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!

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?

On A Roll...or, Driving Myself Crazy?

As I told a fellow 12x12 in 2012 challenge member, I must be crazy for adding another thing to my proverbial plate.  In November, it was PiBoIdMo, which encouraged me to write down a picture book idea every day for 30 days...I did it!

This year, I've joined the 12x12 in 2012, which is quite a step up from the November challenge.  This contest of sorts, gives you the motivation to complete 12 picture book manuscripts in a year, using the 30 PB ideas from the PiBoIdMo contest.  I've finished my January ms...11 more to go!

Building my Writer's platform, (to ready me in the event that my picture book is published, and allowing me to promote my book to the world), has been in the forefront of my mind for at least 9 months.  So, I discovered the Writers Platform Building Campaign, which promises to help me in my quest.  This involves short spurts of energy and time on my part, during the next few weeks.  The signup ends this Wednesday, February 14th.

And last, but certainly not least, which will help me with all of the above, is the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, held during the Month of April.  Thirty days of blogging, each day, the theme of my post is to begin with a letter of the alphabet.  On the first day, the post theme or title will begin with 'A', the second day, 'B', and so on.  Wow...that will get me going!

Does anyone want to go with me?  Crazy, I mean?