2017 Writing Successes

Children's author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers (http://www.juliehedlund.com/12days) series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or achieved in the previous year.  Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list for 2017.

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1. Wrote at least 14 new picture book manuscripts.
2. Took several writing classes, including Karla Valenti's Picture Book Master Course (http://www.karlavalenti.com/master-course/), Renee LaTulippe's Lyrical Language Lab (http://www.reneelatulippe.com/writing-courses/), and Alayne Kay Christian's Art of Arc (http://www.alaynekaychristian.com/page05.html).
3. Enrolled in and participated in my first year of Julie Hedlund's 12x12Challenge http://12x12challenge.com/.
4. Took a second workshop at the Highlights Foundation Barn.
5. Hosted a writing retreat with my critique group; Tara Lazar was guest speaker/critiquer.
6. Watched SEVERAL webinars through Kidlit College, SCBWI chapters, etc.
7. Took a three-day "Un-Workshop" at the Highlights Foundation with my critique group, including an author critique.
8. Two manuscripts earned a #1 rating and several others #2 and #3 ratings in Rate Your Story.
9. Entered my first writing contest and won an honorable mention (Susanna Leonard Hill's Halloweensie Contest; http://susannahill.blogspot.com/).
10. An agent contacted me after submitting to her slush pile. She requested to see more of my work.
11. Participated and finished Tara Lazar's Storystorm (https://taralazar.com/2017/12/28/storystorm-2018-registration-is-open/) and ReFoReMo (http://www.reforemo.com/).
12. Created a writer website and blog.
13. Joined Twitter and began tweeting weekly picture book posts. Through Twitter, I met many new writers!
14. Told friends and family about my writing and goals.
15. Grew closer to my online critique group--we are like family now!
16. My critique group, the Highlighters, was interviewed for an upcoming article in a regional SCBWI magazine.
17. Learned the importance of amazing concepts and dramatically improved my own.
18. Realized I love to write poetry...and I'm good at it, too!
19. Began a structured practice of reading picture books on a weekly basis.
20. Read books on crafts:  Stephen King's On Writing, Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, Ann Whitford Paul's Writing Picture Books, and others. 
21. Applied for mentorships through Tara Luebbe's Writing with the Stars http://beckytarabooks.com/wwts-contest/).
22. Developed more of a writing routine and began scheduling non-negotiable writing time.
23. Attended my second year of Picture Book Summit (http://picturebooksummit.com/).