A Crap Shoot

As you know, I've registered for the SCBWI LA Summer conference this year. I paid a little extra to receive a critique on my work. I had to send in the first 10 pages of my current manuscript (my magic carpet story). My work will be assigned to either an author or an editor who will critique it. At the conference I'll sit down and discuss the critique with that author/editor. I asked an author friend of mine for any pointers about submitting work, and her first reply was "It's a crap shoot--depends on who you get."

Now that I think about it, this whole writing/publishing industry is one big crap shoot. Sure, talent and perseverance, and tenacity play a big role in becoming a published author, but really it's about finding that lucky break. It's about meeting the right people at the right time, or having the right story at the right time. You'd think this would deter a lot of us aspiring authors, and maybe it should. But it doesn't. We hold out hope for that lucky win. That sets us apart.

And if we hold out long enough, we might just get lucky.

Preschool at Home

Westly turned 3 in April, and just within the last month of that happening, he's turned from a toddler to a preschooler. I really want to take advantage of the next few months before Baby #2 comes along to do preschool with Westly at home. He loves to learn and soaks up everything I teach him. He is working on writing a W for his name right now, and doing very well. We'll continue to add letters until he can write his name. He also loves to paint, color, use scissors, do Play-Dough, count, and practice his alphabet. I couldn't ask for a more enthusiastic student!

First Draft Down...How Many to Go?

I didn't get much writing done in April due to my First Trimester slump. But now that my energy is back, I'm able to get back to my writing routine. Last weekend I finished a first draft of my Flying Carpet story. It feels good to have a first draft done, though of course it needs lots of work and I still need to go back and figure out some story lines. I'll be dedicating most of my time to readying the first 10 pages to submit to an editor for critique at this summer's SCBWI conference in LA. I'm planning on attending again, and getting some feedback on my story.

May's Outdoor Adventure

We've been having crazy heat waves this month. So Westly and I took advantage of it and hit Avila Beach a few weeks back. This counts as our outdoor adventure this month for our 2014 Resolution! It was made extra fun by our friends joining us.

Second Trimester

I realize it's been a month since I posted. I tribute my lack of motivation to do so to First Trimester slump. But now that I'm past the morning sickness and fatigue, I've got more ambition for life again!