[christina-alexandru Posts: 10 Status: Offline I hope my book make kids laugh! WWW]

Hello friends!
After the holiday bustle and hustle, I can sit in silence and think about writing - at the same time, I'm trying not to let myself get too down about feeling LOST in my writing career. Anyone relate? I think it's a normal feeling, but I don't like to feel stuck. I'm a writer of many genres, but I've been recently focused on a picture book I wrote. Its sister or mentor text is by Pat Zietlow Miller, Wherever You Go. I see places describing it as New experience, children's travel, imagination - and those are the exact themes of my own PB. I think it's a good step to take - to understand what type of book you're writing.

I've been through two major life events which have taken my focus off the writing career - and now, I'm just trying to get back on the path. Would you have any advice for me? Do you know of any online/open critique groups? What are some search strategies for finding the right agents? What are some of your own best practices? How did you get back on the writing path...Happy to hear from you! Thank you, kindly. -Christina

[Vijaya Posts: 7,164 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Christina. You've come to the right place. It's not always easy getting back into a writing groove after big changes in your life, but you can start small. Try to take time to write just for 15-20 minutes and soon you'll be able to stretch it to an hour or more. I'm a firm believer of free-writing not only to clear the cobwebs but for allowing oneself to wander into interesting directions. Maybe check out a good writing book that has some exercises. Here's a thread on favorite craft books: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?topic=86304.msg1078881#msg1078881

We have an active critique section if you need feedback right away: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=121.0

Since you mention one of Pat's books as a mentor text, you might want to check out the Picture Book Builder's blog: https://picturebookbuilders.com/

Good luck! And Happy New Year! It's a great time to get back into the writing groove. I'm trying to do it myself.

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,496 Status: Offline RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

Using a mentor text is an excellent idea. Taking stock of next steps and looking for a critique group is smart as well. I recommend reaching out to your SCBWI region's Regional Advisor to find out if he or she has any insights on local critique groups. Keep at it. It certainly sounds like you're heading in the right path. 

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,001 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Sometimes it helps to make a list of what I love about a piece or why I started it in the first place. Go back to the heart of it. And sometimes it's good to just play with words and do the things said above.

Besides the critique section Vijaya linked, you can look for critique partners here: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=127.0.

For finding agents, use Query Tracker, MSWL, agency websites, interviews, Agent Query, agents' social media, and AAR and Publisher's Marketplace listings. But don't query until you're really ready.

I read the blog from Institute for Children's Literature weekly. It's often stuff I already know, but it acts as a refresher. And I read Publisher's Weekly's newsletter, Children's Bookshelf, to stay up on the industry.

I hope this helps. Have fun.

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,302 Status: Offline]

I find that reading quickly can jump start my brain, but that the most useful thing is just to sit down and do some writing. Getting a little momentum going works wonders. Here are some sparkles to help: 

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

I'm sending tons of hugs your way, Christina.  I've had a few huge things come up through the years, and even though I wasn't as productive as usual, my writing and the kidlit community helped get me through some incredibly tough times.

I found it tougher to focus on some of my middle grade novels during difficult times...but I could always plunge into picture books! Sometimes it helped to pour my emotions into them. Other times, it helped to write things so quirky and funny, I couldn't stop laughing when I read them out loud. Do what feels right for you.

Great critique groups are priceless! I love being in a local one, so we attend conferences together and can meet in person, which is wonderful. And I get a lot out of being in online groups, too. Like others said, check with your local SCBWI. And we have a great online critique area plus an area where you can form critique groups.

I'm a huge fan of motivational challenges...and you're just in time for one of my favorites!

If you're looking for motivation to come up with at least 30 picture book ideas in January month, check out Storystorm with Tara Lazar. It's incredible! There's daily blog posts from authors and illustrators and a supportive, wonderful Facebook group. Plus, it helps me come up with ideas for an entire year of writing at least 12 new picture books--and you can win prizes, too: https://taralazar.com/2022/12/23/storystorm-2023-registration/ *If you're excited to check it out before 2023 starts, you can browse past posts. Anything from Tammi Sauer is pure gold: https://taralazar.com/?s=tammi+sauer

I've been a part of 12x12PB and love it--registration opens in January: https://www.12x12challenge.com/. the goal is to write and/or revise 12 picture books each year, and there's a supportive community on a forum and Facebook, helpful webinars, an online critique section plus they put together critique groups. The first year, you have to be Silver...but after that you can try to become Gold which gives a submission opportunity to one out of two agents most months--with tons of helpful info about both of them.

And if you'd like motivation to write a new picture book at the same time as others each month, I run the PBParty New Draft Challenge and Critique Train. The next one is January 19 - 21. You write a new picture book during the challenge, then hop on the Critique Train Google doc to receive a critique from the person above you and give one to the person below you. https://mindyalyseweiss.com/pbparty-new-draft-challenge-critique-train-faq/

Debbie gave you fantastic ways to research agents. If your novels aren't complete, having at least 3 complete and polished picture books before querying agents will help boost your chances (3 - 5 is perfect--if they love one, they often ask for 2 - 5 more to make sure you're a great fit).

If you're on Twitter, there's a lot going on for kidlit. One thing I started soon after Covid was PBParty Celebration Sunday (sometimes, I felt like I didn't achieve anything, but when I thought about it and wrote down everything...I saw I had reason to happy dance)! I also post Motivation Monday and try not to be too hard on myself...but it's tough because I always have a HUGE must-do list. I've learned to celebrate what I do achieve and not sulk about what I had wanted to achieve. I can always add it to a future list...or two. Here's a link to my latest Celebration Sunday tweet: https://twitter.com/MindyAlyseWeiss/status/1607013307684118529

[christina-alexandru Posts: 10 Status: Offline I hope my book make kids laugh! WWW]

"I'm a firm believer of free-writing not only to clear the cobwebs but for allowing oneself to wander into interesting directions."

Hi Vijaya - Thank you so, so much for your thoughtful reply. I love the way you said that - and yes, that's something so true and positive to focus on - starting small! Thanks for the resources, as well. Have a happy new year, and triple cheers to getting back into the writing groove!!!

I'm reading through everyone's posts - by the way - You are all amazing! Thank you, Mindy, dewsanddamps, Debbie, and Rebecca!!!!!!