The First Turning Point

Wading through the oceans of writing information available on the interwebs is terrifying. It feels like everyone has their toe dipped in with a website full of courses and is competing for attention. I had no idea where to start. 

Woman in sunglasses leans against a fence overlooking rocks and the ocean.

I had already learned there was no way to take a small sip from a firehose. I needed a better way. I thank the internet rabbit hole that led me to Picture Book Summit. It has been around since 2015 and started as an online conference for picture book creators. They know how to do this all online and do it very well. I signed up immediately.

The energy that surrounded this conference was perfect for my newbie brain. Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Hedlund, Katie Davis, Kelli Panique, and Laura Backes were excited about what they do, and they had no shame in dancing their hearts out to show it. 

I was blown away by the first Superstar Speaker, Yuyi Morales. I still remember watching her presentation and gasping at her beautiful art. Her love for children's illustration was so inspiring. It was the best introduction possible to the magic that happens when a writer and illustrator join forces.

The workshops were fantastic. I took copious notes. From mind-mapping your way to an authentic story to the "rules" and how to break them, I felt like I was discovering secret after secret. Agents and editors spoke candidly about the publishing industry. I started to learn the terminology. Things were clicking for me.

Picture Book Summit is a one-day conference. And frankly, that's all I could've handled at that point. Learning a brand-new craft ad business takes a lot of time and energy. I had almost reached the end of my water-logged attention span by the last Superstar Speaker.

But not quite.

And then Jon Klassen said the thing I didn't know I needed to hear just then. I still think about his words when the waves get rough.

He told us that he, the fabulous Jon Klassen- creator of Triangle, Bear, and many other iconic characters, still gets anxious about making a picture book. Then he explained how to figure out our weaknesses and use them to make the work better. 

At the end of the conference, I was exhausted, inspired, terrified, and motivated. Just as it should be.

Then Julie Hedlund said a few words about her 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. And that's where I started to find my people.