Tag: writing

  • My Writing Journey: Successes and Future Goals for 2026

    My Writing Journey: Successes and Future Goals for 2026

    2025 has been and continues to be quite a year. In so many ways.

    On a personal level – I have had success with my writing. The highlight of course my contract with Wombat Books for two early readers.

    In addition with my adult writing I had a tribute to my Dad published in the latest Grieve Anthology. And one of my poems will be published in an upcoming anthology, Her Beauty and Her Terror.

    And, drum roll please, Jacinta Lou has appeared in print for the first time in a wonderful fundraising anthology of whimsy put together by Tasmanian author, Ann Martin.

    The Ballad of Jubal Jacques includes some of Tasmania’s best authors and illustrators. I might have to believe I’m a writer 🙂

    My stories, Aisha and the Olive Tree, and The Book are both in the style of fables and I really enjoyed writing them. The book is available on amazon and all proceeds are for refugees.

    So what is happening now? Well it’s been non stop writing and submitting. The submitting has been picture books. I live in hope I will publish one at some stage. But I’ve expanded my writing to include longer fiction for children.

    I entered a junior fiction short story into an anthology competition and I’m currently working on a young adult short story for another anthology competion.

    So next year I will continue to work on early readers and junior fiction generally and of course, picture books. But my major focus will be a young adult novel I shelved in 2021.

    I found the novel recently and I really enjoyed reading it so I think it’s worth finishing. I’m working with other kidlit novelists to hold each other accountable by setting targets. According to the schedule I have until March to complete the first draft. I’m thirty thousand words in so it feels achievable? What’s it about? Well all I will say for now is that it’s a thriller; full of mystery and intrigue!

    My goals for 2026? It will be the year I learn to build a new webpage. The year my first novel will be sent for appraisal and the year I learn all I can about marketing and school visits in preparation for my 2027 book launch.

    And like every writer, I’m also hoping for more contracts.

    2025 has been a challenging year for children around the world being subjected to hardships and danger no child should endure and if I could give those children one gift, it would be hope.

    Hope for humanity and hope for a peaceful and just future.

    I’m deciding to go forward into 2026 with hope!

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  • Celebrating My First Book Contract: A Writer’s Journey & Imposter Syndrome.

    Celebrating My First Book Contract: A Writer’s Journey & Imposter Syndrome.

    This week I was thrilled to announce I have a two book contract with Wombat books. Two early readers and I am absolutely thrilled. So thrilled and excited I have plastered the internet with the news. I may have gone a bit over board ?

    As writers we work alone. Writing, editing and thinking. Most of the work we create never sees the light of day. Dealing with rejection becomes a way of life. It can feel like a waste of time. I’m sure from the outside it looks like it. But writing is not just a calling. It’s a craft. A skill. And like any skill it requires practice.

    For the last few years I have been writing picture books. I have had success by being awarded an ASA/CA mentorship in 2024. I was also matched in the ASA’s Picture Book Matchmaker. My pitch resulted in a request from the publisher to see the manuscript. To date, there have been no contracts. Yet.

    So when I decided to enter my first attempt at an early reader into Wombat Books open submission in February this year, I did so with zero expectations.

    You can imagine my shock when they asked to see the manuscript!

    Months of rewrites followed and creating another book for the series, and I was offered a contract.

    Throughout the process I felt like the success of this story was unearned. It was my first attempt at an early reader. I had completed several junior fiction courses but hadn’t made it happen. I felt like an imposter.

    Imposter syndrome strikes again. And this is why we have writing groups. ( imposter or impostor? Both are correct so for consistancy on my blog I choose imposter! Despite AI underlining it. I choose to ignore AI)

    Without my kidlit community I wouldn’t have submitted this story. Without my fabulous critique buddies I would have given up on the edits and rewrites. Without their support and encouragement I would have failed to see that all my work on picture books had been the rehearsal for this moment. And without the perseverance of Wombat Books to get me over the line, I wouldn’t have made it.

    So even though we create in solitude – we succeed as a community!

    That’s why I have plastered the internet with my success. Not just for me, but for all the kidlit community.

    I promised myself a new website with my first contract so stay tuned while I try to make that a reality.

    I can’t wait to hold my books in my hands!

    Stand by for even MORE plastering of the internet!

    Thank you

    Jacinta Lou

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  • Getting on With Things

    Getting on With Things

    I don’t usually post twice in a day but I’m trying to learn how to use my website so here is another post!

    It’s been quite a year and I think I am closer to my publishing goal. I’ve been making slow and steady progress. In 2022, I joined groups and completed courses. In 2023, labelled by me as my ‘year of assessments’, I had lots of my stories assessed and ended the year with a successful pitch at the ASA literary speed dating event.

    In 2024, my year of mentoring, I was fortunate to be awarded a mentorship by the Australian Society of Authors/Copyright Agency for one of my picture books and I have been working with my mentor Kristina Shulz.

    At CYA my assessments went well and I’m seeing the improvement in my writing and in my confidence. My old friend, imposter syndrome, is still lurking in the wings, but having Kristina’s support has helped me believe in myself as a writer.

    One highlight this year was being long listed in the annual ‘Pitch It’ competition, so this morning I submitted that story to Affirm Press.

    I hate submitting, but it’s impossible to get published without going through the process, unless you publish the book yourself.

    I can barely get around social media and this webpage so I know I do not have the skill or patience to self publish, which leaves me throwing my hat in the ring for a shot at a traditional publishing contract.

    I’m enjoying rewriting and restructuring my stories, so the waiting and wondering isn’t too onerous, but like all aspiring writers, I can’t wait to get on with the job of publishing my stories.

    The kidlit community is a wonderful, supportive community. I have a fabulous critique group and other writer friends to chat to both online and locally. Everyone knows how hard it is to get a contract and we all cheer loudly when someone is successful. We are all a part of each other’s journeys even if it’s just to cheer!

    If I never get a contract, being a part of this community is worth it in itself, but I would really love to see one of many stories in print and see how an illustrator interprets my words.

    Fingers crossed 2025 is my year of contracts!

    You will be the first to know!

      • It’s Been a Minute

        It’s Been a Minute

        It’s been quite a while since I have posted. I have written a few entries but I didn’t post them. So here is a short recap of the last few months.

        There have been a couple of huge highlights. The first was matching with Scholastic in my ASA Literary Speed Dating round. It meant I was invited to send the manuscript I pitched to them. It was so exciting and I can tell you; I had everything crossed.

        The second big thing was being awarded an Australian Society of Authors/Copyright Agency mentorship for 2024. This is a very big deal, and I have been dancing ever since.

        Both things involved the same manuscript. Scholastic decided not to offer me a contract but now I have twenty hours of mentoring to get it to a standard. Someone will say ‘yes’ to publishing it one day. That’s the dream.

        In the meantime, I’ve booked assessments at CYA with this and other manuscripts so still moving forward.

        Now for the low points. The lowest point was finding Rex, our rooster, quite lame. Everyone was away, and I had no idea how to help him. He is huge and has massive spurs. I rounded him up into a small enclosure so he couldn’t move around and set him up with his favourite seeds and some water.

        Neighbours suggested I have him prepared for the pot, but I could never do that to a pet, so I googled his likelihood of recovery and decided my course of action was the best way forward. It lasted a day or so until Rex was so stressed worrying about his hens, he broke out and dragged himself to where he could see them. So we had to lock them all up to stop him from moving.

        You don’t realise how noisy roosters are until they stop chatting and crowing. And I didn’t realise how attached I was to this gorgeous bird until I contemplated life without him.

        And that brings me to the other low point. What is happening in Palestine. My author Instagram was the first to alert me to what was happening to the children of Gaza and I agreed with the thoughts of other kidlit creators; If you write for kids, fight for kids. And I have put most of my energy into keeping informed, researching the history, writing to politicians and advocating for the children caught up in this horrendous situation. I have also written stories inspired by my thoughts and one will be published in a fundraising anthology later this year.

        It is all-consuming, but unlike the people in Palestine, we can take a break. We can look at the beauty in our world with new gratitude and use that energy to fight harder.

        I have thought a lot about why some of us are born to relative freedom and others to ongoing hardship. It isn’t fair. But what I have noticed is the resilience and resourcefulness of the Palestinians. If bombs were dropping on me, I’d be hiding in a corner quivering. But the people of Gaza get on with life as best they can. They value life and each other. Perhaps knowing it might be a short life does that?

        And back to Rex. Every afternoon I walk up to his enclosure and when he sees me, he gathers his chickens and they run up to meet me, knowing they are going to get some supper while I secure their gate.

        I don’t know if you have seen a rooster run, or had a chat while you get his food, but it is impossible to be sad when you see a rooster run.

        So Rex became my way to keep balance; to keep grounded; to keep sane. So the thought of losing him was almost more than I could cope with.

        The tears I cried for almost a day were not about him. They were the locked up emotions I hadn’t allowed myself to express. But they needed to be expressed.

        Advocating for children has inspired me to keep writing. My stories have always centred on breaking down barriers. The story I will be working on in my mentorship is about starting conversations about othering. Breaking down barriers before they occur. Questioning the status quo. The importance of finding things in common.

        I hope one of my stories gets noticed soon. I have promised myself I will pay to have my website upgraded from my feeble attempts. But in the meantime. Here is my blog 🙂

        Oh, and great news. Rex started to walk again and is crowing and chatting and he has even started running. And he is a dad to two enormous chickens.

      • Automatic to Manual

        Automatic to Manual

        I recently had to replace my car. I loved my X-Trail. I loved the number of cup holders, the storage space for all my bits, the comfy seats – if only the head gasket hadn’t blown. So now I have a much earlier model Honda CRV. It only has one cup holder, no compartments for all my bits and the seats are not as comfy, but unlike the X-Trail – it goes! Which is, after all, all you really want from a car. Also, unlike the X-Trail – it’s a manual!

        I learnt to drive in a manual. I had a 1956 Morris Minor bought with the money I saved working at the neighbour’s fish and chip shop my last couple of years of high school. I also had a 1975 Ford Escort van so I had something to drive and sleep in, when the Morris was being repaired. The thing with the Morris, and most early model cars, was there was no synch in first gear. Which meant you had to stop the car to go back into first. For those of you who have always driven automatics, just skim past.

        So on the day I went for my licence, I drove through Hobart peak hour traffic in second gear without ever going back to first for stops and starts. My father was in the back trying to nudge me to let me know, while the testing officer was completely oblivious. He had just won lotto. His mood was not going to be changed by my driving. I’m not sure I deserved my licence and to this day, I have never claimed to be a good driver. Not one single individual will argue the opposite!

        In the Army, I had to learn to drive land rovers and commodores! I didn’t apply to join Transport and drive trucks and no one suggested I go there, but for a few months I was the Commanding Officer’s driver. This was supposed to involve driving him around, but he insisted on driving most of the time, once we got outside the gates. I enjoyed driving back then. I drove the retiring RSM from Wodonga Vic to Perth WA in his land rover, towing a caravan and I drove from Melbourne to Townsville in my Escort van to take up my new post. I was a teenager. I knew no fear!

        To obtain my police driver’s licence so I could drive the cars with the flashing blue lights, I had to learn to drive all over again. I loved the skid pan. I think the point was to control the skid but I loved making the car skid harder. I was eventually granted a ‘D’ grade licence. I didn’t actually cause any accidents so they reluctantly passed me.

        Anyway – back to now and back to driving a manual car after twenty years in an automatic. It’s been a challenge. The biggest challenge has been remembering which gear I am in. I’ve crunched through a few trying to work it out but it just means I have to pay attention. And that made me reflect on how little attention I had paid to my driving when in an automatic. I just pushed the pedal and drove!

        I’m not a person who excels at automatic tasks. even typing, my brain keeps getting involved and trips me up. Back to the police academy and the list of things we had to achieve to graduate. One of them was to touch type at 30 words a minute. Some in our class could type three times that with ease but I struggled. Remember this was on a typewriter! On the rare occasion I just reacted and cut out the middle man, my fingers and eyes managed to get to the magical 30, but most of the time as soon as my brain realised things were happening without its involvement, fingers hit wrong keys or forgot where they were and the test failed. If only I could just type without thinking! But driving without thinking I achieved and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

        At the police academy, we had to do a running commentary as we drove to ensure our brain was always present and so were we. How many of us are truly present when we are driving? How far ahead do you look? Are you watching to see if that driver coming out into traffic has seen you? Have you estimated how likely it is that the light will turn red before you reach it? What’s happening behind you? Have you looked?So much to think about but how many of us do it?

        So the point of this rather convoluted journey down memory lane is that going back to driving a manual has forced me to be present when I’m driving, if only so I can remember what gear I am in. Am I in fifth or third? If I go back and across will it be fourth or second? Driving is no longer an automatic task and I’m sure that’s the way it should be.

        The same with writing. I can and do sit down and write without thinking. These blog posts are more or less an automatic response to a prompt I have given myself and I just write what comes into my mind. Automatic. It’s ok. Most of the time it makes sense. It might even be entertaining but is it great writing?

        Writing is what happens when you switch off the automatic and go into manual. What gear am I in? Does this sentence belong here? Have I built up tension or can I go back to third? What’s this character even doing in my story? Do I need them? What is their role? Do I need to slow things down or speed up to reach the top? Writing requires the writer to be present and know which vehicle is being driven, in what gear and at what speed. The writer needs to be able to see what is coming and take the reader with them, not leave them on the side of the road waiting for an uber.

        Writing, like driving, requires skill and the ability to know where you are going and how to get there. It may be fun to stay in automatic and just write, just drive, but if you want to write things people will love to read, you need to go back to manual and keep working on the craft and skill that is writing!

        I’m still working on it:-)

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      • Four O’clock in the Morning! What the…?

        Four O’clock in the Morning! What the…?

        Friday morning I generally get up at six so I can get ready and walk the dog before I go to my daughter’s house at seven fifteen to take my grandson to school. So this Friday, I looked at my Fitbit, yes six am, got up, showered, got dressed and asked Google about my day. To say I was shocked when she told me in her clipped British accent (I have mine set to UK) the time was FOUR twenty five did cause some frantic looking for my phone to check and yes, with sleep in my eyes and my Fitbit set to night mode, and without my glasses, I had misread the time. Didn’t I feel like a dill?

        No wonder the dog was still asleep!

        Never mind, I did wordle, listened to a podcast and cooked myself breakfast. I still had time to get the washing on the line and plan my day!

        I dropped my grandson off at school at 8:30 am. With some extra time on my hands, I parked my car at the new park and ride and took a bus to Hobart to get a book I ordered. I had never used it before but I met a lovely young lady at the bus stop who promised to go on before me so I would know what to do with the green card I’d purchased previously, just in case I ever needed to catch a bus!

        I know what you are thinking. How hard is it to catch a bus? I live in southern Tasmania where the closest bus stop is two kilometres away, and the walk is on the verge on the side of a road trucks and cars speed along and it’s just scary. Before that I lived almost twenty years in a town without a bus. So now I can drive to the next town and park my car for free and it’s great!

        Safely on the bus, I enjoyed the short trip to Hobart and thanked my new friend. I found the bookshop, a fabulous place called Cracked and Spineless. It’s a shop filled to the ceilings with new and second-hand books and is a must visit if you are ever in Hobart. I could just get lost in there. But I’m trying not to buy so many books. Trying but not succeeding! I came out with the book I wanted, plus another.

        My plan was to jump on the next bus back and make this a very efficient use of time. I’d be home for morning tea. But it was such a lovely day, and I didn’t have to worry about the cost of parking, so I decided chips on the docks were a great idea.

        But on the way, I saw the open topped double-decker tourist bus that drives around Hobart and I thought, what a fabulous way to see the city! So I found myself being a tourist! I loved it. As a driver, you just don’t see much, and sitting up high in the brisk Hobart air was exhilarating! Well, it was for me. Hobart is built in the foothills of kunanyi, Mount Wellington, so as we travelled closer to the mountain, the weather cooled and those tourists dressed for a sunny day soon regretted wearing shorts.

        The tour ended back at the docks, so I continued with my original plan of chips on the water front. I discovered one of the punts in Constitution Dock has an outdoor seating area facing the dock, so bonus for my fish and chips on the dock. Yes, I added fish. I’d built up a hunger being bussed around!

        Finally, I was back on a bus headed to my car. I was back home by one, so, in theory, lots of time for writing, but I’d been up since four, so the couch won me over. I watched the latest Little Mermaid, so still in the world of fairy tales and kidlit.

        As I reflected on my day, I realised recent changes to public transport had indeed made it easier to use busses and I will definitely be using them more often. If I just catch the bus in and go straight back, I get more time. I won’t have to find a park and I’ll save money.

        But will I be able to stick to that? I’m not sure it matters. It was lovely to enjoy the city without worrying about traffic (yes, Hobart has traffic), getting stuck on the outlet or waiting in queues for the multi story car park. Or spending half an hour getting to town, rushing to pick up a book (it’s always a book. No bookshops where I live.) and racing back to the car before the free parking expired. If I hadn’t caught the tourist bus and stopped for fish and chips, my detour to Hobart would have only cost me $3.10, but I loved being a tourist for the morning and enjoying Hobart without the other worries, so no regrets.

        As a writer, it’s easy to spend my time in my head. At my computer. Or staring into space while my mind races through ideas. But it felt good to get out into the world and see my home town as a tourist. Lots of fodder for new stories, plus a very enjoyable day.

        When was the last time you let yourself be a tourist in your home town?

        Let me know in the comments.

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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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      • 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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      • It’s been a while…

        Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted. As an aspiring children’s book author, I spend a lot of time honing my craft and put updates on my facebook page. So just to catch up, since July 2021, I have completed a couple of courses with the Australian Writers’s Centre, Writing for Children and Young Adults and the Picture Book Master Class. During the first of these courses, with tutor and author Stephen Hart, I came up with an idea for a young adult novel so I spent November trying my hand, and mind, at Nanawrimo. Trying to write 50,000 words in one month! I didn’t quite get there but I have a good start on the novel so can return to that at a later date.

        I also continued my efforts with short stories through Globe Soup. My goal, as always , is to improve my writing skills and come up with great stories. So with Globe Soup’s seven day writing challenges, I have been long listed and have received two honorable mentions. But I’m trying to pull back and concentrate my efforts on Picture books. Perhaps writing short stories, flash fiction and poetry is my current form of procrastination to keep me from my goal.

        Soooo now I am halfway through a six-month course, with Zanni Louise and Anna Pignatoro, Writing and illustrating picture books. It’s a brilliant course though I have to say I will NEVER be an illustrator, but it’s fun to try.

        The path to becoming a published author can be long and the world of picture books is very competitive and difficult to get into. But what fun would it be if it was easy?

        I’m learning so much about facebook, Instagram and all other social media and in between I write, talk about writing, share stories with other aspiring authors in critique groups and try to stay focused on my goal; to publish a picture book. But I’m still going to write the odd short story or three.