​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.
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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

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.

As the year ends I'm celebrating all the good things that have happened in my writing journey in 2021. I'm taking pure goodness from these deeply appreciated moments that have been both big and small.
My most treasured moment was the release of my picture book Home, illustrated by Alisa Knatko and published by Daisy Lane Publishing. Due to Covid restrictions there could be no live book launch with family and friends. Yet, Home is out in the world and it's a truly beautiful book that has been listed on the Australian Refugee Council site as a picture book resource. Home has received many incredible reviews which warms my heart.
I had the honour of my short story being included in the Once Upon a Whoops Anthology that's doing extremely well on Amazon. The funds from this book support premature babies and  I too was a premature baby. My webpage has been updated thanks to the wonderful Inge Walters who brought all of my ideas to life. I am a part of two wonderful critique groups and the members of both groups are now dear friends and are part of my  professional family.
I have attended conferences and learning sessions online. I had the privilege of hosting story time for the international Global Learning Festival which was super exciting as I shared Go Away, Foxy Foxy with children from many different places in the world.
When Home was released I was fortunate enough to squeeze in a local school and library event which was heartening as it's what I do best. As a Books in Homes Ambassador I was able to attend an online presentation assembly which was loads of fun. During Education Week I was a guest author online at locaL preschools, primary schools  and high schools.
I have ventured into writing a few newspaper articles and I continue to write book reviews. This has keep me busy and focused. As I learn new things about my writing journey I write quotes for writers on Instagram..
From this little snippet that I've shared I can see much growth, strength and resilience. My creativity may wax and wane but my passion for what I do is always there because I love it.
These are a few of my special writing moments and I want to thank you for being there with me and sharing them. A journey shared is one forever treasured.

Writing is a solitary profession that requires self discipline and self belief.  At times, you may wonder why you write, yet still you keep on creating. As you hone your craft you seek and create writing friendships. And it's your fellow writers and illustrators who connect with you that become your creative treasure. They are who you seek advice from, join critique groups with, write reviews for and are your creative family.
I have made friends that I would never have never met in everyday life. They have become my creative tribe and know me warts and all. When you write you reveal your inner world and your fellow writers/illustrators are the ones who see the real you in your words. When you connect the sands of time may pass and you may not physically see each other or never ever meet in person but the bonds hold tight.
Today, a writer I met at a retreat rang me right when I was thinking about her. She needed a sounding board for some writing advice. Ping!  In my email box another friend had sent me some helpful tips. When I write my Instagram posts it's my creative tribe who support me. I finished a critique, that was written simply and well and it was great to give this feedback. A friend who has been working hard to secure a picture book contract received one and shared her good news. I was tickled pink! Or maybe I should say red. Her hair is red.
So treasure those moments in your creative community and love and support each other. Your creative tribe will certainly make your writer world a happy place.
Image: Sunshine Coast Writers Retreat organised by Aleesah Darlison

Ten weeks into lockdown and you would think I have lots of writing done. But the truth is that my creativity comes and goes. Especially with the 11.00am news. So I am down at the beach taking a winter dip and grabbing a coffee to avoid those daily gremlins. On the way home there's a neighbour or local that needs a chat and Elmo our dog sneaks away. A multitude of delays and everyone thinks you have time. Inside my head is saying get some writing done. At home, my husband wants a chat and the postie is delivering yet another parcel. Yesterday I ordered vitamins and books. Finally I sit down at the computer and check my emails. Now it's time to write. But guess what my mind has gone blankety blank. I start googling facts for an idea that I have been trying to develop and my mind goes no you're not doing that today. Then the self talk starts and I hear that voice say, 'You've lost your writing mojo and you're wasting time.' It's so easy to go down that rabbit hole. Instead, I pull a rabbit out of a hat and remember a little writing challenge that I decide to use as inspiration. It seems to be the only thing that sparks anything. Finally I sit and write and stop and ponder. I nut out a first draft but think to myself it's not that good. Yet I have managed to get into the zone and write something when it seemed like I was pushing elephant poo up a hill. I have lunch and return. It looks even worse now but I continue on with the draft until it doesn't want to play anymore. I leave it for another day. My head says, 'You didn't get your goals done.' And out loud I reply, 'It's okay I created something today and I had fun.'