Pathway to Published: A Childhood Dream Comes True

In kindergarten, the same year I acquired the nickname Little Miss Vocabulary from my regular babysitter, I wrote my first book, "My Dog Cody." (Comic strip-style execution required for this high-intensity action sequence)

In third grade, I won a school-wide writing competition - earning the opportunity to serve as Bethany Grade School's representative at the Young Authors Conference at the Illinois State University - for my story "The Soda Fountain." (Illustration accurately featuring 1980s exhaust emissions)

In fifth grade - the year I created my own handmade thesaurus and wrote a fairly comprehensive dictionary for a fictional world - I also penned the story "Unicorn Land." (Very on-trend) 

Basically, from the time I could hold a pencil, I knew I wanted to write stories. But I didn't know how to make it happen. "DON'T major in English," everyone said. OK... Then what? Since writing every day was a must, I went to the University of Missouri-Columbia and got a degree in magazine journalism. That way, I could focus on long-form pieces and keep the stories rolling.

My journalism degree led me to a reporting post at The Kansas City Star... then the Sun-Times News Group in Chicagoland... which led to speech and press release writing for Chicago Public Schools... which led to brand storytelling at PR firm Henson Consulting... and ultimately to starting my own communications consultancy.

All the while I was writing plenty, but not stories. Not quite how I dreamed.

THEN...

About one year ago, my friends Heather and Chaz and I were chatting over vino about how we, as parents, plan to negotiate Santa territory with our 5-and-unders. It was in the midst of this conversation that I remembered: I had written a poem on this very topic in a midnight advent fog.

Honestly, I had forgotten all about it. But with this conversation, memory of the manuscript came rushing back. LUCKILY I was finally able to find it tucked away in a folder on my hard drive. 

The first draft of my "Santa truth book" was written between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on a mid-December morning. I couldn't sleep that night. I kept tossing and turning, thinking of my niece Carsyn and the ROUGH Christmas she was having, after having put all the pieces together and confronting her parents (my sister and brother-in-law) about Santa.

I shared the manuscript with Heather and Chaz. They were instantly supportive and suggested immediately that it could be a book. (Adding that we would need to celebrate its publication with an annual girl's trip to France. Obviously.) Here we are, practicing our French on the Geneva Christmas House Tour... 

A book? REALLY? I wasn't sure. But a persistent feeling just kept growing inside. You know that feeling:

WHEN you step up to the plate. WHEN you exit the huddle. WHEN it's your turn to speak. WHEN someone hands you a microphone. WHEN the spotlight hits your face. WHEN you open that long-anticipated email...

Nervousness. Excitement. Opportunity. Purpose.

For the past year - ever since I pulled out the manuscript and committed myself to finishing it - I've had the sensation that something was coming. In faithful service to that feeling, I've done these things, in this order:

• Finalized the manuscript (on a weekend trip to Alton/Grafton with my mom last spring)
• Got engaged with kidlit writers on Twitter
• Read the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market book, edited by Chuck Sambuchino
• Researched and wrote a 17-page book proposal
• Wrote a query (aka: pitch) for my book
• Read Create Your Writer Platform, also by Chuck Sambuchino
• Created an author website via Squarespace
• Launched a blog on said website
• Registered for a writing conference (Kansas City Writing Workshop #kcww)
• Designed and printed business cards
• Rehearsed presenting my query pitch 
• Met fellow writers and chatted with three agents at KCWW
• Received an agent's invitation to submit my manuscript

And then it happened. THAT EMAIL arrived. An agent interested in my manuscript. An agent interested in representing me. A contract to sign... which I SIGNED!

So now I'm represented by METAMORPHOSIS LITERARY AGENCY in Kansas City. In normal non-publishing speak... I have a literary agent! It's my honor to be working with Stephanie Hansen, owner of Metamorphosis (@metamorphLitAg). 

Now we're off and running! I'm researching target publishing houses this weekend. That's the first step. I'll continue to share my "Pathway to Published" journey here on the blog, if you'd care to join me. And I hope you will! 

PS: If you are interested in pursuing publishing, these are #mustread books by @chucksambuchino:

My prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding this opportunity. I pray that you continue to work through me in this endeavor!

Author Spotlight: Amy E. Mason

Before I became facilitator of Masterpiece Moms - a faith-based program for moms of kids with special needs at FBCG in Geneva, Ill. - the role was held by Masterpiece Moms co-creator Amy E. Mason.

If you don't know Amy, lemme just tell you: She is lovely. Inside and out. She has the most peaceful, sunny, patient and kind demeanor of anyone I can ever recall meeting. Every time I attended Masterpiece Moms as a guest, she welcomed me warmly and led the group in the most beautiful prayers. 

When I was asked to fill Amy's shoes, after she moved to the West Coast, I was SO NERVOUS. Amy made leading Masterpiece Moms look effortless. In fact, for her, it may have been! She has a tremendous gift for bringing people closer to the Lord.

So even though it was a COMPLETE surprise when I recently learned that Amy - so modest of her own accomplishments - is actually a well-known Christian author, it shouldn't have been. Amy's books, which collectively have sold more than one million copies, include God's Daily Promises for Women, 365 Pocket Prayers for Women and TouchPoints for Women. 

Amy's latest book, Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs, was released on APRIL 1 (Tyndale). I have a copy, and it has already been a tremendous blessing!

Here's the gorgeous cover...  

There are 132 topics in Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs, including hundreds of promises from God's Word. For me personally, her entries on Affirmation, Perseverance and Waiting have been the MOST IMPACTFUL. Here's more about how her fantastic book came to be:

What inspired this book?

When my son was first diagnosed with autism, I was desperate for hope. My schedule quickly became packed with therapy and doctor’s appointments, and I was exhausted and craving answers. I didn’t have the time to sit and do a Bible study, and I didn’t have the time or patience in that season to read a whole chapter book. I was longing for something that would meet my need in a moment, to help me find hope in the times when I was overwhelmed. I had trouble finding a resource that blended the truth of my parenting journey with my faith in God, and was accessible for a busy, stressed mama like me! Since I had written other Bible Promise books in the past, I decided I wanted to write one for other parents like me who were walking a little bit of a different parenting journey. I wanted a place where we could go to find the hope of Christ in any given moment, to give us the encouragement and strength to keep going with joy and courage through the challenges of special needs parenting. It took me three whole years to finally complete!

How did you choose the book's 132 topics?

Choosing the topics was a long process. I drew from my own experience and the experiences of other friends who also have children with special needs. I wanted the topics to be relevant for parents who have children of all abilities but also be very tailored to the unique emotions and situations we go through as special needs parents.

Is there scripture (or a topic highlighted within the book) that you lean on with frequency?

Personally, my favorite story in scripture is found in John 9 verse 3, where Jesus heals a blind man. The disciples ask Jesus why the man was born blind. They want to find out why he was blind, and who was to blame. I relate because it seems like there are so many people searching for the "why" behind disabilities. Why are children born with genetic disorders? Or autism? Jesus answers the question in an unexpected way, “This happened so that the power of God could be seen in him.”

After my son was diagnosed, I kept asking God “Why?” “How did this happen?” I love this scripture because it reminds me to change my perspective. Instead of dwelling on how hard things are (although it’s definitely okay to acknowledge when things are hard!), it reminds me to take a more hopeful perspective forward, to wait expectantly for God to reveal his glory through my son’s life. My son can be a vessel for the world to experience the glory of God. I love that. It helps me stay hopeful when things get tough because it reminds me our issues can become opportunities for God to show himself to us. That is a promise I claim each day, and it has helped to shift my focus over time. (This scripture is found under the topic of DIAGNOSIS in the book.)

One of my favorite topics in the book is NORMAL. It seems like our culture can be obsessed with what’s normal, especially when it comes to child development. Since my son is very high functioning, I find myself always reaching for a sense of normalcy, and just when it feels within my grasp, his needs surge and it reminds me, we’re not your typical family! But in this topic, I explore the idea that God never meant for us to be like everyone else. God’s people were always meant to be different, to have different abilities and to be set apart. Most of us are very aware of how our kids our different, but maybe this is a blessing to never have to wrestle with the illusion of normalcy. If God calls us to be set apart, he will also equip us and our children to walk a different journey than those around us. I love that our God wants us to be set apart because it gives so much purpose and meaning to being different and helps me embrace my not-so-typical parenting journey! I want to encourage my son to shine in the body and with the abilities that God has given him. I want him to know that he is a blessing and a person of great worth in this world and in the church. The fact that he sometimes stands out is the stage in his life for God’s glory to be seen.

* * *

AMEN! Wow, Amy's perspective never fails to bring me hope and inspiration. If you or someone you know would benefit from some of this LIGHT, you can pick up your copy of Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Lifeway. ($6.99 paperback)

Connect with Amy on Social: Instagram: @amymasonbooks // Facebook: Amy E. Mason Books

***PINTEREST GIVEAWAY***

To WIN a copy of this book:

CLICK on the Pin below. PIN it. FOLLOW Anitra Schulte on Pinterest.

Easy peasy! Contest runs 4/19/17 to 4/26/17.

Good luck!

An Easter Essay - on Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Awareness Day

Easter Sunday is extra special this year.

That’s because today - April 16, 2017 - is both Easter and International 4p-/Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Awareness Day. (Wolf-Hirschhorn: Pronounced “wulf-HURSH-horn”)

Our family has been a part of the worldwide Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (WHS) community for more than five years (Elsa was born December 2011), and I can’t recall these two dates ever coinciding until now.

So today, we celebrate TWICE. 

Here are the gals on Easter morning at Grammy and Grampy's house. Chocolate is already out and all over Lola's face...

Elsa on the hunt - with crossed legs...

Since the moment I realized that these observances would fall on the same day, I’ve been searching for a thread that connects the two completely separate occasions:

Easter - The defining celebration of the Christian faith

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome - A rare chromosome disorder affecting 1 in 50,000

There is only one link I can find, but it's the only link needed: The person of Jesus Christ. 

How so?

Easter is the celebration of Jesus' life, death and resurrection - He who came to Earth to live a perfect life among us, dying on the cross to take on our sin. The gravity of this sacrifice is so awesome that it's hard for me to fully comprehend. But one thing that I can totally grasp is that our world is broken and in need of saving, and Jesus saves us.

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Awareness Day is a day devoted to spreading the word about the condition caused by a missing part (deletion) of the short arm of the 4th chromosome (4p-). The absence of this genetic material results in severe developmental delays and in some cases includes a variety of other birth defects. (For more, visit wolfhirschhorn.org.)

Brokenness. Missing links. Questions. Hardships.

Trials are a hallmark of our earthly existence. As a Christian, I know that this mortal life is fleeting. So I set my eyes on Jesus and look with hope to an eternity spent without separation from my Creator.

Some families I know are able to thank God for their child's Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome diagnosis. I hope that one day I am able to say this with honesty and conviction.

For now, I can wholeheartedly thank God for Elsa. She is most certainly a gift from above. And on this day, I also especially thank God for the WHS families who have come before us:

• Advocating for their child's needs
• Demanding equality and access
• Bravely undergoing unproven and ground-breaking procedures
• Allowing themselves to believe that their child could live beyond professed mortality rates
• Creating platforms like wolfhirschhorn.org, for sharing and celebrating the real WHS story

All of these amazing families: Rising up. Conquering fear. Celebrating every moment. 

HAPPY EASTER to the WHS parents across the globe, who have blazed the path. And God bless every WHS child, for giving us Earthly examples of strength and love. 

Kidlit Spotlight: If I Weren't With You

At the Kansas City Writing Workshop last month, I had the pleasure of meeting author Rosie J. Pova - a fellow kidlit writer with a picture book on the cusp of release. It was so energizing to connect that weekend with someone already so far down the publishing path.

Meet Rosie J. Pova!

This Kidlit Spotlight features Pova's If I Weren't With You (illustrated by Philip Martineau), released by Clear Fork Publishing on APRIL 4, 2017. (Hot off the presses, folks!) Here's my take on this new title: 

If your family is anything like mine, you have WORN OUT your copies of... 

And....

Ready for a picture book reboot?

Enter If I Weren't With You - a title reminiscent of these new-ish classics, but with a deeper focus: Quelling our children's biggest worries and most persistent fears.

The story opens with a little bear named Willy playing in the woods, while his mom stands nearby. As the two bears walk among butterflies, and through hills and trees, Willy begins asking his mom some very serious questions:

What if I got lost in the woods?

What if a hunter took me? 

Would you give up and forget me?

Willy's questions all have the same angle. What he seeks - what every child seeks - is certitude of his mother's devotion and protection. To Willy, safety and security can be understood, so long as he knows that his mom would do anything for him... and stop at nothing to save him.

Through vivid nature-driven examples and illustrations, Mama Bear assures Willy: Her love for him is constant and endless. This message hits extra close to home this Easter holiday, as we remember a Father's love that knows no bounds.

As a parent, I gotta tell ya...

Merely thinking of my kids being taken away from me is enough to give me a panic attack. Our children aren't immune to this. They live in the same world that we do. They see the nightly news and hear stories of loss and death.

Kids know - if only abstractly, or through the lens of cartoon characters - that there are bad forces out there, just out of view. Things that have the power to separate them from what they know and love. From us.

To provide stability in the face of Willy's uncertainty, Mama Bear offers unwavering assurances that she will never give up on her son and never forget him.

Once Willy gets his pressing questions answered, he is grounded by simply hearing the words "I love you" from Mama Bear. With that, mom and cub resume the physical and emotional closeness that gives both of them such fulfillment. 

It's a pitch-perfect ending to a book that both confronts and comforts - and all on a child's level.

Congratulations on this fantastic book, Rosie! 

Wishing you lots of luck in Texas (and beyond!) as you raise awareness of If I Weren't With You, now available on Amazon. ($16.99 hardcover)

***GIVEAWAY*** 

For a chance to WIN a copy of If I Weren't With You:

Follow me on Twitter (@anitraschulte).

Retweet my contest tweet between 4/14 and 9AM CST 4/20.

Good luck!

Let's Hang On: An Ode to OT Awareness Month

The song "Let's Hang On," by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, often comes to mind when I think of Elsa's journey with OT, or Occupational Therapy.

For my girl to participate in the world around her, she has to follow the lead of this song and HANG ON to whatever she's got in those sweet little hands of hers. So I'm making this catchy little ditty the theme song of our Occupational Therapy Awareness Month 2017:

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - Lets Hang On from 1960s.

Elsa has had FIVE different OT's. (Currently she has THREE.) Every OT she's worked with has been overwhelmingly generous to her, and to our family, in their time and energy and resourcefulness.

In order for Elsa to use her body, she has to first have "body awareness." That means, she has to know where her body is in space. (We typical folks do this all day long without thinking about it: Running up and down the stairs. Bumping up against things. Feeling a gentle breeze.)

To facilitate Elsa's body awareness, our OT's have tried it all: 

• Massage
• Joint compressions
• Vision therapy
• Hand splints and arm stabilizers
• Compression vests
• Swings and slides
• Yoga ball bouncing
• Gooey messy play
• And on, and on, and on... 

Once we've optimized her body awareness, then we get to work. For YEARS, Elsa's been working to clear foundational hurdles. To be frank, without much success.

Emptying buckets of blocks, bones, beads... It's tough work for her. And it's also really tough to watch. Most days, she just can't make her hands do what her brain wants them to do. We're always working on:

• Sustained grasp: This means holding on to something for a prolonged period of time. Like a toothbrush or spoon or lego. Elsa will typically drop these things after about 3 seconds. Tops.
• Controlled release: This refers to putting things where you want them - in a bowl, bucket or box, etc. Basically, placing items with control.

Over and over we try, doing our best to help her brain map a path to her hands by repetition. This is called motor planning - synching up your body with your brain. Super hard for Els.

My point is this: These OT's have committed their careers to digging deep into their tool boxes (and literal bags of tricks) to help Elsa develop her fine motor abilities. Even when it's extraordinarily frustrating.

And they don't give up on her. And they don't give up on us.

They help us HANG ON to hope. 

This persistence recently earned us one of the most exciting moments of our lives, when Elsa held onto a therapy swing (below) at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital for 14 minutes!

Here's video evidence. In this moment, she's in survival mode! But she does seem to like the size and feel of the rubber ropes. And swinging is obviously fun, especially with her awesome therapists cheering her on: GO ELSA!

The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., has encouraged people to share their OT stories socially this April, and it was a pleasure to do so with all of you. THANK YOU FOR READING!

You can extend the reach of OT Awareness month too, by sharing this blog post on Facebook or Twitter, or by emailing it to your friends.

But my MAIN REASON for sharing all of this with you? Other than bragging on Elsa? I never knew OT was a career option, when I was choosing my path in life. While I'll always be at my keyboard (for me, there's no other way), it's my hope that more young people consider this rewarding profession. Read more here.

OT's are ALWAYS in short supply and in HIGH demand in the therapy realm. In every city, in every state. (Trust me, I've done lots of research.)

If you, or someone you know, is thinking of becoming an OT... Do it. OT's give parents like us the encouragement to keep forging ahead, and give kiddos like Elsa a fighting chance at a life like yours and mine.

Kidlit Spotlight: Love is My Favorite Thing

Once a week, my girls and I dig into the picture book bins at our local library to refresh our snack time reading options. The girls want silly books featuring animals. I want books with cool art and a strong universal message.

This Kidlit Spotlight satisfies both, making it an all-around winner.

Meet adorable Plum (aka "Plummie"). Scraggly black coat. Vibrant red collar. Up-to-no-good wide eyes. Regardless of your age, there's no way you can avoid loving - and relating to - the furry protagonist of Emma Chichester Clark's heart-warming book, Love is My Favorite Thing.

Kidlit Spotlight snack? Orange slices

The joys of puppy-dom are not lost on Plummie. Wind, snow, treats, sticks - all brighten her day and give her joy. And of all the wonderful things to enjoy in life, LOVE is her favorite thing. (Particularly, the love of her owners and the little kids who live next door.)

But there's a problem... Something that never fails to drive a wedge between Plum and her beloved companions: Plummie's insatiable, overriding appetite for fun and adventure. Try as she may, there are some things that Plum just has to do, even though she knows she shouldn't.

Jump in that pond. Steal that girl's ice-cream. Rip apart that pillow.

Wowza, what a beautiful spread!

When Plum gives into her desires, BOOM. Down comes the hammer. She becomes "bad" Plummie, "naughty" Plummie. And she ends up in some serious time outs. It's no wonder my girls relate to this pup. (At bedtime recently, my middle said, "I don't like it when you leave me in my room in the dark. Just like Plummie.")

Love is My Favorite Thing clearly delivers the message that behaving can be really hard, but when we get punished, it's because those who love us are trying to teach us right from wrong. Plum shows us that we all make mistakes, and that getting back into good relationship with others requires sincerity - in our apology and in our commitment to self-improvement. 

Can we all be better friends to one another? Can we say we are sorry (and mean it), then work with all our might to make amends and turn toward light?

In the words of Plummie: "I can do that. I really can try!"

We HEART Buddy Break

When our family first heard of Buddy Break, we thought it was too good to be true. We had nothing but questions. The dialogue went something like this:

Wait, volunteers will watch our kids for how long? THREE HOURS. Did you say it was free? YEP. They'll just take Elsa, right? NO, THEY'LL WATCH ALL THREE OF YOUR KIDS. Um, why? BECAUSE THE VOLUNTEERS LOVE THE LORD AND WANT TO SERVE YOUR KIDS. But... why?? THEY BELIEVE ELSA IS A MASTERPIECE, CREATED BY GOD FOR A PURPOSE.

Cue tears of disbelieve, elation and humility. Free time for Dan and me? Made possible by a group of volunteers who see our child's specialness? And who want to support our entire family? Even when we started to grasp the breadth and depth of the ministry, the wonder persisted. But as it turns out, it wasn't too good to be true. It was, and is, 100 percent for real. 

Here's the scoop: BUDDY BREAK is a free respite program offered at our church FBCG about one Saturday a month. It's part of a national organization called NATHANIEL'S HOPE that is dedicated to sharing hope with special needs kids and their families. If your child has special needs, that child and all of his or her siblings get paired (one-on-one) with a "buddy" while the parents get a three-hour "break."

Three hours may not seem like much time, but we sincerely plan our family calendar around it so we don't miss. Here are some of the things we've done during Buddy Break:

• Researched and purchased home electronics
• Test driven minivans
• Mulched our front and back yard
• Built and stained a new back patio deck
• Constructed a backyard playset
• Taped and painted our upstairs hallway 
• And, after someone told us we shouldn't always work on Buddy Break, grabbed coffee and went on a bike ride

Dan putting the finishing touches on our new play set, which may or may not keep the kids occupied in Summer 2017. Jury still out on that one.

This was the first time I'd been on my bike in 6 years. Although that's nothing like a 108-year wait. Go Cubs Go! 

So, as you've gathered, the free free time offered by Buddy Break is obviously amazing. But our other favorite part of Buddy Break is the Christopherson family. All of the families who serve through Buddy Break are fabulous, but I'm pretty sure we have the best buddies (just sayin').

The beautiful, lovely Patti watches Elsa, and her sweet daughters watch our littles. All three LOVE spending time with this incredible family. When we tell Elsa's sisters where they're going, they literally jump up and down and scream "Yaaaaaay!" FBCG's Buddy Break in Geneva, Ill., is the biggest one in the country, serving just shy of 100 kids each session. The team divides the church into tons of fun activity spaces. Our girlies tend to gravitate toward the ball pit, free play room, game room and gym. (Christophersons: You have no idea how much your selfless service means to us. You are family, as far as we are concerned!)

But back to Elsa and the other special kiddos in attendance. They are the reason for and focus of the program. The blessing of Buddy Break for our "VIPs" is best described by my sweet friend Sharon, whose son Kurtis has special needs and attends alongside Elsa:

Parents might view Buddy Break as a much-needed break from the daily care of their special needs kiddo, which it is. But I think our kids benefit mutually from the break from us. It's good for Kurtis to meet and interact with new and different people, and engage in activities, routines and social situations that aren't dictated and controlled by me. It gives him a chance to be more independent. He and his buddy, Tim, have a good time together with lots of laughter! It also gives him the opportunity to be active enjoying some of his favorite things, like ping-pong and shooting hoops with his buddy and with other kiddos/peers. For me, Buddy Break offers the peace of mind in knowing that Kurtis will be safe and well-cared for even though I am not present. I can spend my morning knocking things off my 'to do list' sans worry about how he's doing. I also come back to him a little bit refreshed by my "me" time Buddy Break has afforded me.

Buddy Break is truly worth all of this praise and more.

If you, or a friend with a child with special needs, might benefit from Buddy Break, there may be an opportunity near you. Check out the list of locations on the Nathaniel's Hope website.

And if you live in the western suburbs of Chicago, and want more info on the FBCG Buddy Break in Geneva, email the fabulous Jaimie Valentini at jvalentini@fbcg.com. (Jaimie and I lead Masterpiece Moms, another amazing FBCG program. The next Masterpiece Moms is May 21.)

Top 5 Writing Workshop Takeaways

It's my dream to publish a children's picture book that gives a next-level understanding of Santa and the real reason for the Christmas season. To make it happen, I've been working day and (mostly) night to get up-to-speed on the kid lit publishing scene. We're talkin' kids down at 7:45 p.m., mommy's laptop open from 8 p.m. to midnight. (I have a very understanding husband.) 

So when I saw that pro literary agent Marisa A. Corvisiero of the Corvisiero Literary Agency was leading the March 25th Kansas City Writing Workshop on "How to Get Published," I signed up and booked my flight without delay. 

It was an awesome experience. I got to meet energized and committed aspiring authors, connect with published writers and hear about their upcoming projects, and chat with three literary agents about my book idea.

New kid lit friends (left to right) Rosie Pova, Jennifer Broedel, me, Jaclyn Kruzie and Jennifer Laughlin

Here are the top 5 things that I took away from the day-long workshop:

1. Know why you are writing: Marisa Corvisiero encouraged each workshop attendee to ask themselves a basic question: Why are you trying to get published? If the answer is to make money or become famous, that's not gonna do it. Your reason is everything. It is your constant call-to-action and source of inspiration. For me, writing has always been about uncovering truths, increasing understanding and finding magic. It's what lights me up and keeps me up at night working. Corvisiero suggested writing your reason down and posting it in your work space, as a constant reminder. Love this idea.
2. Make yourself visible: If you want to grab the attention of an agent, you need to get yourself out there. It's not necessary to be everywhere, but some things are non-negotiable. A web presence and a Twitter or Facebook account are essential, Corvisiero said. In Create Your Writer Platform, the go-to book on platform for aspiring authors, leading industry voice Chuck Sambuchino says your website must be in your name. Corvisiero reiterated that at the workshop, adding that board positions are great to note in your query. These are the epitome of platform, as these posts allow you to reach an audience directly from a position of leadership and influence. 
3. Research, research, research: Which agents fit you and your work best? What are other authors in your lane doing to raise their profile? What groups are good to join to make connections and learn about the industry? "Use The Google," Corvisiero advised repeatedly (jokingly, but quite seriously) throughout the workshop. Immediately following the event, I used The Google to search for illustrators that align with my Christmas book vision. I further researched agents I met in person. I also learned more about the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators and became a member. And on and on and on. Pulling a single thread on Google uncovers invaluable resources, deepening knowledge click-by-click.
4. There are rules, and they matter: Whether it's submission guidelines, query letters, synopsis summaries or story plotting, there are rules to be followed. Tried-and-true conventions and formulas aren't there to stifle creativity. They ensure that you connect with people and deliver on promises - to readers and to the people who can help you connect with them. I've always found great comfort in writing frameworks. Structure is your friend. Story and voice can never come through if you don't fashion your words professionally and purposefully. 
5. You need a plan: Corvisiero is a big proponent of charting a path forward. As a serious planner myself, this was music to my ears. When I look back to October 2016, when I finalized my picture book manuscript and started sending out queries, and then I fast-forward to today, I can see lots of progress toward my goal. This inspires me to keep at it. There's always more to do. Strategic next steps for me, following the workshop, are joining the 12x12 Challenge to pen 12 picture books in 12 months, and connecting with a Chicagoland critique group that focuses on kid lit. I can't wait to get going on these things and continue refining my craft.

So a huge thanks Marisa Corvisiero and to everyone who worked so hard to make the Kansas City Writing Workshop (#kcww) a great success. You pushed so many of us onward and upward. Thank you for the encouragement and amazing ideas!

Putting out good vibes in the clever graffiti-book check presenter at KC's Gram & Dun restaurant

Why We'll Vote YES

I'm more accustomed to writing talking points than speaking them. But when it's your kid, it's easy to talk from the heart.

There's a referendum on the ballot in our town on April 4 to support the construction of a new library. For many reasons, our family supports it, but access is our primary reason.

Here's a brief video that Elsa and I filmed with the Citizens Committee of the library to raise awareness of accessibility issues that we face when we come to the library.

We were so honored to share our perspective. PS: How stinkin' cute is Elsa? 

Local friends, please consider voting YES on April 4. We thank you in advance for listening to our viewpoint!

Visit www.gpldnewbuilding.org for all the details on the referendum. The committee has done an excellent job making its case. Now every vote counts!

UPDATE: The referendum passed - by just 89 votes. Phew!! Always stand up and be counted!

Reflection: Is self-care important?

For some, the word “self-care” is a joyous idea: The perfect way to describe pouring time and energy back into you.

As the mom of a child with special needs, however, I have a hard time with the term. It makes me feel like what I’m doing for my child - and other children - isn’t enough; that I also need to find time to pamper myself. It also makes me self-conscious; like it’s obvious to others that I’m neglecting myself and am in desperate need of a Kathie Lee & Hoda Ambush Makeover. (Not that I would turn it down...) 

This internal dialogue can put me in a really sad, lonely place and also lead me to defensively make judgments on others: “That lovely woman over there seems rested. She looks put together. If only I had the luxury, time and resources to prioritize myself.”

Instead of allowing the idea of self-care to send me into a tailspin, I decided to look at what God has to say on the matter. Scripture tells us that our bodies are gifts from God. If we are fit and healthy, won’t we be better able to carry out our earthly vocation? Including motherhood?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.