Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12 x 12 in 2012 Blog Party!


 It's time for the 12 x 12 in 2012 blog party! I can't think of anything fun and witty to write the way that my fellow 12 x 12 blog party compatriots have, but I still wanted to have my say about what a great time I've had participating in the 12 x 12 challenge this year.

If you didn't take part in the challenge, you have missed out. I have gained so many benefits from participating.

1. I learned a ton of things about writing picture books that I didn't know before.  I'm putting this as number one because I really did learn so much, and it has all really helped me to progress on my journey to become a published picture book author.

2. I gained a picture book critique group and had some critiques done on a couple of my picture book manuscripts.

3. I gained contacts with people in the picture book industry: agents, publishers and editors.

4. I met other picture book authors, both published and aspiring, who are willing to cheer me on (while I cheer them on). I ca not stress enough how wonderful and helpful everyone in the 12 x 12 community is with each other.

5. I started the Chapter Book Challenge. Yes, the challenge came to me partially as a result of my doing the 12 x 12 challenge. I love doing the month-long challenge of NaNoWriMo and I really enjoyed doing the year-long challenge of 12 x 12, so I decided that I would like to do something that fit somewhere as a middle-road to the two challenges, and I came up with the Chapter Book Challenge. (It was also a result of my having some ideas for chapter books to write with my children in mind.)

6. I gained helpful links for writers of picture books.

7. I won a free book trailer design by Carter Higgins. And it will last for as long as it takes me to get my book ready. (And she has created some wonderful book trailers for other authors.)

8. I've gained the belief that I can succeed at writing picture books and the courage to keep trying until my book is published.

If you feel the burning need to write picture books and want to learn more about how and what to do with them once you've written them, I highly recommend joining the 12 x 12 challenge in 2013.







15 comments:

Julie Rowan-Zoch said...

Congratulations Rebecca - getting to know you in 12x12 has been inspiring. Keep it up, hope you're in for 2013!

Joanna said...

Big Applause for all you have managed to achieve this year while raising seven kids! You're just awesome!

Beth Stilborn said...

Congratulations on your 12x12 achievements and learnings. Hasn't it been an amazing year?

Here's to 2013!

Alayne Kay Christian said...

Congratulations on all your accomplishments. So, you started the chapter book challenge. I would have loved to go for that challenge, but my plate was way too full. Maybe next year. We'll see you in 2013 at 12x12!

Tina Cho said...

Wow, so many challenges and accomplishments for you! Congrats!

Wendy said...

Wow!You sound BUSY. I will remember you next time I wonder "if I should..." Glad you had time to party with the 12x12!

Carrie Finison said...

Wow, all that and 7 kids too. That's truly amazing, Rebecca. Congratulations. The chapter book challenge sounds great, too! I'm definitely interested.

Julie Hedlund said...

Congratulations on your many achievements this year, not least of which is raising those kiddos! I'm very seriously toying with the idea of participating in your Chapter Book Challenge this year. IF I can get my act together enough to outline it by then - LOL!

Thanks for bringing your formidable energy into the 12 x 12 community. It's infectious. :-)

Ramona said...

You have achieved so much this year, well done! How lucky to have won the book trailer prize - so cool!

Romelle Broas said...

Parteh! Cheers to your accomplishments. Envious of your book trailer prize! (Even if I don't have a book to for it, but you will soon!)

Robyn Campbell said...

Bravo woman! That was AWESOME! Don't diss your post. It's excellent. And I KNOW I'll see you around next year. :-) (Seven kids. Yup. I'm all over that.) Six boys and one girl. *sigh* *wink*

Carter Higgins said...

Awesome! And that's right...creativity has no expiration date!

Kirsten Larson said...

Congrats on a successful 12 x 12. That was quite a list of achievements.

Cathy C. Hall said...

I thought your post was plenty witty and inspiring! Congrats on your success this year in the 12 x 12--sounds like you're well on your way to publishing success!

Jarm Del Boccio said...

How exciting, Rebecca, that you won a book trailer...congrats! And I am intrigued with the chapter book challenge. I am writing a historical fiction chapter/MG at this point, and wanted accountability. Hopefully, I can find a month that will free me to write.
See you next year for 12x12...