How I elevated my picture book writing
And started getting responses from agents
Contents
A crappy beginning …
So, how did I go from mediocre to stories that got attention from agents?
Some news
KidLit Australia
Critique giveaway
Yanu (bye in Dharug)
1. A crappy beginning …
The first few picture books I wrote sucked.
Not kidding, I basically took all my inspiration from Fancy Nancy books (with the first story published in 2005 – that’s 18 YEARS AGO!!!) and TV shows like PJ Masks and Vampirina.
What’s so bad about that, you ask?
Firstly, a book that came out 18 years ago is not a good mentor text for writing picture books in 2023. So much has changed since then, even if 2005 feels like it wasn’t that long ago.
Secondly, have you read PJ Masks books? Well I have, and let me tell you, they are high on my list of children’s books I do NOT want to read every single night. Sure, the show is fun, but the books are lacking in terms of enjoyable reading because publishers know the books will sell well regardless of the quality of the storytelling. The stories are basically summarised episodes, which are boring to read.
I was writing what I thought my kids would love – sassy, full-of-attitude characters with exciting adventures and obstacles to overcome.
What’s so wrong with that? Sounds fun, right? Uh no. It’s not that I don’t love sassy MCs and stories full of adventure, and it’s not that I don’t care about the things my kids enjoy, but I wasn’t writing from the heart. And it showed in those first mediocre stories I wrote.Â
2. So, how did I go from mediocre to stories that got attention from agents?
I started writing my heart stories.
Easy, right? Hah!
I never knew what people meant by writing stories of their heart until I realised that the stories I’d been writing were always based on what I thought my kids would enjoy or what I thought were their issues/obstacles in life.
That’s tricky because those things are not based on my own experiences. Not that you always have to write from your own experiences, but being able to closely relate and really feel the emotions you’re trying to convey through a story can make a big difference.
I dug deep and wrote down a story I’d been thinking on for a long time. I hadn’t known how to go about it, but for some reason, it just clicked one day. It’s a story influenced by my experiences with my grandfather and a loss of culture due to trauma, which is a big thing for First Nations’ Australians.
It’s a big issue and it was so hard and so emotional getting it out on the page, but it was well worth it for the story that emerged.
When I had my husband read a too long, not-so-great first draft that resulted in the response: ‘Why do you have to write things that make me want to cry?’ I knew I’d found my first heart story. And not only that, it was a story for others. A story that came from something I’ve struggled with since childhood that will be important for other people too.
This is the kind of story I want to tell and the kind of story I’ll continue to write.
When I queried this story, I finally started to get responses from agents that weren’t just form rejections. I got multiple requests for more work and ended up with 3 offers of rep including an offer from my now-agent Annabel Barker.
I had suddenly made a huge jump from those first terribly mediocre stories. And what had elevated my picture book writing was digging out those stories that sit in the depths of me and letting them out. The important ones are those uncomfortable, sad, heavy stories that feel so lodged in the pit of my stomach that they’ve become a part of me. They’re tough to write, but they’re the stories that make all the difference.
3. Some news
Speaking of my grandfather, I recently came across a course in the language that was my grandfather’s first language. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to learn the language he was afraid to pass on to his children and grandchildren.
So not only will I be a Dharug language learner, but I’ll be a Yugambeh language learner too. I’m hoping I can share some words and phrases here as I do with Dharug.
Stay tuned!
4. KidLit Australia
Shouting out about my KidLit Australia Discord Server again!
Feeling like there wasn’t enough information or discussion among the children’s writing community in Australia (that I could easily access), I created a new Discord server for KidLit writers/authors/illustrators in or from Australia. The aim is to chat and share specifics around agents, publishers, advances, royalties, marketing, events, opportunities, and so on.
Recently I shared info about a new Australian agent who’s looking for MG and YA. Click here to join and find out more if you’re interested.
5. Critique giveaway
from was my winner for last month and we’ve since had a Zoom call and created a plan for what I’ll be working on with her. I’m looking forward to starting on that next week and will keep you all updated!This month, I’m giving away another critique/edit of up to 2000 words, which can be either:
A picture book manuscript/s (can be fiction or non-fiction)
An article/blog post
Short story
Partial from a novel
To go in the running just reply to your email or leave a comment below stating that you’d like to enter the giveaway. It’s that easy!
6. Yanu (bye in Dharug)
That’s all for now, mittigar (friend in Dharug).
Budyari writing! (good in Dharug)
I acknowledge the Darkinyung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, and I pay my respects to the Elders past and present.
Love how your journey is going, Melissa! And your story sounds magical--so excited to read it someday!
It’s wild how similar writing can be to drawing and art making! When I was drawing things I thought people wanted to see, it was mediocre at best.
I’d love to win that critique!