Meet Paula Payton!

My entire life I have always wanted to be a writer ...well except that time I wanted to be a giraffe. I was a very disappointed 5-year-old when I realized I couldn't grow up to be an animal.

Basically, I create worlds, then I fill them with beings and creatures and give them a history and a quest. I believe in unicorns and fairies and children.

Although not published yet, I have written a middle-grade fantasy novel and I'm almost finished with my second book in the series. The third, fourth and fifth are rattling around in my head.

I have been writing seriously for the last five years – which means I have been trying to get published. I got REAL serious in March 2000 – which means I joined SCBWI.

In August 2000, I went to my first SCBWI-MI function "The Art of Revision." For the first time in my life, I was in a room filled with writers. I said to myself, "this is where I belong."

In the short time that I have been a member of SCBWI-MI I have learned so much. My writing is stronger than it ever has been, I belong to two amazing critique groups, and I'm finding new magic in my worlds. I'm still plugging away at the "business end" of writing and keep stacking up my rejection letters and sending out my queries and my dreaded synopsis.

Paula served as our Co-Regional Advisor from 2003 - 2005. She and Co-RA Ann Finkelstein soon became know as our "Wonder Twins," together, a perfect team.

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