This Writer’s Week

Sometimes I wish all weeks could be just about writing – sitting somewhere quiet, locked away with time to put pen to paper or fingers to the keys and let the words run away.

I don’t know what my percentage of actual writing time is (and probably different because I only write picture books) but more and more as a writer of children’s books, I’m spending time on doing other writerly things – social media, networking, attending other children’s book events –

so, this week has been –

A presentation to a YWCA group in Mooroolbark about Queenie and my other books

Attending the launch of Carol Wilkinson’s Atmospheric

Racing (late) to The Little Bookroom in Carlton to join the celebrations for their 55th Birthday Bash

Presenting to a Probus Club in Essendon and meeting a 93 year old who rode Queenie

Meeting with a publisher and an illustrator for a forthcoming book (exciting)

Seeing the wonderful Shaun Tan Exhibition

Watching wonderful illustrator Anne Ryan read Shadowcat at Dymocks Doncaster

(Last night my plan was to visit Genazzano to hear  Graeme Base and Anna Pignataro talk picture books – but I just couldn’t make it.)

In between I’ve managed, in fits and starts and writing in odd places, a very first draft of a new picture book, and as always I’m terrified, anguished and apprehensive that it’s no good!

By choice I’ve stepped back a little from the social media lately and I’m not sure whether that’s a good or bad thing, but I do know that without those writing words, none of the above would be happening at all.  Sometimes we all need to go back to the grass roots of what we do and for me that is to go to that writing place and write.