Lindsay Ward Leans Into Goals And Creativity

Guest Post by Lindsay Ward

​We are excited to host, Lindsay Ward of Critter Lit on 24 Carrot Writing. Lindsay has a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University and her most recent books include This Book Is Gray and the Amazon Bestselling Dexter T. Rexter series: Don’t Forget Dexter!, It’s Show and Tell, Dexter!, and Vacation for Dexter! with Two Lions. Her work has been reviewed in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, and the New York Times. Lindsay is the founder of Critter Lit, a free picture book manuscript and illustration critique service for up-and-coming authors and illustrators. 

We had originally planned on having Lindsay share a blog about giving and receiving critiques. But in these uncertain times, Lindsay has offered up a more poignant reflection on how to use your writing and goals to work through the stress of our current situation. 

Welcome Lindsay! 

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​My life is hectic and busy with three kiddos under five. I’m trying to finish book deadlines, come up with new ideas, learn how to homeschool my oldest son, and stay sane amidst one of the biggest global events to happen in 100 years. Things are nuts right now. And I know you are all reading this thinking, “yep, life is bananas.” And it is. BUT, the one thing I’ve found that has kept me going and provided some balance has been creative work. Sitting down to write and draw everyday has given me a sense of purpose and structure, which I need. Especially now.

In early 2017 I launched Critter Lit; a website where authors and illustrators could receive free one-time critiques. I wanted to create a community where people could get feedback in a reasonable amount of time. One of the most frustrating things about publishing is how slow it is. Patience is key. But let’s be honest, nobody is that patient. I’ve been doing this for ten years and I’m just as impatient on submission now as I was the first time I went out. So I decided I could promise people two weeks. That seemed like a reasonable amount of time. It turned out, a lot of other people thought so too. 

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​When I started Critter Lit, it was just me squeezing time between deadlines to read and critique manuscripts— but I always made the two week deadline. It was important to me to make the time to give back and help up-and-coming authors, as others had done for me. Many people took the time to critique my work and offer advice before I was first published. Now, my husband, Frank Tupta, and I run Critter Lit together. His first picture book comes out this July.

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​In the beginning, most submissions came from writers who were just starting out. But soon published authors and illustrators started sending in manuscripts and art for critique. Sometimes they’d want to know if I’d give the same feedback as they were hearing in their critique group. Other times, they wanted some input before sharing the project with their agent. Since then, Critter Lit has grown to include a wide range of submissions. I’m thrilled that so many people have found our site helpful.
 
After about a year, I started to hear back from people who had received offers of representation or sold their manuscript to an editor. It’s incredible to share in the excitement of those moments with other creatives. That feeling never gets old. When I worry about what is going on right now, I try to remind myself of those moments.

In the midst of this pandemic, there has been a lot of concern as to the state of publishing. What’s going to happen? Will publishers still be buying books? When will things go back to normal? I ask those questions too. This is my family’s livelihood. My husband and I don’t have other jobs. This is it. Full-time writing and illustrating. And right now that is completely terrifying. I can’t control what’s going to happen. I don’t know what publishers are going to do. BUT, I do know they have to keep buying books to make a profit when this is all over. So I’m going to keep writing and drawing. I’m going to stay hopeful. Which, I’ll be honest, is hard right now.
 

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Writing goals and deadlines are a welcome and helpful distraction and the amazing KidLit community and the critique requests we keep getting at Critter Lit have kept me motivated. I love that you are all still writing and trying to put your work out there. This is the perfect time to lean into our creative energy, keep writing, reinvest in our writing goals and appreciate the wonderful work we are all creating. 
 
Be well everyone.
 
Lindsay

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For more information on Lindsay please visit her at https://lindsaymward.com/books/ and to order her new book, Rosie: Stronger Than Steel (Two Lions, April 2020) click here. 

For more information on Critter Lit visit here. 
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