Which would be easier: to edit the 1500 word first draft down to 1000 words to make a picture book OR expand the 6500 word first draft up to become a chapter book? I’ve decided to expand. Yes, I’ll still keep the picture book idea but I wanted to create a “middle grade” book anyways so I might as well try to expand my first draft into a “chapter book” (which is a stepping stone to “middle grade” books.)

So I signed up for another short online course with Anastasia Suen to critique the first chapter of my chapter book version of The Princess & Pirate.

And just think, a few short months ago, I had no idea there were things called “chapter books” and “middle grade” books, etc. It’s been quite the education.