Re-Inspired

I was starting to have my doubts.

The past couple of days, I've been thinking maybe this author thing isn't for me. I just don't seem to be as passionate about it as I should be. Maybe I only have enough enthusiasm for one hobby at a time because running is really taking over and pushing writing out of its way.

But then I had my monthly SCBWI Western Washington meeting tonight. I can't believe I considered not going as I sat in traffic on I-5.

If you want to be a children's (or any genre really) author, I highly recommend joining the Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators. The meetings are full of aspiring writers and authors. You can feel the passion and the energy all around you.

I'm so glad I went. Not only was tonight's speaker, Erik Brooks, entertaining and inspiring, but a new friend was there, and she always makes me feel better. She recently published her first children's book, The Terrible Tenor. She's also a runner and has encouraged me multiple times to turn my Mom vs. Marathon blog into a book, which (I have to be honest) I've thought about before.

But I have no idea what angle to go after on what seems like a very broad, possibly overdone topic. So I'll think about it some more, which is what I always do until the excitement bubble pops and drains all my juicy ideas till my brain dries up.

No!

I'm going to work on this. I'm feeling re-inspired after tonight.

Inspiration: The Fire Engine Book

You know how published authors always say to write, write, write and read, read, read the genre you are interested in?

Well, they are right. I don't have any problems writing -- but I've been focusing on the wrong genre. As I grew up, I forgot how much I loved children's books. I used to love to read to my youngest sister when she was little. I'm 13 years older.

I went away to college when she was 5, I think. Then I graduated and got a job. Finally, I had a child to read to when T Junior was born on May 27, 2008. I have read to him every single day since the day of his birth. He loves books, and he sits on my lap every night for exactly four of them.

His taste in books is starting to expand, and I can read some of my favorites to him that, before, didn't interest him: Click, Clack, Moo, and King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Tonight, I was reading The Fire Engine Book. We both really enjoy this book, which I think was first published in 1950! The words describe actions and the illustrations are engaging.

While reading this evening, I really paid attention to the simplicity of the book. It's describing what happens on the way to a fire. Then at the fire: "Crank! Crank! Up go the ladders. Up go the firemen with their hoses!"

It's genius in how simple it is. It made me realize that I am overthinking it. And I had an idea, which I worked on before writing this post, thank you very much.

So read! Read your genre and get inspired!

Inspirational Book No. 1

"'Help, help!' cried the Page when the sun came up!"

I adore King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey and Don (illustrator) Wood.

When I read this book to T Junior, it makes me want to write. I believe Audrey wrote it for both the parent and the child, as I enjoy it just as much as my son.

I can't believe it came out in 1985!

I'm old.