There’s something about rubbing elbows with other children’s book creators that fires the creative spirit.  Whether a large conference or a smaller gathering, take time away from your desk to get out and talk shop. 

I was recently able to attend part of a conference and just that much had my mind zinging.  It’s great to hear authors, illustrators, editors, and agents talk about their own work, the tips they want to pass on, their successes and–yes–even their failures. 

 Coming up this summer in California is the SCBWI summer conference.  It’s a great one, so check it out at www.scbwi.org  Judy   

Stephanie and I are recently back from the SCBWI New York Conference.  If you could capture the energy generated by a group of children’s book creators, you could probably light up a city.  Attending the conference made me think back to when I first started writing for children.  I was hungry for any information about publishing children’s books.  I was so fortunate to study with Sue Alexander and Eve Bunting.  Stephanie and I met and became friends in Eve’s class.  We both found out about The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in Sue’s class.  This is the organization to join if you are serious about being a children’s book author or illustrator.  Visit their website at www.scbwi.org  Give this gift to yourself. 

I’ve always believed that there’s a time to study, a time to read, and a time to write.  For me studying includes conferences, meeting with other writers, on-line research and networking.  Each step is a part of learning to be a better writer and no matter where you are in your career, you can always become better. 

If you are a parent or grandparent, time spent with the kids is part of studying, too.  The kids are your audience and you can learn a lot from them.  So value that time at every stage.  Think of each minute as another step toward your goal of publication. 

What are some other “study” opportunities?  Carpools, writing critique groups, babysitting, shopping, writers’ meetings like SCBWI Shmoozes, library visits, bookstore visits, reading blogs and listservs, visiting classrooms as both a parent and an author, workshops, and remembering what it felt like to be a kid.  Nothing is wasted in the business of writing or illustrating for children. 

Read–how-to-books, writers’ magazines, children’s magazines and books.  Read everything written for children, especially those books and magazines aimed at your target audience.  Read twice, once to enjoy the story and once to analyze how the author wrote the story.  In the car a lot, try books on tape.  Pay attention to those books that the kids want to hear or reread over and over and over.  What makes those books so loved? Soak up children’s literature. 

And now…write on!    One word at a time does it until you reach the end.  Then start again to polish and perfect until you can’t make it any better.  Good luck and enjoy every step of the process:  the studying, the reading, and the writing.  Judy 

The days are ticking away.  A whole month is almost gone from ‘08!  Can’t believe it!  I have done some writing, including working on a speech.  For the new year, I’ve made a list of manuscripts I want to revisit.  A long time away from some stories helps to improve them.  Sometimes I’m even surprised at how much I like what I’ve already written and am inspired to go on.  Sometimes I know the story is definitely not going to work.  (I can always send those off to my writing partner and say, “Your turn!”  :)  So, time away from a story never hurts.  Hope all the writers out there are writing and the illustrators are illustrating and that this year is fabulous for all of you.  Judy 

If I had to choose one book (not my own) to give for a five to seven-year-old it would be Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins.  This is a step up from picture books, perfect for the early reader.  I gave it to my granddaughter last year and she has heard it at least seven times (often enough to memorize parts).  I’m giving it to a niece this year and I hope she loves it, too. 

Have started Christmas shopping and I’m bleary-eyed from price comparing on line but have part of my list  done.  To all who stumble across this blog before the holidays, hope yours are the best!

Judy