I do love ducks. In fact, I think they’re becoming something of an obsession.
These are my top three ‘Things About Ducks That I Love.’
1. I love the way they
appear to glide across the water with very little effort and yet you can see
their feet pedalling manically beneath the surface.
2. I love the way their
quacks sound like hilarious laughter. Whenever I hear them I have to smile.
3. I love their beautiful
markings, especially the ones with the petrol green/blue heads.
And I love writing about ducks too.
Several years ago I had a picture book shortlisted in The Little Tiger Press' Picture Book Competition. The story was called A Day on Duck Park. After
the competition was over I submitted my story for publication with more than my usual
amount of optimism. It went out to sixteen publishers and was rejected sixteen times.
Apparently it’s not ‘strong enough to make it in the present competitive market’.
*sigh*
I have now written two new duck picture book stories. The duck
characters are lively. I think they’re funny. I’ve done all I can to make the
storylines ‘strong enough to make in in the present competitive market’ and
they’re about to be submitted. So, with webbed feet crossed, here's hoping they
have more luck than my first duck story.
