Change

 Change

Almost a year has passed since I first attended the regional New England Society Children Book Writers and Illustrators conference. Three overworked manuscripts that I tinkered with over 10 years, and a colorful but lackluster portfolio were my body of work. This is not self-deprivation, just honesty that has helped me move forward.
 

During the conference I noticed women far outnumbered the men. 80/20 would be my guess. As I researched Picture books I found that male authors contributed far more than 20% to the shelf. In fact most of my favorite P/B authors are men. I began wondering why men seem to have a higher success rate.  

My theory: Women write like Moms – Men write like Dads. Simple I know but major. Moms are the nurtures, teachers, instructors and disciplinarians and Dads have a more playful roll with children. (Please do not get upset by these comments I know Moms and Dads are a LOT MORE, and this is not war of the sexes just general observations) 
 

Six months after the show I had a dream: I was pitching an idea and I said “my general hook for my stories was friendship” A booming male voice said “What the heck are you writing about friendship for?”  Weird, I know but it got me thinking about how my behavior changes when I want to delight children. I am goofy and without self-consciousness. I get down on their level and play. This is what I needed to bring to my work.

As 2015NESCBWI conference approaches I reflect on my professional growth and know that I am closer to publishing because I am producing new work. This year I will have four fresh stories written to fulfill my life’s mission of spreading joy.

New Idea Dilemma

New Idea Dilemma: This happens often to me and a is a prime reason my husband gets so annoyed with my work style.

I do not think I am alone in this habit of abandoning my almost done work for a new idea that will not stop gnawing at the inside of head.  Eventually I will get back to what I had been doing but when inspiration speaks it is hard not to listen.  My spark came while cleaning my office. This wonderful drawing by Thomas, my grandson, surfaced as a wild banana seedling.

 

 

 

 

I transplanted the seedling to a book cover, as suggested in a Fireside Chat with Peter H. Reynolds. "What about getting submissions out for what you have, and finishing the half finished projects" Martin suggests hopefully. 

 

"It is just the cover. I need to put down the idea or I will loose it for when I need it." I said believing myself.



 

 

Wellllllll........ The story will not let me go. as I try to fine tune a story board all I want is to work on story boarding "My Monster Maker" A little boy who's creative powers bring mischiefs monsters to life causing the young artist a spot of trouble.

 

I have a slew of excellent, original Thomas monster drawings that I would like to incorporate.  How could I not be excited? What should I do when faced with a New Idea Dilemma? 

#NESCBWI14 - My Token from Peter H. Reynolds

I will end my tale of my first conference #NESCBWI14, with this, one of my favorite things. A wooden token from Peter Hamilton Reynolds, confirming that I am a member of www.thedotclub.org The Dot Club. Join the internationally recognized,  Dot Day on September 15, 2014.

Thank you to all those who worked incredibly hard in putting this event together.  Expect me next year.

#NESCBWI14 - Who Am I Writing For?

One of the most thought provoking comments made over the weekend was posed by Laurel Snyder, during her speech, "Who are you writing for?" Many PB creators are parents or teachers, inspired to write for the little ones who bless there lives. I am neither. Although I adore children and have 6 soon 8 (step) grandchildren, I do not create for them. My audience is the 5 year old me. A child, who's parents were not equipped to teach social graces.

Most of my stories have an underlying theme of overcoming prejudices and making, as well as keeping friends, which for me was difficult.  I spent most of my thirties figuring this out, pouring my emotion in to my stories. It was my therapy, a way to calmly work through my anger, fear and lack of confidence intensified through the years of being truly socially awkward and not knowing it!

Good news, I can overcome, and adjust my behavior to become a better version of me. Looking at the world with love to solve my problems with others by being filled with understanding rather than with fear and hatefulness. Life is great now, I have a wealth of friends and treasure each one, old and new.

The stories I create are teaching that 5 year old about social graces in a bright color filled world. Thanks Laurel for helping me to see my audience and find my hook.

#NESCBWI14 - Meeting My Picture Book Hero and Making A New One

Often in life we go in to an adventure with a clear goal and sometimes when fortune smiles on us we attain the goal and  surpass our expectations when wonderfulness unfolds, like it did for me on Saturday.

My #1 goal was to say hello to Peter Hamilton Reynolds, my PB creating hero. I discovered his work while doing a massive amount of research, checking out hundreds of Picture Books out of the library each week. The Librarians loved me because I pushed their numbers way up for a few months! I loved the first book I read so much I gobbled up everything the library had. For me every book he has written is an inspiration and they all make me cry (not that that is difficult). A big giant fan is what I am, so I fully expected his workshop to be the highlight of the show for me. It was awesome and inspiring and I did meet him although I forgot my planned something to say to him, which is "My maiden name is Hamilton that is the second H in the HH". Oh well no matter, it was great to meet him and listen to his stories and see him tear up at the thought of something he was speaking of. Check that off the list and onto the rest of the conference.

Little did I know that I was about to meet a new Hero. As I walked into "Pacing a Picture Book" I take a glance at the table displaying the books of the presenters. My eye shoots to the "Blue Chicken" book. In all that research I did, this book stood out, although I had only read through it once over a year ago. AWESOME! The presentation starts and I am blown away by Deborah Freedman and the analytical dissection of picture books and the way she loves what I gather are among her favorites as she pets and caresses them as she opens my eyes and fills my head. I tell her my little story and she seemed genuinely touched by it. WOW!

Exhausted I get dinner to go and head to my room for a little rest before the evening events ...

Never made it out of bed slept 12 hours, all that Saturday fantastic wore this Early bird DOWN.

Sunday however proved to be just as magical as I ran in to Deborah Freedman while on my way to my room and being brave I said hi and was rewarded with a warm chat with my new hero. Why is she a hero? I can now see something has been nagging me about my work and I have a powerful tool now to fix fatal flaws and I just love her work. While browsing the book store I saw a book cover "Fish and Snail"  that pulled me straight in and as I panned out I noticed it was sitting above "Blue Chicken". I bought both and will treasure them not only because I think they are absolutely adorable  but they will forever remind me of this first experience at a NESCBWI conference.

#NESCBWI14 - My Voice part 1 - On time and only one year and an hour late

As a first time attendee to the New England Society of Children's book writers and illustrators  (NESCBWI) I particularly excited because I was among the disappointed last year  who faced the tiny words "Sold Out" when attempting to register so I start this story one year late. 

In my true scatter brained approach the trip started a bit rocky, so when I hopped in the jeep I was 12 minutes late before I started and then a mad dash to find the GPS, long story short, Martin found it in the back seat. A quick marital spat, and I am off 18 minutes late.

The evening prior Martin asked "Do you have Fuel in the tank?"
"I will be ok." Famous last words. 30 minutes late for my first #NESCBWI14 volunteering spot.

As a side note: Martin is my solid rock who keeps me on schedule as much as I will allow.  If he was with me on this trip we would have been on I 495 settling into the two hour drive.

So I have arrived found a parking space. 45 minutes late.  "Checking in Heather Steffens" I said confirmation in hand.
"You have already checked in." the trainee said
A little annoyed, but room key in hand, I am ready to start the weekends adventures.

The room is beautiful, I am unpacked and about to run late for the second volunteer commitment I made. The elevators were packed and slow so I decide I will take the stairs from the 10th floor. Quick sprint down to the second floor.... the door is LOCKED. I go all the way down where the last door say "emergency exit only alarms will sound" I contemplated if this was truly an emergency. I try other doors ... LOCKED   LOCKED ... "OH SHIT".  A thin film a sweat is suddenly covering me.  I calm myself and think.  I will call the front desk. The battery is dead. "Double Oh Shit" Now I am using my imagination in a most terrifying way, I am going to spend my weekend in the stairwell. "Oh tripple F&^%". Finally, I did manage to find the one door that opened, which was kind of down a little hall and brought me to the lobby.

I managed to be on time and only one year and an hour late.

I later heard the woes of the Check-In and parking, so I  know how very luck I was.

Stuff It!

Yesterday, I drove 3 hours to stuff folders for an hour. I considered it a morning well spent volunteering for the NESCBWI 2014 Spring Regional Conference.  A multitude of hands made stuffing 500+  folders lightning quick as we chatted away. As the lunch rolled to an end the experienced writers sprinkled us with wisdom and humor and built up the conference excitement level for this first time attendee.

Volunteering Gives Me Courage

As you can see I am a volunteer at the 2014 NESCBWI (New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) conference. If you know me at all you are aware that I love to volunteer although you may not understand why so I thought I might tell you.

Not so many years ago I found myself living in the rust belt. Ten years earlier I had drove through the area and literally told God I would never want live in, due to the decrepit appearance.  Little did I know what was waiting for me.

On a very fine day I met Dani the most volunteering volunteer a person could be and she invited me to join the local Chamber of Commerce. I did and went to a few lunches and that was about the extent until I was asked to volunteer by Miss Dani. The next thing I know I am making friends, growing my business and having the time of my life. It was a rewarding experience to say the least.

Now, I am in a new place starting a new career as a picture book writer and illustrator. I am going to a convention alone and will not know a single person making me extremely uncomfortable. Volunteering gives me purpose and that makes me calm, forces me to engage with strangers, provides an introduction to others who volunteer who I already have a common bond with. To sum it up volunteering gives me courage!