I grew up spending a lot of time on an island. 
Some of my best memories are from time spent on the ocean. 
I have lived and worked on yachts all over the world off and on since 2006. 
I have been on hundreds of scuba dives for pleasure and for teaching. 
I have logged thousands of miles sailing the oceans...
All of this time at sea equates to many, many, many, hours observing what is happening on and beneath the surface. 
...and I've just seen too much plastic and pollution. I don't know what else to say other than this is a massive problem for our beautiful sea creatures and animals that live under the sea. Without awareness, we don't know we are a part of the problem. So I'm on a mission to spread awareness. "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it" - Robert Swan.

Thankful to Plastic Ocean Project, The Ocean Project, Save Our Seas Foundation, Animal Ocean, Global Expeditions Group, EASE PADI Dive Center, AsiaPacific Superyachts, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Georgia Sea Turtle Center and many more who have supported my efforts already. If you'd like to help, please shoot me an email or comment below. I have come up with some very creative projects to spread awareness of this issue. More to come soon. 

Thanks for all the support to date, ALL!
Blair 

There seem to be writing contests and pitch parties everywhere in the picture book world! I just entered my first contest hosted by Vivian Kirkfield called #50 Precious Words. The contest is a picture book in 50 words or less with a beginning, middle, and end. This challenge was equally fun and difficult for me as this was a bigger concept of a story for a PB. Inspired by some of our night's living on the boat and the surprises that happen at sunrise. 

So, without further ado, I present to you my entry, PIRATES DON'T SLEEP, coming in at exactly 50 words... 

​PIRATES DON’T SLEEP
by BLAIR NORTHEN WILLIAMSON
(50 words) 

What is it like to sleep at sea? Leah wondered.

“Rrrrrain!”

She ran down below.

The boat rocked.

“HOTT!” Leah whined.

ERRRRRK the hatch lifted.

“Better,” she whispered.

“Rrrrrain, inside!?”

CLUNK. The hatch closed.

Leah was restless.

WAAAAAAAH! Goats called.

The sun’s rising?

“You’re a real pirate now,” Dad declared.