Sharna Carter had dreamed of finding success as a published author, but those dreams were often balanced by a feeling of ‘Will I ever be good enough?’. It took a tip from a writing group friend to open her eyes to the practical aspects of writing picture books, and the result has seen her go on to publish a ‘Rex’ board book series with Five Mile Press, Watermelon Pip with Ethicool Kids and now her latest picture book, I Dreamed of You, via Affirm Press.
Taking the leap
Sharna was ready to take her writing seriously when she decided to invest in her craft through formal training.
“I had been playing around with some story ideas and trying to learn all I could about writing picture books and the publishing industry,” Sharna explains. “At this stage, my writing was something I had kept to myself and close family, but I felt ready to take it seriously and put my dream out there to the universe (and social media!) Taking the Writing Picture Books course was the first step in truly investing in myself and my dream, and I'm so glad I did!”
The Australian Writers' Centre course provided exactly what she needed. “I was able to immerse myself in the learning. It was so great to meet like-minded people, we were certainly all eager writers who shared a love of picture books.”
Mastering her craft
Sharna found the course incredibly comprehensive and valuable for developing her skills as a picture book writer.
“There were so many useful things!” she says. “I learnt about the narrative arc of a picture book, how to pace my story and make the most of those page turns. I also learnt how to create characters that children will connect with, and all about the publishing industry.”
The course material continues to be a valuable resource in her ongoing writing practice. “If I'm ever stuck on a picture book story, I refer to my notes from the course and I usually discover the reason why a story isn't working. Perhaps I've spent too much time setting the story up, or I've forgotten to highlight my character's dramatic need, or my language isn't childlike! Whatever the oversight is, my notes help me reassess and edit my story so it's the best it can possibly be.”
Realising her publishing dreams
The credibility gained from completing the AWC course proved valuable in Sharna’s submissions to publishers. “After I had completed the course, and I was submitting to publishers, I would always include that I had completed the AWC course, because then they knew that I was serious about my craft and becoming a children's author.”
Sharna’s latest picture book, I Dreamed of You, is a heart-warming celebration of the parent-child bond. “It celebrates the baby you dreamed of. The quiet moments you spent wishing for them, the magical first moments of meeting them, and the joys of discovering the person they are growing up to be,” Sharna explains. “I Dreamed of You is really a love letter to all my children, telling them how wanted and loved they are.”
The inspiration came from a tender moment with her own child. “I was sitting in the dark, rocking my one-year-old to sleep,” she recalls. “I was reflecting on how much I had hoped and dreamed of him, not only as a baby, but at all the different ages.”
“I had words and a rhythm floating around my mind and it wasn't long before I worked out the story structure. By the time I sat down to write my story it only took me one evening to get the words down. I then set it aside for a few weeks and then spent time editing and perfecting the meter. A few months later I felt it was ready to submit and I sent it to Affirm Press.”
The moment she received her publishing offer was unforgettable. “When I received that letter, I literally dropped to the floor! I knew Affirm published the most beautiful books and was beyond excited that now they were going to publish mine – it was a dream come true!”
Striking a perfect balance
Sharna now juggles her writing career with being a busy mother of three, finding creative ways to fit writing into her daily life.
“It's been a lot of fun visiting bookshops, signing books, doing Storytimes, being interviewed for articles and recording podcasts,” she says. “I am also a busy mum of three children, so my writing fits around them. I am known to find the gaps in the day to sneak in some writing time, whether it's at the kitchen bench while dinner cooks, or in the car waiting for school pick-up.”
And Sharna highly recommends the Australian Writers’ Centre courses to anyone interested in writing for children. “I think the Writing Picture Books course covers all the essentials that they need to learn, but also gives them insight into the publishing industry,” she says. “I feel confident in letting them know that their teacher will be passionate and experienced, and that they'll also have a lot of fun.”
Above all, Sharna emphasises the importance of persistence in the writing journey. “I certainly imagined it, but I've had many moments where I wasn't sure the dream would come true. It's been quite the rollercoaster journey for me, with many ups and downs. But I've remained committed to learning and growing as a writer and I persist – you absolutely must persist!”
You can follow Sharna's writing journey on Instagram @sharnacarterauthor. She currently resides on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
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