Where do I belong?
By Charlotte Offsay
In mid-2018, I did what I highly recommend no author do (but I think inevitably most of us do at some point), I looked around and compared my journey and my body of work to those around me.
One critique partner wrote funny, another lyrical non-fiction, another manuscripts that made me sit and wonder, and yet another brilliantly entertaining and perfect rhyme. I couldn’t help looking at my body of work – a hodge-podge of social justice, environmental activism, humor, rhyme, Jewish, and lyrical concept – and feeling worried that there wasn’t a box for me.
My worries were compounded at the time by a series of near misses with agents. An agent would connect with one manuscript and ask to see more, and inevitably like my humor but not my rhyme or some other combination. Should I rework my portfolio? Should I try and be more focused? Or in some of my less hopeful moments – perhaps I would never find my match and should just get off the rollercoaster?
Fortunately, my critique partners helped me lick my wounds and encouraged me to keep going. They helped me have confidence in my work and to not worry (so much) about what an agent might be looking for. Thank goodness I listened to them.
Because I kept writing and I kept submitting and in early 2019, this happened:
And shortly after that, this happened….
And then this…
And then this…
How to Return a Monster is a humorous how to story about a child who tries to return their new baby sibling in the mail. I wrote it after being consumed with how my 19-month-old would react to her new baby brother and a need to embrace the mixed emotions she was sure to feel. It is being illustrated by Rea Zhai and publishes this September with Beaming Books.
The Big Beach Cleanup is an ocean advocacy story about little hands joining together to make big change. I passionately believe that if enough hands join together we can change the world and wrote this manuscript out of a desire to show my children that they don’t need to be superheroes to make a difference, they just need to do their part and join hands with those around them. It is illustrated by Katie Rewse and published this past March with Albert Whitman and is my debut picture book.
A Grandma’s Magic is a picture book celebration of grandmothers and all the ways in which they are “magical.” It was born out of my love for my own grandmother who holds my heart across the pond and whose magic inspires me daily. It is being illustrated by Asa Gilland and publishes with Doubleday Books for Young Readers in Spring 2022.
Not only do my stories differ from one another but my journey differs from those of my friends and critique partners. I have been very fortunate lately to have found a lot of success in my publishing journey and let’s be honest a big part of that is luck – I have numerous insanely talented critique partners still working tirelessly for their yes. I am so very grateful that my amazing critique partners helped me to keep my eyes in my own lane and didn’t let me give up.
I hope sharing my journey helps anyone thinking of getting off the rollercoaster to hang on and to lean on their support system. Please write what is most important to you. Please don’t shelve your dreams. And please let me know WHEN you get your yes. I am here rooting for you.
CHARLOTTE OFFSAY was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again. Learn more about Charlotte’s work at charlotteoffsay.com and follow her on Twitter at @coffsay and on Instagram at @picturebookrecommendations.
Charlotte is giving away a copy of The Big Beach Cleanup at the May 12 x 12 check-in. Go write a new draft and a revise an old one for your best chance to win!
214 Responses
I’m so happy you stayed on the rollercoaster Charlotte and that your hard work and dedication is paying off big time! So excited for all your books!
I agree Charlotte. Writing has it’s ups and downs and takes motivation and drive.
So you are an true testament to perseverance. Onwards and upwards.
Thank you, Charlotte, for reminding us to hang in and rely on our support system. I am looking forward to reading all of your PBs, but especially HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER. We recently had a similar experience in our family where the two-year-old told Mom to, “Take him back.”
Thanks for the encouragement to keep on keeping on! Can’t wait to read your books!
Love this! I have felt this many, many times in my writing journey and it’s so hard to stay in your lane! Your experience and inspiring words help reminded me that we will get there, as long as we don’t give up!
Charlotte, I love this post so much. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. There have been so many times that I have wanted to get off the roller coaster, too. But I am so glad I have stayed on. Congratulations on all your forthcoming books!!!
What an inspiring story Charlotte! Congratulations on the three books. Just the type of inspiring story I needed today!!
Your story is so inspirational and I really love how much you credit and appreciate your CPs. Congratulations on your many successes!
Boy, do I relate to your post’s beginning. It’s easy to think you’ll never see success, but perfect timing and writing talent combined for you to see your dreams being realized. Happy for you.
Inspiration everywhere! Congratulations
What a wonderful story with a happy ending! That’s what we all want, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to read your book (s).
Oh man! This is SO my journey (though I don’t have my ‘yes’ yet)! I write many different things and sometimes think maybe I haven’t found my niche and maybe that’s my problem. But, I don’t want a niche! I LOVE writing different things and can’t stop. Thanks for this well-timed and very inspirational post sharing your journey and doubt. Congratulations to YES after YES after YES! =D
Thanks for the inspiration, Charlotte! Love The Big Beach Cleanup.
So proud of you, Charlotte! Well deserved!
Love this, Charlotte! Thanks for the encouragement to keep going. I bought my copy of Big Beach Cleanup a while ago and was so excited to read it, and I love it!! I love helping hands/environmental themes too. I love what you said about write what is most important to you. It can be easy to think “I should write this kind of book because it’s popular, or this agent is looking for “x” maybe I should write that” but then it wouldn’t be true to each author. Gotta write what’s in your heart.
I can’t wait to read your other books!
Charlotte, thank you for this very encouraging blog post and congratulations on the wonderful stories you are sending out into the world! It is fascinating as our stories develop to recognize the individual threads that characterize them as our own and yet those unique stories that stand in their own lane.
I just listed to the Picture Book Look podcast about your book 🙂
So glad you didn’t jump off the rollercoaster ride, Charlotte! Congrats on all your future book babies!!
I needed to read this today. Thank you so much for sharing your journey (and staying on that rollercoaster!)
This is so lovely, Charlotte. Brava for keeping your eyes on your own work and for being smart enough to surround yourself with support. I’m so thrilled for your unfolding success.
Congratulations on your dreams coming true! And thanks for giving aspiring authors hope!
Thank you for sharing your journey and offering your advice on not giving up. I’m looking forward to reading your books. They all sound like great topics.
Thank you. That is such great advice.
Thank you for the advice and inspiration to keep going. Your books sound fun and I look forward to reading them.
What an inspiring post! Your journey gives me hope and encouragement to keep on writing. Thank you for sharing!
There are so many great reminders here, Charlotte. Love this!
It’s so much fun seeing all your wonderful books come to life! Thanks for sharing your journey with us and for your inspiring words!
So, so true. There are many insanely talented people in this business. Persistence wins the day. And a sprinkling of luck, otherwise known as serendipity. But the serendipity doesn’t happen if you quit. Congrats on your publishing success!
So encouraging! Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey.
Charlotte,
I remember you talking about your creative writing at our breakfast with Mira in LA at 2018 SCBWI. Your ideas and the stories that develop are great. Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your journey, Charlotte! I’m so inspired by how you’ve found success with such a wide range of stories. I don’t fit in a box either. I’m looking forward to reading all your amazing sounding books!
First of all, I am so excited that you are our featured author this month! I love watching your journey unfold. Second, I LOVE that you have stayed true to your passion. You write what is important to you and that is what makes your stories authentic. Great post, Charlotte!
I SO identify with this: “An agent would connect with one manuscript and ask to see more, and inevitably like my humor but not my rhyme or some other combination.” In fact, it’s happened to me NINE times! I did an author critique where the author told me to pick a lane and stay in it instead of trying to write manuscripts that are lyrical, some that are punny, some in rhyme, etc. Still trying to find my agent match, but here’s hoping …
I love this Charlotte! Great advice AND I’m so happy you’ve had success on your journey. <3
Thank you Charlotte for encouraging us to keep at it! And congrats to you on your successes: )
You inspire me to keep writing! Thank you!
Thank you for the encouraging post! I know the roller coaster ride of kid lit all too well!
charlotte,
thanks for sharing your frustrations and your successs. I hope to do the same one day.
Sue
Hooray for your success! And thanks for sharing your journey with us.
very inspiring.thank you, Charlotte
All of this, yes! Congrats Charlotte. I’m so happy for all of your success! It’s such an important lesson to write what you love and keep writing no matter what.
Thank you for showing us that you can succeed by being yourself and writing about the things that are important to you. You are an inspiration to me!
Congratulations, Charlotte! I loved reading your road to publication story. My story “portfolio” is also a mixed bag – one humorous, one lyrical, one poetical, one non-fiction, etc. and now I have an idea for a biography. So it’s good to hear that agents are open to representing authors who don’t fit into a box. That gives me hope someday I’ll have an agent story too.
I have been feeling the same way about my work! I have so many different types of books I enjoy writing on so many different topics. I love that you didn’t allow yourself to be crammed into any sort of box and are having such wonderful success by simply writing whatever you love. Congratulations on all your amazing books!
Congratulations, Charlotte! Thanks for sharing your journey and encouraging insights.
Hi Charlotte! Thanks for sharing your story of persistence and love of writing. It worked! You hung in there! Congratulations!
Oh, the feels are real! Loved reading your story. Congratulations and best wishes! Each picture book sounds wonderful!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. A fellow writer told me that one of her favorite quotes is something Fannie Flag said: “Don’t give up before the miracle happens.” Your post is a perfect reminder of that.
A truly inspiring story. Congratulations and thank you.
Congratulations! A big thank you for this inspiration to keep moving forward. There have been many moments this past year when throwing in the towel seemed to be the only option.
Thank you for sharing! This is really encouraging!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Charlotte. Like you, I get so hung up on focusing on what an agent is looking for. We’re told to look for connections, and therefore, that’s often the first thing we check and mention in our queries. I agonize over which manuscripts to send and often kick myself thinking I might have sent the wrong ones. When you say that your critique partners helped you stop worrying so much about what an agent was looking for, how did you get over that? Did you just start sending the one you wanted to send no matter what the agent had on their MSWL? Thanks for encouraging us. I am thrilled for your success!
Thank you for sharing your journey. This was such an inspiring post and much needed. Congratulations on your success!
Thanks Charlotte. It’s good to know there is room out there for those of us who don’t fit into a nice neat package!
Congratulations, Charlotte! Can’t wait to read your books!
Congratulations! It’s encouraging to see your success in so many different types of picture books. Thank you for sharing your journey and best wishes as it continues!
Wow! Awesome story, Charlotte! Thanks for sharing your persistence, and, most importantly, your critique partners’ encouragement.
Congratulations on your recent successes and tank you for sharing your journey. It was nice to see you acknowledge your critique partners. I am sure their time will come too. Your journey gives us all home.
This was exactly what I needed to hear right now. I feel like my collection of manuscripts vary as well. I’m so happy for you and am inspired! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thank you for the encouragement to never shelve our dreams. I have a story I’ve shelved for now because of how many rejections I’ve had for it. But I won’t give up on it. Can’t wait to read your books!
Charlotte, thanks so much for this great reminder that we don’t have to fit neatly into a little box. I love your Ocean Cleanup book and can’t wait to see what you do next!
Thank you. This IS such a rollercoaster business–subjective, yet still empowered by the stories we have deep inside.
Looks like staying true to yourself and your dreams, and keeping your eyes in your own lane, worked out well for you. It can be very disheartening when hard work and dedication doesn’t seem to pay off. But it does in the end. It just takes some of us a much longer time to get there. Thanks for sharing this advice. Congrats on all your books coming out.
I remember connecting with Charlotte before she signed around some Jewish-themed manuscripts. So thrilled to read all three of her debuts–Mazels to the Max!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Charlotte, and congratulations on your upcoming books! They look wonderful and your story provides hope for us all!
What an amazing writing journey! It is so much fun to read about the different experiences of authors. Congratulations on your success, Charlotte! You are an inspiration!
So good to hear about your journey, Charlotte! As someone who has many, many ‘random’ inspirations, it’s so good to see that a career in children’s book publishing can be made while following your curiosity. Best of luck to you as you continue to make your own way!
Way to hang on to the handlebars with each up and down, Charlotte! Congratulations on your successes and even more for your resilience. Thanks for the reminder not to compare ourselves to others and to cherish our CPs!
Thanks for the encouragement. I am also all over the place and trying to figure out where I will fit.
Charlotte, You’ve perfectly captured the immensity of my love for writing in a way that I’ve never read before.
“I love to write. I love the feeling I get when an idea crawls under my skin at 3am. I love the can’t-sit-still feeling that happens when I have an idea I am passionate about.”
Thank you for your warm, encouraging post.
I printed this and it’s going to stay within arm’s reach every time I write as a reminder to never give up, and as fuel for the days when I feel I’m almost there.
Congratulations on your books and many more to come!!
Congratulations, Charlotte!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us! What a joy this is to read! So glad you kept going. Thank you for encouraging us all to do the same! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. My writing is similarly all over the map so this gave me hope. THANK YOU!
Thank you for an insight essay. It is fun to see how your books differ so much from each other. Gives us all hope. 🙂
Thank you for your inspiration!! I love” write what is important to you”. It gives everyone credibility.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Charlotte! What an inspiring post – just what I needed!
Thank you for sharing your story, Charlotte! it is inspiring – and familiar. Just what I needed. All the best with your debut and beyond!
Thank you Charlotte for sharing your journey. This is just what I needed to hear as I like to write different types of stories too and I feel encouraged to keep writing what I want to write about rather than trying to pigeonhole myself. It’s tough on this rollercoaster, but we keep getting on time after time! Best of luck with the new book.
Congratulations on your journey! Thanks for sharing, Charlotte!
Thank you for your encouraging and inspiring post. And congratulations on your books!
Congratulations on your well-deserved success, Charlotte! Can’t wait to read all of your stories, especially Grandma’s Magic
Charlotte, I love your positivity and heart. Congratulations on finding an agent and getting your work out there. Your shout out for critique groups speaks volumes to me. I would be lost without my amazing Cps! I look forward to reading your books 🙂
I am so envious of writers who can keep going on their journey and get past all the doubting and not believing in themselves. I take each manuscript and send it to critique partners who help but when sent to critique services I feel like I don’t belong in this community at all. There is so much they find wrong with the manuscripts. Thanks for showing that even with the distraction of small children you can revise and succeed with support from your critique partners and an agent, and the community of 12×12.
I am not sure if anyone else feels this way. But I also feel these featured author posts come at the right time! I have been wondering when or if I will ever get my “yes” and find my person to help me on this journey. A lot of my stories differ from one another, and as a writer, I feel that is the way it should be. When we think of an idea, it won’t always fall in line with the other ones. I also resonate with what you said about getting an idea in the wee hours of the morning and then trying to decipher all your notes the next morning! I do the same thing! Haha. It is that type of passion from the heart the I feel quite honestly makes you a magnet to achieve your dreams. Thanks for sharing and congrats!!
Charlotte, so many people are saying the very same thing — and I echo the sentiment one more time. Your post was timely for me as well in a week when I’m wondering why I’m doing what I’m doing. (I also have manuscripts all over the map. Triple congratulations on your books. I’m so glad you’re seeing your dream come true.
Congratulations Charlotte! Thank you for a great post!
Thanks for the reminder to not compare. After another rejection in the box, and another pitch event where hearts went elsewhere, it’s good to be reminded!
Yay, Charlotte! Thanks for sharing your words of inspiration to us all.
~Susan
Thanks Charlotte! My journey is similar although I don’t have an agent and I am a far distance from getting published. Your words help me refocus on my heart and what I believe in!
Thank you for the encouragement, Charlotte!
Yes! The magic of a new idea! The alchemy of writing that perfect phrase, line, paragraph, of making ourselves laugh or cry — or both! — as a new story is born. It all keeps us on the rollercoaster. Thank you for sharing your journey and reminding us that our “yes” is out there.
Thanks, Charlotte! Inspiring blog!
Charolette, Your humor had me leaning back and laughing out loud. Your tenacity to keep believing in yourself and your work had me applauding you. You are an inspiration to us all. And, “yes,” our critique partners are amazing. They help us to stay true to developing our own voice and don’t let us give up. I appreciate your honest wisdom for us: “Write what is most important to you. Don’t shelve your dreams.” As I ride this “rollercoaster” path to publishing, I’ll be energized by your words and your personal journey. Congratulations on those “yes’s.” I look forward to reading your books and recommending them for purchase by our local library. Sending you energy and joy for your venture ahead…
What an amazing year you had last year! (Wow, not everyone can say that.) Congratulations on all your upcoming books. And thank you for sharing your story about your journey to YES. It’s an inspiring reminder to keep writing what’s inside us, and DO the work!
Don’t stop the roller coaster, I am not ready to get off !
I like your description of your collection of writings. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us hodge-podgers. Congratulations on getting an agent and getting published.
Thank you for sharing your journey of sober questioning, the comparison mind game, patience, excitement, celebrating and writing, writing, writing cuz you’re made to do it! You are doing YOU. I can certainly relate and feel grateful for other creatives out there who share my mind spinning ups and downs! I, too, am kind of all over the place with what I write (trying to learn to love this about myself.) And yes, it’s a roller coster ride I don’t want to get off 😉 Hanging on with dear life… 😉
So encouraging. Just what I needed to read… the validity of fitting in my own box.
Individual journeys to publishing our picture books is exactly what is all about. Thank you for reminding us that we can succeed.
Thanks for the hope for all of us in sharing your precious journey… oodles of gratitude & congratulations!
Charlotte,
You shared your journey and feelings about your work which are exactly the same as mine. I write humor, Jewish, I have one rhyming ms and a hodge-podge of others. Right-where does that fit in? CPs are the best when they keep encouraging you-and mine are awesome! Congratulations on your books-I can’t wait to read them all!
You are an inspiration, Charlotte. Thank you for this wonderfully encouraging post. Wishing you much success!!
Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a lot of success with the beach cleanup book. So many places to contact local booksellers who would be happy to stock it. I’m from a beach community and you wouldn’t believe the mess people leave behind.
Congratulations Charlotte, and thank you for sharing your inspiring journey!
What a joy to read Charlotte’s journey! It gives me hope for my own! Thank you!
I love this post so much! Comparison really is thief of joy!
Congratulations Charlotte! You are right, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to our critique partners but we do. It can be a long road, but good friends and perseverance will get us through. Your passion is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you for sharing your story and encouragement!!
Inspiring post to keep going and write whatever your heart tells you to.
Tenacity and perseverance are certainly the cornerstones of this industry! Congratulations!
Charlotte,
Your story is so inspiring for me. So much work and so long to go. I’ll keep to the task and enjoy the process.
Charlotte,
Thank you for these inspiring words. I will continue the journey!
“Highs and lows” is too small a phrase for the amazing peaks and deep valleys authors travel. Enjoy this moment – and have many more!
Encouraging words all around – thanks for sharing!
I love how you find inspiration everywhere. I also have an amazing grandmother and she is often in my stories. The one I started this month is going to be called The Storyteller and will be a version of her using her stories. Grandmothers are the best!
Congratulations, Charlotte! I, too, feel a bond and a push in my critique groups. They are precious to me, every single one. Thanks for haring your personal experience as well. Every encouragement counts!
Thank you for sharing your journey. You are so positive and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us, and for reminding us how important it is to cultivate and cherish your CG.
Charlotte, this is a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing your ups and your downs — and congratulations on all these books. I can’t wait to read them all!
Your story is so inspiring to me! This book looks amazing and I cannot wait to get it.
Charlotte, your journey gives me such hope! But it is also a testament to the joy you clearly carry with you into your writing — and THAT is the real gift! Thank you!
Wonderful post. I definitely identify with having a varied body of work that may appear very different to others, but represents what I care about. I’m excited to read The Big Beach Cleanup! Congrats to you for all your exciting news!
Charlotte, thank you so much for this inspiring and relatable post! It’s helpful to hear about the journey you’ve taken. Thank you!
Wow, Charlotte! Congrats on your kidlit successes.
That was a fun read. Congratulations!
Charlotte, to hear your journey from the creative inspiration to the obstacles, to the critique group confidence in you, to securing an agent and then onto the publishing process lets the rest of us know that with creativity, perseverance and support that we will reach our dream of writing for children. We change the world, one book at a time! Thank you!
Thanks for your insightful words of encouragement! Can’t wait to read your books!
This really resonates with me. I, too, have those near-misses as a result of being too (?) eclectic in my writing. Thank you for the wonderful encouragement! Your books sound awesome.
Can’t wait to read this book!
I’m going to add this to my collection!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
This is so inspirational. There are plenty of times I feel like my writing takes me on a roller coaster, at times the whole amusement park, thank you Charlotte for your encouraging words.
Thank you for this post, Charlotte! I related to so much of it – compared and despaired in 2018 too before my own “yes” reponses! Congrats on your books and thank you for all of your support of this community! 🙂
Congratulations, Charlotte. Your experiece has given me hope, as I have several different types of children’s books ready to publihs h- if (and when) they are accepted.
Congratulations on getting your first yes, and then your second yes, and more. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I also find that being part of a critique group has been very helpful.
So glad to see someone that writes so many things find their agent and get all these lovely books published. Great job and there is hope for the rest of us.
It looks like a great book! Congrats!
Great post, Charlotte!! Thank you for giving us a peek at your writing journey. I totally agree with you about staying true to yourself and not writing to the current fad. Not everyone fits into tidy little boxes. Who would want to? I have always written a little bit of everything and I follow my heart, writing what is important to me, and will continue to do so, whether it sells or not.
Thank you for such a heartfelt and inspiring post. Your success is well-deserved. I look forward to reading all your books.
Great post, honest but lighthearted, too. Congratulations on your success, Charlotte!
Mazel tov! From one Jane of all trades to another, thanks for sharing your journey. I have always been curious about so many things some said I was a little good a lot of things but great at nothing. Thank goodness I (and you!) didn’t let that stop me. May you continue to pursue all the various things your creative heart desires. You are an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing, Charlotte! Inspiring and motivational!!!
Your books are varied, but all of them look inspired. Congratulations on your success. Nice to see how humble you are about it. I think I can be humble too when I am given the Yes opportunity.
Charlotte, congratulations on your success these past couple years. How exciting. I’m looking forward to reading your stories that you have shared with the world. Your passion for writing shines through. Here’s to many more years of it. : )
Thanks for sharing your story – looking forward to reading your books!
I love hearing success stories like this one. And I also love children’s books about helping our environment. Way to go Charlotte!
Thank you for sharing your journey and your stories! I feel.encouarged and renewed to.continue pursuits with all my projects.
Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us in 12×12. I think it’s important to realize that we are all different and will follow different paths. The only sure bet is that we need to keep working hard and believing in ourselves. I think it’s very important to empower kids to know that then can make a difference for our world. I’m trying to do the same with my writing. Congratulations on your books.
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your publishing journey! It was inspiring and motivational to read. My stories differ from one another and I often wonder if that is a disadvantage. I also doubt myself and wonder if I should stop, but I know I can’t stop writing. Your journey is encouraging!
Great story of persistence Charlotte and well=deserved success! 🙂
I’m also glad you stayed on the roller coaster, Charlotte. The Big Beach Cleanup is a wonderful books. It’s encouraging to see you writing a diverse body of work. I wish you many more successes!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I admire your perseverance and your deep love of writing. The Big Beach Cleanup sends important messages about working together for a better world.
Thank you for your inspiration to keep on keeping on!!
Thank you for your inspiration to keep on keeping on!! Appreciate it all!
Charlotte, Thank you! This was a great post – thank you for all the time you spent on it…I will reread again because there is so much in it…Thank you again!
Charlotte — it’s always good to hear the real stories of the struggle authors have. And to see light at the end of the tunnel. We’re all in this marathon together — hopefully, if we urge each other on, we’ll all have a successful ending!
I love this! So thrilled to read about your diverse interests and path to publication. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Charlotte and congratulations on your success! I am still building my portfolio of manuscripts, thanks to 12 x 12, and appreciate your advice. Several of my stories also focus on saving the environment and it’s good to know there is a market for that.
Charlotte, I too worried that my portfolio was so varied. And I worried that when I read an agent likes dog stories if she liked one of mine would she like my others (not dog stories, non-fiction, metafiction). But to me this just shows versatility. And that somewhere there is an agent just waiting for me to come knocking. Congrats on all your success and BTW: loved your GIFs!
I can relate so much to your post so thank you for the encouragement, Charlotte. And congratulations on your success!!
I love hearing successes stories. Especially where there are a few bumps in the road and everything is not perfect but success is still achieved.
Love hearing about a writer’s journey.
I’m so happy for all of your successes, Charlotte! It is so easy to compare oneself with other writers. Your advice is important! We all need to keep writing and pursuing our own dreams!
NEVER easy but you did it Yea!!
This is fantastic and wow wow wow. Congratulations on your success and I look forward to reading your stories!
Thanks for sharing that it’s not overnight success–at least not for 99.9% of us!
We love your book and appreciate seeing more books about our need to pitch in and do something about the mess we’ve created in our environment.
Charlotte, wow, such a great story on how you got published! And to have 3 in a row is amazing! It actually boosts my reason to write knowing someone else has had success. I dream of that day all the time. Your stories sound amazing and I can’t wait to read them! Congratulations! Debi
Congratulations, Charlotte! Your books sound amazing. I’m so glad you didn’t give up. Because I’m an author who writes in different styles on different topics, your journey to finding an agent and publication give me hope for the same. Can’t wait to see what comes next for you!
Thanks for sharing your unique journey. My May 12 x 12 manuscript was inspired by exactly the same mistake you made at the beginning of your article and one that I continued to make throughout my career: ” I looked around and compared my journey and my body of work to those around me.”
It’s always good to remember to laugh through it all! Congratulations on your success!
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thanks Charlotte, and congrats!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Charlotte! Congratulations on your books!
CHARLOTTE OFFSAY, I think you have some wonderful books. Thank you for your encouragement in following our writing journey.
Congratulations Charlotte and Yay for critique partners. I appreciate your comment about luck, because I feel that’s been a part of it for me, too. I’m excited for your books.
Charlotte, thank you for your hopeful post and congratulations on your success!
I really appreciate the honesty and work ethic/struggle. Congrats soon your success and wish it for everyone.
We can all get caught up in the dips and turns of the writing roller coaster, trying to get someone to notice and value our work. All we can do is keep trying, support and cheer one another on and celebrate any level of success. Congratulations, Charlotte, and thanks for sharing your journey and encouragement.
Congratulations on your THREE!! picture books out and forthcoming! I also have wonderful critique partners and I can’t believe how blessed I am in be able to have their suggestions for my manuscripts and to pick their brains as they are almost all more experienced in this writing life than me!
I, too, shared a special bond with my grandma, and I miss her often. I can’t wait to read your grandma book! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement and wisdom!
Oooh, do I feel this one! I’m still early in my querying journey, but a lack of a cohesive “brand” in my work is definitely something I’ve worried about. Love to see your success and draw some hope from it, Charlotte!
Thank you for sharing your success story, Charlotte. I love The Big Beach Cleanup and look forward to reading your next books.
Such an inspirational post, Charlotte. Congratulations on your books!
Thank you for sharing. Miracles are everywhere just waiting for us to notice. Love the varied topics of your books. I am a grandma that combs beaches for treasures AND take a bag to pick up trash too. We are all linked with the gifts of this world and the responsibility to care for it.
Thanks for the encouragement. Love this post!
Thank you so much for this inspiring post Charlotte! Writing is indeed a roller coaster and I plan to stay on the ride! Congratulations on all of your success and upcoming books! I can totally relate to the excitement of that 3 am idea! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your journey and your work.
As a lifelong sailor, ocean and beach pollution is something I’m too familiar with. I live on the beach in FL where the tourists trash our waterfront constantly. Can’t wait to read THE BIG BEACH CLEAN UP.
Thank you for your inspiring story! Of all the advice in this industry, it seems like “don’t give up,” is the most valuable! And thanking you for the reminder to not compare yourself to others, that every journey is different,
Thank you for sharing your journey! Inspiring post. Best regards.
I love your book and reading about your personal journey was like reading about my own. I live in a community that does regular beach clean-ups and strives to educate and inspire environmental activism. I’m glad for every book that comes out that recognizes the beauty and fragility of our planet. Thank you!
Thanks for such an inspiring posts! And, thanks for the reminder about taking care of our world.
Way to go! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for your encouragement and sharing your story!
Tremendous journey. Love how each of your books is different. Very Creative ideas.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey to publication!
Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope and emphasizes how important my critique group partners are! Blessings to you!
Thank-you for sharing your journey, Charlotte. My stories too are very different from each other and I love them all. I hope one day that an agent and/or publisher(s) will like at least one of them enough to publish it and look at the rest.
Your writing journey mirrors mine and I imagine so many silent others. Thank you for your encouraging words and to be inspired by our own love for writing and not what others want or are looking for.
My critique group helps keep me going too! So great to have a group that helps cheer you on and help you keep the faith!!
Thanks for sharing your roller coaster ride, Charlotte!
Great post! Thanks!
I love the way you shared your writing journey, Charlotte. The video clips added emotional and relatable expression capturing my attention.
Thank you for sharing from your heart about how you were feeling when comparing your writing to critique partners’ writing. It sounds like you grew as a writer from their helpful comments and from the challenge to write your own stories in your own style.
Congratulations on your success as a picture book author. Your perseverance paid off.
Your story made me cry! Like you, my stories are all over the place. I don’t write simply one kind of story. I have many different interests, and if something calls to me, I write about it. Critique groups are great! Congrats on all your successes! It makes me feel it is still possible to find an agent who appreciates what I write.
So relatable! Love all the gifs! Congratulations on your picture book success! Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration!
Thanks for sharing your ride with us! You know we can all relate even though the journey may take different twists and turns. Congratulations! The adventure continues!
Hearing your journey is so encouraging! Thanks, Charlotte! Congrats on all of your books!
I’m always looking for new “green” books. Can’t wait to read this one!
What an important topic, Charlotte. Thanks for doing your part. We need to clean up the beach and ocean and make the World smile.
Oh goodness! Thank you for sharing your encouraging story!!! I too have a mixed bag of topics and styles. This really encouraged me! 😍 Congratulations on your books!!!
Thanks for sharing, Charlotte. Love to hear how your feelings of failure faded into
oblivion with success ✅
What an inspiring post, Charlotte! Congrats on your successes! Thanks for reminding us to stay on that rollercoaster!
Thanks for the inspiration. I really needed it! And congratulations on your books- I am looking forward to them!