As Barry Manilow sings, “It’s just another New Year’s Eve.”But, as we know, it’s also the end of another year of 12 x 12. I think Barry strikes the right mix between bittersweetness and optimism. However, since it’s also the end of one decade and the beginning of another, I say we grab the optimism and go! Congratulate yourself for being here and for all you’ve accomplished, both big and small (just like we do in the dance parties). You are doing the work. You are showing up for yourself and others. You are moving forward, however twisty the path might be.
To all of you who won this year’s challenge, HUGE congratulations! I stand in awe of you for that achievement. To all who didn’t make it to 12 drafts, congratulations to you too, because you showed up, and 99% of you wrote more than you would have on your own. We are stronger together, and certainly more sane. 🙂 This line of work takes courage on every level and, in my completely unbiased opinion, nobody has more of it than a 12 x 12 member!
As for me, I did not write a new draft this month. I thought about knocking one out this morning so I report one in this post, but the truth is, I’m more in the headspace of closing down 2019 and leaving behind what I no longer need or want. I’m ready for a new year, a new beginning, come what may.
My door will be open to you all in 2020 and beyond. I hope to see you back in 12 x 12, but even if your path heads in a different direction, know that you’ve made a difference. To me and everyone in the challenge. As always, my cup of gratitude for YOU, the 12 x 12 members, runneth so far over it’s getting to be a flood. 😉
Now, what about you?
Tell us your progress. Did you complete a draft and/or revision in December? Let us know in the Rafflecopter and in the comments. December Featured Author Dan Marvin is offering a signed copy of his book BUT I DON’T EAT ANTS and candy with real bugs inside!
Thank you, Dan, for this creepy, crawly prize!
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 Copy of BUT I DON’T EAT ANTS” at the top.
- Click on the “Comment on Dan’s post” button. Commenting on Dan’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 December. 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 December. If you did, click ENTER. If not, click cancel and move on to the next step.
- That’s it! Rafflecopter will track your points.
You have until midnight Eastern on January 5th to enter your results. Rafflecopter will draw a winner and it will be announced on the blog on January 6th.
WINNERS WALL 2019! If you wrote 12 drafts this year, email Kelli at kelli@juliehedlund.com by midnight tonight (12/31) with your picture and your draft total to be included on this year’s 12 x 12 Winners Wall!
14 Responses
2019 plunged me into a major family crisis. The ordeal isn’t over, but I’ve managed to hang onto inspiration from my 12×12 membership and my fabulous writing community. I look forward to getting my writing grove back on track. Wishing everyone a happy, healthful new year.
I finished out the year having a fair month… I wrote one draft of a STORYSTORM idea, and have 2 more simmering away on the back burner.
I also revised 2 chapters of “Footprints in the Snow,” as well as a STORYSTORM draft that deals with Halloween
Great writing year! 14 new drafts. 6 major revisions to older stories. Buckets of ideas. Got an agent. Lost an agent, but learned so much and am ready to give it a go in 2020. Happy New Year!
I didn’t write 12 drafts this year, but I definitely DID write more than I would have otherwise! And I wrote & revised in December, so I feel like I ended the year on a strong note. Can’t wait to start 2020 with 12×12 soon!
Thank you for an amazing two years in 12×12. While I’m sad to not be a part of this group in 2020, I appreciate the journey it has brought me on and hope to stay in touch! xo, Rebekah
Oh and on top of getting to know an amazing community, I did manage to write 12+ drafts each of the two years I’ve been involved. The webinars have been wonderful, too! It’s been amazing and I’m looking forward to polishing and exploring those drafts further. Thank you Julie, Kelli, and the entire 12×12 community!
Didn’t get a new draft done but I did revise. So that’s something. 2020 is going to be so much better.
Thank you, Julie and Kelli, and the 12 x 12 community of fellow writers. Your support is invaluable. I’m looking forward to 2020!
I didn’t get another draft written but I revised several manuscripts. Excited for 2020!
I finished the year with 13 drafts, some with author notes and other back matter. I so appreciate all the comments from the 12 x12 community. In 2020 I hope to reflect on those comments more deeply and really polish the stories I have. And I’m sure there will be a few new stories as well. (Already have one idea to work on.) Many thanks to all those who commented on my drafts and special thanks to Julie, Kelli, and all involved in creating and maintaining this vibrant writing community.
My 4 YO daughter is a picky eater, so I think this would be a great book to share with her!
In 2020 I want to type up all the drafts I write. That way I will have them ready in my computer.
Love the title of the book!
I finished the year with 13 drafts. The 13th snuck in as a companion to the 12th which is a concept book, while I was revising it and thinking there was NO way I would have enough to fill 14 page-spreads in the 12th. I surprised myself, thanks to the push to meet the revision goal with brainstorming. The temptation is real to use this 13th ms as my 1st draft for 2020, 😉 but I suppose I can hold back and give myself room to tap into a well of ideas that I’m sure has gone dry. I’m up for more surprises! Thanks Julie, and 12×12!