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...

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 d...

Below is another entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Holiday Writing Contest . Enjoy! Photo by StockSnap from Pixabay The Scrumptious Tale of an Allergic Kid 146 words Mom rings the doorbell and I tug at my itchy collar. The door opens and we are greeted by the noise of Christmas music and grown-ups chatting. “Matthew, this is my coworker, Mrs. Archer.” I wave. “Welcome!” Mrs. Archer smiles at me. “Follow me to the kitchen. I want to show you all the goodies.” “No thanks,” I say. “I’m not hungry.”  “Oh, but a little elf told me that you could only eat special things, so several of Santa’s little helpers whipped up a bunch of treats that were allergen free.” My ears perk up. The door to the kitchen opens and there’s a full array of glittering cookies and scrumptious looking snacks. Mrs. Archer gestures to the table. “I double and triple checked. Everything here is okay for you to eat.” I look at Mom. She nods. I lick my lips. “I’m starving!” ...

Below is my entry for  Susanna Leonard Hill's Holiday Writing Contest . The challenge is to write a children's holiday story about a holiday treat in 250 words or less. This story was inspired by my family's love for gingerbread cookies (super special delicious family recipe). Enjoy! Photo by annca from Pixabay Gingerbread Family 227 words The warm scent of ginger and cloves tickled Isabel’s nose. “Mami, the timer’s going off!” “Okay, stand back, Isa. It’s hot.” Mami pulled the pan out. “Oh no!”  “What’s wrong?” Isa climbed up on a stool to get a closer look. The cookie dough had spread! All the little gingerbread men were plump and lopsided. Mami put her hand on her hip. “They’re ruined. We can’t serve these.” “Why not?” Isa licked her lips. They still looked yummy. “Christmastime with family is special. I want everything to be perfect.” “Can we make new ones?” Isa asked. Mami shook her head. “We don’t have enough ingredients.” “Can w...

Here's my submission for the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy. It's a short story inspired by the photo below. Don't know what I'm talking about? Find out more  here ! UNICORN CANDY  This is the bestest time of the year when the unicorns come out to play! If we’re lucky, we might get to see one. The best way to do it? Unicorn candy! Unicorns love unicorn candy. You mean you’ve never heard of unicorn candy? Unicorns only love the sparkliest, most purpliest candies. Look at these that I got. See how the sugar sparkles! And so many different shades of purple. I’m sure to attract a unicorn this year. I just know it! Once we have our unicorn candy, we have to put it outside so they can see it. There has to be sun so the candy really glitters. And there has to be white puffy clouds that look like cotton candy. Unicorns love cotton candy too. And now we sit and wait.  Shh. Don’t scare them away. Be patient. Keep an eye out. Wooooow!  ...

I'm so excited to share with you that I have a new picture book blog! The past several months, I have been focusing on my picture book writing and have learned a lot and written a lot. I even started querying! On my new blog, I hope to help writers and readers of picture books with bringing a wonderful experience to children. Check it out here:  https://larissaelliottbooks.blogspot.com After a long break from noveling, I have also returned to a big rewrite of my "Uncrushed" idea (see my WIPs page for more info). Cross your fingers that this is the version that finally sticks. I've worked really hard on the outline and I really want this story to come to life! And lastly, a mental health check in. How are you? Are you surviving? I've had many ups and downs lately. More recently because of my busy work schedule, sleepless nights with my 1 year old daughter, general stress of everything at once, and the attempt to "make it" with my picture books...

I haven't posted in a while, so here's a quick update on what's going on. I tried revising my novels. Several of them. Nothing was really feeling like "the one." I even tried going back to an old manuscript to transpose it from 3rd person to 1st. I stalled on all my attempts to do anything novel related. So I stopped. I read a book. And another. I took a break. I stayed active on Twitter in the writing community. I chatted with my critique group. I did some beta reading for a friend. I think it was the beginning of May that an announcement was made for a picture book mentorship contest. It had been a while since I'd worked on any picture books, but it sounded like a good opportunity. Maybe I could write some more picture book manuscripts so I had some to choose from if I wanted to apply. Holy cow was I in for a ride! Over the next few days I wrote four drafts of new picture books! I tried rhyming. I tried unconventional composition. I was on a roll! ...

After frustrating feedback for one novel, and frustrating indecision with another, I decided it was time for a break. I dug out my one completed picture book manuscript and started asking around for critique swaps. I found a wonderful group of writer-moms to swap with and wow was their feedback amazing. One in particular gave me ideas on how to better structure my piece to conform to standard storytelling format. How could I ever have thought my book was good enough before? This was exactly what the story needed! Now I've rewritten the book and continue to finish the last little bit of tweaks it needs along with the query. Big problem. It seems most agents want an author that has more than one 500 word picture book up their sleeve. Makes good business sense. But I only had one. Cue the disappointment. But maybe I could write more. I actually had started another manuscript. But that one is probably trash. I'm just not feeling it. So that means I need to write more. Picture...