I'm not sure if it's appropriate to piggyback off of another person's question, but I feel like there are similarities between kirsten-hardin's likely-adult-by-age fairy and an idea for a story/character I have that I haven't gotten around to writing yet.

The MC has remained a child (11 or 12) for decades (or possibly longer) because of experiments that were done on her. Essentially, she's immortal and doesn't age... but obviously having been around for so long she's had lots AND LOTS of experiences that other tweens haven't. I always think of the child vampire character in Interview with a Vampire. But I want to play her both as being sort of world-weary and "adult"... as well as having a brain that hasn't matured past the age during which she was experimented on. MG? Or something totally different?

The common wisdom is that a MG MC is figuring out their place in their family/school/other group, and a YA MC is figuring out their place in the world.

The Blueboard, previously Verla Kay's Blueboard, has meant everything to my career.

When I first decided to try to write for children, I knew absolutely nothing. I read books, scoured the internet, and jumped in. But despite all the good information out there, there was none better or more relevant, and no people more gracious and knowledgeable, than those on the Blueboard.

I found my first critique group--eventually my first real writing friends--on the Blueboard. I learned about the industry, about the ins and outs, about specific editors, publishers, agents, librarians, marketing ideas, author websites, author visits, how ERs are different from PBs, which are different from BBs.

I learned about the educational WFH market. I eavesdropped on industry changes and upheavals, found great resources, like Harold Underdown's website and others.

I've promoted my books and events, connected with other Blueboarders who were attending in-person conferences, recommended the Blueboard to everyone, posted Anonymously for tricky industry questions, offered my services, both paying and free, to others on the Blueboard, and on and on.

I check the Blueboard every day and post when I have something I think might be useful to others. This forum is so much more meaningful in terms of educating people about writing and publishing for children and for making meaningful connections with others in the kidlit industry than any other platform, like Twitter. Unlike great books about children's publishing, the Blueboard is real time. There is no substitute. It is well organized and wonderfully moderated. I'm grateful for it.

I'm relieved and thrilled the Blue Boards are here to stay! Yay! It's a great resource and helps promote community. Great work to everyone for saving the Blue Boards! Thank you.

I found my critique partners through the Blueboard in 2005. We're still good friends, supporting each others' writing.

When I asked Blueboarders for advice on how to discourage a skunk from terrorizing my dog, I got a useful answer. I eventually wrote about my experience and turned it into a humorous newspaper article, which was published in The Toronto Star.

I've researched various obscure subjects for my writing projects here. Someone always knows the right answer or can tell me where to look.

Occasionally agents would drop by, inviting Blueboarders to query them. I got several requests this way.