6:00 am: Wake up with two small feet planted on forehead and another head wedged near spine. One head very sweetly and loudly asking where everyone is at the ungodly hour. Consider getting king size bed.

6:15 am: Gather enough strength to try and lead twins downstairs so that husband and daughter can sleep in a bit more. Mission almost accomplished down dark stairwell with much whispering until the bottom of the stairs are reached and twin #2 loudly proclaims that he wants to turn on the light first.Twin #1 disagrees, he wants to turn on the light. Race to light, barely beating the two year olds.

6:20 am: Twin #2 asks for a show. Tell him no show, it’s too early in the morning for t.v.

6:30 am: Daughter wakes up in horribly grouchy mood. Husband tries to get her back into bed and discovers she is running a fever. Realize that means to painting time today and no morning run. Be very disappointed and slightly glad.

6:35 am: Turn on a show. Tuck daughter back into bed with books, water and assurances that she will probably go to school tomorrow.

6:45-7:15 am: Check Facebook.

7:15-7:45: Feed Children, taking a tray to daughter upstairs.

7:50: Text babysitter to let her know not to come in today (think about those 4 missed hours of studio time painting in solitude and happiness.)

8:00 am: Check e-mail, ask agent if new book coming out by awesome, well-known writer is too similar to book about to sub.

8:30 am: Be very grateful when agent replies quickly and says it is not too similar.

8:30-9:00am: Respond to emails from editor discussing changes for latest rounds of paintings, keep an ear open to twins watching show.

9:00 am -10:30 Remember to fold laundry, put dishes in dishwasher, change diapers, get twins dressed, plan dinner, check on daughter,feed twins snacks.

10:30: realize you forgot morning cup of coffee.

10:35: Happy coffee and Pinterest time.

11:00 am: Turn around and realize why twins were so happily playing as playroom now resembles bombed building.

11-11:30 am: Lunch time. Take tray to daughter.

11:30:12:30 Set daughter up with iPad and Looney Tunes. Take boys out to back yard. Sketch character designs for upcoming submission and conference workshop while boys run around circles and throw balls into neighbors yard.

12:30: Come inside, change diapers, take away iPad from daughter, tell daughter to sleep, check e-mail, dream about sitting in studio and painting.

1:00-2:00 Sporadically read to boys while looking at approved paintings for latest books and planning color schemes for remaining spreads. Check twitter, bounce boys on knees, take silly photos on photo booth with boys and try to type around 4 grabbing hands.

2:00-2:30 Read about award winning illustrator’s gorgeous house studio, woods and child free life to think and dream about art all day. Get slightly jealous.

2:35: get over jealousy after being tackled by twins and checking on (much sweeter) daughter.

2:45: Happy coffee time

3:00 pm: Try to compose blog post about the joys of working from home and continue character sketches and work on dummy while twins play with blocks, train set, cars, throw books, throw balls, tackle each other, find important mail and strew it around living room.

3:15 pm: Give up and play with blocks and change diapers, get snack for boys. Check on daughter. Check email, site meter and Facebook on phone. Pick up toys, stack papers, Vacuum.

4:30 pm: Make dinner

5:15 pm: Eat as fast as you can, while arguing with at least one child who refuses to eat.

6:15-6:30 pm: Bathtime, Put away laundry and load up another basket to wash tomorrow.

7:30 Bedtime for children who require 12 hours of sleep.

8:00 pm: Wake up after falling asleep with children. Read book or watch tv with husband.

9:35 pm: Fall to bed exhausted.

10:00 pm: Wake up and discover that twins now have fever.

At the beginning of this year I was in a bad place, artistically. I had been searching for an art agent for about a year. I had received form rejections, nice rejections, encouraging rejections and no answer rejections. Then in late January I received an email that was so amazing, so awesome that I think the husband and I screamed and cheered so loudly the house shook. Flashlight Press wanted to publish a story I sent them a long time ago. And to make it even sweeter, I would be their first author/illustrator. (go here for the long version)

Finally, all of the hard work and determination had paid off. I decided it might be a good time to start looking for an agent. Not an art agent, but a lit agent because had I re-discovered my love of writing to complement my love of illustrating. So began the emotional roller coaster of rejections, full requests, encouragement, requests to revise and re-submit and to re-submit future works. I felt like I was closer than ever before but I was not there yet.

Along the way I made new contacts that turned into new friends who gave me honest feedback on my work and encouragement along the way. I wrote more stories, worked on my art and relished in the joy that is working on your first published book.

I felt like quitting many, many times and I did. But then, I decided to try again and that is why I can tell you this today.

I have an agent.

She is awesome. Her name is Joanna Volpe with Nancy Coffey Literary. My feature page is also up.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!!

Up, up and away!!!!