Picture copyright of Imagine Learning

Here is the cover of my poem!!!
I can't get over the fact that MY name is on the cover. How cool is that?
Very, I tell you, VERY cool!

I had the opportunity, thanks to my fab. sister, to write two stories for Imagine Learning.
It was a very interesting, exciting, and sometimes frustrating experience. I definitely learned a LOT about the writing process.

Here are a few things I learned from this fantastic writing experience:

• It is hard to feel and be creative when there are criteria to meet.
• Research is essential. Annoying, but essential.
• The story you begin with is NOT the story you will end with. You have to be open to wherever the story wants to take you.
• Revise, revise, revise.
• Rhyming is not the only way to write a poem. And it is, in fact, extremely difficult to write a rhyming poem. (especially when fitting in words like rainforest, canopy, emergent trees, etc!)
• Free-verse poetry is THE way to go. I felt like I had much more control over what I said and did. I loved coming up with a rhythm to my story.
• Editors are just as, if not more, important than the authors. They make the author look good!
• Sometimes things have to be changed to make the story better. It hurts, but it makes a difference.
  
• My sister is an AmaZinG editor. She gave fabulous feedback and made my story what it is. I definitely think her name should be on the cover with mine, but she said that's what editors do.
• She is also an amazing writer. I want to be like her when I grow up... :)
  
• I have TONS to learn about writing. I have my life to learn it.
  

Thank you, Shar:
For giving me this amazing opportunity
For being excited to see my name on a cover
For making my story what it is

FYI:
Imagine Learning is a company who creates software that teaches children how to read English.
My stories (I wrote 2 of them) are not in actual book form, they are on the computer. I am trying to get them printed for myself, but they won't be seen on bookshelves. :(
IF I can, I will post them. But for copyright purposes, I'm not sure if I can.
However, I learned a lot from this experience and was so grateful to have the opportunity.
My sister has written many more stories for Imagine Learning and far outshines me in the writing department! Thanks again.

And thanks to all of you who are so excited for me. Even though these won't be seen publicly, it is a start! Maybe someday you'll see my children's books and novels out there!