Linnea’s resolutions for 2023 include the measurable goals of submission to an agent, to an editor, for SCBWI writing grants, to an art exhibition, and for an anthology. Not as easy to measure are her writing, rewriting, and revisions over a handful of works-in-progress. Linnea’s now submitted picture book manuscript reflects the need for resiliency in children, really, everyone. Remembering Madeleine L’Engle’s words on writing–if a story is going to be difficult for grown-ups, write it for children. And so, Linnea wrote a new story. The following blog post does illuminate a bit more about her thoughts on writing a picture book.

March 2023 blog post from Linnea’s Illuminated Notes–

Story Breath

In writing a 32-page picture book, one considers page turns and illustrations. Illustrations are brought by an artist. To paraphrase a Sendak comment, illustrations say what the words do not, and words say what illustrations do not. In polishing my work-in-progress, I felt that place was a character, the canyon characteristics inform as much as a story plot point. Place is where story breath allows for a deeper space, a moment of reflection.

While deciding what illustration notes to include with the manuscript, I realized that illustrations were also key in the spots where the story needed to breathe. Nothing told in words, nothing specifically told in illustrations, but in the showing of the main character just being in the story setting, breathing in place. Words might by near, illustrations are bumping into big page spreads, but it is in those double-pages where story breath creates space. The action of story breath and a child listening fosters the story theme of resiliency. That is the real story.

In the art of the picture book and the literacy intent of the person reading to a child, there are a series of triangular connections. First triangle of connection is the words, the art, and the child. One step deeper, is the writer, the illustrator, and the lap or trusted reading circle of family, teachers, or librarians. Looking further, there is the written story, the illustrated story, and the story heard by the child. Story breaths allow for the space where the child internalizes the story. The emergent literacy learnings of the the child are heightened when all of the interactions at the multiple steps are engaged. In the case of my story, the story layer of resiliency is presented as a concept. Repeated readings are a function of a picture book and the developmental needs of the child. The readings open the windows for the child’s learning opportunities. Story breaths create crucial spaces where emergent literacy and learning flourish.

This story is a passionate one for me. I see how my blog posts have described my lost feelings, how I have struggled in recent years to maintain equilibrium. In a way this story shows a path to balancing emotions for every age. The message is the need to internalize resiliency on one’s own. It is a developmental milestone that not everyone achieves fully. What a huge challenge for young children growing up in the world today.

Now, will an agent and an editor see the story as one that must be published? Will an illustrator see the breaths? Will someone see the story as a place to breathe, to revisit, to share?

Linnea’s new picture book manuscript is out for editor critique today. And the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators is celebrating their 50th anniversary, 1971-2021, with a virtual conference. All seems to be lining up for a creative renewal. The past year and a half has been one filled with virtual conferences, workshops, and Zoom meetings for Linnea. Social media networking allowed for more connection in a time that challenged everyone. High fives to creative communities!

Linnea is following up with research notes and art samples that came about after attending a special interest conference in 2019, followed by museum and library archive visits, museum collection viewings, and personal interviews of individuals with first hand knowledge. Next up is attending the SCBWI & Smithsonian Nonfiction Workshop.

Closer to home, the Central Oregon Write Direction is a creative community for conversation and support that Linnea is leading after securing approval from the Oregon Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. The positive experiences of the SCBWI chapter and book club meetings co-organized by Linnea in the Brazos Valley of Texas are her guide. Besides monthly meetings, a Spring Event is being planned for April, 2020.

& 2022 Updates: The pandemic changed directions for everyone and everything. Linnea shifted her focus to attending Zoom workshops, conferences, webinars, and yoga with writers. The Write Direction had occasional Zoom meetings. In-person meetings resumed again in the fall on 2022. A Fall Event was held in Sisters, Oregon with a new name being announced–the Three Sisters Write Direction. Linnea “retired” from thirty years of hands-on SCBWI volunteer work, including time as an Assistant Regional Advisor.