When I began my journey as a writer, I heard a lot about the "muse". "Do you have a muse?" a friend asked when my first article was published yeons ago. "You know," she added when a puzzled look crossed my face, "someone who inspires you to write?"

Back then, I didn't give her question much thought. I knew the inspiration was coming from within. It was a deep need to write, to see my name in print, and to prove to myself that I could actually sell the words I chose to write. And write, I did. For several years in the 80s--yes, the 1980s. Well to be exact, 1987 to 1990, I wrote one non-fiction article after another. In all I saw my name in print in over 200 publications, had my first book published, interviewed people I admired, extolled the trials and errors of parenthood in a weekly newspaper column, and spoke at conferences. 

Then, suddenly, one day I woke up and my constant companion, the need to write, had disappeared. Well, actually it was my friend, inspiration, that disappeared. I did continue to write technical papers and lesson plans, but the love of writing . . . that overwhelming need to write . . . was gone. I settled into Life, and never looked back until three years ago. That's when I finally discovered the meaning of a muse.

Muse, or a force of inspiration, comes from Greek mythology. It focuses on Zeus and Mnemosyne's nine daughters who presided over the arts and sciences. Each one was considered the goddess, or the muse, over their assigned vocation. Now, I don't believe in mythology, but I do believe in inspiration, and that is what hit me in 2012. One of my granddaughters challenged me each of the five summers before to read every book she read. 


Together we worked our way through the Guardian of Ga'Hoole Series, The Princess Academy, The Horse Diaries, The Tail of Emily Windsnap, and a host of others. We talked about the characters, laughed at the funny parts, admired the way the authors turned certain phrases, looked for metaphors, and created alternate endings. The time together was miraculous. Why? Because it awakened inspiration and through it I learned the value of writing with a muse. 


Now you might think that my granddaughter is that muse, and that is partially correct. She is, indeed, my muse, but so is her sister, my two other granddaughters, my three grandsons, the little boy I met at the library who was laughing as he read a book, Mrs. Avery's 4th grade class, Mrs. Avery herself (because her inner child is always present), my two best friends--Vicki and Kim, my husband who tends to see the cynical side of life, my writer friends who share their wonderful children's books with me, and the wonder and delight I see in the eyes of a child every time he or she talks about a favorite book.


My muse has changed me. I no longer care about getting my name in print--although, I have to admit, it still gives me a rush to see one of my stories or articles in a magazine. I no longer look for the big paycheck I searched for in the 80s. I am content with whatever comes my way. And, I no longer have anything to prove to myself or anyone else. My muse is here to stay, and wherever it leads me, I will follow. 

Okay, so I've selected the perfect publisher for my new book, and yes, I have finally written the query. Everything is ready, the query, a short synopsis (I'll share that in my next blog), and the first 10 pages of my manuscript. All I have to do is hit SEND, and it is off to the email slush pile. 

SEND! SENT. Now what?  Patience? Grrrr . . . is that a four letter word or what?

For me, like most new writers, patience is not a virtue I possess when it comes to waiting for a response from a publisher or an agent. Yes, I have the patience to write a novel, to revise it, to revise it again, to rewrite, to listen to critiques. But once that project is completed, the idea of waiting for a response brings up a restlessness that is hard to contain. So, what is a writer to do while waiting the 8 weeks or 6 months for a possible rejection?

Admittedly, the first time I sent out a query years ago, I lived near the mailbox. I couldn't help myself. Every time I heard the mailwoman, I rushed madly out the door and pleaded for my mail, and when there was no answer depression set in. It actually got to the point that she called out from the sidewalk when there was no mail just so she wouldn't have to see me cry. 

But with time, comes patience--well sort of. Yes, I am older and a bit wiser as to what happens to queries when they hit the slush pile. Not that waiting is an easier--I don't think that will ever happen, but now I have a plan that helps me cope with the waiting game.

• I give myself two days--48 hours, and not one hour more--to enjoy the elation that comes when I've finally submitted something.
• I start a NEW PROJECT! It can be as small as a 500 word article or as large as an 80,000 word novel. The only criteria is that the first page is written on day three.
• I seek out knowledge and support from other writers through their blogs, websites, and from Writer's Retreat (Institute of Children's Writers). Since I tend to procrastinate, I limit myself to 30 minutes a day.
• I begin reading a new novel or two or three in the same genre that my new project is in. This helps me see how other writers handle the pacing, the story line, the characterization, and the subplots.
• I write every day. It may only be a paragraph, but I am writing.
• Finally, I search out other markets, and if my first query is not exclusive, then I submit simultaneous ones.

Oh, yeah, and if you write for kids, make sure you visit the library each week during story time, or volunteer at your local school. Kids say wonderful things, have an exciting outlook on life, and are totally inspiring! Time at school always encourages me to write something I think the kids will enjoy.  Keeping busy doesn't take away the pain of the waiting game, but it does make it easier to cope.

Writers, especially those of us who are just starting down the road to build a publishing career, can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of writing blogs offering the latest, greatest path to publication. I know because I think I have read most of them. So when I found a site dedicated to children's writers, illustrators, and the books they write, I had to share.

Many of you probably already know about KIDLIT 411, and if you do--shame, shame, shame for not telling me about it.

KIDLIT 411 is a writer's supermarket. It offers articles, tips, links, spotlights on authors, illustrators, and agents, information on contests and awards, and resources, resources, and even more resources. 

While I could go on and on, the reason I am writing this blog is to alert all the aspiring Picture Book or Middle Grade authors to a wonderful interview with Rodeen Literary Management's Lori Kilkelly. Lori discusses what she looks for in a manuscript or a picture book, but the exciting part--not that it isn't exciting to meet an agent who is passionate about children's literature--is that she is offering a chance for your query on your PB or MG book to move out of the slush pile. 

There, I said it, and yes, I am entering! 

Here's the catch--your manuscript must be completely finished, and you need to enter at the KIDLIT 411 website. BUT YOU ONLY HAVE 4 MORE DAYS! So get with it. Here is the linkhttp://www.kidlit411.com/2014/07/Kidlit411-Agent-Spotlight-Lori-Kilkelly.html

P.S. While you are there sign up for KIDLIT 411's weekly email updates. You will not be disappointed.  

I love to write. I enjoy the research, the outlining, the revising, and even the critiquing, but I hate writing queries. You know, the presentation of your work to an agent or a publisher that shows your writing style, why your book is for them--and only them.

Every instructor, mentor, and writing book tells you that the query needs just three paragraphs--the hook, the synopsis, and your biography. There are also hundreds of places on the internet who--for a fee--will write your query for you, or at least sell you a "sure-fire" template "guaranteed to make a publisher's mouth water" if your book is good, that is. So like most new writers, who are broke, I set out to craft my own.


It started easy enough. I dated it, made sure my name was at the top in perfect business style, and began with: Dear Mrs. So-and-So. Then I froze! What's a hook and what really needs to go into that first paragraph? 


From everything I've read, the hook is the sentence or the question that captures and holds the editors attention. YIKES!  Yes, I know I can hold a reader's attention in an article and I am pretty sure I accomplished this goal with the opening paragraphs of my Upper MG Adventure Novel. But . . . an editor? Someone who is so busy he or she can't allot more than 3 seconds to each query in the slush pile? Holy Moly!


James Giblin's book, The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books, says the first paragraph of a children's fiction book requires the title, the category, and the age group it is intended for.  But, Margery Facklam's article "Focus on Nonfiction: Your Route to Publication" discusses using the copy or a blurb that you might create for the book jacket of your proposed book.



Now I've written queries for articles. Those are easy. The article's opening paragraph is my hook. But a book . . . and an adventure novel for upper MG readers, do I use a question, a blurb, or a statement of fact? 


For my non-fiction book, The Great Camel Experiment of the Old West, published by Collca as part of their BiteSize History Series, I decided on the statement of fact. This is the first paragraph:


I have spent the last year researching the use of camels to forge a safe and reliable route from Texas to California in 1856. There was no stage coach, no pony express, and no railroad. Communication and roads between forts were limited, and settlers heading to the gold fields in California faced Indian attacks, bandits and the unforgiving territory known as the Great American Desert. “The Great Camel Experiment of the Old West” is a 25,000 word book that explores the extraordinary journey of 75 camels purchased for military purposes. 


It could have been better, but the book sold, so I must have hit a cord with the editor. My dilemma now is to craft an eye-catching first paragraph for my upper MG Adventure Novel.  Hhmmmm. Well, it's a work in progress. I'll let you know when I have perfected it.