I fell off the grid for a while and I have to say, it felt good. In my quest to get out of my own way, I took a break from illustrating and have directed all of my focus on my voice. Some of us creative types like to hide in the shadows, but if there is one thing that I have learned in the children's book industry, that doesn't fly. So I have been facing my fears of being seen and heard and joined a group voice class. I felt like a jumped off a cliff naked in front of thousands of people. It was pretty life changing. Obstacles, awakenings, you name it. I will spare you the gruesome details, but let's just say that there was a barrel involved. I'll stop there. I overcame a lot of old stuff that has been holding me back and I am singing a lot more at home, something that I have always been too self conscious to do (my poor neighbors!). Maybe this will open me up to do readings, teaching, and dare I say Karaoke. I also started a children's book writing course which has lit me up from the moment the first word went down. Hopefully this is the beginning of my journey towards becoming a writer/illustrator. Time will tell.
