Dear Fellow Children’s Writers and Friends,
Today I want to talk about a particular conundrum of the KidLit and likely general writing for publication journey. Experienced writers talk of their apprenticeship, a time before and even after early publications where they were still learning about the craft and the industry. This is often followed by an unnerving admission that they still feel like they aren’t sure what they’re doing after all these years. As though each new book is like they are starting the journey again and I guess they are, but hopefully with a bank of knowledge and skills to draw from.
The conundrum lies within the duality. When, if ever is the apprenticeship completed? I can relate, despite umpteen years of teaching and knowing I am competent and experienced, every new document and technique mandatorily implemented makes me question myself and my tried and true techniques. I’m not sure if every teacher or for that matter every creative feels this way, but likewise I know I’m not alone.
A beautifully worded rejection this week, brought about my musings on the conundrum of the aforementioned apprenticeship and admission. A rejection, no matter how beautifully worded is always difficult, but I’m far enough along now to know that a personal one, let alone one so thoughtfully penned is another step forward on the journey. One to be celebrated, for there are certainly enough steps back to wallow over.
After my first embarrassing attempt at a Picture Book when my son was born 25 years ago, followed by several years of being too busy to even consider attempting another, to finding a correspondence course about five years later. I do not recall completing this, it wasn’t really what I was looking for, When I finally joinied my somewhat local FAW face to face and two pivotal online writer’s groups, the sadly no longer active CKT and the still quacking Duck Pond, the former being instrumental in the publication of my debut Picture Book, Star, I sensed that I had completed at least the first part of my apprenticeship. I still feel that way, in fact I’ve had an inkling all year, that this would be my year. I still feel that way too, but it’s been shaken a little as the year enters it’s second half. This paragraph feels as convoluted as the journey, which in a strange way makes sense.
So what do I do now? More of the same: read, write, critique, learn, network, attend events and amplify my submissions. Something I’ve been meaning to do for sometime, but the necessary time to do so having eluded me. Some shifts in working habits in both my day jobs and my creative pursuits will now allow me to tackle this task head on.
We are in peak conference and event season, with CYA on now, plus Book Week and Love Your Bookshop Day to name a few upcoming events , so that’s it from me for now.
Farewell fellow travellers,
Savour the quest,
Journeygirl
Journeygirl 