Weekly Update: Summer Projects, Moving + NYC Writer’s Conference
Low and behold… an actual weekly update! Let’s get right to it.
This summer, I’ve been getting up habitually at 6am to work on both If Our Souls Were Flowers and My Friends are Weird. Every night when I come home from work tattooing, I’ve been doing the same exact thing. Currently, it’s looking like If Our Souls Were Flowers will be a duology. I have the first book already plotted out with a summary and everything. Now I’m just working on the summary for the second book, and then I’ll get to actually writing. As for My Friends Are Weird, I want to have at least a demo book ready for it by November, but what’s more important to me is learning how to illustrate picture books and developing a portfolio of work. (I did have a demo book already, which you may have seen, but I got some really great advice from the agent at TriCon and have decided to change some things).
The reason I want to have all of these things done by November is because the agent recommended that I go to this insanely awesome-looking conference for childrens’ book writers and illustrators in New York City. It’s called the SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and last year, their annual event took place at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. At this event I’ll have the opportunity to showcase my work, pitch my manuscript to agents, but most importantly network with some of the greatest minds in children’s publishing. This is, like, a dream event for me, so obviously I want to go! This year, the deadlines occurred around November and the actual event was in February. I’m assuming the same will happen next year. So I’ve made November a deadline to get my things in order.
If I feel like my manuscript isn’t ready by then, I might postpone pitching it and will focus on workshopping it with the talented people there. I have a feeling that If Our Souls Were Flowers is going to be a winner, and I don’t want to rush it. That’s why I also want to get the illustration portfolio finished.
I’ve been tattooing for many years, because I love art, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to make a living through art by tattooing. But my heart has always been with books. If I could make my income from travelling around and illustrating children’s picture books while I write my novels, that would be an absolute dream. Tattooing also - as much as I love it - has been a bit stressful over the years for me. I tend to care a lot about what other people are thinking or feeling, and when it comes to putting a design on someone forever, I find myself feeling quite anxious a lot of the time.
That’s why after I graduate this year, I will be pursuing an 11-12 month B.E.D for teaching elementary. I’ve always loved teaching children, and I absolutely love writing for them. So I think this is a job that I will treasure. It also gives me lots of inspiration and opportunity to write, and I get to do the two things that I’m the most passionate about. That means I’ve only got maybe two years left of tattooing, so book in while you can! Haha.
In other news, I’m currently moving apartments to a new place in Wolfville. It’s a little smaller than where I live now but it has a nice big deck with lots of trees, which I’m very excited for. (I already have a windchime that I want to hang). This unfortunately means I won’t have as much time to work on projects over the next two weeks or so, but hopefully that will all be over soon and I can get back to it.
P.S: If you have any tips for illustrating, please send them my way on social media or via email! I’d love to hear any advice or thoughts.
Thanks for listening. See you on the next page,
Willow
