So, when I reflect on where I was this time last year, it was not far along the writing path. Then, I found @writing community on Twitter, joined @writementor and 12x12. I attended a remote writing conference in the US and had two agent 121s. I had no idea what I was doing, but one agent wanted me to send my work. I did. It was a pass, but when I look at what I sent I am truly not surprised!
From here, I joined SCBWI and attended some picture book workshops. I signed up to webinars and I listened to what I didn’t know! I participated in mentorship applications, PB party and critique trains. There was a lot! I attended some on PB writing and some on children’s novels (Iaminprint). I wanted to keep up with 12x12 and write a PB every month and I wanted to join a critique group. I found a totally funny and awesome group from US with two UK joiners and we have been a force since then! It’s a great supportive group.
During the second part of the year, I signed up to other conferences and courses. I moved onto the level 2 for write mentor and I joined Golden Egg Club. I started following particular authors on Twitter (Clare Helen Welsh and Amy Sparkes) and signing up to their courses. I also started on my illustration course that I enrolled on in June 2020 with London College of Art.
I did the 12 week Golden Egg Writing for Children and Young Adults course and I loved it! I entered some competitions, but none amounted to much in terms of prizes. However, what I did gain was some of my now favourite manuscripts! I thrived on Picture Book Summit, a crime workshop, Storyteller Academy, SCBWI conferences and events and other delights! Another critique group or two and I had a 121 with several UK agents. One in particular said she wanted to know more about my writing journey and how I was a published poet first.
The year ended with some great successes in the form of a successful application for the Golden Egg 12 month writing for children and young adults course with my YA - Seen But Not Heard (although I may work on something different during the course) and a shortlisting of one of my picture books in a Write Mentor contest. I enjoyed a mentoring group for my novel and my picture books and I started to fly! It has been a great journey so far and I am excited for all of the creativity that this year will bring!
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