If I could give one piece of advice to my young writer/illustrator self, I would have said this: START ATTENDING CONFERENCES. And join organizations like the SCBWI and CANSCAIP.
I have learned so much, been incredibly inspired and met many creative kindred spirits because of these events. Not to mention three children’s book contracts! (I’M BORED plus two more recently, yay!!). Speaking of good things happening at conferences…