This is Lee Brockman

I am so excited to be participating in PBParty this year!

The hardest task…deciding what manuscript to share!

I have spent many years honing my craft…to attending workshops, taking courses, participating in private mentorship’s, and finally acting as a teacher assistance to the talented Carmen Oliver!

I have many writers rooting for me!

For my dreams to come true, I want nothing more than to have my work catch the attention of a special agent or editor.

My story, Together We Bloom, needs attention!

I hope it catches your eye! Good luck all PBparty participants!

Warmly;

Lee

This is my 4th session as TA to Carmen Oliver, through the Writing Barn.

I am blessed and thankful to be working with Carmen. She is a talented and honest mentor and writer, who believes in me and advocates for my work.

To take a look at Carmen’s work, please check out her website: carmenoliver.com

Happy Writing,

Lee

I am thrilled to be joining Carmen Oliver again as her TA for this incredible class on picture book craft. Previous attendees have gone on to sign with top agents with numerous book sales to their names! Class begins this Wednesday August 17th 8-10 EST and runs for 6 weeks!

For more information, visit the Writing Barn website at: the writing barn.com

Hope to see you!

Wow! Where has the time gone and what a few months it’s been! I can happily say, that even though we have been in and out of lockdown, I have managed to maintain faith, hope, and happiness. Part of this is thanks to the incredible writing community’s I am a part of. For the last 6 months, I have been a member of the Courage to Create community through the Writing Barn. The weekly check-ins help with keeping me on track and accountable. Once again, for my 4th year, I am a 12×12 Gold Member. I thoroughly enjoy the Facebook group, Forum, and opportunity to submit to an agent each month from Feb-Nov. I just submitted my first manuscript for 2021 to an incredibly talented agent and my hopes are high that she will like my submission. It’s always hard waiting and rejections never get easy. But what I have to keep reminding myself is that the industry is very subjective and it is one person’s opinion. My agent is out there and I have a good feeling that this year will be my year. I continue to work with Bethany Hegedus, which has been the experience of a lifetime. Bethany is so kind and supportive and just what I need to boost my moral. She is making agent introductions for me, which I know she wouldn’t do if she didn’t believe in me and my work.
Anyway, I hope your journey continues, too. Stay well and safe and I’ll be in touch soon. Thanks for stopping by.

As we charge through this uncertain time, now more than ever, I am seeing my community come together. Whether it’s while we’re out for a walk or heading out to the shops for essential items, people are working together like never before. It’s so inspirational to see messages of hope, positivity, and strength scattered everywhere. I’ve recently seen trees decorated with strips of rainbow fabric and blue bows hanging from branches to show support for our frontline workers. I’ve personally organized two fundraisers for frontline workers at the local hospital and long-term care facility, filling pouches with essential products and heartfelt thank you cards. During this dark and uncertain time, ideas are flowing. What will I write next? What inspiration will I take from my community? I hope you’re finding your own creative nuggets within your community. Stay well.

Back in the fall, I started a mentorship program with Bethany Hegedus, author and founder of the Writing Barn. After years of trying to find a home for my work, attending workshops & taking course after course, I was starting to lose faith. My negative voice took over: ‘are you even any good?’ ‘maybe you should just quit.’ ‘It’s never going to happen.’

I had taken a few courses with the Writing Barn, followed Bethany & her work, and found out about Bethany’s mentorship program through a critique partner of mine. So I reached out to Bethany & everything fell into place. She had an opening & I was ready to work as hard and long as I needed to. My journey had to go on—I couldn’t ever give up. I am meant to write & need to let my brain create otherwise everything builds up & overflows & what good is that?

My first interaction with Bethany went perfectly. She is an amazingly positive, inspirational, and honest individual. We hit it off & I knew working with her & learning from her was exactly what I needed, at this time in my writing career.

We are months into our mentorship & I can honestly say I look forward to meeting deadlines & waiting for Bethany’s responses to my work. She oozes positivity, in an industry where you can often feel alone.

So, thank you to Bethany for being the amazing mentor that you are. I cherish working with you & look forward to what the future may bring.

Smiles,

Lee

Hello all,

I hope you’re all keeping well and staying safe during this time of uncertainty and unrest. It’s been an overwhelming and over-stimulating time for everyone. Here are a few things that have helped me find calm during this time:

-exercise: (30 minutes of Orangetheory & daily walks with my family)

-writing: even if it’s just jotting down new ideas, book titles, or doodles. Writing is a must for me as it gives my brain permission to imagine & create. Working with my mentor, Bethany Hegedus, author & creator of the Writing Barn has helped immensely as I have deadlines to meet & times to look forward to her responses & feedback. This is the most empowering & positive journey I have been on.

-art: (I have tried paint by numbers again). I have a book that allows me to complete a creative art task everyday for 365 days. Yesterday I created and designed four t-shirt—fun!

-cooking & baking: we have made soups, stews, chilli’s, muffins, cookies…it’s a lot of fun & something I don’t do nearly enough!

-spending uninterrupted time with my kids—no devices, just pure one-on-one time to read, draw, write, design, & build. My 5 year old & I have learned about rabbits, the moon, plants, seasons, & baby animals (thanks to Scholastic Learn at Home).

We’re sending lots of positivity out into the world, too! We left sidewalk messages, sprinkled painted stones around the neighbourhood for others to find, & left notes for neighbours on their doorstep.

We’re in this together. Check on those you love often. Save the medical supplies for the professions, & spread love every way you safely can. I hope you, too can find your calm.

Smiles,

Lee

Monday was my last online class with author, Jason Gallaher through the Writing Barn. I had an incredible time working with Jason and connecting with other PB writers. I had the opportunity to revise two of my manuscripts with the class: Mirror and Lost Bookworms. I received encouraging feedback and look forward to revising my work.

Next up: Study Hall in June with Marcie Colleen, author of Love Triangle and the Super Happy Party Bears series.

Until then…happy writing!

I am half way through the online “Perfecting the Picture Book II” course I am taking through The Writing Barn. I have had 3 manuscripts critiqued by the lovely Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whover, Owl Detective. It has been an amazing experience so far and I am looking forward to the next 3 weeks. Jason will be critiquing one more manuscript of mine (or a second look revision) and I will also be sharing one or two of my manuscripts with the whole group for critique! Exciting!

Here are a few picture books I have discovered and loved through taking this course:

1. Before I Leave by Jessica Bagley
2. One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl
3. Bob, Not Bob! by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick

I have also re-read and enjoyed some other favourites such as:

1. Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham
2. LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
3. Not Quite Narwhal by Jessica Sima

If you’re interested in learning more, check out the Writing Barn at http://www.thewritingbarn.com