Lynn Rogalsky

“Onward & Upward Aspiring Author”

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Four years ago today, I wrote my first blog entry:

Onward Aspiring Author: “The above photo of the Catalina Mountains that I took, reminds me of the writing life. Especially of the aspiring children’s book writer’s quest to become a published author.”

That’s how I started off my Whimsical Words Blog—I ended by saying:

“This ‘Occasional Blog’ (aka Whimsical Words) will be about my journey as an aspiring children’s book author. When I’m published, this blog will follow that voyage. In the meantime, my writer’s boots are laced up, and my compass is leading me upward. Once on top, I know it will be a glorious view!” (Read my complete first blog at https://lynnrogalsky.wordpress.com/2014/08/16/onward-aspiring-author/)

Since then, I’m happy to say my writing routine has increased to over 500-1,000 words a day! Writing, revising, and perfecting my picture book manuscripts, plus developing my middle grade novel work-in-progress (WIP) consume my days with research, purpose, and joy.

My quest for a literary agent and traditional publication continues, as does my calling to better my craft.

As you might have noticed, I decided to mark my blog’s birthday with a new look, a facelift if you will! (Please let me know what you think of the new look. J)

In future blog posts I will introduce you to traditionally published authors via interviews. Also I will make an effort to post reviews of picture books and middle grade novels I have read. So stay tuned!

Your input: How has your writing process and journey grown over the years? (Or, if you’re not a writer, how has your area of interest or profession grown over the years?)

Published by Lynn Rogalsky

I'm a former TV News Producer/Reporter who now has a love for writing children's picture books and middle grade novels. As an active member of the Arizona chapter of the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI-AZ), I attend workshops to better my writing craft, and mingle with other like-minded children’s book writers/illustrators published and pre-published. Being a member of a dynamic SCBWI writer’s critique group is a monthly highlight. I'm actively submitting my children's manuscripts to agents and editors. Here’s my writing background: Lynn Rogalsky is a native (since age 5) of Tucson, Arizona where she befriends the saguaros and wildlife. Since she grew up in this beautiful desert city, a thread of Southwest flavor shows up in many of her humorous stories for children. Lynn became aware of her writing talent by a middle school English teacher. During her high school senior year, Lynn’s English teacher also praised her writing abilities. She encouraged Lynn to study Journalism, which she did at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. Lynn began her professional writing career as a newsroom intern at KGUN Ch. 9, Tucson’s ABC-affiliate TV station. She quickly worked her way up to News/Feature Writer and 10PM News Producer, giving her B.A. in Journalism a good workout. Currently, Lynn works as a freelance Slogan Writer, which takes a lot of creativity to project an idea in one short phrase. In the past, she has enjoyed working as a Copywriter for a catalog company and ad agency. With a minor in Creative Writing, later she yearned for more than news and feature stories. Lynn fell in love with the idea of writing for children at a workshop given by award-winning children’s author, Jennifer Ward in 2008. That spark took flame after meeting another Tucson children’s author at the Pima Writers’ Workshop. As an active member of SCBWI since 2008, Lynn has been inspired by many authors and fellow members. In Spring 2009, she completed the class “Writing For Children” at Pima College, taught by award-winning children’s book author, Juanita Havill. Lynn has since written multiple picture book manuscripts, one chapter book, and has a middle grade novel in the works. She loves writing and working “quirky” into her manuscripts. Photography is another passion of Lynn’s, and she often incorporates her own photographs in her writing blog, Whimsical Words Blog. She has also had my photos hanging in galleries. Visit her photography fan page, Through Lynn’s Lens on Facebook. I can't live without my faith, family, friends, dogs, and Indian food. Thanks for stopping by!

4 comments

  1. Oh my, well. First love the new look. Second, my process and journey has not really changed over the years. Odd, I think I should say it has, but it has not. I’ve learned more than I ever thought. But my vision is the same. I think in life my writing process has changed the least, but my life changes have changed my outlook on writing.

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  2. Thanks for “showing” me the new look! lol I agree with you that vision doesn’t change. Glad to hear you are on a straight and steady path for your writing. Congratulations on your new picture book!

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  3. Lynn, I love your new blog look–bright and clear and the header is perfect! Your words per day is very impressive. Not counting emails and blog comments, I have to admit I don’t write nearly that many words, even in a week… Best of luck with your writing goals!

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    • Thank you for your kind words, Marcia! I try my best to keep to that range, otherwise I’ll never complete what I’m writing. I do take breaks in-between, of course. I’m thinking the writing life of a published author is a bit busier than an pre-published one. 🙂

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