National Poetry Month begins tomorrow!

I have a poetry journal on my nightstand. Originally, I had planned on writing one poem a day until the journal was full (it's a small journal). That plan didn't work out--no surprise. But I have been writing poems in it fairly regularly. So, my plan for the beginning of National Poetry Month is to share ONE poem from my poetry journal.

Come back tomorrow. I know you can hardly wait!

The Life of a Picture Book Part One: Conception

The life of a picture book, like the life of a child, begins at conception. For my newest picture book idea, that life began last night as I lay in bed, armed with my new mechanical pencil and a composition notebook. I was brainstorming picture book ideas, when an interesting little ogress found her way from my brain onto the paper. I hadn't known she was there before!

So I was thinking that it could be interesting to blog about the life of a picture book, from conception to draft to polished manuscript and beyond. Sometimes these journeys are long and arduous uphill climbs. Sometimes they seem to come as easily as a walk to the mailbox. But one thing they all have in common is that they always teach me something, every step of the way. And I would like to share what I learn with you.

What I've learned from these "conception" moments is that I can't really escape an idea once it grabs me. An idea may not develop quickly, or much at all. It may not have a long and glorious, successful life. But it is always worth taking the time to help it grow.

Read The Life of a Picture Book Part Two: Drafting and Waiting