The Cow Who Climbed a Tree AND Other Ways to Kick Doubt Out

**As seen on EasternPennPoints Blog (Eastern PA Chapter of SCBWI)**

I’ll be in the middle of writing and I’ll get this unwelcome visitor called Doubt. *sigh* And this visitor asks all kinds of annoying questions. Can you write? I mean really write? Will you ever be published? What are you doing? Are you wasting your time? Should you keep plugging away?

And so if you’ve ever experienced a Doubt visit, you’ve got to read The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino. To discover Impossible! Ridiculous! Nonsense! is absolutely possible. Even when there’s a ton of naysaying from your herd or in your own head.

Matt de la Peña is proof. He received the 2016 Newbery Award for Last Stop on Market Street. His acceptance speech mentions Doubt. Here's an excerpt:

This job can be a lonely, lonely ride. And there are moments when it’s nearly impossible to maintain a belief in yourself. Ninety-nine percent of the time the words don’t seem quite good enough. Or the characters don’t seem quite real enough. Or, worst of all, you don’t feel quite talented enough.

 
So how can we kick Doubt out? These are the branches I climb:

·         I’m open to learning. I read, read, read. I attend workshops. I'm a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writersand Illustrators (SCBWI). And I'll be chairing/co-chairing a new SCBWI picture book critique group in Mechanicsburg, PA (interested? contact me at: jeannecurtin@yahoo.com).

·         I surround myself with positive people. I can’t imagine life without my loved ones and friends cheering me along the way.

·         I have reminders in my environment. Like these words on my wall:

    Make your Magic = write.

    Be Grateful = I take a moment of each day to acknowledge people/things in my world for which I’m genuinely thankful.

    Believe = that my goals of publication will happen.
 

    ·         I keep healthy. I walk. Run stairs. Take time to enjoy life. Adventure. And eat right as much as possible.

   ·         I practice, practice, practice.

Have you used these Doubt busters? Do you use other ways to kick Doubt out? Please share in the comments below!

#SCBWI #NewberyAward #MattdelaPena #GemmaMerino #amwriting #kidlit #doubt  #picturebooks #GetBrave #LiveLife

2016 Highlights Foundation Workshop: Picture Books & All That Jazz (PB&J)

Leslie Helakoski, Darcy Pattison, Kelly Bennett

INSTRUCTORS & AUTHORS:

DarcyPattison & Leslie Helakoski

SPECIAL GUESTS:

• Author Kelly Bennett
• Balzer& Bray Editorial Assistant Kelsey Murphy
• Highlights Art Director Tim Gillner

JAZZED. That would be me after attending the PB&J Workshop.

Our group of about twenty writers toured Highlights Magazine which is celebrating its 70^th year! We learned how to make submissions, and were encouraged to do so. Then we walked across the parking lot to Boyds Mills Press. There, Cherie Matthews, Assistant Editor, gave us priceless information about their inner workings.

I became teary-eyed grateful for this opportunity as we weaved through the Pennsylvania countryside towards the Highlights Foundation’s campus. When we pulled into the driveway, I felt as though this was where I was meant to be.


The Barn.

Darcy and Leslie made us feel welcomed. We ate dinner. And then we dove right into writing lessons. A mere two hours later, I sat down in my comfy, cozy room, took out my manuscripts and eww, eww, ewwed all the way through. Which did not feel so comfy and cozy, but made me realize that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Over the next few days we learned how to generate valid story ideas. We learned how to harvest words and place them properly into stories. To create pitches for agents or editors, and keep our focus while writing. We learned about structure, voice, rhythm, and editing. And so much more.

My brain operated at full speed. Learning and writing was all I wanted to do. I hardly slept. And I LOVE my sleep. One morning I awoke with a jolt at 4:17 with an idea bred from a newly learned technique. I grabbed paper and pen, and feverishly wrote.

I treasured being immersed in writing, elbow to elbow with peers sharing the same passion. We celebrated accomplishments. We supported each other through the joys and pains of becoming better writers.

Back at home, I missed that camaraderie. But not for long. Lindsey, one of the other attendees, started a private Facebook group where we continue to share in one another’s journey.

Jazzed Jeanne

 

Thanks to PB&J, I am equipped with valuable knowledge, an even stronger desire to write, and have a support group. JAZZED. My only regret is not taking this workshop sooner!

OTHER WORKSHOP BONUSES:

·         FOUR priceless critiques!

·        Getting to know our intelligent, patient, and kind instructors.

·        Meeting and listening to Kelly Bennett, Kelsey Murphy, and Tim Gillner.

·         Distractions were at a minimum.

·         The gracious and generous staff.

·        And oh, the food! I’m still savoring the apple chutney pork chops and that wild rice dish, and the specially made gluten-free peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies! Mmmm . . .

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Everyone interested in writing picture books. All levels.

HOW TO PREPARE? Read, read, read classics and newly published picture books.
WHAT TO BRING? A laptop, one or two of your favorite picture books, imagination, and your passion for writing. Of course clothing and toiletries are helpful, too.

 

#Workshop #Highlights #PictureBooks #WritersLife #Author #GetBrave #LiveLife

2016's Twisted Fortune

Last year I decided it would be fun to use the word on my Twisted Tea cap to predict my 2015. My stomach sank when I twisted off the cap and read that word.

As 2015 grew to a close, I decided to play that same game for 2016. I figured there was no way bad luck would strike twice. Right? 

I was filled with anxiety as I twisted off 2016’s cap. I hesitated and giggled nervously while repeatedly saying, “I’m scared.”

But I finally got my brave on and flipped over the cap to reveal my fateful word. And what was it?

Empty.

Empty! My stomach sank for the second year in a row as my mind reeled trying to find a positive twist. But how can empty be a good thing?

Time ticked by when suddenly my guy, Allen, smiled and said, “Empty, as in 2016 is a clean slate, open to all sorts of possibilities.” 

Empty!

It’s all about the perspective.

Happy 2016! May it be filled with positive thoughts and endless possibilities! 

#HappyNewYear #2016 #Fortune #GetBrave #LiveLife #TwistedTea #Adventure

A Twisted Fortune

Twisted Tea was my drink of choice last New Year’s Eve. Printed on the inside of each bottle cap was a single word, which made them that much more enticing to me. I love words.

Before I opened my first bottle on that momentous night, I declared to my friends that whatever word appeared on the cap would predict my 2015.

I was filled with anticipation as I struggled to twist off the cap. What portentous word would fill me with hope for this coming year??

Once the cap was off, I flipped it over to read. And what did I find? Sad.

I wanted a redo.

Suddenly I was dreading the following days, weeks, and months. I told myself that sad was just a stupid coincidence, a bit of bad luck. Though I tried to believe that, I really didn’t. A dark cloud of concern loomed over my future.

Sure enough, sadness befell 2015.

1.       I missed my son who lives about a thousand miles away.

2.       In September, a good friend and amazing person passed away suddenly.

3.       And the world has grown more violent and tenuous.

Sad.

But as it turns out, 2015 was also filled with joy and love.

1.       I got to spend quality time with my son. Even got to spot him a few times in the independent Zombie comedy How to Kill a Zombie! And my guy, Allen, and I are in the process of moving closer to my son and other family members.

2.       I made lots of new friends.

3.       I’ve kept old friends.

4.       My life has been full of adventures with Allen, friends, and family.

5.       I published my first novel, Brave.

In reality, every life is sprinkled with sad. But I feel as though it’s a necessary ingredient to help create a better us. It acts as a catalyst for us to make changes in our lives. To be grateful for those around us. To relish every moment. 

It’s there to remind us to appreciate the happy. 

Even still, it's important not to dwell on sad. Feel it, assess it, and utilize it to create more happy.

What will my word for 2016 be???
 

Meanwhile . . .Cheers to fully appreciating the happy!!

#LiveLife #GetBrave #AnJAdventures #NewYears #TwistedTea #Fortune #YinAndYang