Red Room Where the Writers Are

This week I interviewed for a position writing short stories for a children's magazine.  Far from my usual path of writing fantasy and romance with adult content, I was surprised to feel energized by this prospect.  Having two children of my own, I feel I am connected with my new potential audience and thankfully, children are a little easier to please. 

I finished one short story to send to my prospective employer and it has inspired and motivated me.  I don't see myself stepping too far off my familiar path but now I'm wondering if I can travel down two paths at once and manage either or both, successfully.  I already know that if I'm fortunate enough to be published, it will be under two different names.  Some content found in my fantasy/romance manuscripts would make parents uneasy.  I find myself wondering the same thing when I see a cross-over author, just what's in this story, eh?

Not only am I working to write stories for the twelve and under crowd now, but I'm illustrating them as well.  This is something I've done for years and I'm much more comfortable with a pencil in hand than a pen.  But the thought of having my illustrations published along side my stories is an amazing feeling.  I'm thrilled, but now I have to calm back down and get back to writing.