I absolutely loved reading this! So interesting to learn of how each person found themselves on the path to sharing their lives.
Veronica, yours was also mine. Through the abuse and inability to write, keep a journal, etc., because of the criticism and oppression of my ex-husband. That was a huge part of my push to writing as well, as scared as I still was about him finding it and coming back with his verbal vomit, but I found courage in it and am so glad you did too! It releases a lot of pain 🖤
These were so insightful to read, I want to individually reply with follow-up questions (especially the UFO-lovers 🛸😅).
I love how this publication brings together such diverse stories that, when you dig to the center, all feel so familiar. Like catching another woman walking alone at night; that brief moment of connection and relief to not be alone in the dark.
My heart is warm and I’m honored to work with each one of you.
I’m a late bloomer. Growing up, I aspired to be a teacher. I liked little kids, enjoyed spending time with them, and had a cosmic connection with their joyful spirit.
When I landed my job, teaching first grade in inner city Los Angeles, I couldn't have been happier.
Yet, as many text books were not accessible in the inner city, I began to write my own units of study: science, ecology, social studies, and more. I immersed myself in modern children’s literature. I marveled at the poetic genius of picture books. Books like: FREDERICK by Leo Leoni; WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak; ELMER, THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT by David McKee were three favorites. I loved these little jewels of sparkling prose and began toying with the idea that I could write for kids. I penned poems to augment lessons, made up riddles and rhymes, told tales, and encouraged my students to write everyday.
At recess one day, a teaching buddy pulled me aside on the playground. "Dianne, you are so creative," she said. "You should be doing something more than teaching in a classroom. Have you ever thought of writing for children and publishing your work?"
Publish? Could I actually publish my writings? I was astonished, then intrigued. I continued to scribble: words, words, and more words. My students giggled and laughed at my stories, prompting more and more experiments with rhythm, rhyme, and word play. Soon I was convinced I could succeed. I would be an artist, with words as my medium. Yes, I would do it and, perhaps, eventually even sell my work.
In the summer of 1984, I visited my sister in Southampton, NY, two miles from the most beautiful beaches in the world. I found the area exhilarating, filled with artists and writers. I quit my teaching job and moved to the country to write full-time.
I wrote, wrote, and wrote some more, then submitted pieces to publishers. I had a smattering of publications. I sold three essays to the New York Times, a few to local and regional newspapers, and scored with two personal essays to Woman’s World at $300 a piece. Soon I was selling poems and craft ideas to kids’ magazines. I created a Country Kids’ Crafts column for The Waldo Tribune, a newspaper for children, published in Southampton. I loved every minute...until...
My savings ran out. Then I started a cleaning service, tidying up after wealthy New York City folks, second homeowners in the Hamptons. I liked cleaning, it was profitable, and offered plenty of time for writing.
In 2004 I sold a poem to Peter Pauper Press. My holiday gift book , SANTA LIVES, came out that Christmas.
Six years later, in March, 2010, I spotted a call for picture book manuscripts in the Children’s Writer newsletter. I thumbed through my files, took out a promising story, spiffed it up one last time, and mailed it off. I had a contact from Kane Miller two weeks later. My first book deal! With a traditional publisher! After thirty years of writing, my first children's book, HUSH, LITTLE BEACHCOMBER, sold. Beyond ecstatic, I quickly sent them another manuscript and signed a second contract several days later.
Today, I'm retired and doing what I was meant to do. I'm further behind than the young authors I've met on Facebook; those who have mastered the art of online promotion, marketing, and self-publishing, but no matter, I'm pursuing my passion.
I may not be rolling in riches, but, more importantly, my books received good reviews and kids like them.
Bank Street College selected my second book, 1, 2,3 BY THE SEA, for its "best books list, 2014."
SEA went on to be a bestseller for Kane Miller, with over 110,000 sales to date.
After thirty plus years, my patience, persistence, and hard work has paid off. I am a children's picture book author.
I may be a late bloomer, but I'm in full flower now... enjoying myself no end!
How great to read how everyone's writing journey began! Thank you so much for compiling this and posting it, May.
its a real pleasure - and like i said happy to add any of our wonderful writes who are not included yet
Wow, this is such a wonderful post, and fabulous to see how we all started! Thanks for compiling this little gem, May 💜
I love this.
Look at us - diverse, creative, quirky and brilliant.
On a personal note - would love to read about “Wormy”
🩷😁🩷
What a great intro to these extraordinary writers. I loved reading how they all started their journey. A fabulous collection, May :)
marcia if u wanted to add yours then we’d love to have it in there. I did put a call out in the chat for them - let me know via msg if u do
Thanks so much, May, that's lovely :) Sorry, I missed the chat. I'll check it out and see how I go. Much appreciated xx
What a marvellous collection of how we all started writing! Love it💜💜
it is and i think we will have a few more to add too
I absolutely loved reading this! So interesting to learn of how each person found themselves on the path to sharing their lives.
Veronica, yours was also mine. Through the abuse and inability to write, keep a journal, etc., because of the criticism and oppression of my ex-husband. That was a huge part of my push to writing as well, as scared as I still was about him finding it and coming back with his verbal vomit, but I found courage in it and am so glad you did too! It releases a lot of pain 🖤
Oof I definitely feel that, Kali! I still get so scared, to the point I’ve been struggling to write lately with everything going on.
It can feel like being right back there sometimes.
If you’d ever want to collaborate on some kind of project, I’d love to work with more survivors (within KTHT??) ❤️🩹
These were so insightful to read, I want to individually reply with follow-up questions (especially the UFO-lovers 🛸😅).
I love how this publication brings together such diverse stories that, when you dig to the center, all feel so familiar. Like catching another woman walking alone at night; that brief moment of connection and relief to not be alone in the dark.
My heart is warm and I’m honored to work with each one of you.
I love that woman in the dark analogy. It always feels special when we find 'our people'!
"Like catching another woman walking alone at night; that brief moment of connection and relief to not be alone in the dark. "
I love that idea!
Wow, this is such a lovely collection! 🥹
Feels amazing to be included — thanks again!
To anyone reading, my story’s in there too. Would love to hear your thoughts 🙏
ATHE LATE BLOOMER...ME!
by Dianne Moritz
I’m a late bloomer. Growing up, I aspired to be a teacher. I liked little kids, enjoyed spending time with them, and had a cosmic connection with their joyful spirit.
When I landed my job, teaching first grade in inner city Los Angeles, I couldn't have been happier.
Yet, as many text books were not accessible in the inner city, I began to write my own units of study: science, ecology, social studies, and more. I immersed myself in modern children’s literature. I marveled at the poetic genius of picture books. Books like: FREDERICK by Leo Leoni; WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak; ELMER, THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT by David McKee were three favorites. I loved these little jewels of sparkling prose and began toying with the idea that I could write for kids. I penned poems to augment lessons, made up riddles and rhymes, told tales, and encouraged my students to write everyday.
At recess one day, a teaching buddy pulled me aside on the playground. "Dianne, you are so creative," she said. "You should be doing something more than teaching in a classroom. Have you ever thought of writing for children and publishing your work?"
Publish? Could I actually publish my writings? I was astonished, then intrigued. I continued to scribble: words, words, and more words. My students giggled and laughed at my stories, prompting more and more experiments with rhythm, rhyme, and word play. Soon I was convinced I could succeed. I would be an artist, with words as my medium. Yes, I would do it and, perhaps, eventually even sell my work.
In the summer of 1984, I visited my sister in Southampton, NY, two miles from the most beautiful beaches in the world. I found the area exhilarating, filled with artists and writers. I quit my teaching job and moved to the country to write full-time.
I wrote, wrote, and wrote some more, then submitted pieces to publishers. I had a smattering of publications. I sold three essays to the New York Times, a few to local and regional newspapers, and scored with two personal essays to Woman’s World at $300 a piece. Soon I was selling poems and craft ideas to kids’ magazines. I created a Country Kids’ Crafts column for The Waldo Tribune, a newspaper for children, published in Southampton. I loved every minute...until...
My savings ran out. Then I started a cleaning service, tidying up after wealthy New York City folks, second homeowners in the Hamptons. I liked cleaning, it was profitable, and offered plenty of time for writing.
In 2004 I sold a poem to Peter Pauper Press. My holiday gift book , SANTA LIVES, came out that Christmas.
Six years later, in March, 2010, I spotted a call for picture book manuscripts in the Children’s Writer newsletter. I thumbed through my files, took out a promising story, spiffed it up one last time, and mailed it off. I had a contact from Kane Miller two weeks later. My first book deal! With a traditional publisher! After thirty years of writing, my first children's book, HUSH, LITTLE BEACHCOMBER, sold. Beyond ecstatic, I quickly sent them another manuscript and signed a second contract several days later.
Today, I'm retired and doing what I was meant to do. I'm further behind than the young authors I've met on Facebook; those who have mastered the art of online promotion, marketing, and self-publishing, but no matter, I'm pursuing my passion.
I may not be rolling in riches, but, more importantly, my books received good reviews and kids like them.
Bank Street College selected my second book, 1, 2,3 BY THE SEA, for its "best books list, 2014."
SEA went on to be a bestseller for Kane Miller, with over 110,000 sales to date.
After thirty plus years, my patience, persistence, and hard work has paid off. I am a children's picture book author.
I may be a late bloomer, but I'm in full flower now... enjoying myself no end!