By WB Intern Cathy Sheafor
A Writer’s Journey
Sometimes the journey to publication can feel like crossing a lake in a windstorm on a blow-up swan without a paddle. Your destination is a long way away. You may find that hand-paddling is slow or lonely. And, while you want and need critiques, they may come at you from all directions, spinning you in circles. You may be blown off course multiple times by unexpected life events and, just when you think you are moving forward, you may discover you are all wet.
The good news is that your journey is not over. You will cross the lake. You will reach your destination and you don’t have to feel like a blow-up swan in a windstorm. The Writing Barn’s Write. Submit. Support. Program can offer you the structure, motivation, and support you need to chart your course.
Taking A Chance
I joined WSS this year the night before it began. My hyper-organized side wondered if I needed more or new structure for my writing journey. My perfectionist side knew I needed confidence. My introverted side considered whether joining another group of people would be more stressful. My intellectual side wanted more challenges. My creative side worried that it would be brushed aside if I added something else to my plate. So, I hesitated. And hesitated. And, at the very last minute, I joined the class.
The First Meeting
Our first monthly meeting was a few weeks ago. It included introductions, some basic discussion of some components of the craft of picture book writing, and an overview of assignments that participants will complete over the next six months. Yes, you read that right. We have assignments! We will meet monthly six times for 3 hours at a time. We will submit 2 manuscripts for critique each month. We will study picture book writing and we will learn and grow together and separately.
Shortly after our first meeting was over, I received an email from the class TA reviewing the deliverables for the class and an encouraging note from the instructor with some promised information. And, being a workaholic, I began working. Since then, I have submitted two manuscripts to the instructor for critique, exchanged emails with her, engaged in a lovely and productive Zoom chat with her, revised those two manuscripts, completed a literary analysis of 3 picture books, and started planning a 20 minute craft presentation that I will deliver to the class in May. WSS comes with a free Courage to Create membership so I have scanned CTC posts on the CTC Mighty Network, reviewed craft presentations, and participated in CTC’s meditation/mental wellness programming. And, despite the hesitation of my perfectionist side, I have queried a few agents. I feel energized, validated, and I am slowly gaining confidence.
You may be wondering if I would have done these things without WSS. Maybe. I would have been creating and revising regardless. And I certainly would have been reading picture books. But, without the structured assignments of WSS, I would not have completed my deepest literary analysis ever of 3 of my favorite mentor texts. Without the warm encouragement of the instructor, I would not have queried a few manuscripts to a few agents. Without the instructor asking me deep philosophical questions, I would not have focused attention on the mental components of my writing journey. In short, without WSS I would not be where I am. And, lucky me, I have 5 months to go!
You Can Join Too!
For those who enjoy illustrating, applications are still open for Katy Tanis’ upcoming Write. Submit. Support. session for Author/Illustrators.
WSS programming will be returning again in the fall. Watch for announcements on the Writing Barn social media pages and our website. Then, pick up a paddle by signing up for WSS and begin to navigate your way to your dream writing destination.
About the Author
Cathy Sheafor is a writer from North Carolina. She is a graduate of Duke University and Washington University School of Law. She is currently working on picture books and her first middle grade novel. She loves to swim, hike, travel and paint when she is not writing or reading.