A Writers Journey – Growth

Wherever you are on your writing journey, there are always opportunities to learn and grow. Sometimes though, you feel so overwhelmed about where to start. I’m working on my first middle-grade novel. Somewhere around 6,000 words in, I know I need to do something, but I don’t know what. I’ve had Mary Kole’s Writing Irresistible Kids Lit on my resource bookshelf for a year or so. I’d started reading it, but life happens and the next thing you know I’ve put it back thinking I’d get to it someday.

I picked it up and started reading. Not too far in, I was laughing as Mary described beginning cliches. I had made the very first one she mentioned! Oops!

One of the next things I picked up from her book was “nailing the first line.” This stuck with me for days.  As I go to bed, and turn off the lights,  I often start running a scene in my head. In that moment, I came up with my first line. The best part is it is working to get me unstuck on where to go with this story. At least for now.

Another thing I did was reach out to Joyce Bloemker, owner of Leg Up Book Editing. She is an editor who works with equestrian fiction authors. I’ve been following her on Instagram and sometimes you get a gut feeling. I knew someday I wanted to work with her. She does developmental editing which I originally was going to talk to her about concerning this story. We had scheduled a call to talk about the project and I pitched the general principal of the book, because to be honest, by the time I had the call with her, I knew I needed to spend more time in the weeds with this story.

She gave me some things to think about and suggested a couple of podcasts to listen to. I’ve saved them into my podcast app. At the end of this post, I will list the writer’s podcasts on my playlist.

The other thing I’m doing is actively looking for webinars and writing seminars to participate in. I’d love to attend a writer’s conference, but travel can be challenging. I recommend checking out some of the groups, for example, the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators offers video replays of their conferences.

• The Equestrian Author Spotlight – Carly Kade. Interviews with equine authors.
• Good Story Podcast – Mary Kole. Interviews with writers and influencers about writing, the craft, etc.
• Your Next Draft – Alice Sudlow. Fiction writing and developmental editing
• Resilient Writer – Rhonda Douglas. A podcast for writers
• Publish & Prosper – Matt Briel & Lauren Vassallo. Publishing, e-commerce, marketing for writers
• SCBWI Podcast – Conversations with writers and illustrators, publishing pros, and more.

Search for each of these on your favorite Podcast App.

Write on my friends.