The Artist in Me...I Tried :)

Today is Pink

Another picture book?

We definitely need more picture books out there that address the importance of "Day of Pink"-teaching children the importance of acceptance, no matter what our differences are...

The Dog That Wanted to Be a Cat

Possible picture book idea?

Kidlit Writing School...just signed up!

I'm so excited! I just signed up for the course: Picture Book A to Z's: Revising Picture Books

Check out the website: kidlitwritingschool.com

The course is taught by:

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, author of 'Chicks Run Wild' (one of my favourites) & 'Duck, Duck, Moose':  I took a workshop with Sudipta at the New Jersey SCBWI Conference and it was amazing!

Marcie Colleen, author of the upcoming 'The Adventure of the Penguinaut':  I have yet to meet her but I'm looking forward to it.  Check out her blog at: http://writeroutine.blogspot.ca

Susan Hawk, agent with The Bent Agency

The course starts April 13th, 2015 and runs for 5 weeks.  I cannot wait to revise my picture books and get them submission ready!  

I've also signed up for 2 - 60 minute manuscript critiques.  

This is going to be incredible!

It's time to Query...

Who knew querying an agent would be so difficult?  I am so passionate about my work, like every other writer and want to impress an agent so much so that he/she wants to work with me.  How do I do this in one page?

First of all, research.  I have spent many hours researching agents from different agencies.  I have checked their bio's and then cross-referenced them with social media such as blogs and Twitter.  I'm looking for anything that stands out and makes me think they might be interested in my work.

It might be a book that we both loved reading as a child or a project that they have worked on that is of similar genre to mine.  It might also be positive words or quotes that resonated with me.  After all, I'm looking for an agent to help develop a career with.  I want to work with this person on many projects to come.  I want them to travel on this incredible journey with me.  

Fingers crossed that I find the perfect match!

Project Title Unknown

I am finally getting to the revision of my middle grade novel about a young girl named Abigail Cox who moves onto a peculiar street with her mother, stepfather, and stepbrother who she has a love/hate relationship with.  The street, Hilltop Court, is inhabited by a group of unusual people who are all trying to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of a boy named Lucas Dubois.

Pete vs. Nolan: Battle of My Inner Voices Picture Book

Note from the Author:

Before you begin reading, let me help you to find your inner voice.  Your inner voice or your voice of reason helps you to make the right choices.  It talks you through each and every moment in your life.  Sometimes, this voice can speak to you negatively making you feel unhappy.  Other times, this voice can speak to you very positively making you feel happy and excited.  

To find it, read each sentence below without actually opening your mouth.

I am awesome.

I am unique and strong.

I promise to always listen to my positive voice.

Did you hear it?  It's the voice inside your head that only you can hear.

I hope after reading this story, you remember the importance of your positive voice.  You are what you think.  And what you think, you become.  Enjoy.

Are you interested in reading more?  If so, contact me at: lbwalker27@me.com

SCBWI and more..

I have been a member of the SCBWI since 2004.  I have attended a number of conferences and have had the opportunity to meet many very talented writers and illustrators.  Some of the most memorable have been:  Tomie dePaola, Marc Brown, Ann Brashares, Jerry Spinelli, Leeza Hernandez, and Marie-Louise Gay.

I have also had the unique opportunity to work with Canadian writer, Richard Scrimger.  He mentored me through the revision of my novel, Footprints of Terra.  I will never forgot when he said to me, "You are playing in the big leagues."  Thanks, Richard.

The writing continues...

I'm working on a new writing project inspired by Mental Health.  The project is about a young girl who suffers from an anxiety disorder.  Her parents are compassionate but lack the experience to be able to relate to their daughter's struggles.  With her acceptance, they enroll her in a summer program with hopes of getting her the help she needs to live a fulfilling, adventurous life.

On her journey, she meets other teens just like her and learns that she is not alone.  She experiences many feelings such as sadness, forgiveness, anger, and love as she searches for happiness.

Each chapter will include activities that readers can complete to help them in their pursuit of happiness.