Writing is my routine, so I will not stop writing.

"We're all students of the craft and every book we read is another chance to learn. Read voraciously. And write exactly the kinds of books you like best." —Mindy Mejia

Endless creativity flows to and through me in all moments.

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." - Terry Pratchett

I write with purpose and passion.

"I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles." ~ Shannon Hale

23 Terrific Small Presses Open to Direct Submissions authorspublish.com/23-terrific-... #SubOp

A nifty bit of wisdom from #kidlit expert @drydenbks.bsky.social writeforkids.lpages.co/dryden-webin...

The #SmallPitch pitch submission window is now OPEN for 48 hours! Key reminders: - Unagented writers only - Finished manuscripts only - One pitch per manuscript - Up to 3 manuscripts per writer - No hashtags in your pitch - Comps & emojis are okay

I trust that slower writing days are part of the process.

"The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived." ~Howard Pyle

NEW EPISODE ❌❌❌THE RED FLAG-ISODE❌❌❌ This week we talked about things that should give you pause when working with literary agents--what's normal, what isn't, and what you should do about it! soundcloud.com/printrunpodc...

"There are books so alive that you're always afraid that while you weren't reading, the book has gone and changed, has shifted like a river; while you went on living, it went on living too, .... But did anyone ever step twice into the same book?" ~Marina Tsvetaeva

I measure my success! I do not leave it to other people.

"When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than was there before." ~Clifton Fadiman

The most common question I see authors ask on The Call with an agent is "what's your communication style?" But what does that even mean? www.agentsandbooks.com/why-you-shou...

37 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for July 2026 authorspublish.com/37-themed-su... #SubOp

Good morning! Here are your 3 minutes of peace & calm. Just 3 minutes—don’t you deserve a quick time out? #OceanDevotion

I have the courage to write, show my work, voice my ideas, be vulnerable, make mistakes & put myself out there and try again!

"Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own." ~William Hazlitt

I adopt a growth mindset. I am a writer because I choose to work at it and develop my skills.

"A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it." ~~ Samuel Johnson

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." ~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, 7 August 1991

Right now, I follow my inner guide and my natural creative rhythm to establish a writing practice.

Hi! Rob Sanders and I are teaching an advanced Picture Book class in Fort Lauderdale in October! Spread the word!

It's HERE! TY to everyone who believed in me when I doubted I could ever weave a dual timeline together. Fireworks for you all! Now, time to write the next book! 📚 #kidlit #Edusky #skybrarians @steelworksliterary.bsky.social @lbschool.bsky.social @pbspree.bsky.social @steamteambooks.bsky.social

*OUT TODAY* @jilanne.bsky.social debut middle grade novel, HEARTLAND! Told in alternating timelines between the past and present, this heartfelt story brings to life a funny, hopeful, unforgettable narrator as she unravels the mysteries of her family and farm. Congrats! #kidlit #MG #ruralstories

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” ~~ Robert Frost

Strategy will take me where I need to go.

I trust the process.

"It's not about what happens to the people on the page; it’s about what happens to a reader in his heart and mind." —Gordon Lish

I Persist With Confidence and Pride!

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” ~~ Sylvia Plath

Humor has a magical way of making an old idea feel fresh. In this week's post, we discuss the magic of picture book humor! ⁠ These ideas and books are sure to give you a laugh! picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky

I am capable of any type of writing I set my mind to.

"The good writer develops his own voice, her own voice. You just can't do that if you don't listen to yourself. And the best way to listen to yourself is to read to yourself -- out loud. Listen for the cadence -- or the discordance. Listen for the beat -- and the offbeat. . ." --Michael Gartner

I am present while writing. I have no need or desire to rush. I fully immerse myself in telling the story.

“When the writing is good, a book becomes a mirror. The reader will see an uncanny familiarity and respond accordingly.” ― Jen Knox, Chaos Magic

Writing, even if it's just a list, helps me hold on when the world feels like it's turned upside down.

"Writing is not like painting where you add. It is not what you put on the canvas that the reader sees. Writing is more like a sculpture where you remove, you eliminate in order to make the work visible. Even those pages you remove somehow remain." ~ ~ ~ Elie Wiesel

I embrace vulnerability in my writing, knowing it leads to authenticity.

Writing centers me.

“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” ~~~Ray Bradbury

I have the power to create something beautiful. I can write scenes and images that resonate with my readers.

"Picture books are the most popular form of children's literature and the least understood. They must combine the compression of poetry and the sweep of a novel, all within a few pages of text." ~~ J. Yolen

Writing is a personal, individual journey. I will not be able to follow another author’s path and expect the same experience.

"I'm a rewriter. That's the part I like best . . . once I have a pile of paper to work with, it's like having the pieces of a puzzle. I just have to put the pieces together to make a picture." —Judy Blume

To be a better writer I let go of words & sentences that don’t serve my creative work. It’s ok to press delete.[working on this]

Friday night, the Jane Addams Book Awards are happening! If you don't know what we do, take a look: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/24/j...

My writing is a form of self-expression that can bring me peace and fulfillment!