<![CDATA[Karen Hendriks - Children's Author

<![CDATA[Karen Hendriks - Children's Author - Blog]]>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 01:07:13 +1100Weebly<![CDATA[Writing Confidence Surprises 24.5.22]]>Tue, 24 May 2022 01:10:43 GMThttp://www.karenhendriks.com/blog/writing-confidence-surprises-24522

I met with our state member of parliament to discuss my new picture book project Our Shellharbour and to introduce myself as a local children's author in our area.

I took along copies of my books Go Away, Foxy Foxy, Feathers and Home. I was dressed professionally and on time.
I instantly liked our local state member, Anna Watson. After our introductions, I showcased my picture books and Anna was extremely interested and loved my writing and professionalism. She was particularly drawn to Home as it is so relevant to what is happening in the world at this present time. The book covers the themes of migration, new beginnings and refugees. It's inspired by my own family heritage. Anna wanted to present Home in the New South Wales parliament so she asked me to write a speech that she would read out in parliament on my behalf.
What a wondrous opportunity, I had just completed a course on pitching and used the knowledge gained to write my speech. Rather that procrastinate and worry I followed my instincts and was authentically real. Who would have thought a children’s author would have a speech read out on their behalf in the New South Wales parliament?
You may not be aware of this but people in your local community do watch what you do. I often pop down to a local coffee shop where I can focus on the task at hand. This means I get to chat to people in our village. A local business lady, who has bought my books for her grandchildren said, ‘I saw this and knew I just had to get this for you.’ I opened the beautifully presented package and inside was a gorgeous handmade felt foxy badge. Her granddaughter loves reading Go Away, Foxy Foxy. Treasure your journey gifts they are precious.

]]><![CDATA[Writing Confidence ebbs and flows]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2022 10:44:24 GMThttp://www.karenhendriks.com/blog/writing-confidence-ebbs-and-flows

Writing confidence can ebb and flow depending on what’s happening in your life. I was setting goals and happily creating and then kapow.

It all stopped. Losing Elmo my little dog really threw me because no matter what was happening with my writing I shared the journey with him. He was my sidekick. I became lost without him. I was slowly feeling my way back when kapow again. Covid struck. You would think being in isolation would be a productive thing. I learnt that sometimes you need to surrender and be in the moment so that is what I have been doing. No writing.
I’m lucky to check my emails. Instead of feeling guilty I see the rest as something I need to have and to be patient. Being patient is not one of my strong points but hey I am learning. I have a pitch to write and my mind is blank. New creative ideas have flown the coop. I have discovered television again, which is surprising because for a long time I hated it. I couldn’t even stand the noise of the television. I have surrendered and I’m so surprised to discover that I am happy to watch the footy.
Being sick has changed me, and so I am hoping when my writing mojo returns that my new way of looking at the world will rub off. I am finding being in the moment so rewarding and even small things make me super happy. The sunshine this week has made the lockdown pleasant and I even jumped in the pool to try and get out of the funk of not doing anything. I guess my message is to let go of creative guilt. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it will return once I have recovered.
I did revisit a draft I have written and I was surprised. I thought wow, I wrote that and it really is good. At the moment I have no idea how to make it better but it’s darn good writing. The title is No Tigers Here and guess what? The tigers have disappeared. I understand that illness can steal your confidence if you let it. But I won't.

]]><![CDATA[When the Words Don't Flow]]>Sat, 26 Mar 2022 04:39:55 GMThttp://www.karenhendriks.com/blog/when-the-words-dont-flow

That dreaded moment arrived and yikes I thought I'd lost my drive to create. Sometimes, I think we work so hard at our writing, that our mind goes no I want you to stop for a while, so I did.

This week I’ve been having a cuppa and breakfast in the village and living a mighty fine life indeed. Yet, each time I returned to the writing page, it was like hey kiddo, I’ve got nothing for you.
Taa daa, here I am writing my blog post which is super late. Being honest and raw and hoping by next week that the writing buzz will return.
On a happy note, I have started the ball rolling on my local picture book story ‘Our Shellharbour.’ I have lived and grown up in Shellharbour and nowhere else, so there so much heart and passion in this project and it sure does show. I spent over a year writing and rewriting the manuscript and then when I thought it was done I got it assessed. You’re living the dream Karen, it’s ready. So I sent the draft off to Kera Bruton, who is the most amazing illustrator, and the most perfect one for this project. But then I messaged her and said, ‘Kera, no it’s not right yet, give me a few more weeks.’ I read the story over and over and wrote it out and wondered. I dived into my books and that’s when it came to me. Kill those darlings, and so I went back to the manuscript and I did more than kill those darlings, I destroyed the manuscript. I took out all of my hard work and ended up with a pared down manuscript. So I thought long and hard and finally I went back to the original manuscript and had a brainwave. I took out the family characters and created two child characters. I spent days researching names and writing them out and then what did I do? I went back to the original two names I had chosen. Then I created dialogue. Bingo the manuscript was now ready to roll.
I will be sharing little snippets in my blog about the project. This month I will be searching for seashells for Kera. Because it is a local book so it needs local shells, not generic shells from the internet. 'Our Shellharbour' is going to be authentic, real and incredible.
Till we meet again next month, thanks for stopping by and visiting, Karen

]]><![CDATA[Every Little Thing That You Do Is Magic 25.2.22]]>Fri, 25 Feb 2022 04:57:48 GMThttp://www.karenhendriks.com/blog/every-little-thing-that-you-do-is-magic-25222

Some days are golden days, and other days go to dust when you're a writer. Today, I have spent hours cleaning my study. I'm forever receiving new picture books and at the moment there is nowhere to put them. My cheap bookshelf is heaving and so is my collectables bookshelf so it's time to sort some books. The ones I can bear to part with are going to a local teacher that I am friend's with for her class library.

At the moment, I have heaps of new picture books to read and study. You see, if you write in a genre you should read in that genre too. I love picture books because they are such wondrous, creative masterpieces where words and pictures play.
I have started a picture book writers and illustrators course that goes for the next six months so my new books are going to come in handy. Each month, a new module arrives with tasks. I'm really enjoying the challenge and I have just submitted my first assessment task. Even the books you gravitate towards are a reflection of you and your personality. They are windows into the type of stories you like to write.
The world of a writer is never dull but today I just couldn’t do anything creative. I needed my space to be decluttered. Believe me, it isn’t finished but it needs to feel good for me to be productive. I always promise myself to keep it tidy and I do until it all unravels as my newbie books start to pile up everywhere.
I have learnt that a writer’s life is super surprising. In March, 2022 Unapologetically Me is being launched. It's an anthology with 8 empowering stories, 8 powerful women living on their terms. One of these women is me. I'm super excited to share that my story called ‘Becoming A Shiny Happy Children’s Author,’ is included. If you are after tips and want to see how writing children's stories empowered me grab a copy. I share heaps of my learnings and I truly believe that writing has enabled me to grow and learn to not play small. I now have a new feather in my cap, I have written a story in a new genre and that is magical and empowering. Check out Daisy Lane Publishing.

]]>