Ode to a Dozen

Happy 12×12 in 2012 on 12/12/12!

Picture book writers in the 12×12 group started by Julie Hedlund are celebrating today. Why? We’ve finished our challenge, writing 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months! (I finished my last one today.) What an accomplishment! I’m so thankful to Julie and the writing community of our group. There’s no way I would have this many stories if it weren’t for the 12×12.

ODE TO A DOZEN

I’ve met dozens of writers

read dozens of blogs

Wrote a dozen stories

Drank a dozen egg nogs. (Ok, that’s not true. Maybe a dozen Dr. Peppers, but I needed something to rhyme!)

I hope you join us in 2013, next month to be exact, to continue our crazy fun writing challenge as we look forward to writing another dozen picture book manuscripts. Click here for more info about it.

Noteworthy News

Dear Blog,

I’m sorry I have neglected you. But writing called. Hooray! PiBoIdMo is finished (Picture Book Idea Month hosted by Tara Lazar), and I wrote down 31 ideas. Hats off to Tara for all her time and energy to this challenge! Not all of my ideas are wonderful, but maybe I can flesh out some of the ideas into picture book manuscripts. I also finished another 2 guided reading books in one week plus a requested book proposal.

Now to some noteworthy news!!

My writing mentor and friend, Nancy I. Sanders, has a new book out: Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books. It’s sort of like a sequel to her Yes, You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career. 

My copy will be coming in the mail this month, and I’m looking forward to learning new things about the writing craft. I had the privilege of being in a face-to-face writing group with Nancy and an online picture book group.

It snowed a tiny bit today, and tomorrow is only supposed to be 29! My kids and I are having fun putting up Christmas decor and hanging advent ornaments.

I hope all my friends have a happy December, full of making memories and wonderful writing!