As I mentioned, one of the most important things I have learned is that there is always more to learn. And I am still learning.

Right now I’m learning about the process of getting a book published. LIKE A RIVER has been through revisions and copy edits. It has been through careful scrutinizing by my editor for mistakes. Now it is going through all things promotional.

“Galleys” were sent to a number of successful authors for review, and I am thrilled to say that it has been very well received. Rave reviews were offered by Jerry Spinelli (Did you love MANIAC MCGEE and MILKWEED as much as I did?), Richard Peck (Has he ever written a book that didn’t make me both laugh and cry?), Kirby Larson (And now HATTIE BIG SKY has a sequel!), Rich Wallace (who has taught me more about plot than anyone), Sandra Neil Wallace (whose range goes from Middle Grade to YA to non-fiction), and Michaela MacColl (writer of wonderful historical fiction, my favorite genre). I am in awe of their words, and now they have read mine!

The newest step has been Advance Reader Copies (ARCs). Those will be sent out to reviewers and booksellers. They are a chance to see the book in (almost) its final stage.

It has been an informative process, and I am an eager student. In six months, LIKE A RIVER will be on bookshelves in libraries, classrooms, and bookstores. I will love seeing it there, but the place I really want to see it is in readers’ hands. I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the books of Jerry Spinelli, Richard Peck, Kirby Larson, Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace, and Michaela MacColl.

 

I have been writing since I was five years old. It’s something I truly love to do. It satisfies a creative part of me that nothing else seems to.

My goal for nearly 40 years was to have a novel published, but my attempts met with rejection. I kept writing—for the joy of doing it. But frustration with the publishing world took the shine off my joy. A short story and a few of my poems were published, and some short stories won prizes. That was encouraging. But I still yearned for a published novel.

At one very frustrating low point, when I felt my goal would never be reached, my sister said, “Even if you never have a book published, think of how much you enjoyed the writing. And think about the friends you’ve made through your writing.”

She made me look at things a little differently. She was right. Especially about the friends. I met other writers in my two critique groups and in my local SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) chapter. I met writers at workshops and conferences. Many of them became dear friends, whom I love like family.

Some of the writers I met were very successful and some were like me—unpublished. What they had in common was their love for writing and books. People who write for young readers are some of the warmest, most-giving people I’ve ever met. They care about one another. They offer help and encouragement. I learned a great deal from them, but most importantly, I gained cherished friendships.

The low, frustrated person my sister spoke to that day asked myself a question: If you had to choose between having a published novel or having all the friends you’ve made in the writing world, which would you choose? The answer was easy. My friends. In a heartbeat. They are the best part of all my writing years.

From that day, I went forward in my writing with a changed attitude. Getting published was still a goal, but I knew I had already won the better prize. And do you know what happened very soon after I changed my attitude? I was offered a contract on one of my novels. LIKE A RIVER will be published in April, 2015. And I am ecstatic about it.

But deep down, I know my friendships are still the best part of it all.