Episode #233: Creating the Creative Life with Anna Alt

While Alvina is traveling in Taiwan, Grace welcomes her good friend Anna Alter who talks to Grace about pivoting and life changes as an author and illustrator.

How have you been?

Grace and Anna talk about the beauty of the snow! Hazel went out to play in the snow and got sick. Grace is working on her novel and is working on her Lunar New Year content for her newsletter. One of her New Year’s Resolutions is that Grace would like to do something for a charity project. Anna is already gearing up for summer camp activities for her kids as it is the time to sign up right now.

Creating the Creative Life

Anna and Grace talk about doing the book hustle for over 20 years. How has Anna pivoted? “What made you pivot?” Anna still loves children’s book but she reached a point where a few things happened at the same time…..she had young children and wanted to stay at home with them. When she had children and took a step back, she started understanding herself in a different way. She took a pause and re-evaluated what she wanted to do creatively. Making things less for validating herself but more for an extension of who I am as a person.

Grace talks about all the hurdles and balls you have to juggle in publishing a book.

Anna felt that there were too many things outside of her control in Children’s book publishing.

Anna mentions the book, “Finding Your North Star” by Martha Beck. The conversation is about changing her relationship with work.

Gratefuls

Grace is grateful that Hazel went back to school today so that she can do work. Grace and Anna discuss how children change your free time no matter what role you play in the household. Anna is grateful for everyone who has received her new form of art.

Thank you!

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)

You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky

You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on TikTok, and @authorgracelin on BlueSky Social!

You can find Anna on her website annaalter.com, and on Instagram @Annaleaalter

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