Kate DiCamillo
Tiger Rising was the first “kid’s” book I read as an adult. It was magic. It made me appreciate kidlit as an adult. It made me want to read more of it and try my hand at writing it.
Favorite things
Most people do a top ten or a top three list. Apparently, I’m a top two kind of person. Everything else ties for third place.
Authors
Lynn Painter
Because, hello! Not only is her writing laugh-out-loud meets warm-and-fuzzy, she is an amazing human. I met her before she was famous and have fan-girled her since.
Travel destinations
Around the world
Wherever my family is. My nearly-same-height-as-me offspring are my favorite humans, equally tied (No, I don’t have a favorite) with each other and my amazing spouse. Wherever they want to go, I’ll happily tag along. Now, if it’s a 1.75 mile hike with 1300 feet of elevation gain, I will complain The. Entire. Way. But I’ll still follow.
Hawaii
Anytime. Any island. I’ve been lucky enough to go twice and will happily return.
Writing events
SCBWI KSMO Abbey writing retreat
They welcomed this Nebraskan with open arms, and I am forever grateful. If you write kidlit, join your local SCBWI chapter and attend. the. events. You’ll make friends who will help you grow as a writer, support you during the hard times, and cheer each success.
NYC 2023
Here’s the thing. Writing and relationships need to be cultivated. Make time for your writing and for your writing friends. Even if said friend lives far away (like Germany) and you live in the smack dab middle of the continental US (like me). Find a common destination. It doesn’t have to be grand. The simplicity of any place with a mutual direct flight destination works. Make a long weekend of it. You won’t regret it. (You also may not write much – but sometimes companionship and brainstorming go a very long way.)
Things I do well
Critiques
Yes, yes, I know. This is a “favorites” page. Not a place where I’m supposed to brag about myself. But. Some of your favorite things are things you naturally do well. So.
I truly enjoy providing valuable feedback to other writers. It’s something that makes me happy. It fills my cup, so to speak. And I believe I’m good at it. Granted, I’ve been told I’m good at it, so there’s that, too. If you need references, I’m sure I could scrounge a few up. If you’re a writer, find someone who gives you good, constructive feedback that helps you. Be open to suggestions but know, your story is your story.