Your Life Yoda

November 5, 2019

Go, Girls, Go! Behind the Picture Book with Author and Editor Frances Gilbert

Curious what happens when a children's book editor for a big publishing house decides to write her own book? Looking for a new picture book that'll have your family chanting "Go, Girls, Go!" with eye-popping illustrations? Interested in knowing what tips an experienced editor would encourage you to consider for your picture book manuscripts? In this interview, we step behind the book with Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers (BFYR), Frances Gilbert, and learn how an editor views being an author.

October 14, 2019

Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest 2019

Fall is a fantastic season for writing. Coming off the tails of the KitLit Fall Writing Frenzy and taking us to the tip of NaNoWriMo in November is the Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest. With 37 industry participants (literary agents, authors, and illustrators) and 35 valuable giveaway prizes (manuscript and dummy critiques), this is one writing contest you can't afford to miss. Did I mention it's completely free?!

October 7, 2019

KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019

When was the last time you entered a writing contest? You may think you aren't good enough to win. Many people think that. You may not know where to start. Most people don't. The best thing you can do is be open to opportunity. And guess what? Opportunity is knocking. Today is all about KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy where loads of prizes are up for grabs for whoever is willing to be bold.

October 5, 2019

How Audiobooks Became a Powerful Format to Sell Books

It's hard to imagine a world without audiobooks and only those 89 years old or above (not exactly my target audience) could personally remember such a time. The audiobook revolution was an unexpected, slowly adopted medium for book sellers that is now responsible for more than $1 Billion in U.S. revenue.

October 1, 2019

Best Books for Personal Development and Success

Ever want a little more motivation for those aspirations? Not sure where to go to get some? I'm a motivational junkie. A die-hard when it comes to personal development and self-improvement. Maybe you are too? Over the years, I've come to collect some incredible favorites. If only the whole world would read them, what a place it would become. But I'm not speaking to the world. I'm speaking to you. If you're interested in upping your game, raising the bar, and learning more about yourself along the way, check out these books. Here are my absolute best book recommendations for personal development and success.

September 27, 2019

Illustrating Children’s Books with Phyllis Harris

Thinking about becoming a career illustrator? Ever wonder what it’s like to be a published illustrator of children’s books? Gleam some insight from successful illustrator Phyllis Harris and get a...

September 24, 2019

What it Takes to Write Children’s Books with Brooke Van Sickle

How seriously do you take your writing? It's a question every author must ask themselves repeatedly throughout their writing journey. It's also the question we hate to ask. The journey of an author is tough. It's grueling. It can be isolating and discouraging. To write is one thing. To write for children is something else entirely. Author and freelance editor Brooke Van Sickle is here to help improve our understanding of what it takes to write for children.

September 21, 2019

Holding Back Your Best Work

We hold ourselves back all the time. We bite our tongue in a meeting when we know we should speak up. We keep our writing private instead of letting it help someone else. We pretend our artwork is just doodles to ensure we aren't hurt if no one wants to buy it. Holding back isn't just about fear of rejection. Holding back is an identity crisis.

September 20, 2019

Is it Time to Make a Radical Change?

Change isn't scary. It's terrifying. Radical change even more so. We are hardwired for consistency. We take the same route from home to work and back again, telling ourselves it's because it's the shortest path. Not true. We are not agents of change even if we pretend to be sometimes. We are agents of consistency. Agents of repetition. But should we? What if that which feels most comfortable and natural to us is bad for us? What if the change, a radical change, is the best thing we can do?

September 19, 2019

Learning to Write Longer by Writing Shorter

Big tasks can be overwhelming. Huge writing assignments or the notion of starting a book with an intended final word count in the 80,000 word range (after edits) is daunting, discouraging, and usually leads to distraction and defeat. Little tasks and short writing goals, however, are easy and achievable. If you don't think you can trick your brain into viewing your writing assignment differently, think again.