Gentle tinkling chimes
add an accompaniment
to Spring’s symphony.

#haikusaturday
Thank you for the lovely inspiration, Susan!

Reflections as I Wash My Windshield #haiku

When driving at night,
the biggest bugs always SPLAT
dead center of view.

#haikusaturday

Middle Grade Verse Novel Stats 2026 It's my favorite month. National Poetry Month! And of course, I have updated middle grade novel-in-verse statistics to share. In 2025, I included verse novel awards as part of my infographic. This year, I'm not doing that here, but I will be posting each of the 2025 middle grade verse novels with lists of what recognition they've gotten (and a little bit about why you'd like to read the story in the caption) each day on my…

Middle Grade Verse Novel Stats 2026

It's my favorite month. National Poetry Month! And of course, I have updated middle grade novel-in-verse statistics to share. In 2025, I included verse novel awards as part of my infographic. This year, I'm not doing that here, but I will be posting each of the…

This is the best concept for a book I’ve heard of in a while. I am very excited for it!

If applying feels overwhelming, you can always seek out individual critique partners to help you grow in your craft. That said, I always went by the mantra of not telling myself no, and submitting whenever I had the opportunity. Even if it felt scary.

This is both appalling and entertaining. Well done!

Not hard! You can do it!

Yes the art! Statue of David! But also the old architecture. So beautiful. #kidlitart

Shameless plug for #diversifymyart. Maybe it will inspire you! #kidlitart bsky.app/profile/lari...

Prague or Florence. Maybe Bavaria or Ireland's west coast. All of these places are lovely and I want to go back! #kidlitart

Oh I loved the one episode I've heard (probably season 1)! I will have to listen to more! #kidlitart

Someone will say something in a podcast I'm listening to (while driving) and I'll get inspired and I'll have to pull into a gas station to add a note in my phone for later. #kidlitart

I'm strangely often inspired in the car while I'm driving to work. I guess it's like people getting inspiration in the shower, where my brain is doing something mundane and it frees up thinking space for creativity. #kidlitart

I'm often inspired when I'm on vacay in a cabin in the woods on a mountain by a river. But I think just being away from stress anywhere is what helps to clear my brain and make way for creativity. #kidlitart

I like following non-kidlit artists on insta for inspiration. Pottery artists and jewelry artists and landscape painters, pattern designers etc. #kidlitart

Oh I love Felicita Sala's work! Green on Green is a book I copied from when I was trying to "learn from the greats". #kidlitart

That's fantastic! And a great excuse to buy "just one more" pastry.

I think Micha Archer is inspiring in a "I'll never be able to do collage like that but it's awe-inspiring" sort of way. #kidlitart

That's actually a great idea! Or steal lines from other great works like "Call me Ishmael." #kidlitart

For me the "something else" is usually another creative pursuit. Fun fact, I started working on illustration when I had a creative block with writing picture books. I started writing picture books when I had a creative block with writing novels. #kidlitart

I have had those cafe-inspired break throughs. I think the change of scenery helps regardless, but the cafe treats are definitely a plus! #kidlitart

I did this for writing first, but it has worked for art too. When I'm trying to be creative every month (as a self-imposed deadline) I have had to force the muse. I sit down and GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO CREATE SOMETHING BAD. It might end up a blob of clay but I can shape it later. #kidlitart

Thanks for sharing that link! I might try that. #kidlitart

At the moment, I only have time for my own art challenge #diversifymyart (shameless plug) but I like mermay and doggust and then random ones that just happen to cross my feed when I'm in need of a prompt. I like combining from different prompts. #kidlitart

Yay! Congrats!

Ooh fun! I hope you had a good time!

I like doing online monthly prompts/challenges to get me to draw something specific that I can put my own unique spin on. It helps narrow down what to put on a blank page. #kidlitart

Jumping in late. Hi #kidlitart! This month has had lots of positive baby steps in the right direction for my publishing journey. I'll take those wins!

Such adorable art, Autumn!

I love my (picture book) book club. We all sign in to Discord to say hi then disappear for 5-10 minutes to go speed read before we can discuss. #kidlit