https://t.co/swnna5VZ3a

My precious Gemma just got a haircut, and now she looks even more like a stuffed teddy bear. I didn’t realize how tiny she is.

MG NEWS: Why Upper Middle Grade and Early MG (with shorter chapters!) is needed more now than ever, w/ shoutouts to @literarylesliez, @LaurieLMorrison @taralazar, @KellyDHouse and @ImaginationSoup. #kidlit #publishing #amreading.

So proud of my friend and critique partner in crime. Congrats @BitsyKemper!

My new "Mommy & Me: Micro-Moments" book is almost here! I'm so excited to share it. https://t.co/0OeC9oNBMY

Quote of the Day Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. — Mark Twain

Don’t give up. Your story may be what someone needs, and your answer may be right around the corner. #amwriting #writingcommunity

Don't let other people's publishing journey effect how you define your success! We all have different paths. #amwriting #kidlit #WritingCommunity

Your opening pages have to do a lot of heavy lifting. They must entice the reader to commit hours to reading your book, & if you’re querying, they need to hook agents enough to request the full MS. Here are 3 elements your novel opening needs to do just that (a 🧵):

Who's submitting? I need to decide and get moving. #kidlit #50PreciousWords #writingcommunity

Wow! I just read an article about new research proving that our brain thinks differently when we type text vs. write long hand. Different parts of the brain light up, more parts with long hand. This explains why I can sometimes solve writing problems by switching to pen & paper.

My oldest actually has a birthday today! 🎂🎊🎈Anyone else on here a Leap Year baby?

Just in case someone hasn’t told you in a while — your art matters. Your stories, your drabbles, your drawings, your paintings, your music. Your creativity, your imagination, your vulnerability. I guarantee it made someone smile, laugh, cry. It touched them in some way.

Thanks for your replies! It’s interesting to see how other writers go about things.

When you have an idea for a picture book, do you start writing immediately or think on it for awhile? I’m almost ready to put pen to paper. 😀

🧵Show Don't Tell: I just finished developmental notes for several projects. I wanted to share 2 resources I think all authors (including myself) can benefit from because I consistently see pieces I LOVE that could really benefit from less telling. #WritingCommunity #amquerying

Hello, #kidlit #writingcommunity! 👋 It's giveaway time! ➡️I'm giving away 1 non-rhyming PB critique of up to 700 words for #MidWeekCritique. To enter, comment with a GIF about how your day is going. Winner will be announced on Wednesday 2/28.✨

Pearl doesn't like her name because kids at school tease her, but when her mama gives her a gift, Pearl realizes she's unique-like the TENNESSEE PEARL. This is a dual fiction/NF story that highlights the endangered TN Pearl and celebrates individuality. #PBPitch #NF

THE STARS REACHED DOWN TO SAY HELLO the night that you were born. Rivers danced and swirled. Waterfalls splashed with joy. This lyrical bedtime story celebrates the birth and uniqueness of a child and the love of a parent. #PBPitch #Lyrical

FLASH can't wait to perform in the firefly light show in the Smoky Mtns., but when his bottom won't cooperate and he searches for answers in all the wrong places, he finally discovers he had the answer all along. #pbpitch Unflappable x The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be.