Finding beauty in the valleys
Guest Post by Stef Wade!
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
I know the publishing news has felt dire.
But good things ARE happening.
I signed a new deal. (Official news later.) I’m almost done with my revision. I close at the end of the month, right after Whole Novel. AND I spent the weekend with family. So today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Stef Wade, whose brand new picture book, THE VERY EAGER EVERGREEN, just hit the shelves.
BEST NEWS OF ALL: On Sept 29, you can meet Stef as well as Barbara Lerman-Golomb and Sandra Headen and hear them talk about their brand new books on a new LIVE initiative for Write Here Write Now! If you want to listen, let me know. I’ll send you the link.
Everyone’s invited!
And now… here’s Stef! Would you like a chance to win a copy of The Very Eager Evergreen? Join the conversation!
Dear Writers,
In 2020, my second picture book, THE VERY LAST LEAF, illustrated by Jennifer Davison, released in the middle of the pandemic. I’d been amping up for book launches, story times, and signings and instead, I sent my sweet little story out into the void with nothing but a little online fanfare.
The book follows Lance Cottonwood, the best and brightest in his class, who’s afraid of his final exam, falling from the tree. It sneaky teaches about science and the plant life cycle while tackling issues like anxiety and perfectionism.
Little did I know Lance would touch the hearts of so many in that anxiety ridden time - kids unable to be in class, play with their friends, or practice the sport they love. And year after year, that little leaf has fallen into the hands of kids who need to hear his story.
Fast forward six years, and here I am with Lance’s best friend, Doug Fir’s story, THE VERY EAGER EVERGREEN, illustrated by Erin Taylor. Doug is an evergreen. The winter world is changing all around Doug, but he has to stay the same. He’s eager for a change.
In the story, Doug becomes pen pals with another unexpected evergreen tree who helps him understand is worth, realizing just how important he is to the forest.
While I write these stories for kids, I find myself reflecting and realizing how much they relate to being a writer. The urge to be perfect, the pull of wanting what other writers have, the itch to change everything about the way we write when we feel like our work isn’t being seen.
Writing and publishing is filled with hills and valleys. And while the views at the top of the hills and mountains are always spectacular, we can find beauty in the valleys too. We find it in the hard work, in the rejections, in the imposter syndrome takeover moments, in the writer’s block, and in the time when there is no time to write.
And that’s why we keep going. Because those moments help us grow. They give us grit and courage to keep moving forward. They balance us out, keep us humble, and push us toward success.
When I visit schools to talk about THE VERY LAST LEAF, my biggest take away is for kids to realize this: Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared, it means doing hard things even though you’re scared.
Writing is scary. And you are brave. Everything from putting that first word down on paper for only your eyes to see to unleashing a story into the wild. We become the hardy trees that can weather the storms and stand taller after.
And for Doug – well, he teaches us that we are unique and important. The flashiest website or the most promoted book doesn’t make you smaller.
Write YOUR characters. YOUR stories. No one else can do that.
Keep growing your roots, keep supporting your forest, and you will find great worth in your words. And so will others.
Are you ready to reach?
I know I have a story when I know what my character will do when they are stuck in their lowest moment. When the worst thing has happened.
Today, when is your character at that lowest moment? Do you remember a time when YOU felt like all was lost? What did you do next? How did it feel? Then go to your story and write your main character out of that jam. Great characters and people rise to these occasions.
No one is happy all the time. We all deal with hills and valleys. But together, we can emerge. (I really needed that reminder.)
Thank you, Stef!
Have a great writing week!
xo Sarah
Very inspiring words from both you, Sarah, and Stef! The lows can bring us to greater highs through the thoughtful process we find ourselves in at those times. We can only go upward from those lows if we let ourselves, which I think most of us do. Stef, I really appreciate your creative sense in relating your tree characters to different childhood challenges. Brilliant! Love working with both of you in the Sprints!
Writing my characters out of their jams is a big challenge for me. I want to do it too quickly because conflict doesn't feel good. I'm still learning.