Celebrating a Year of picture Book Writing: 12x12 in 2012

I just realized this morning that our fantastic 12x12 in 2012 PB Challenge Party, hosted by our dear Julie Hedlund, begins on 12/12/12. I'm sure Julie had this planned from the beginning. But moi? The thought dawned in my mind as the sun peeked through my window this morning. Yes, a little slow here...

The 12x12 in 2012 Challenge has been one of the highlights of my year.  Why?


-It has kept me on track as I focus on writing a picture book manuscript each month.
-I've read and assimilated a myriad of inspirational ideas from 12x12 guest posters.
-I've met a multiplicity of writing buddies online who share the same goals and dreams.
-I've discovered many helpful links to aid me in my writing journey.
-The energy running throughout the challenge was electrifying!

Soooo...if you have never joined our group, GO FOR IT!  Sign up here for 2013.

This year goes on record for being the most challenging, productive and inspiring one to date for me as a writer. But, contrary to the first six months, the second half has been quieter...on purpose.

http://www.juliehedlund.com/2012/12/11/121212-blog-party/

I realized in retrospect, in my first six months I was:


-participating in many challenges (blogging, flash fiction, PB ideas, etc).

-commenting on everyone's blogs (to encourage them), spending sometimes hours doing so.

-downloading e-book after e-book on "developing my platform" (but not reading them).

-listening indiscriminately to many (very good) podcasts on a variety of topics.


All good things.

But...very little writing was happening!

I examined the situation, and decided I would slow down for the second six months of 12x12 by:

-Focusing on one specific task or skill (mechanics of writing PBs).

-Reading at least one picture book a week (similar to the genre I was writing), and posting it on Susanna Hill's "Perfect Picture Book" site.

-Gettting up at 5:50 each morning (no matter what) and, after my daily Bible reading and prayer, spending at least a half hour writing. Jeff Goins was the inspiration for this one...

-Editing my manuscripts, (via Rate Your Story or an online critique group), and when ready, sending one every other month to an appropriate publisher.

-Taking a writer's retreat (self-imposed) at least twice a year, and attending one writer's conference.

and I would not:

-Take on more challenges (other than Tara Lazar's  PiBoIdMo and Julie's 12x12 in 2012).

-Read more about (or attempt to develop) my writer's platform until my book was accepted for publication, since I had already laid an adequate foundation.

So, what did I accomplish this second half of 12x12?

July

My story of the "Christmas Miracle" (occurring during my time in Papua New Guinea) was accepted and ghost written for "Angels on Earth" magazine.   "A Pouch Full of Miracles" rejected by Crossway Books.  Wrote "Diligent Dorcas" for 12x12.

August

My article, "Looking Back on Homeschooling" was accepted for publication in the "Old Schoolhouse" magazine's "best of 2012" hardbound volume.  Began research for my "Orphans Who Saved the World" historic PB about the small pox epidemic and cure.  Wrote "Are They Here Yet?" for 12x12.

September

Involved in online critique groups, and submitted "Leaf" story to WYS. Began a weekly post summarizing Roy Clark's "Writing Tools"  Wrote "The Sights and Sounds of the Seasons" for 12x12.

October

Began Jeff Goins "Tribe Writers" online course. Joined Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Fridays, and post once a week. Submitted "You're On the Wrong Road, Solomon" to Messianicjewish.net
Wrote "Reigning Cats and Dogs" for 12x12.

November

My meditation "Christmas Musings" accepted for publication in "A Mother's Touch" online magazine.
Wrote "The Woodcutter's Daughter" for 12x12.

December

Submitted "The Prickly Tickly Hedgehog" to two Australian publishers. Excited about the possibility of working with an Australian artist and illustrator I met via PiBoIdMo last year!  Finished writing "Tell Me the Christmas Story" for 12x12.

Now, enough about me.  Since I love to make the Write Connections for my readers, here are some resources for writers...

Just for fun! Some writing apps I found very helpful for my iPad:

Chapters: I use one notebook for 12x12, and each chapter is a PB I've written...one per month.

My Writing Nook: Another app to organize your manuscripts and ideas...syncs with online site.

Writer's App: Most helpful for middle grade or YA novels...keeps all the details of novel in one place, and gives you ideas for plot, characters and setting.

Storyist: Fleshes out your story, using "index cards" for organization which you can view alongside your manuscript as you write.  Formats your ms in a form which you can immediately send out to an editor...a plus!

Writer's List: Helps with anything from names of characters, to plot and descriptive words...amazing little app for the money!

StoryTracker: Helps keep track of all your submissions and the publications and other contact info...an enormous aid!

All the above are found in the app store on your iPad/iPhone.

I am so thankful for the gift of writing...my favorite gift each year! God is leading and blessing, and it's my desire to dedicate my words to Him.

Cindy Sigler Dagnan wrote a post entitled "Before the Lord" in which she committed her writing to God.  As she sends out her manuscripts, she prays for six things; three of which resonate with me:

-I ask Him for the right eyes to read this work.

-For reader's hearts to be touched.

-For me to write to His glory alone, every word committed to him.

Read the remainder of her prayer here.

...and, for Monday Prayer Posts for writers, go to Betsy Duffy and Laurie Myers blog here.  They are the "Writing Sisters"  authors of many children's books, and daughters of Betsy Byars, author most known for "The Summer of the Swans."

Thank you Julie Hedland for your amazing dedication to 12x12, and for all my writing buddies with whom I interact on a daily basis.  You are all a treasured gift to me!