and I’ve had my lesson on how zoom operates during assessments so there is no going back.

    It’s been months since I booked my first assessments. Yet it feels like it’s happened way too quickly!

    As my anxiety grows, I wonder what it is I’m scared of? I made such a mess of submitting my stories (I was recovering from pneumonia) but the amazing folk who run CYA untangled the mess and stories were sent to editors. Are they the best stories? No. Does it matter? Well, maybe, but no.

    These are assessments, not pitches, so the hope is the editor will give me enough guidance to improve my stories. Assessments, not pitches. I keep reminding myself.

    Of course, in the back of everybody’s mind, including mine, is the hope the editor will be so impressed they will ask to see your stories again. Wouldn’t that be amazing!

    In fantasy land, they come to the assessment with a contract ready for you to sign while unicorns cheer from the sidelines!

    But we don’t live in fantasy land…except when we are writing!

    The real fear is they will look at my stories and wonder why I bothered. A bit like I am wondering now. Am I exposing myself to these wonderful editors as someone who cannot write? Is this how others feel two nights before assessments begin?

    I’ve seen similar posts on FB and in writing groups so I know I’m not alone, but those other people can write. What if I can’t!

    Of course, none of this could be happening and we wouldn’t be having these amazing opportunities without the amazing CYA team. Particularly Tina and Shawn. They dealt with my stress and booboos when submitting like the true professional they are. I’ll be better next year – I promise! And of course if I’m making mistakes, there must be others? Tell me there were others.

    And thank you to the editors and industry reps who are spending the time assessing and talking to those of us who will be hanging off their every words, hoping they will move us forward in our quest to be published!

    Hats off to the CYA Team! And best of luck to my fellow writers and illustrators who are facing their fears and putting themselves, and their work in front of the industry we all want to be a part of.

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  • Am I a Poet?

    Am I a Poet?

    I have always written poems. On scraps of paper, serviettes and sometimes even on something I can’t lose! But I have never called myself a poet. I wonder what it would take?

    My poems were selected for the inspiration for international Mural Fest in 2009 and 2010. I completed a work of poems and stories to accompany photos of old huts and cottages after that, but still I didn’t call myself a poet.

    I’ve written poems for friends in grief, for weddings, funerals, and just when words call me.

    When a friend was diagnosed with cancer, when I’ve tried to make sense of a world that often seems senseless. But still I didn’t call myself a poet.

    So today when a poem I wrote for children was published on the Australian Children’s Poetry Blog, I wondered if it might be time to consider calling myself a poet.

    Outside My Window by Jacinta Lou
    I’ll share it anyway as a poem I wrote.

    ©Jacinta Lou – Poet?

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  • AI – How do I feel about it?

    AI – How do I feel about it?

    As an aspiring author of picture books, I feel very nervous about AI. I feel less nervous when I see how it can benefit writers with editing tools etc but it means I need to lift my game.

    I have AI on my google docs so I asked it to write me an article about how picture book writers feel about AI.

    Here is what it wrote.

    AI Generated by Google Docs

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, including the way we create and consume art. For picture book writers, AI could offer new tools and techniques for developing stories and illustrations, as well as new ways to reach and engage readers.

    However, there are also concerns that AI could pose a threat to the art of picture book writing. Some worry that AI-generated stories and illustrations will be so realistic and engaging that they will displace human-created work. Others worry that AI will be used to create propaganda or other harmful content.

    Ultimately, the impact of AI on picture book writing is likely to be complex and multifaceted. It is important to be aware of the potential benefits and risks of AI, and to use it in a way that enhances rather than diminishes the art of picture book writing.

    Here are some specific examples of how AI could be used in picture book writing:

    • AI could be used to generate story ideas or plot twists.
    • AI could be used to create illustrations or animations.
    • AI could be used to personalize stories for individual readers.
    • AI could be used to create interactive stories that allow readers to choose their own path.

    It is important to note that AI is still in its early stages of development, and it is not yet clear how it will be used in picture book writing in the future. However, the potential for AI to revolutionize the art of picture book writing is exciting, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the years to come.

    As for how I, as a picture book writer, feel about AI, I am both excited and cautious. I am excited about the potential for AI to help me create new and innovative stories and illustrations. However, I am also cautious about the potential for AI to replace human creativity. I believe that the best stories and illustrations are created by humans who are passionate about their work. AI can be a valuable tool, but it should not be used to replace human creativity.

    Now back to me. What did you think? I think I agree with the last paragraph. I don’t think it will ever replace human creativity, but it may mean we have to be better, have more soul, think outside the box.

    I also asked my google AI to write me a story about a lazy lizard who wanted to be a poet.

    Here is what it came up with.

    Once upon a time, there was a lazy lizard named Lazlo who wanted to be a poet. He would spend hours sunning himself on a rock, dreaming of the day when he would write the most beautiful poem in the world.

    One day, Lazlo decided that it was time to put his dreams into action. He gathered up a few sticks and leaves and started to write. But after a few minutes, he got bored and went back to sunning himself on the rock.

    The next day, Lazlo tried again. This time, he wrote for a little longer, but he still got bored and gave up.

    This went on for days. Lazlo would try to write, but he would always get bored and give up.

    One day, Lazlo was sunning himself on the rock when he heard a voice.

    “Why don’t you try writing about something you’re passionate about?” the voice said.

    Lazlo looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone.

    “Who said that?” he asked.

    “I did,” the voice said. “I’m the voice of your conscience.”

    “I don’t have a conscience,” Lazlo said.

    “Of course you do,” the voice said. “Everyone has a conscience.”

    Lazlo thought about this for a moment.

    “Maybe you’re right,” he said. “I do have a conscience.”

    “And what is it that you’re passionate about?” the voice asked.

    Lazlo thought about this for a moment.

    “I’m passionate about being lazy,” he said.

    “Well, there you go,” the voice said. “Write a poem about being lazy.“

    Lazlo smiled.

    “That’s a great idea,” he said.

    And so, Lazlo wrote a poem about being lazy. It was the best poem he had ever written.

    And that is the story of how a lazy lizard became a poet.

    So that is what I got with a basic prompt. The more complex the prompt, the more complex the story. And you can change the prompt to change the story.

    I’m still confused about where it fits and the ethics of AI generated stories. Do we have a new class of stories and films? AI generated? Human generated? Or are they all human generated?

    As a writer who cannot build a website, I am absolutely unqualified to know the answers but as an aspiring writer of picture books I’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.

    Please note most of this post was generated by AI, with my prompts. Am I to become a lazy blogger?

    Time to polish my stories and get them out there!

    © Jacinta Lou – can I claim that if it’s generated by AI?

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  • So Much has Happened!

    So Much has Happened!

    As I sit here tonight, I’m reflecting on the last six months. Has it only been six months? So much has happened!

    I made a decision. This year is the year of assessments and honing my craft! So I began the year with two manuscript assessments with a publishing house. Several manuscripts found their way to Sally Odgers at Affordable Manuscripts and I entered a few in the CYA aspiring competition. More feedback!

    I booked assessments with several editors and publishers at CYA and they will take place in July. I’m so nervous but there is no backing out now. The manuscripts are in their hands! Well probably in their email inbox waiting till closer to the date!

    I’ve completed courses and workshops with the ASA, Jen Storer, Zanni Louise’s Sunshine house and Larrikin House. Learning about this industry gives me insight into how to navigate it as well as tools to support other creatives as we journey together.

    I’ve been active in my SCBWI critique group and two private groups of fantastic aspiring writers from around Australia.

    I became the New Books and Awards coordinator for the SCBWI Australia East blog which gives me the chance to see how many amazing books are being created and published by members, and I have been active as the social media person for SCBWI Tasmania as well as a committee member.

    We recently partnered with TasWriters to put on StoryGig in the last weekend in May. I was very fortunate to be asked to present one of my unpublished works to children in the Square. Posy the Pink Witch certainly made an impression! I also had the opportunity to read one of my works in progress to a room full of established creators at a SCBWI networking event! Yes I was terrified but what I have discovered about those who create for children, is everyone is incredibly supportive.

    Getting to know Tasmanian creatives has been a highlight of this year! Oh, did I mention, SCBWI Tasmania also held two Sketch and Scribble events so far this year? We did! Both at the beautiful Botanical gardens!

    So where I am at now is finishing off courses. Creating new work while many of my stories are waiting to be assessed and doing lots of walking on the beach to nurture my soul.

    I can’t believe half the year is almost over!

    I’ve submitted two stories to publishers. Both to more than one publisher. So far I have been met with silence except for one email letting me know it wasn’t what they were looking for at this time. I was excited someone had taken the time to read it and respond!

    I hope, after my assessments, I will have the courage to submit more!.

    This week I’ll be working on my latest manuscript and weighing up the critiques I have received from my wonderful critique partners.

    Talk again soon!

  • Last week in the hen house

    Last week in the hen house

    Last week, I watched Rex and his seven chooks meet up with a family of native hens (Turbo chooks). The hens didn’t seem to mind sharing the paddock with the turbos but Rex had other ideas and confronted them. The Turbos weren’t phased by the bossy rooster, but did slowly move back from where Rex had his hens. I couldn’t get close enough for a photo but watched as the two families sorted out the space.

    The following day, just after I opened the hen house, a cheeky currawong flew in and tried to get some vegetable scraps. I have never seen a rooster move so quickly to get back into the hen house yard and chase the cheeky currawong away, empty beaked. Feathers did fly and Rex strutted back and forth for about ten minutes, guarding the hen house. The currawong waited till Rex was at the far side of the paddock and went in, with his mate, to clean up left over scraps. They won’t cross Rex again in a hurry.

    One of the joys of living in the bush, is watching birds sort out the pecking order, so to speak.

  • A grand Rooster

    This grand fellow is called Rex, but it hasn’t always been his name. He began his life as an egg in the hen house. His father, Rex and his mother, Nutmeg. He was one of nine eggs but the only one to hatch. He was born (hatched – what is the right term for a bird?) and named Popcorn. At this stage it wasn’t known if he was a rooster or a hen, he was just very adorable. Not long after his birth (hatching?) his brave father, Rex, was killed by a quoll, defending the flock. A sad day for everyone.

    Popcorn grew and eventually became a rooster even grander than his father so his name changed to Son of Rex and then to Rex. He still gets called Popcorn from time to time but with a family of seven hens to protect, we think he prefers Rex.

    He is every bit as brave as his father, who was also born (hatched) on our property but he has more hens and keeping them together in one place proves difficult.

    We see, and hear Rex, running back and forward around the yard and the henhouse keeping a watchful eye on his flock. They free range through the day so he has his work cut out for him. (If you are ever feeling a bit down, watch a very grand rooster run. It will soon have you smiling, if not laughing.)

    Rex lives in Tasmania so he doesn’t have to worry about foxes or dingos but he does have to be vigilant to feral cats and quolls.

    He shares his yard with the native hens (turbo chooks) and their families. Theirs is an easy alliance with plenty of food for all. The currawong raid the coop as soon as the gate is opened, having worked out, through trial and error, how NOT to get tangled in the bird netting.

    My goal is to write the adventures of Rex and his feathered friends, native and migratory, as either short stories or picture books. At the moment I’m enjoying watching them as they go about their day. Moving to the bush has turned me into a bird watcher!