Lara D. Elliott - Inspirations

Someone in my picture book critique group decided to make an Instagram account, and the rest of us sort of trickled along to join her. I didn't know exactly what to post. I'm not the selfie type. One day I had the idea to draw a little bird, inspired by one of my picture book stories. In the caption I said how one day I  would like to have the time to learn how to be an illustrator. Someone commented, "Why not now?" Hmm... A couple years ago, I told my mom that I had started writing seriously again. She told me that she always thought I'd write and illustrate my own books. I was shocked she had this image of me. To be fair, I did a lot of poetry when I was younger and took a lot of art classes all the way through college. I was really into both. But I hadn't written stories since third grade. We wrote and illustrated a lot of our own stories in that class. I probably still have all of mine in a box in the basement. Anyhoo, long story short, I've st

I'm a spreadsheet nerd. I love using spreadsheets to keep information organized! Too bad I can't "spreadsheet" the junk in my house, haha! One of the spreadsheets I use all the time is my query tracking spreadsheet. It lists all the agents I could possibly query and then has columns for what manuscripts I send them, when I sent it, and any responses I've received. After seeing others frustrated with trying to create their own spreadsheet, I went searching for templates. One template I found which is really nice is from the Sub It Club blog. There is other information about tracking your queries in the post. Check it out: SubItClub.com Another option to track your queries is using Query Tracker. They have a limited free tracker available, or an upgraded version for a fee. I love that you can see an agent's average response time. But beware, not every agent is listed in their database. Check it out: www.querytracker.net I also created my own spreadshee

This week I needed distractions from the many stresses and worries and waiting, so I made my first ever novel aesthetic! It was a lot of fun. This aesthetic is for my YA novel "Lift Me Up". It's still a work in progress, but I've been returning to it recently after a very very long time away. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and query the darn thing.

Below is my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Writing Contest , a contest where writers must write a children's story in 214 words or less. This year's theme is "curiosity" so I wrote a mystery!  A Paper Heart Mystery 214 words Cora woke up and discovered a red paper heart by her pillow. “What a special Valentine’s Day surprise!” When she got dressed, she found another heart in the closet. When she brushed her teeth, she found another on the bathmat.  Mama came into the room, little Neo panting at her feet. “Thank you, Cora, for the lovely paper hearts you left me in my room,” she said. “But I thought  you  were the one who put them in  my  room.” “That is very curious,” Mama said. Cora thought for a moment. “Do you think a leprechaun left them?” “Leprechauns are for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Mama. “What about the Easter Bunny?” Cora asked. “Easter is not for weeks.” “Santa?” Mama chuckled. “I don’t kn

Children's author  Julie Hedlund , challenged participants of her  12 Days of Christmas for Writers  series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year.  It's easy to sit here and say I had no successes. Much of my year was spent applying for mentorships but not being selected, entering contests but not winning, querying agents but getting rejected. BUT, much of what I did this year is paving the way for future successes. So that makes what I did this year successful??? Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pexels Success #1: Revised half of two novels. I could look at this as "didn't finish" two novels, but the half that's done means I don't have to do it next year. Success #2: Wrote 12 picture book manuscripts. They're not all in query-shape, but a few are. I also have several started manuscripts that didn't get finished. I have a huge list of ideas that haven't come to life yet. Success #3: Community. As part of be

I posted on this blog several entries to writing contests recently. My first attempts--the Fall Writing Frenzie and Halloweensie contests--were fruitless. Boy was I dissappointed. It affected my confidence and my motivation to write. I lost Nanowrimo partly because of it. But I plodded on and then entered Susanna Hill's Holiday contest. Twice. The finalists were announced on a Monday. It was a snow day here in WV, so I was chasing after my kiddos all day and completely forgot about the contest until I checked my email that afternoon and got the blog post notification. My heart beat wildly. I clicked on the link. I slowly read through Susanna's introduction. Finally, I got to the first finalist. Is that the title of MY story? I don't believe it. Surely someone else titled theirs the same by coincidence. I read the first line of the story. It was MY STORY!!! My eyes prickled with tears, but I held it together. Now readers got to vote. Luckily I had a concert and exams f

Photo by Adrianna Calvo from Pexels Today someone confided in me how poor their mental health is. They were so amazingly brave, telling me the things they told me. Because of this bravery, I was able to get them to someone who has the expertise to help them. I am so honored that they trusted me. Though I have worries and struggles, I have a lot of things to be thankful for. Days like today remind me that I need to keep an eye on the bright side of things. But also to persevere when things are glum. I've survived depression. I know what it feels like living through the storm. But God gave us rainbows. Rainbows wouldn't be possible without rain. If you're feeling down, remember that your rainbow is waiting. But also, be brave. Ask someone for help if you need it. They can be your umbrella in the storm. Photo by Isabelle Taylor from Pexels When the storm is raging Be brave When the rain is pouring Be brave When the lightning strikes Be brave When t