Anne, please share your exciting news!
I signed with the amazing Steven Malk of The Writers House! My picture book – Everybody in the Red Brick Building – went to auction and I accepted a two-book deal from a great publisher.
How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal?
I took Picture Book I online, taught by Bethany Hegedus, with Dianne White as the TA. When I started, I had already read (and re-read, and re-read) hundreds of picture books over the past couple of years, thanks to my baby and toddler. But Picture Book I helped me analyze some of those books and pinpoint why certain storytelling elements worked. The class also gave me structure and focus. I love deadlines, and having several firm due dates forced me to make more progress than I would have made on my own. After workshopping Everybody in the Red Brick Building, I had a more polished manuscript and – maybe more importantly – the confidence that my book was ready for submission. I submitted the book just a few days after the workshop.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing seriously for about 15 years, but I only started working on picture books about 9 months ago. Before that, I primarily wrote plays and a few short stories.
What fears/hopes did you have when writing picture books?
When I started trying to write picture books, it felt like a great fit. But because I was so new to picture book writing, I couldn’t tell whether that instinct was correct or whether I was missing the mark completely.
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
Learning, discussing and sharing ideas with other picture book writers gave me more confidence in my knowledge and abilities. The detailed and insightful feedback from Bethany and Dianne helped me trust my own instincts.
Have you made friendships/colleagues as well?
I continued to communicate with Bethany and Dianne after the class, especially when I received offers of representation from agents. It was helpful to speak with published authors who had already been through the process of signing with an agent. They were both extremely supportive and gave me some wonderful insights.
Why do you think attending workshops/classes are important to writers at all stages of their career?
I’ve participated in many workshops over the years, and I’m always surprised by how much I take away from them. I – like many writers – spend a lot of time working on my own. But it’s inevitable that I’ll miss something – whether it’s an awkward phrase or a flawed premise. Workshops always shine the light on those weaknesses and highlight the strengths of my work.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build an develop your career?
One of our weekly assignments was to analyze 3-7 picture books. Dianne and I were discussing one of my analyses, and she mentioned how the author of the book I’d chosen “never settled.” In other words, she never chose a word or phrase that was just good enough. Every choice felt like it was the best possible one. That’s something I will always keep in mind and strive for in every picture book manuscript I write.
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
Read or work through The Artist’s Way. Find a great community of writers. Don’t be afraid to try a new genre. And take classes! Classes give you structure, reinforce what you already know, introduce you to new ideas, and connect you with other writers. I’ve always found them to be well worth the investment.