The First Spark: 2019

I know exactly when I started writing picture books. Christmas Eve, 2019.

My husband and I were visiting our grandchildren (and their parents). My four-year-old granddaughter had a question about a painting hanging in her room. A painting I had made for her.

"WHY did the cow jump over the moon?"

In the middle of the night, I woke up. Perhaps reindeer hooves were pattering on the roof. There was  a story in my head. A story about a cow who wanted to pull Santa's sleigh. I turned on my iPad and typed it. 

Later, I illustrated it and made a book just for my grandkids. I showed that book to a dear friend who is a media specialist.

She said, "You should join SCBWI." 
"What's that?" I asked. 

And now I know.