I'm Just Sayin'

Omg it's the last day of July! Things are getting really busy for me and I am very excited about all of them. The first thing happening starting tomorrow is the SCBWI summer conference in Los Angeles, which is SOLD OUT! If you don't know, the SCBWI is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I do both, professionally. I have illustrated about 18 books now and written a few picture books for a mobile app company I worked for in 2012/2013 called FarFaria. I am currently pitching my early chapter book series entitled Uli Driscoll in Trouble, and will have a dummy at the conference attached to my portfolio. I am currently taking a revision workshop to finally get Ryuan - my then YA, now MG series into better shape. After a few rejections I took a closer look.  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/reviseyournovelinamonth At the conference I am splitting my time between writing workshops and illustrator workshops, I am also in the portfolio showcase-and even t...

So I am writing this post not to hurt anyone's feelings or come off as negative, but lately I have really been bugged by the way some of my "friends" have spoken to me about my work. I am not sure if it's jealousy behind it, or just ignorance for having any manners, but I have heard things like this. "What you do isn't real art, it's cartoons" "I do support you, I just don't like cartoons" "You aren't really an artist, you scribble cartoons" "I didn't know you could draw, I thought you played around with cartoons" And this could go on forever. Oddly enough these statements are not coming from "fine artists" (which is a whole nother kettle of fish) but from people who also work in ANIMATION! I am not kidding. Another friend of mine went on and on about how stupid she thinks kids books are and who would pay for that? So I am writing this today to ask each and every one of you to support each...

I stumbled across this article this morning and I thought it was awesome so I am sharing with all of you. Great advice. For the full article click the link, otherwise just enjoy Amy's words of wisdom! http://hellogiggles.com/amy-poehler-life-coach-15-things-shes-taught 1.   “Anybody who doesn’t make you feel good, kick them to the curb. And the earlier you start in your life, the better.” 2.  “No one looks stupid when they’re having fun.” 3.  “Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken.” 4.  “Rooting for other people’s failure  does  get in the way of your success.” 5.  “You can’t do it alone. As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, and spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life. No one is here today because they did it on their own.” 6.  ...