It's December already, which means it's blog party time for our 12 x 12 in 2012-ers. I put together a mini video of my picture book writing challenges and accomplishments in 2012. I just wanted to thank Julie Hedlund and everyone involved with her group for helping me learn more about the wonderful world of picture books. Click on the badge below to find out more about the challenge.
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| Badge by Linda Silvestri |
Before you check out the 30 second video below
I"ll share my list of 12 writing tips I enjoyed learning or doing this year.
1. Writers love helping other writers
2. To stop editing as I go and just write
3. To pick just one of my kids and write for them
4. Write in other types of styles. I practiced poetry this year - Yikes! It was fun though.
5. Practicing more dialogue writing
6. Passive is the enemy
7. I took a few timeouts and enjoyed reading adult books
8. I asked for help. Professionals, critiques, and online conferences.
9. Joined the SCBWI
10. Exclamation marks are the enemy!!!!!
11. To never forget my pen & paper when I'm out
12. I need to remember not to treat my writing like it's a job
rather write about things that inspire me.
I know, these are easier said than done, but I will try to follow them and the many more tips of advice I've received throughout this year and previous ones.
Happy holidays everyone, and thanks for visiting!
"Substitute "damn" for every time you're inclined to write 'very;' you editor will delete it and your writing will just be as it should." - Mark Twain
Great list, and great video. Happy 12/12/12 to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Happy 12/12/12 to you too
DeleteTwelve great tips Jennifer. I love #7 - making time for adult books is something that I need to do in 2013 with greater focus!
ReplyDeleteMe too. Good luck in 2013 :)
DeleteLOVE the video, Jennifer!!! (And here my weakness is exposed as I break tip #10) I wish I knew how to make a video like that. I like the tips you gave. That's what I need to do- reflect on what I've learned from this 12x journey. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Romelle, glad it helps. I used animoto.com - so easy and it's free(30 sec) Gotta love the free stuff
DeleteWhat a great little video - it's 'packing'! Great tips - I need to keep that list where I can read it often! So glad to have met you, to get to read your writing and share in your successes!
ReplyDeleteHaha, love the pun. I'm glad we met too and it's been wonderful having you apart of my critique group (which is one of my favorite things I got out of the 12 x 12) Shoot, I should have added that to my post. Doh :)
DeleteThanks for the video. LOVE the quote from Mark Twain (he must have read my manuscripts!) Great to meet you through the 12x12.
ReplyDeleteIt made me laugh outloud so I had to add it. It was great meeting you too Wendy. :)
DeleteCoool video and super tips. I like to read a few adult novels amongst the picture books, too! To your success!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Joanna. Here to your success as well :)
DeleteLoved the video! Super tips, too. So glad to be on this 12x12 journey with you, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteHey Beth! Thanks for that - I'm glad to be on this fun writing journey with you too. :)
DeleteCongrats on having such a great year! I loved your video :) Happy 2013!
ReplyDeleteHi Loni! Happy 2013 to you too. Thanks for the kind words.
DeleteGreat tips and sweet video. Exclamation marks are awesome!!! So is the word awesome!!! Or as Mark Twain would say, damn awesome!!! Hurray for 12x12. So glad to have "met" you.
ReplyDeleteI'm always deleting those exclamation marks!!! I'm so addicted, haha. And I'm "damn" glad to have met you too. Have an awesome 2013 Hannah.
DeleteWhat a great video! I love # 10!! I'm gonna have to try and remember that!!!! I'm SOO glad I know you woman!!!!! Yay us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEr, oh yeah. # 10. Uh-huh. :-) They're going to start calling me Exclamation Mark Woman!
(Love that Mark Twain quote.)
Yay us!!!! Robyn I love your energy. Happy 12/12/12 :)
DeleteHowdy hoo Jennifer! Great point to consider when making my list! Sorry, but I love exclamation points!
ReplyDeleteHowdy! Glad you liked the list. Thanks for your visit :)
DeleteSweet video. So impressed, I have no idea how you guys do it. Loved the tip list. It has be great getting to know you. Here is to 2013!
ReplyDelete-Darshana
To 2013! Thanks for the kind words and so glad you liked the tips.
DeleteCute video! Congratulations on all your accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tina! Congrats to you too :)
DeleteSo creative, Jennifer. Love the video. And what great tips! (Oh no! An exclamation point! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Alayne
DeleteSuch a cool video. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jackie, you're welcome :)
DeleteLOVE, love, LOVE the video and your lessons learned! I'm honored to have been a part of your writing life this year and look forward to 2013!! Who says exclamation points are the enemy?!?!?!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteJulie thank you so much for being such a great host and starting the 12 x 12. I learned quite a bit from your group. I hope to rejoin this year.
DeleteAwesome video! I've got to get your book and congrats on a super year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine, you're too kind. Have a wonderful new year as well.
DeleteCongrats on your published story! Congrats on the terrific year you have had. And wow! - That was an awesome video! It's been so great getting to know you this year! Can't wait for 2013!
ReplyDeleteIt's been great getting to know you too Becky! Happy new year :)
DeleteWhat a clever way to celebrate your accomplishments, Jennifer...Congrats! As you can see, I struggle with eliminating exclamation points and ellipses. Looking forward to next year's challenges. See you then!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jarm! Looking forward to nect year as well. Best of luck to you.
DeleteJennifer, I feel so lucky to have you in my critique group, which would have NEVER happened without 12 x 12. You have accomplished so much this year. I look forward to continuing to read all your quirky stories.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you Kirsten. I feel the same way about you. It's been wonderful having you in my group and hearing your extremely helpful advice.
DeleteCongrats on all of your accomplishments this year :)
Awesome. And yeah, man, poetry IS HARD!
ReplyDeleteYes and humbling for me anyway ;)
DeleteBut I LOVE exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your '12 successes--Very impressive! Oh, oops. Damn impressive. (period) :-)
Haha, thank you!!!!
DeleteGreat video Jennifer. Your tips are so on point. Number two is what has made this journey so enjoyable. However, I needed to see number in black and white. Asking for help is something I really must work on. Again, love the video!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, thanks so much. Yeah, I think for #2 I may need to put a rubberband on my hand and snap it each time I edit. It's so hard not to. haha
DeleteYou see how we all learn so much from each other, Jennifer...now we are all going to check out how to do a video like yours. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on ALL of your accomplishments this year...it has been amazing...and I'm honored to have been a part of Julie's 12x12...so inspiring and motivating.
Thank you Vivian! You're writing, being in Julie's group has been just that for me too.
DeleteCute video!!! If exclamation points are the enemy, I'm on their side!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing 12x12 and Happy New Year!!! (Ha! More exclamation points!)
Happy new year Lauri. Thanks so much for the kind words and your visit.
DeleteThank you and thanks for your visit :)
ReplyDelete