Glad you have found a group of like-minded friends and you are on this path together. That ups the value and the enjoyment of the process. I read a book that talked about getting a group to help you move toward better health. The author referred to something called "kedging" ... a sailing term. The idea being that you pull each other along when the other needs it, so you get farther and enjoy the trip along the way a whole lot more.
Ooo I really like that idea/analogy. Thanks for sharing and for always cheering me on, Beth! 💓 Aside from my mom, I didn’t know anyone else working on picture books so connecting with others has been huge. I’ve learned and made way more progress with the group than any other day on my own.
I love that you’re going after your dreams in a tangible way. There are no guarantees when it comes to traditional markers of success when one is creating, but I love that the one thing you can bank on is that it will NEVER be a wasted effort. You will always learn. You will always grow. You will always have aha moments and “happy accidents” that make you fizz over with joy. What a beautiful, painful, glorious process!
You said it so well, Sophie! That “fizzing over with joy” feels like an important element in this process for me. For too long, I thought work could only be meaningful if it was *entirely* difficult or serious or martyr-like. It’s been rewarding to work on something and experience joy along the way. Thank you for reading and sharing!!
"When the year began, I couldn’t stand the thought of writing a 2025 reflection in which I’d admit I sat on my dreams again" - I can so relate to this!
Now it's already April! Is it just me or is time flying by?
Deadlines are so good aren't they?! They help us to produce something, anything! Instead of ruminating on it for another day, week, month, year.
Mika, hi!! First of all—I LOVE that you got to visit Japan recently. Any chance we’ll be getting a peek into your travels there? (No pressure at all, but travel diaries always intrigue me. Especially when Japan’s involved. 🤩)
And yes, what even is time anymore?! It’s like I go to bed and keep waking up to a new month! haha. Thanks for the encouragement!
You never fail to inspire me, Erika.🤩 I can't wait to read the amazing stories you create - it's so clear the gift you have with words and the healing your creativity brings to so many people.
Congrats on starting the thing and good luck on your new career! I’m on my way to finishing my first novel right now, and look forward to publishing it sometime soon (if a press picks it up!). Hope we can swap pictures of us holding our books soon, my friend💪
Thank you, Andrei! Congrats on getting to the end of writing your first novel. That’s such an accomplishment! I hope you can find the right publisher and all of those moving pieces go smoothly.
Glad you have found a group of like-minded friends and you are on this path together. That ups the value and the enjoyment of the process. I read a book that talked about getting a group to help you move toward better health. The author referred to something called "kedging" ... a sailing term. The idea being that you pull each other along when the other needs it, so you get farther and enjoy the trip along the way a whole lot more.
Ooo I really like that idea/analogy. Thanks for sharing and for always cheering me on, Beth! 💓 Aside from my mom, I didn’t know anyone else working on picture books so connecting with others has been huge. I’ve learned and made way more progress with the group than any other day on my own.
I love that you’re going after your dreams in a tangible way. There are no guarantees when it comes to traditional markers of success when one is creating, but I love that the one thing you can bank on is that it will NEVER be a wasted effort. You will always learn. You will always grow. You will always have aha moments and “happy accidents” that make you fizz over with joy. What a beautiful, painful, glorious process!
You said it so well, Sophie! That “fizzing over with joy” feels like an important element in this process for me. For too long, I thought work could only be meaningful if it was *entirely* difficult or serious or martyr-like. It’s been rewarding to work on something and experience joy along the way. Thank you for reading and sharing!!
"When the year began, I couldn’t stand the thought of writing a 2025 reflection in which I’d admit I sat on my dreams again" - I can so relate to this!
Now it's already April! Is it just me or is time flying by?
Deadlines are so good aren't they?! They help us to produce something, anything! Instead of ruminating on it for another day, week, month, year.
Cheering you on!
Mika, hi!! First of all—I LOVE that you got to visit Japan recently. Any chance we’ll be getting a peek into your travels there? (No pressure at all, but travel diaries always intrigue me. Especially when Japan’s involved. 🤩)
And yes, what even is time anymore?! It’s like I go to bed and keep waking up to a new month! haha. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’m so happy you found your wonderful critique group and started writing picture book stories! I can’t wait to illustrate your book soon💕
🥳🥳🥳 woohoo! Thank you, Okaasan!
Keep going!
You never fail to inspire me, Erika.🤩 I can't wait to read the amazing stories you create - it's so clear the gift you have with words and the healing your creativity brings to so many people.
Leah— thank you so much for supporting my writing all these years!
Congrats on starting the thing and good luck on your new career! I’m on my way to finishing my first novel right now, and look forward to publishing it sometime soon (if a press picks it up!). Hope we can swap pictures of us holding our books soon, my friend💪
Thank you, Andrei! Congrats on getting to the end of writing your first novel. That’s such an accomplishment! I hope you can find the right publisher and all of those moving pieces go smoothly.