I joined SCBWI in April of 2020. The most impactful thing that I have learned from SCBWI is connection. The opportunities that are provided for events, contests, and community have been very helpful in my writing journey.
As far as my writing routines, I wish I were more disciplined in my writing and had a certain amount of time or word count but that doesn't work for me. I'm a high school English teacher so my weekdays are pretty busy so I like to write on the weekends. I always keep a notepad near to write down thoughts that come to me.
I have always been a reader but never really considered writing until about six years ago. My youngest daughter, then eight years old, asked me to write down the bedtime storyI had made up for her so she could read it whenever she wanted to. Shortly after that we went into quarantine and I devoted my time to learning craft and publishing. I signed up for every free webinar that I could find on writing for children and publishing and watched videos on YouTube. Also, I took classes through Highlights and The Writing Barn.
For my dedicated writing space, my husband built the office of my dreams and I love it! I do all my work there but to be honest, I still rather sit in the corner of the couch when I write.
My dream book to write and have published is a YA novel! I have so many ideas and being surrounded by teenagers all day gives me plenty of content to write about. Right now, I'm working on a new picture book manuscript that I'm super excited about. I've had the idea in my head for about five years and finally have a completed first draft to work with.
I do not illustrate nor have any plans to do so. I can't even draw stick people!
My advice for beginning writers is to slow down! Take your time to work on your craft, let those manuscripts marinate, and never query the first draft of any story.
I'm represented by Alyssa Jenette at Stonesong. Alyssa and I connected through The Manuscript Academy's Ten Minutes with an Expert Chat. The phone call consultation was a birthday gift I had gifted myself for my fortieth birthday. We had a great call and she asked to see more manuscripts. We worked together on some revisions and in August of 2020 we set up "the call.” I've been with her ever since.
My debut book Only For a Little While, illustrated by Richy Sánchez Ayala was published in June 2023. The Spanish version, Por un ratito, translated by Alejandra Oliva was released simultaneously. Only For a Little While won several awards, including the 2024 Anna Dewdney Read Together Honor Book, the 2024 Américas Commended Title, the 2023 Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book Award: Silver Award, and the 2023 Mariposa Award Best First Book – Children & Youth – English: Gold Award. The Spanish translation Por un ratito was on The Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year in Spanish 2023.
Some things you might not know about me are I'm the only leftie in my family, and I sneeze when I'm full. Also, I didn't know my dad spoke English until I was in the 5th grade! I thought he only spoke Spanish since that was all he used at home.
You can connect with me at:
www.gabrielabelt.com
IG@thegreatgabsie