Well, we’ve made it through another month of this pandemic, and that is an achievement all by itself! I got absolutely no writing done this month. I did webinars, I read picture books, I started an online class, I created some mini lessons, I reviewed manuscripts, I thought about and jotted ideas down for a revision, but no words made it onto any official pages. I feel I am getting closer to being able to write, but it hasn’t happened yet. I am trying to be okay with that.
So by way of encouraging both myself AND you, I want you to know that if you did ANYTHING this month to move your writing forward, no matter how small, you are rocking it! If you read one picture book, or listened to half of one webinar, or wrote a single sentence, you are rocking it. If you sent a query letter or even drafted one, or did research on agents or editors, you are rocking it. If you thought about writing or got any ideas, you are rocking it.
I know that the main goal of this challenge is to write 12 drafts in a year. But nobody was prepared for the impact a global pandemic would have on our lives, including our creative ones. In recognition of that, and in celebration of all the progress we ARE making, I’ve created a new badge. It’s called “I moved the needle.” I’ll post it in the Forum and on Facebook. You can request the badge if you did anything, even one thing, to engage with your writing this month. Of course the draft and revision badges are still available too, but I think it’s important that we also honor all the small steps during this difficult time.
Tell us your progress. Did you complete a draft and/or revision in April? Let us know in the Rafflecopter and in the comments. April Featured Author Kirsten Larson is giving away a picture book critique to this month’s winner!
Woohoo! Thanks, Kirsten!
Here is what you need to do to check in for a chance to win:
- See the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post that says “A PICTURE BOOK CRITIQUE” at the top.
- Click on the “Comment on Kirsten’s post” button. Commenting on Kirsten’s post is mandatory for this giveaway and you can enter the Rafflecopter even if you didn’t write a draft this month. You can comment on the post here. Click ENTER.
- Click on the “Wrote a PB Draft” button. This will ask if you completed a PB draft in April. If you did, click ENTER, if not, click cancel and move on to the next step.
- Click on the last “Revised a PB Draft” button. This will ask if you revised a PB in April. If you did, click ENTER. If not, click cancel and move on to the next step.
- That’s it! Rafflecopter will track your points. (The top of the Rafflecopter will say X/3 with X being the number of entries you currently have in the drawing.)
You have until midnight Eastern on May 5th to enter your results. Rafflecopter will draw a winner and it will be announced on the blog on May 6th.
Remember, badges are not awarded automatically and must requested in the forum. Click here to request your April badge on the forum.
Take care of yourself and be well! May your May draft be something special. <3
35 Responses
I felt like a grasshopper this month hopping from idea to idea but settling on none.
It was a rough month writing wise but I was able to write several terrible poems and a couple of ones that may turn into picture books. LOVE the new button.
I have a toddler at home, so I don’t have a lot of time to write, but I’m trying to work on stories whenever I can. Yesterday I finished the first draft of a PB biography. I have several projects I’m working on and am always wondering which one should get my attention.
What. A. Great. New. Button.
It’s perfect. You’re brilliant. 🙂
I love the new button! This has been a long month for everyone.
This was a happily productive month even though my routine was so different being at home so much. I’m thankful for 12 x 12!
I revised a few PB manuscripts this month (thanks to my amazing CPs), wrote a new draft, queried a few agents, and watched two webinars! All while working from home, educating from home, and entertaining two toddlers! Next up… the world!!
I was hit with the writing bug and wrote two new drafts. Very excited!! Love the button!
I love that new badge!!
What a wonderful new badge. I seem to have been frozen in time by this isolation and am getting little accomplished, but now and then I manage a little. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Thanks for the post.
My writing really helped me get through this month – it helped me to “get away” from the quarantine – and dive into my book! 🙂
Revision, yes! New draft, not yet.
I completed a draft but it was a project I’d started in January.
I love the new badge! It lifts my spirits. I finished a draft this month, sent it out to critique partners and revised it through two rounds based on comments from my partners. I also have been watching lots of fabulous webinars, researching agents for various manuscripts and sending out queries. Received some rejections, but still remain in a positive place while I wait on others. Really am enjoying getting into my craft. I’m trying to really put myself out there and write more about what really is close to my heart.
I have finished a PB MS and am researching my next nonfiction and send off three queries. I have a radio interview coming up on 5-11-20 discussing my latest PB and being a children’s author! We are staying strong this spring here in Minnesota. We have a strong, smart leader as governor.
Thank you for that new button! I was feeling disappointed that I wasn’t going to earn one this month. So, to move my writing I analyzed and reviewed 2 picture books, came up with 3 new PB ideas, and reread a first draft of PB that I wanted to revise this month, but didn’t find the time or energy to actually complete. I love this community and feeling connected during this time!
I think being in lockdown has helped me stay somewhat focused instead of running out of the house all the time. I have been watching webinars, reading books on YouTube, and sent a few queries and entered a couple of contests! Also, managed to squeeze out a very rough first draft of a pb! Love the new badge idea!
I’ve used my time to watch many 12 x 12 webinairs and that has made me feel productive even thought I have written very little. And watching Mac Barnett read his books online every day has been a highlight. I love that the new badge reflects our new reality. Thanks for helping us recognize that there are alot of things we can do to enrich our writing even if we aren’t putting fingers to keyboard!
Although this pandemic has been very stressful, I did manage to write a new draft, and couple of revisions. I actually buried myself in my writing. Maybe it was me moving the needle to cope?
Julie, you are an inspiration. I love the idea of the new badge. You always seem to come up with something to cheer me when I’m having a down day. It’s been a tough month but I did manage to scrape through with a new draft and some revision too, and researched agents – even though my confidence is shot to bits right now with more rejections and not much new inspiration, I’ve made do something every day – even if it’s just reading one picture book. And just remember Julie, you are always totally rocking it!
It was a tough month but I managed a rough draft and also a few revisions. My biggest accomplishment was finishing my website. I hope to start May with a bang and do two rough drafts. Being outside more has helped to lift my spirits. I also have to say the contests on twitter have been a real morale booster.
Thank you Julie for inspiring us yet again with a new badge, and for the encouraging post. I am amazed at all you have been doing, and have been listening to your mini-lessons while out for walks.
I have actually been using this time to try to research more agents, and sent a query outside the 12×12 group, which was declined, but that just makes me feel more like a real author.
I took my first plunge at posting on the manuscript and dummy sections on the forum, and have since edited the dummy twice, and wrote a very rough new draft.
I’m grateful for this community, thank you for hosting us all.
I had a pretty okay month writing-wise (mostly b/c my regular job has majorly decreased hours, so I used the time to write–though three kids at home isn’t providing much normal time!!) I did revisions on several manuscripts and I did manage a new draft!! I sat outside my kids’ bedrooms one night and drafted out an idea I’d had for a few months.
Thank you for this inspiration! I have been blessed with the ability to write and revise. It makes me feel alive. I feel for those who can’t. But like you said, it’s okay either way.
It’s been a month of revision and writing but getting to the finish line by submitting was a first for me.
This has been such a crazy time but for some reason, I’ve been busy with my writing. I believe it’s because of my critique group. I feel part of something and we’re all counting on each other to be there so it’s lit a fire under me. I just hope that no one is feeling bad if they aren’t inspired right now. There’s no right or wrong during a pandemic. Just do what makes you feel best right now. As all writers know…it does come eventually!
I managed one revision and one draft this month. Woohoo!
The new button is perfect! I actually managed to get some writing done amidst all of the other not so productive moments! On to May good folks. 🙂
Moving the needle. That’s what it’s all about. I only got a revision done this month. Plus lots of scribbled ideas for a complete revision of an existing story, too, that will most likely end up looking like a brand new story. But it’s not a new idea, so that doesn’t count. Best wishes to everyone as they try to maintain momentum, gather momentum, or just pull a toe out of the muck with the intent of making progress.
Has it really been 6 wks since we went into lockdown/stay at home? I feel as if April just began now -whoosh-it’s May!! Yet somehow in all the chaos, I found my writing voice again, calmly & quietly waiting for me. Thank goodness!
April flew by for me. I wrote a draft, revised, and did research for a project. I appreciate the webinars and workshops! Feeling thankful for the kidlit community.
The “I moved the needle” badge is great! Now I’m going to have to scour my memory of the eternal last month to see if I’ve done anything deserving of requesting it. I did not write a new draft. I did not revise a ms. Think! Think! Think! …
Since I’ve been furloughed, I’ve had much extra time to write in the past few weeks. I have revised several manuscripts and have written two new ones. I’ve gotten into a nice groove and hope that it continues for a long time. I’m really enjoying my time creating!
WHAT a month! Somebody moved my cheese! (In fact, they moved all of my cheeses…). Thankful for an encouraging tribe and a place to come hang out and be inspired! Thanks for all you’ve done, 12×12’ers, Julie, and Kelli, to keep us going. Cheerleaders! Here’s to a better May!
April was a sloooow month due to medical issues and trying to figure how best to take care of myself without actually going to a Drs office or hospital which I am not willing to do unless it’s a life or death emergency… have been doing everything through Telemed visits which I like. I ended up writing a draft based on an old Storystorm idea. I also revised one of my older Storystorm stories.