Sooo I entered this contest in Canada for children’s book writers offered by CANSCAIP not thinking I had the remotest chance in hell of being noticed but the worse that could happen I thought was I would get some feedback to improve my story. I just found out my story made the long list (top 25) in the picture book category! Next phase is that the long list will be read by publishers as they decide who makes the short list and ultimately wins an opportunity to be published.

I am so beyond excited and everyone here is asleep (yes at 9:30!!!) but I feel I will burst if I can’t tell someone!
Here’s the announcement: mine is ‘Mongoose wants a job’

https://www.canscaip.org/writingforchildren

Lost in the musical sound of rain on a galvanized roof.

I have been trying to focus on basics - using shapes to build characters as well as trying to learn Procreate. I have been doing a lot of sketches in my sketchbook ( see if you can spot when I got distracted by watching Shrek ) But am also trying to make myself bring something to the best finish I can with my current skill. So frustrating when I can’t see any improvement though!

Excellent podcast. So full disclosure - I am really, really old - not like just 35! I will be 54 this month and my poor husband thinks I have early stages of senility for even contemplating this whole journey. And on bad days, I think he is right and I should just get real and continue to live the beige life of an administrator.
I used to doodle a bit as a kid but no serious interest in visual arts (my creative outlet was always on stage). So it was good to hear that others have come to this somewhat later in life.
And while I take the point that depth of lived experience can be a great thing to bring to the table, there is also a lifetime of baggage to sort through as well. And that ticking time bomb of the end fast approaching is ever present. It is hard not to look for short cuts to progress when you are at a point in life where you can actually see that white light on the not too distant horizon.

Ok - now that I have cheered everyone up - thanks again for the podcast! It has given me some (faint) hope

I think I have reached the limit of my current skills but was good to challenge myself and I learned a lot!

Starting to panic a bit as I am thumbnailing ideas for each prompt but so far am only at #8 star . still hoping to at least get 7 sketches done before October 1st. Told y’all I’m slow

‘Stack ‘em up boys, winter’s coming!”

Thanks to those who helped me along in the process. Learned a bit more about values and adding texture in Procreate. Baby steps

Day 2 The fleeting nature of tranquility

Here’s my entry. Good luck everyone!

Here’s Day 1 - imagined poison apples being delivered to evil witches across the land. Screwed up a bit but hopefully my technique will improve as the month progresses!

@Kat thanks! See ya on the other side.

@TessaW thanks for the encouragement ️

@LauraA thank you

@burvantill @Heather-Boyd @Elena-Marengoni thanks for the encouraging words. I am trying to make time for small joys during this time even though it feels like I am on an out of control roller coaster right now. Really appreciate your support

I am struggling. Have been for the past few months. Combination of stresses: building new home, selling our old home during a pandemic, scared that one of the viewings might expose us to virus so disinfecting like crazy after every one,now the mad rush to get new place finished enough so we can move in, packing up and trying to avoid turning on TV cos well, you know ... 2020.

I tried drawing something yesterday and felt so defeated cos it was such crap. I am so out of practice and now I am afraid the few skills I managed to acquire in the past years have just gone poof. So if you looked over my shoulders this month - my slumped, weary shoulders - you'd find a blank page with a few meaningless scribbles. I won't bother to post it.

Continuing to make my mandalas in effort to alleviate stress.

Thanks guys for doing these! Haven't had a chance to watch the first one yet but looking forward to learning from you all

@Jane-Smith lots of famous kids books authors didn't have kids Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, P.L. Travers - not a prerequisite

Am all over the map. My dream has always been to make a living from doing something creative. But that's a bit vague. Now I am semi-retired, having 'done my time' in really boring 9 to 5 jobs, I dream of being able to write stories and draw illustrations. I never had kids but now I have two little granddaughters (via my stepdaughter) and there is nothing sweeter than hearing 'Grandma!' across the room. That idea of writing children's books has become more front and centre these days.

A slice of life during Covid lockdown.