We sat around the table – six novice picture book writers with copies of our budding manuscripts. We were joined by the critique leader – a published picture book author. Intimidating? Yes! Heart-pounding scary? Yes! One person read a manuscript (not her own) aloud while the rest listened, then commented.
 
I passed my story to the reader, my hand trembling slightly. My heart started pounding. My mouth was suddenly completely dry, all that moisture rerouted to my palms. I listened to the words I had written and revised and written and revised – a sigh of relief at “The End,” then more anxiety as comments were shared.
 
Over the course of my workshop weekend I participated in three critique group sessions and a first pages sharing with an editor. My “baby” was cut…and cut…and cut, revised…and revised…and revised, emerging as a new being (who still needs some nurturing). It was the most humbling, but at the same time rewarding, experience I have had in a long time. I learned to let go.
 
Note: If you have the opportunity to attend a Highlights Foundation Workshop, I highly recommend it. I attended “Picture Books and All That Jazz” this past weekend at the barn. I learned so much about picture book writing (and I thought I already knew a lot!) I was stretched and nudged in many ways, and I know I have grown as a writer.