Storystorm 2023 Day 16: Karen Henry Clark Goes on Sabbatical

There are 3 Nancy Pearl Librarian Action Figures, if you can believe it. I’m partial to the Superhero version.

Even Jane Yolen would agree with you that all is not smooth in the writing journey. It’s tough work, along with being its own reward. At least that’s what I try to tell myself.

We all need help to persevere.

I appreciate knowing this, Andrea. Over the years, I’ve learned many teachers use it in units on how families are made.

I admit to being slow, painfully slow at writing.

The late Florence Parry Heide (Jane Yolen edited her first book! Talk about coincidences!) was my first mentor. She said, “I promise you one thing: If you stop sending your work out, you will never be published.” No way to argue that one, despite the rejection.

My favorite jewel!

Whenever I visit Nancy, people stop her on the street to take a picture with her. She is an icon there indeed.

Yes, you do! I asked Tara to post the back cover along with the front because of the great quote from Nancy. LG honors every librarian’s mission.

I simply KNEW I was destined to be a writer. Fortunately my parents kept me supplied with paper from that day on.

I grew up sewing doll clothes, so fabric stores feel like home to me. If you don’t win the giveaway, I still hope you’ll have a chance to read LG to the kids. Sheryl Murray’s art is captivating.

Thanks, but to be honest, the action figures came first. Nancy was already a sensation without my book about her. (Yeah, I know that word-wall headache way too well.)

I do, too. Take those characters on a field trip!

Hang onto it!

I appreciate your taking the time to read it.

A friend, also a published author, calls it a brutal business. She’s not wrong, but it doesn’t help to dwell on that, does it?! Tell the truth and move on.

I wish it were easier, but it just isn’t

My writing friend says I never really give up, and she’s probably correct. Even if I’m not literally writing, my head is thinking it.

I’m glad to be helpful whenever I can. I appreciate Tara for giving me the space.

It was the right thing for me to shake things loose. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Indeed they are. Retirement had not stopped Nancy’s library work at all. I can’t keep up with her.

Thanks. In case you don’t win, you can order one online.

Inspiration is work. No way around it.

Thanks for taking time to read this post.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, as the saying goes.

Sewing rick-rack on an apron was almost my undoing in Home Ec class, which tells you how old I am.

I agree. I love her being depicted as a hero, and she really is–fighting for readers everywhere.

I’m glad to have helped. Nancy and I believed her story should be narrative nonfiction, so we could reach all kinds of readers who feel different in some way.

Nancy admits that librarians saved her life. Thanks for your priceless work.

I hope teachers share you opinion and read her story to their classes. Kids can identify with Nancy’s struggle without being avid readers.

My daughter contends that’s one of the best sentences I’ve ever written. She’s not easily impressed by anything I write. (It is vivid, isn’t it?)

Thanks. It’s all true.

As I understand it, the action figure came about from a dinner party conversation when someone in attendance was astounded by the power of librarians after listening to her speak.

Thank you. The book is creating happiness and appreciation all over the place. Exactly what we hoped.

Greatly appreciated!

Thanks. It’s easy, especially when you’re struggling, to think it’s easy to write a picture book. It seems like everyone succeeds and wins awards. Not at all.

In certain circles, Nancy was already highly respected. She hardly needed more notice in her professional role. But her value to struggling children was not covered in the market. That’s the link we wanted to provide.

Your comment matters. Over time, I hope every library orders a copy because it’s all about what they do every single day.

And she wrote the blurb on the cover. It’s a princess moment for me. An honor.

In first grade, I was losing interest in reading the dull Dick and Jane books. They did not feel like stories to me. A librarian handed me CURIOUS GEORGE. I still remember checking it out and reading it every day until we returned to the library for another book.

Honestly, I often say “thank goodness” to myself!

Yes, Jessica, by all means keep going.

Well, I wish I didn’t know the struggle so well, but I wouldn’t trade my 2 triumphs.

It’s all I know to tell–always with fingers crossed.

Thank you. Sheryl Murray made my sentences soar.

There are 3 NP action figures, if you can believe it! Unfortunately, I don’t think all are still available.

Try whatever it takes! There are great ideas in Tara’s Inspiration Month.

It was fun for me, and no one seemed to mind me filling up a table. In fact, some stopped by to watch.

Much as I hate to admit it, those lows end up pushing me forward.

It’s easy to overlook invaluable influences when we’re young. We simply don’t know, and no one points it out to us. But now you do. Success.

Thank you. I think my determined 4-year-old self takes over.

Every path is different, but you find your way.

My mother made many of my clothes, so I grew up with tons of sewing stuff. It feels like home to me.

You’re certainly welcome. Just try something and eventually you find the way through.

I hope you don’t need as much “space” as I do.

You’ve got more than your fair challenges, but you’ve clearly got the will. Nothing beats that. I’ve never won a single prize, nor have my books made it onto a “best of” list. Don’t let yourself surrender.

Publishing offers no guarantees. SWEET MOON BABY was flying high until China changed their adoption requirements and then lifted the one-child policy. Basically my market vanished, even though it was a beautiful book. Things simply happen, but it’s hard not to take it personally. You are right about believing in your story. Stay focused on it.

YES! Give that character breathing space. Don’t keep it inside your head.

If you’re a writer, face it: You have to write. Thanks for reminding me that the happy ending applies to me, not just the story. Appreciated.

Thanks so very much. Our own story has to be realized and honored–even though it isn’t inside a book. When I look back at all the “golden” moments that have appeared, I’m glad to have made the right choices. (I tried and tried to talk myself out of Jane Yolen’s PBBC. What a mistake that would have been.)

You’re so welcome. I feel fortunate that Tara gave me another chance.

An early mentor said, “Karen, no editor will call you for a story.” She was right, although I didn’t want it to be SO hard. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Jane hadn’t overheard me. I believed that she believed I could do it.

Self-doubt lurks around the corner, unfortunately. Thank you for showing up for me.

It’s incredibly crowded down there, isn’t it?! I hope your moving yourself upward.

Sheryl Murray spent a lot of time studying the era to get the right looks for every detail. She makes the book come alive–right down to the neighborhood milkman and his truck.

Those freestanding stores are harder to come by these days. Big box craft stores sometimes a section or at least an aisle. Maybe even printed craft paper would help.

And certainly the best to you. It is completely possible to break through that word wall, no matter how high you build it.

Then I hope your granddaughter gets a chance to read it, perhaps at a library. The action figures are sold online through Archie McPhee. If you go to Amazon’s SMB sales page, you’ll be given places that sell the book at a range of rates. Sometimes the copies are slightly used. A neighbor ordered a copy like that and it was just fine.

I hope it was helpful to you.

Thanks. Step by step is the only way.

Once you get there, it won’t matter how many years it took.

I appreciate your willingness to keep reading. When I realize I started at age 4, I’ve definitely played the long game.

I didn’t realize what I’d written until I saw Sheryl’s illustrations.

You’re right. In publishing they go hand in hand.

Sometimes I think my parents should have named me PERSISTENCE.

I appreciate the time it took you to read this and write a comment.

I’m forever glad Tara gave me the chance to feel useful.

Random House had her portfolio for 3 years, waiting for the right manuscript. How lucky was I that they matched us?! I’ve seen children reach out to touch that baby’s precious face.

No one can write your story but you. I trust you will.

I’ve left mine alone for years. At least in practice, but I’m forever thinking of them.

I realized, finally, that if I stopped, the whole thing stopped. I couldn’t stand the idea of rust.

Well, I always knew I was writing it for someone.

Thank goodness for hope. It carried me across the finish line.

Me? Inspiring? I have to admit I never think of myself that way, but I’m willing to carry around that label.

The things that scare me the most (attending Jane’s PBBC) are the things I most need to do. It’s taken me a lifetime to understand that.

Oh, good! Wander and touch and imagine. Enjoy the daylights out of the place. Don’t forget the wall of buttons!

Thank you all over the place with your comment. I wanted to grow up to work for newspapers, starting in 7th grade. I was a reporter and editor all through school. When I applied to a prestigious journalism dept, for college, I was told it was a man’s profession. That’s how old I am. Still, I fund other ways to write. “Margin Notes,” my blog, allows me to be the columnist I always wanted to be. You’re kind to take a look at it.

I like it already. By the way, Nancy’s first action figure, the shushing one, faced quite the controversy.

If it encourages someone, I’m so glad.

Even I’m happy I didn’t quit, and that’s saying a lot. No matter where I was in the process, Nancy always believed I could do it.

I am thrilled to know that. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible.

Appreciated. Here’s hoping the next one won’t take 10 years.

When I started writing picture books, I thought I’d be lucky to get one published. I am glad to have been wrong.

LG shows how valuable helpers are in our lives. I’m happy this post helped you in some way.

Good thing to remind us it’s never easy from point A to B. Rick-rack here, there, and everywhere.

Well said. All the possibilities are visible in these places.

Then you will change the world with a book. They are more than a story. Nancy is the proof for that.

Excellent. Look at the Author Note and realize how many hurdles Nancy had to jump to reach that level of success. And she wouldn’t even let me list all that she’s achieved.

It’s a terrific idea–literary action figures. What lifelong reader wouldn’t want the complete set?

Glad I showed up at the right time. There’s always a helper. That’s what Mr. Rogers told us on his TV show, and we tried to convey that in LG, too.

It’s good to know my hard stuff was appreciated, although it was hard for me during that time. It’s part of every writing journey. No way to ignore it.

I’ve spent years stuck. Years. It takes time, unfortunately, to find the way out.

I practically pinch myself when I look at the cover. Me? Me? Incredible.

Simmer is a perfect word for the process. Thanks for offering that up.

That’s the spirit. Good for you.

Whatever works, well, works. I have a few writer friends who turn to art when they feel stuck.

It finally dawned on me that some things can’t be forced. Working longer didn’t mean I was working better. I often just dug myself deeper and farther away from the real story.

I’m just as excited for you to do that. I hope you find something of value in it.

Good. You might want to take a look at her adult books. She does it all.

Thank you for letting me know. I always wonder.

I knew I couldn’t let my daughter grow up thinking that dreams should be thrown away when they got hard. She sat on my lap when I wrote my first book.

Behind the scenes, Nancy has been working for all of us. She faced every battle–sometimes alone. Most people don’t understand how valuable libraries and librarians are to society.

Happy to help out in any way I can.

Longer than I wish it had taken, but it did.

We all have that inner engine if we listen.

Even 32 pages can’t do her justice, but we tried to show how the early seeds in childhood are significant.

Thanks. I hope so.

It’s all good then. Thank you.

I think it’s valuable to learn when to let it rest and “simmer,” as someone else said in these comments.

I’ve met librarians who have the action figures without realizing Nancy is a real person.

Yes. you. can!

I’m glad it turned out to be an interesting read. Whew.

I hope it keeps you writing.

What a great way to think of it!

I wrote for decades, too, before I received a contract. Of course your stories are wonderful. Keep remembering that. I’m honored to know you’ll keep this post around.

“Continued success” really touches my heart.

I’m all about wandering–outside or inside. I believe it helps loosen thoughts up.

You’re right. She’s practically an industry, not she ever intended that.

Well, “chugging” is the perfect word, isn’t it?!

I know you’re right. Forcing it has never paid off for me.

Agreed for both! And I think everyone else here would applaud that.

I appreciate your kind comment.

Getting back in that important chair is the puzzle we solve, piece by piece.

I loved paper dolls when a was a little girl, so it makes sense when I think about it.

I’ve learned how to distract myself, for sure.

That’s the great thing about Tara’s Inspiration Month. Everyone finds something that works in their case. Maybe MANY somethings.

Thank you. So far so good with the book. I hope this one stays in print for a long time.

Hurray for librarians! I’m a constant library user, and I hope yours carries our book.

I’ve recently tried gardening. Because we’ve moved so often because of my husband’s work, I never invested much in outdoor spaces. Now I think we’re in the last house, and I’ve added every year. I finally have my dream:daffodils.

Well, it’s quite a story, isn’t it? If you don’t win, I hope your public library has a copy.

If you look online, you’ll find the other ones pictured, even if they’re no longer being sold.

Well, good. We’re picking up where we left off. I know what you mean about pulling weeds. It’s got a mindless movement that is a thought-clearing meditation.

Accidental friendship. Accidental authorship. Maybe? We both shared the same dream and believed in each other over the years. I read drafts of her novel twice, and she studied every sentence and change in LG.

Then you’re doing all the right things. It’s a long story, but Nancy arranged for me to eat lunch with Pat Conroy on his book tour in Tulsa. Pat told me he wrote down images etc on scrap paper. Then he’d lay them out to see if a novel was emerging from them. Amazing.