A very long story short...I happened upon a book by
RIF at Half Price Books. It was their 40th anniversary fundraiser book. I opened it to find illustrators' journeys, and what brought them to illustrate books for children. Being a book nerd, I bought it and love this little treasure I found. Each illustrator has a 2 page spread. On one side they've written about their childhood favorite book memories and the other side, they've reimagined an illustration from one them.
As I prepare for a new year, I decided to write a post on my journey. My favorite childhood books will be on another post. This is the big picture of my reading/writing journey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkMBBH6ekoqdsbXq6X2DNvnaanm48WFK_Hpt8nqa_imC-RVO_YcZ8rTjg-05VVWDpJa2LUQ7m-N-3H2iZ9MHLg9JY-wwVQnWJ43Aq5rC_WK5Hz1lk4RjPHJ1M-27FI0WUxuXSfzd705FC/s1600/writing9.jpg) |
Not Me |
I am so grateful for this journey. I started long ago writing poems and things for family when I was a child. I also read a LOT.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7uOrm_kuAo-2fq86n1Cvm0VUl6prOiPWMUpgfN6eVz6HlfVaay0MRRYoZ0_KQRIxqFvdg8eNxStWoj5JIsiKKRc5DbKalbro2OiNKcFDE1QRv_CpZX6G2feP_mrrkpaiofnSrJCRkRLn/s1600/writing+5.jpg) |
Not Me |
I went to college and became a teacher. I loved creating engaging lessons that would motivate and resonate with my class. I almost always started with a story. I always placed a collection of books on a table with the topics we were learning about for the kiddos to explore.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZqzFTDKF1igzwyD6633vs2214rMJ1zHxeUtfUefN2mybp2_QDPVN4nTK9KjG1ECiB74_LmcJSe3ktZTLUgA1ukXTz-DM_BR66KcBFE31huTpn0Oh6WfSktqMoUXV4LOEKcTK2OHwCVn5/s1600/writing+6.jpg) |
Not Me |
Next, I stayed home with my boys, and boy, did we read books! I taught at a preschool for a few years and wrote for The Mailbox Magazine, Inc.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFdUOZ_y1TDM0Mhyphenhyphent9HDmo_dS7RnhgXHIuf0sEridC9LKEaGnCTHyR9bL-VtnXmlaT7VIuLuls6r9JFJMsgvzHkIdILKFZXz-N9Q7TRBzxhyCdL6WRAZtPN4Qh4q_w-bvAN8nRNVkRPvJ/s320/writing+8.jpg) |
Not My Kids |
Then when my boys got much older, I went back to school and earned my Masters of Library Science and opened a new school as the librarian. It was amazing! Talking about books and authors, technology and how to find information with kids all day!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmD2fJK-miP1UOYIJWy7dINJKyLfZoDWjrcl5bd4gAk1M8rv06bPuRJDlyx4YuqSYc2u1aeZQ2FXL6ynLh5d9SP6dWzC50qB3qZRzXIKYQl5jGTvOmrQRwBxfY8tAezvZtsvbscG2aLN0/s320/IMG_0421.jpg) |
ME |
After a few magical years, my husband and I decided, in order to be able to travel with him and his job, I would leave my school position. It was with such mixed feelings that I did. But...could I really leave kids and books. NO! On my travels, I seek out book places...whether BIG
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhThg4dyctbmRkmT1BTmrQg8bxkuqC32vRAwBqAYxn19-p9JHLdMLeZs2M51C8cKgBPmsHUukZGZynu1Vd_Rhj6amcUbxKnwtut9CYrMgeGa7Z6TwTjrc6oOJlexJrygBZb1BROOZBL-tD/s320/writing11.jpg) |
Melk Abbey Library |
or small.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRzOAWwEavVB6TtMwdXaNfupgt823ZTu2T9AvIPkAPi0-1HhPDK_SHk-YdJqiABlWznqV1t6Pbj-gWzPO-gGRzXZ6O0irKhgqCdIFm0mldWOOzqpphqBQK0EhF7J6A2MHpZvZ_6xXezd_/s320/writing+10.jpg) |
Book Cart in Prague |
AND...I've now spent the last 2 full years learning the craft of writing for children!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfp8wtABz7Vy4WvQKdMMyoT7yFQAvnbJtubl7Y3tdjWd_G5kMpyPVgyb-Jy2r5W5A6Zgu0cEEgbtZgbIOTmXjtpDOXAGGk2kb0uWH0VlFOwmhN50ANZa8Oy3_f6ciTSbZXUJa_IIEQsrz/s320/desk.jpg) |
My Desk |
I found my place. I found my people. It IS a fabulous journey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvxqFSrPOTpFuuvcObjDm1fWNjUNJYjgWEvE2JIzyBNSoJJUe_bWKh5AST6an-Xl45dNKsuZjDAWnomvqpgfyA3aHdZATHG8STVUr9rbHnikYXmL0Fouq7F7_-bJ0s0Sy8Kyat1k7sbv3/s1600/writing+1.jpg) |
Not Me |
Tracy, thank you for sharing your journey! Wishing you much success.
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