It has been way too long since I last made effort to write on this
blog. What's my excuse? None that
is valid. I made an attempt to start
writing this blog when I was still working full-time as a teacher. Since retiring in May of last year, I traveled to Denmark and Sweden to visit my daughter, and I recently
returned from a wonderful week-long Western Caribbean cruise.
What keeping me from continuing the pursuit of writing? I think about writing, but I just don’t DO
IT! I keep my thoughts tucked inside the
closet of my mind where others can’t critique them.
Yet, there’s no joy in that. We are placed here to have interaction and relationship with people, no matter how
difficult and complicated those interactions can be. I am here to be salt and light, or I lose my
savor (Matthew 5:13 & 14 KJV).
Honestly, I think it’s fear that silenced my voice. I’m quick to encourage others by saying,
“Don’t let the fear
of failure keep you from success.”
However, I'm guilty of that myself.
So why the SCBWI MD/DE/WV title for this post?
I decided to attend a conference on writing, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference for Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia at the end of this month!
During my career as a teacher, I researched the importance
of children’s literature and early literacy.
I love to read children’s stories to young children. But do I really have what it takes to write
for children?
I’m not sure I even know what that requires. I have read books on writing children’s
lit (for dummies) and have joined a group for authors and aspiring “wanna-be’s” to
investigate the process. I don’t want to let fear hinder me from
taking on a new challenge. I have even started a draft of a manuscript for a children's picture book. This conference may just give clarity to the next steps in the process of writing for children.
There, it's out in the open. It feels good just to put it out there. I’m going to press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
What’s holding you back from your desires? Why not give it a try? Let your talent out of
the closet. I challenge you to press on.
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