Thursday

Yay For Me!

Today I'm doing the happy dance! I just got word from my instructor that I have now completed the advanced Institute of Children's Literature (ICL) Course and will be getting my certificate any day now. Whew, it's been a long journey but a very beneficial and fullfilling one. I have learned so much through this course that I have no doubts I wouldn't be published today if I hadn't enrolled in these classes.





I recommend anyone who is serious about becoming a children's book author, take this course. Yes, it costs money but it will be some of the best spent dollars you'll ever spend if you are serious about your craft. Plus all of the resources and writing friends that you meet by taking these courses, are worth their weight in gold. To anyone who has not taken the course but are thinking about it, stop thinking and just do it!

If you want more info about the course you can check it out here.

I'm also doing the happy dance because I just finished my first Skype school visit. I skyped with some 6th graders in Bryan, Ohio because they were all writing a picture book for kindergartners and wanted to talk to a real author. Wow... I'm a real author! It feels great to say that outloud. Anyway, although my skype wasn't working correctly and they could only hear me and not see me, the visit was great. I could see them though and they seemed genuinely interested, except for a few that were yawning throughout. But that's typical for kids and I got a kick out of it, plus it gave me a good excuse to make fun of them and get them laughing.

That's it for me this week. I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

13 comments:

  1. Congrats, Allyn! I have always wanted to take that course.

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    1. Thanks, Katie. And you should definitely take the course. They will work with you on payment and your time so don't let those issues stop you!

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  2. Yay, Allyn! I'm only on Assignment Four of the Advanced Course, and I can't wait to get my diploma. Super congrats!

    And I don't know if you are the kind to participate in a tag, but I haz a tag for you, if you'd like to be "it". :)
    http://katrinadelallo.blogspot.com/2013/04/taggety-taggety-tag-tag-tag.html

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    1. Thanks, Cat, it definitely feels good!

      And thanks for the tag, I'll do it this week!

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  3. Yay, Allyn. Congrats on finishing the course and your first Skype event! It does feel great saying it aloud, doesn't it?

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  4. Congratulations! It must have been so much fun to talk to the kids!!!

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    1. Covina,

      It was a blast. The only problem was there were so many squished into one room that I couldn't see but a few. But I'd do it again in a second!

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  5. I found your great blog through the WLC Blog Follows on the World Literary Cafe! Great to connect!

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    1. Thanks Imagineer. I've liked your blog but can't find a way to join other than by email. If there is another way, let me know.

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  6. Hi Allyn,

    I'm glad you were happy with your advanced course. I took the beginning course and two of the advanced novel courses. Had great instructors with the first two, but the last one and I did not see eye-to-eye on anything. Like you, however, I think if you're going to write for children, you cannot possibly go wrong by taking these courses. Congrats, and on your first Skype visit, too!

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  7. Allyn - I'm so proud of you for finishing the course. I love your writing and know you will continue to publish children's books. Great job on all of them. That's really cool, skyping to a classroom in Ohio. I know the kids enjoyed it too. You are the best. A heart of gold.

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