Monday, July 2, 2012

12x12 Blogging Party: A Writer's Accomplishments




What an amazing half year it has been! Each one of you have taken a unique journey of your own, participating from least three continents. Just think: 20 years ago, this would have been impossible. CS Lewis had his "Inklings" literary group, and I have my 12x12 literary buddies. Sayres, Tolkien, Williams and Lewis met on a regular basis at the Eagle and Child Pub in Oxford, England; we meet in cyberspace. Some have been fortunate to have met in person.


Wikipedia Commons "Inklings Hangout"
Our group has cheered, consoled and critiqued each other towards a better manuscript. If the figures are accurate, we have corporately written 2,400 picture books so far. That can be good and troubling at the same time. Will there be enough publishers to accept them all? Time will tell, but, I do believe we will each sell at least one manuscript as a result of our 12x12 challenge. With all the hard work invested in these manuscripts, it has to be true. So, let that be a word of encouragement to my literary buddies...keep up the good work, and you will see your creation in print one day.

I thought I would celebrate by constructing a timeline of my Writer's accomplishments since last fall. Wish I could sit down with a pot of tea and a scone and talk with each one of you personally (my kind of party!), but, I will look forward to reading your post entries.


I am not doing this to "toot my horn" but to inspire, build confidence, and offer helpful links.  It can be done with a home, husband, children and the responsibility of home educating two teens!


So, here goes:


November 2011:

It all began with Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo...I came up with over 30 ideas for picture books that month, keeping the titles stored in my "Chapters" app on my iPad (can't live without one now!)


December 2011:


Took a few days off for a Writer's retreat in a downtown hotel, thanks to my hubby. Revised my "Prickly Tickly Hedgehog" manuscript, with the help of Julie Hedlund's critique I won during her two year blog anniversary celebration. At this point, I had no idea she would be hosting the 12x12 group, but I knew at that time we needed something to "spur us on to greatness". What an answer to prayer she has been!

Wrote, "'Twas the Night Before Jesus Was Born" for Susanna Hill's Christmas poetry contest. Although I didn't win, I was pleased with my accomplishment. My first time to write poetry. A stretching experience.



January 2012:



Joined our group, 12x12 in 2012...thrilled there was another challenge to help me in my writing. With the time I had available, I participated by commenting on the FaceBook group and on individual blogs.

Began researching information for one of my two non-fiction picture books, "The Orphans Who Saved the World."

Took a family adventure to Patagonia, and blogged my way to the tip of South America and back.


Finished 12x12 PB #1 "Where Will it Land?"


February 2012:


Joined Rachel Harrie's "Platform Building Challenge" and spread my wings in out-of-the-box flash fiction. Not my preference, but, again, it stretched me.


Wrote an online gluten-free cooking article for PositivelyFeminine.com


Submitted "Waiting for an Idea" PB to Rate Your Story. It received a 6, but I gained helpful information to move it towards publication.


Won a bid for a social media strategy package with Tricia Lawrence (Erin Murphy Literary Agency) through the "Light Up the Library" auction. Tricia's counsel was clear and concise, and aided me in discovering my "brand". I'm not there yet, but I am close!


Finished 12x12 PB #2 "Waiting For an Idea"


March 2012


Making my way through Ann Paul's, "Writing Picture Books". I recommend it!


Begin writing blogposts for the upcoming "A to Z Blogging Challenge"...one post a day for 26 days: each post on a different topic. I learn how to navigate the buttons and tabs to set up and schedule the posts.


Joined Jo Hart's Onomatopoeia PB Critique Forum. I get caught up with the blogging challenge, so I don't participate for two months!


Finish 12x12 PB #3: "Have You Ever Seen a Snow Rainbow?"


April 2012:


A to Z Blogging Challenge in Full Swing: spend the month on the web answering comments, finishing blog posts, and visiting and commenting on 10 blogs a day...whew! My followers rise from 18 to 85 that month. I meet some lovely bloggers, and decide to follow them.


My article, "Looking Back on Homeschooling" is accepted for publication in "The Old Schoolhouse" magazine's 'big book' which comes out once a year at Christmas. I'm told it features the best of OS for the year. I'm honored, and I thank God for the privilege...


I discover the editor who had asked for my Picture/Chapter book and Proposal for "A Pouch Full of Miracles" has moved to another job.  So I resubmit, with her recommendation, to another editor at the publisher. Now the wait begins again!

I join another critique group with "Children's Book Insider" and introduce myself.

Complete 12x12 PB #4, "Busy as a Beaver"


May 2012:


Take a deep breath, and continue writing blog posts and snatches of various PBs.

I begin my non-fiction PB, "Peacocks in the Courts of Royalty" with a few hours of research.

Still reading through Christina Katz, "Get Known Before the Book Deal"


Visited San Antonio, Texas and found myself blogging about and photographing the historic spots we visited...inspirational! Love the city's RiverWalk...rejuvenating!

Had my pitch for "Waiting for an Idea" critiqued on Susanna Hill's "Would You Read it?" post.  Although most writers voted "maybe" to "no",  I am learning to have thick skin, and to count it a blessing to learn from my mistakes.

Finished 12x12 PB #5, "Grace All Over the Place!"


June 2012:


Participated in Jeff Goins' "15 Habits of Great Writers" 3 week challenge, which becomes a springboard for solidifying my writing habits. I blog my way through, and begin the habit of rising at least one hour earlier each day. I'm more productive now! Because of his challenge, I was able to complete the projects below:


Submitted another PB, "Where Will It Land?" to RYS


Finish my book proposal for "Your On the Wrong Road, Solomon" (pending approval from my three contacts willing to endorse my possible publication, I am ready to submit the package to messianicjewish.net )

Read half way through Jeff's ebook, "You Are a Writer"


Created a "dummy book" for "The Prickly Tickly Hedgehog". Tara Lazar tells all here.


Submitted a Christmas themed inspirational story to "Chicken Soup for the Soul"


Located a few possible publications to submit my Christmas themed poem in "The Christian Writer's Market Guide 2012"

Completed my June PB for 12x12 in 2012



For all this, I am grateful to Julie Hedlund and our supportive Writer's group, and, of course, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave me the ability and inspiration in the first place!

My goal for the last half? 


-Complete 6 more picture books

-Visit each of my 12x12 writer buddy's blogs

-Revise my blog posts to help fellow writers in their craft
-Read more non-fiction PBs

You may not have accomplished all I have...maybe you have accomplished more. Either way, as long as you are on the "Write Road" to publication, moving forward, step by step, you can realize your dream. Stay with us for the remainder of the year, as we fill world with quality writing.

What has been your biggest accomplishment during the 12x12 Challenge?

32 comments:

  1. Inspiring timeline -- what a lot you've achieved, and learned, and experienced, in the past several months. Kudos to you! Thanks for sharing.

    My biggest accomplishment in the 12x12 challenge? Hard to choose one -- completing 6 picture book drafts is right up there; interviewing Julie Hedlund on my blog; becoming part of a great community...

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    1. Thanks, Beth! The interview is a great avenue for inspiration...keep up the good work. I plan to attempt a few before the end of our 12x12 year.

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  2. Wow Jarm! I'm tired just reading your post - LOL!

    My #1 goal for the next six months is to complete a draft each month AND to get 3-4 submissions out the door every month. Been lagging a bit behind in that. SO glad we'll be able to cheer each other on. :-)

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    1. And I was tired accomplishing it! Sending out 3-4 submissions each month is an enormous task, but no one could do it better than you, Julie!

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  3. Wow! You have accomplished so much! You aren't lacking in perseverance. Wonderful! Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks, Penny! Now I need to work on my writing skills. Hopefully my future posts will help us all in that department...

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  4. Wow! An outline of your writing journey for this last half-year! What a great thing to do. Hmmm.... I'm thinking of pulling out a journal right now and starting one. Thanks!

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    1. I'm so glad my post inspired you, Deb...thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Thanks for sharing your journey with me. I am impressed by your accomplishments. I wish you well!

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    1. You are welcome, Romelle! I am blessed to have the time and energy to pursue my dreams. Thanks for taking the time to stop by...

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  6. Wow! What an awesome post and inspiring timeline! So glad you took the time to join us in the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge! Happy Halfway! :)

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    1. Thanks for cheering me on, Moonduster! 12x12 has been one of the major highlights of my writing year. I can tell it has been for you as well...here's to the second half!

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  7. Love the timeline! Maybe I should write one to feel good about all that I've done, but it surely won't compare! Wholehearted congrats at the halfway mark! Good luck with your recent RYS submission too.

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    1. I'm sure you have your own set of stellar accomplishments, Julie! I would recommend the timeline to everyone. There's something about seeing it in print that confirms who we are. I appreciate your words of encouragement....

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  8. Congratulations on all your accomplishments! The timeline was a great idea!

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    1. Thanks, Tina...I'm glad you like the timeline. I appreciate your support. It's what makes this group exceptional!

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  9. Congratulations and happy halfway! Here's to many more months of writing.

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    1. Thanks for your well-wishes, Heather, and for stopping by to comment!

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  10. Your list is admirable. I wish you the best in accomplishing your goals for the next six months. Blessings.

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    1. Thanks, Lynn...the gift of writing IS a blessing from God! I can't think of a better one. It reaches and encourages folks of all ages. What a privilege...

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  11. That is one impressive schedule. Congratulations on achieving so much accomplishment. You are a role model for us all.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Thanks, Arlee...your A to Z group was a big part of my growth. I'm thankful for all I've learned via the blogging challenge!

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  12. So nice to meet you, Jarm! I thank you so much for your timeline...I think it is something I need to do because, no matter how much I accomplish, I am always thinking I need to do MORE! Perhaps if I write it down in that format, I will calm my inner self and realize how much I have done. :)
    Congratulations on all you have done...it's really important to "stretch" oneself, as you put it...hard for most of us to do...but definitely necessary.
    My greatest accomplishment...as far as the 12x12 group? Completely 6 pb drafts and doing the self-publishing interview with Susanna...hope it helps others who are thinking of pursuing that path.
    What I need to do in the next 6 months? Complete 6 more pb drafts, submit to Rate Your Story, join a pb critique group. :)

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    1. I enjoyed your interview, Vivian. It helped me visualize all that goes on in the field...certainly an option in the future. I'm considering the interview as an option for my blog, so I'll keep you in mind!
      Keep up the good work, and thanks for stopping by....

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  13. You have been quite busy and productive! I love your goal to read more nonfiction PBs. I just read a great one today that I highly recommend: BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY by Melissa Sweet. It's the story of Tony Sarg, who created the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. So fascinating!

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    1. I LOVED that one, Carter! I discovered it in Susanna's list of "Perfect Picture Book Fridays" possibilities. Here's one I plan to write about in the Fall: "Polar the Titanic Bear" by Spedden. Check it out; you would enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by...

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  14. Wow, you've been busy! I recently found Jeff Goins book, and I'm working through it. Congratulations on your article for TOS! That's fantastic.

    ~Debbie

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    1. Thanks, Debbie...I'm excited about reaching so many people! Isn't Jeff's book a motivator? His new book, published by Moody, called, "Wrecked" looks inspiring...

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  15. I love your timeline of accomplishments! Here's to all you have done and all you will do in the next six months of 12x12in2012 Picture Book Challenge! CHEERS!!!

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    1. Why, thank you, Sheri...I appreciate your kind words. Keep the inspiration going!

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  16. Wow, you certainly have jumped in with both feet! Good for you =D Wishing you many continued successes.

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    1. You are right, Ruth...I have! Now I need to keep on podding down the "write road"...

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I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel