#StoryStorm26 with a personal twist- finding a "necessary" paradigm shift to continue on my writing/publishing journey

             I love Tara Lazar’s @storystorm. I’ve been participating in it for years.  It’s an easy thing for me to do, as I never lack ideas. One year, I challenged myself to write a minimum of 12 first drafts from my 31 ideas. I succeeded. It felt great.

Adapting the challenge was a great idea and really helped me for the year. It’s been a couple of years since I did that adaptation, and I am wondering how I can create an adaptation for myself this year to help keep me going, because that is my biggest challenge these days.  The slog and rejections are all taking a toll on me.  I know I am not alone in that feeling. 

Things about Storystorm that are amazing… the daily blogs from various people who have succeeded, some full of inspiration, others full of useful information, the community, and of course the gift of granting our creative selves the time to have ideas.

These are all amazing things. But I need more right now, to not give up.  I need to have some sort of paradigm shift to help me reframe what a “success” looks like. Because I may NEVER get another book published.

So, what could I possibly do?

I started writing short stories last year, alongside my picture book drafts. That helped. Maybe instead of focusing on picture book ideas for Storystorm I will work on ideas for short stories and focus on that instead… but that’s not it.  That won’t help me with a shift, there is still the very real feeling of STUCK with this adaptation, so what else?

-IMPORTANT TANGENT-

I feel alone. As I am sure many writers do. It’s not an entirely valid feeling, given that many of us have critique groups, the SCBWI, etc. And yet, the feeling of loneliness permeates my experience. Why, I have often wondered… I think for me, it’s because the stories I am writing focus on underrepresented Neurodivergent voices, and I am constantly being told, “great writing, interesting story… I can’t sell it.”

In my head, that translates to, “these voices aren’t important.” This is a gut punch I just can’t bring myself off the floor from.

So, what can I do to help myself and others who feel this way get up off the floor? Can I adapt Storystorm again somehow to help me (and others) move into the new year? Maybe…

What if instead of just reading the posts for each of the 31 days. I reach out to other writers in the ND community and offer them encouragement. Published or non-published, what if I take a moment and thank them for writing underrepresented voices?

My head, my heart likes this idea. And so, even though I am getting a late start with Storystorm this year (because life…) I am going to move forward with this idea and maybe somehow it will help set up my year in a different, more positive way. Because supporting others often heals.

I'll start today with Vanessa Brantley-Newton. She has a book birthday today, and just seeing her joy in presenting it this morning made my heart sing.  She is an amazing ND creator who inspires others with joy and love, and her kindness for the #kidlit community is unwavering. I will send her a note and maybe that will heal my heart today.

If you are an #underrepresentedvoices #kidlit writer and need a note of encouragement, send me a note. I will gladly take a moment and connect with you.  

Good Luck all, for StoryStorm 2026. Thank you to @taralazar and all of the presenters this year and past years.  Supporting the #kidlit community is a beautiful endeavor. 

The Publishing Deep Dive- Learning the treasure of returning to the surface, empty-handed.

 This entry may not make sense to anyone outside of my head, but I need to write it out, so here it is...

The Publishing Deep Dive- Learning the treasure of returning to the surface, empty-handed.

by Laura N. Clement 

I’ve been working on my writing craft—going to conferences, doing classes, meeting with critique partners, submitting to contests, agents, and publishers—for over a decade now. It’s a rough and tumble existence that has seen many attempts fail, many coping mechanisms created*. I have written many things, from novels, short stories, to my love of loves Picture Books (EGG, my only published book). I have seen many friends and acquaintances succeed, and many flounder turn bitter, or walk away. It is a battle of the heart, mind, and soul to write with the idea of publication in mind.

The other day, I was on a walk thinking about K-Dramas** (my guilty/non-guilty sanity-saving pleasure), and I had an epiphany. Being a writer (with publication in mind) is like being a Haenyeo***.  Writers prepare their craft, much like a Haenyeo prepares their diving gear and body. We both breathe deeply, then push ourselves under and into uncharted or familiar, unpredictable territory in search of treasures.

 

Much like the Haenyeo’s diving deep, as a writer, I am often surrounded by darkness, whether it be imposter syndrome, innumerable layers of edits, rejections, writer's block, or LIFE eating up creative time. It is my deep need for sustenance (creative creations) that sends me back, time and time again, in search of treasures, but it’s not easy, holding your breath…

Every so often, I find a treasure (a positive review, a critique, a contract offer, a new idea fleshed out and shiny) and grant myself a return to the surface in triumph, but not often.  

As a writer I feel like heading back up to the surface for air as a reward… but often I find I get stuck, my lungs screaming, light dimming, and panic settles in as I flail.

 

I applaud the Haenyeo who return to the surface for air, time and time again, empty-handed. They do this so they can continue to dive and live their daily lives with their loved ones. They know that the journey back to the surface, even empty-handed, is a treasure all its own and that maybe next time they will fill their basket.

 

I wish, for all writers, that the abyss of the seemingly endless publishing ocean wasn’t so dark. That, treasures were more plentiful, and trips to the surface for air, with treasures in hand, came more often, but they don’t. So, thinking about Haenyeo, as a writer who is often empty-handed, especially now as the ocean seems so dark, I want to be better at gifting myself more trips to the surface to breathe. Knowing that in doing so, I create the opportunity to return to land and see my loved ones and, dive again.

 

 

 

*Rejection Garden

** Two of my favorite Haenyeo K-Dramas

 Welcome to Samdal-ri

And

Our Blues

***Korean freediving women, known as Haenyeo, are traditional divers from Jeju Island who free dive to harvest seafood without a breathing apparatus.

Time to celebrate something new OUT Today by Brian Gehrlein

Things have been CRAZY in my world lately, much like poor Bear in @briangehrlein 's new PB THIS IS NOT A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK, out today! Nov. 11th.

I wish I could have been more active in promoting it for him, but I am here now, and I have to say it is really a fun read with great illustrations.  

Do you need something new for your bedtime reads? Or naptime? Or really any time?  Then check this out! Because there's not ONE...

not two...

...not three...

But FOUR... no wait, there are so many more, in this wild, interactive, and entertaining tale. Far from a snooze, Brian and Jennifer Harney have created something really rambunctiously fun.

#kidlit

#childrensbook

Another Susanna Hill Halloweensie entry for me, Lucky #121

 

Yes, it is THAT time of year again.  This year my entry comes in at 100 words on the dot.  

You can find the link to all of the fabulous entries HERE

Good Luck, everyone!  As always, it was a fun writing prompt.

If you just want to read mine- here you go...

Mama’s Spell for Finding Home

By Laura N. Clement

Word Count:100

 

Tickling under,

over,

and in between leaves,

Raven stretched her coal black wings wide,

swooping,

darting,

she melted into the swelling shadows

hunting for worms.

 

Fog silently crept in…

 

Suddenly,

Raven wanted to be safe and warm at home on this,

All-Hallows’ Eve night… but the sky had grown dangerous.

 

Lost,

alone,

Raven shivered,

then remembered her Mama’s,

Find Your Way Home Spell…

 

If in the air you cannot see,

underfoot,

the ground will be.

Just take a step,

one at a time,

to bring your heartbeat,

back to mine.

 

Full of courage Raven hopped into the darkness, until…

 

…Mama!

It's that time again! #FallWritingFrenzy!

 Lydia Lukidis is at it again with her #FallWritingFrenzy, and I am totally here for it.

This year I went with poetry inspired by my favorite poet, Mary Oliver.  I hope you enjoy it!

IT ALL STARTED THE DAY I WAS GIFTED A BOOK OF POETRY

Word count: 200

 

Turning crisp new pages,

I explore line after line,

word after word…thoughts stir, and feelings float up…and off the paper.

Sometimes, they fly away like sparrows.

Sometimes, they drip like the soft, cold Autumn rain and seep deep into my skin.

 

Within this melancholy hug of delicious words,

I put on my shoes,

And set out to adventure with feet crunching over frozen grass.

My shoulders bend under the dark,

deep

shadows as my eyes steal a glimpse of the blue sky

before the heavy jewel-toned forest folds around me.

 

I breathe…beneath the thick branches of lumbering Pine,

the falling needles of the statuesque Spruce and Fir,

and the lazy sway of a willow tree tickling the breeze around the little whisper of me.

 

One by one,

the poet’s words tumble from me… I stop…and in the shallow breath of my stride… I listen…

 

…there,

with me,

alight on invisible wings are her words,

woven with care, they fly freely in the crisp air,

and play with the robins,

the sparrows,

even the grossbeaks.

 

The day,

with Mary Oliver,

turns into a poem.

The walk,

turns into a fold of time…precious…pure… and alive.

 

And my heart soars,

and plants roots.

 

Photo 7 was my inspiration.

Writing as a ND parent, raising a ND child- A poem

 I have a voice for my needs,

my wants,
my dreams...for you.
But respecting your comfortable silences,
your aloof tenderness,
and repetitive soothing’s,
is more important, so,
I hold my tongue, bite my words, and keep my dreams in sleep.

I have learned that for you, I must be stronger than I thought possible.
And that being strong for you means I must be stronger for myself because,
heartaches of disappointment seem endless and unforgiving,
every,
day,
and they should never touch you because I am never disappointed in you, simply being you.

It’s the world around you that is hard against us…
People don’t listen,
Don’t see,
Lack empathy,
Lack imagination…Luckily, your eyes look past it all, somehow, seeing only what brings you joy,
The hard-hearted burden is solely mine,
And it is monumentally heavier when those around us, people we love and cherish, aren’t able to,
Aren’t willing to…join in your world,
See and share your joys,
Understand and dance in your silences.

This breaks my heart for them and cracks my connections to them… though I do not wish for that love to break…

HONORABLE MENTION #50 Precious Words

 

Woke up to find out my little story about a hide-and-seek with a squirrel made the coveted Honorable Mention list on #50PreciousWords  

It looks like there are some really amazing stories on that list.  Great job, everyone. It's not easy writing a full story (beginning, middle, end) in 50 words, so hats off to you all!

Thank you to Vivian Kirkfield and all the judges who took the time to read all of the stories!

HONORABLE MENTION CATEGORIES: 

ANIMALS
Peek-A-Squeak Squirrel Hide-And-Seek by Laura N. Clement

If you want to read the story, check out the previous post.

Just squeaked in an entry for #50 Precious Words

 Vivian Kirkfield is at it again with her #50 Precious Words and even though things are exploding all around me, I sat down with my #storystorm list and found one I could use! This entry is light and funny, and I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you @vivian.kirkfield for putting this together again. It was nice to step out of my chaos and into a little writing!

Peek-a-Squeak Squirrel Hide-and-Seek

By Laura N. Clement

 

Stuck,

Inside,

sick,

I toss and turn, bored.

 

Wiggling my toes at the window I see something jump…

 

…fly from the tree…

 

…land on my windowsill…

 

…I shriek…

 

…It peeks…

 

…I hide…

 

…it squeaks…

…I peek…

 

…it hides…

 

…I giggle.

 

Over,

And over again, we play until…

 

…I…fall…back…to…sleep.

New Year and off and running

Just finished wrapping up

I am a winner again. Already working on one new manuscript and rolling another SEL one around in my mind.  Gotta find the right way in on that idea.

 

OK, I have submitted my entry for PBParty!  I picked Sunday Morning Dim Sum. You can only do the first 70 words and the manuscript has to be a minimum of 200 words.  Many of my SEL manuscripts are under 200 so many of the ones I wanted to submit didn't meet the requirement. I am happy with my submission, none-the-less.

I have sent off a lot of submissions to agents and editors and not surprisingly, I already have a handful of rejections for 2025. But ONWARD, right?

Next up will be PB Rising Star I have gotten so close twice now. Maybe this year will be my year?  

Also, don't forget, on Feb. 24/25 is Disabled Fairytales Symposium.  I will be the first presenter.

Another cool note, pinning it here for later, is a great site I found that lists some really great SEL books.

30 SEL books! I emailed them with a few they don't have listed, but honestly, it's a great collection of wonderful books, some of which I didn't know about.

Disabled Tales a symposium! I will be presenting my Huff Puff Academy in 2025.

 I feel honored and excited to be part of this event.

https://www.disabledtales.co.uk/symposium.html

I will be presenting on Day One, with my Fractured Fairytale- The Huff Puff Academy, about an asthmatic wolf, and three pigs with ADHD who find new meaning in what it means to succeed, all the while embracing who they are and finding support in each other as a team.
https://www.disabledtales.co.uk/programme.html

What a great thing to add to the #kidlit world. Thank you Beth O’Brien and Nicola Grove for putting this together!

If you're writing for kids, you should check this out.

#childrensbooks
Disabled Tales

Life's been a little Crazy, just getting to this Honorable Mention win!

My little 100-word story about Autism and Halloween got a nice nod from Susanna Leonard Hill's contest.

Thank you, Susanna and team for seeing the beauty in this perspective.

A Spectrum of Costumes

By Laura N. Clement

 

“Just be you.”

Heather heard this every day from her parents.

But every year when chilly weather turned leaves crisp, pumpkins plumped, and goblins peaked out of neighbor’s window, a familiar worry began to tiptoe into her thoughts.

Being herself wasn’t always easy, loud sounds made her shrink, big feelings made her hide, and faces everywhere squinching, twitching, and changing, confused her.

Halloween was the worst.

The masks, makeup, funny clothes made understanding anyone that day harder, so this year… just being herself, Heather put on headphones, sunglasses, her softest clothes, and happily tucked herself into her own quiet world.

Another Fall Writing Contest this time for Susanna Leonard Hill's Halloweensie Contest- Halloween on the farm, Cowgirl and Dinosaurs

 You can find out all of the information Here.

Basic's- 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (12 and under), using these words- Chill, Tiptoe, Goblin.

I have two, here is my second entry.

Halloween on the farm, A Cowgirl and the inflatable Dinosaurs

By Laura N. Clement

 

 

Stella didn’t feel like dressing up for Halloween. She preferred comfortable overalls, beat-up muddy boots, and worn-out hat.

“I am a cowgirl,” Stella said, “every day, no matter what.”

But Stella’s goats had other ideas. They loved wearing costumes and trick-or-treating for pumpkin snacks, they didn’t love tiptoeing around in the dark.

“It’s chilly this year, so maybe we’ll stay home,” said Buddy.

“But I want treats,” said Rose.

“And I want to wear a goblin costume!” said Hazel

But Stella had another costume plans. “Getty up goats,” she said, “This cowgirl is rustling three Dinosaurs! Now hold still.”