Before I take a little pause...

In March, two days after we came home from our last writing retreat, the California Covid-19 Stay in Place order came into effect. At the time, we thought it might be lifted in a few months — surely by September? In other words, in time for us to gather again at our next retreat. In the meantime, we would meet for Zoom happy hours to feel less isolated, and to talk about writing despite how weird the world was getting. For added interest and edification, I arranged for a series of generous fellow-authors to join as special guests.

Ten days ago, we held the last chat in the series. The video of my conversation with Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is below. It was an enlightening look at the difference between writing series and writing solo books. What I’m currently attempting is something in between, so the discussion was very useful for me—and for many others in the audience who have a series in their plans or dreams. (Thank you, Jen!)

Now I’m announcing that there’ll be a period of quiet from me. As some of you know, I’m in the middle of moving houses and setting up a new and very different life as Shirin Yim Leos — novel writer and wife — as opposed to Shirin Yim Bridges — children’s books author and capital-S single. Children’s picture books need no less art than novels do, but they do need a whole lot less time and discipline. You can sprint a picture book. A novel, even for the most enthusiastic, is a long slog. (Actually, not so for Jennifer Lynn Alvarez or Jody Gehrman. If you attended their chats, we talked about their amazing productivity and their ability to draft novels in three months. If you missed their tips, you’ll find them here.) So, I need a little more writing time.

I won’t disappear entirely. I will still gather tips and news to pass along. Now and then I might be inspired to share some discovery I’ve made on my own writing journey. And if you’re part of this writing community, I’m always happy to hear from you, and very proud and happy to share your successes. On that note:

Carole Stivers, author of MOTHER CODE was part of this year’s (virtual) LitQuake. It’s so good to see one of us move from the audience to the podium. If things go well with Amblin Entertainment’s movie option, Carole might move from podium to red carpet as well!

Cameron Lund, author of THE BEST LAID PLANS, recently celebrated the cover reveal of her second YA novel, HEARTBREAKERS AND FAKERS, with an exclusive on Nerd.com. Cameron talked openly about how autobiographical her protagonist Penny is—interesting, I thought, having read an early draft. But then I realized I’d cast Cameron as Penny all along. Which lead me further to realize that I do this consistently: I cast the author in my imagining of the book, all the time!

Natasha Yim is celebrating the coming of her new picture book, LUNA’S YUM YUM DIM SUM, a counting book, with a School Library Journal event that celebrates math, diversity, and the power of storytelling. Tell all your educator friends to register now.

And that’s it for the time being. As they used to say in Hill Street Blues, “Let’s be careful out there.”

Happy writing,

Shirin