About

Talking with 5 th grade students about creative writing.
(Photo credit: Younge Social Media, 2016)

I am a retired K-5 teacher who taught in Northern California for ten years.  Although teaching wasn’t my first professional job, I was instilled with a passion for education from an early age.

My family’s encounter with three baby raccoons living underneath our bathtub gave me the idea to write my first children’s book, Sammy Ringtail’s Adventure to the BIG CITY.  

When I first thought of writing a children’s book, I was terrified.  Even though I was a teacher, I had no idea where or how to start.

I had read dozens of children’s stories to my own children, and to other people’s children during my teaching career.  Did that give me confidence?  Not one bit.  If anything, it turned up the little gremlin in my head to full volume: 
“You can’t compete with those people, they are experts.”  

Its' favorite line was, “No one will read your book.” 

Nonetheless, I bought and collected most of the “How to" books I came across. Unfortunately, they stood on my book-shelf staring back at me. 

As the years went by, I began to read writers like Anne Lamott – Bird by Bird; Natalie Goldberg – Writing Down the Bones; and Barbara Seuling – How To Write A Children’s Book And Get It Published.  My daughter and I even attended a workshop together which was supposed to teach new authors how to publish and market their first book.  

As encouraging as all of their words of advice were, it took me almost 20 years to write and complete my first publishable story.

Now I'd like to share the journey going forward with you, as I learn how to step into my new role as an author and have some fun along the way! 

- Jennetta

To connect with me on social media, visit my ABOUT.ME page. 

To follow my author journey, please sign up for my author newsletter here.

copyright 2015-2018 Jennetta Younge