WRITER REBORN

As I said in my first blog, I had let go of my goal of writing a children’s book. I had given up on writing altogether. But the writing wouldn’t let go of me. I had multiple signs coming from multiple sources. They all said I needed to finish my book and share it with the world.

Toward the end of the summer in 2018 I looked back at what I had written after an aura reading at an Asian festival in December 2016:

“The woman in the booth had looked at the electronic image of my aura. She told me, ‘You have a unique talent or gift – a creative ability that is unique.’

I thought of my children’s book writing and illustrating.

She continued, ‘You are able to heal yourself. You can help others to heal by sharing this gift. You have been having trouble sharing this gift. You have had frustrations with not knowing how to do so.’

I thought about my recent writing setback. I took a book dummy workshop and felt stuck, not being able to plan out interesting illustrations for the manuscript I had brought.”

MY CHILDREN’S BOOK CALLED TO ME

After I read those notes, my attention kept coming back to the fact that technology brings publishing abilities to the “little guy.” Unlike when I started writing for kids, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to self-publish these days. Now you can invest hundreds of dollars and your time to create a nice children’s book. In the past you had to spend a lot of time reaching out to traditional publishing houses. You can do that now, or you can spend your time reaching out directly to the world online.

Years ago, a respected online-savvy friend had recommended that I make an e-book. I told him. “I prefer to go the traditional route. But if I don’t have a book publishing deal in a few years, I will look into e-books.” Well, it had been a few years.

TRIBE MEETING ASKS FOR CHILDREN’S BOOK

Then a Scribe Tribe creative writers’ meeting confirmed where those signs pointed. One of the other writers shared a newspaper article about an e-published author. It grabbed my attention. Then we rolled the dice for that meeting’s spontaneous writing prompt. My dice showed the drama mask symbol, a light bulb, and a book. I wrote about my internal drama regarding my children’s picture books, and the idea of becoming an indie book publisher.

That was the moment when something shifted in me. My mind and heart opened once again to writing for children. And this time, I would do so while stepping on the path of an indie author.    

-Jenifer Tull-Gauger