Do You Want to Write 12 Picture Books in 12 Months? | Learn More!

12 x 12 February 2015 Check-In!

Brrrr… That’s how the weather’s been here in February. But great for writing! Or rather, for me, revising. I didn’t complete a new draft in February, but I did revise THREE manuscripts, two of which are now on submission. So I call that a successful month!

Now tell us about you. Did you complete a draft and/or revision in February? Let us know in the comments and in the Rafflecopter. Remember, one lucky 12 x 12 member will win a picture book critique from our very own Jodi Moore. Good luck to YOU!

Here is what you need to do to check in for a chance to win a Picture Book Critique from Jodi Moore:

  1. See the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post that says “Picture Book Critique from Jodi Moore” at the top.
  2. Click on the “Comment on Jodi’s Blog Post” button. It will reveal the task, which is to comment on the featured blog post. Commenting on the featured post is mandatory and gets you one point even if you didn’t complete a draft in February. If you haven’t yet commented, click here to do so. Then click ENTER on that option in Rafflecopter, which will then open the next two options.
  3. Click on the “Wrote a PB Manuscript” button. This will ask if you completed a PB draft in February. If you did, click ENTER, if you did not, move on to the next step.
  4. Click on the last “Revised a PB Manuscript” button. This will ask if you revised a PB in February. If you did, click ENTER. If not, move on to the next step.
  5. Submit your entry. Rafflecopter will track your points.

You have until midnight Eastern on March 1st to enter your results. Rafflecopter will draw a winner and I’ll announce it on the blog on March 2nd.

Now go create some magic! You’ve got this!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share This Post:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Recent Posts

130 Responses

  1. Lot’s of revisions this month, but alas, no new draft. . . .but I feel good about my revisions. And I wrote a poem for the March Madness Poetry contest and got in! I call that success indeed!

    1. Hi Debra,
      You wrote a POEM for March Madness? Well, please send it on. I bet you are a basketball fan, too!
      Poets are excused from the run-of-the-mill writing exercises because when you write EVERY WORD COUNTS! (unlike us prose people.
      Good luck,
      Joan

  2. Hi, everyone! I revised a PB ms, converting it into a short story and submitted it to Cricket last week. I also subbed to a poetry contest. I’ll take that poem and rewrite as a PB this month!!!

  3. It has been my most prolific PB month ever. I wrote 3 new PB drafts this month and revised a couple of those and a couple of other ones. I particularly enjoyed writing my first nonfiction PB, which I’ve just submitted for an upcoming retreat.
    The 12 x 12 community has been a great resource and motivator!

  4. Revised and revised a PB manuscript to within an inch of its life… I think it’s ready to submit! No new PB drafts but several MG chapters achieved. Looking forward to writing a new PB in March.

  5. I am glad I joined this group. I am hoping to win a critique one of these months but more importantly, I am writing and writing and writing. I revised an old manuscript this month too. So thank you Julie and all of you.

  6. Well, I rewrote a picture book draft–but the same one I rewrote in January 🙂 And, of course, I’m not sure if the changes are making it better or worse!

  7. Wow! Everyone is doing so great. I am joining the ranks of pb revisors! Yay! Now it needs some crit. Also did a draft. The idea is fun, but it reads like a giant brick- with a thud. Ah well! It’s a start!
    Happy writing and illustrating!

  8. This month I started right away on an MS that had been bouncing around in my head for quite a while and wrote myself into corner and then into a wall. Finally had to abandon that idea for now and start a new MS that just came to life as I worked on it.

  9. Thanks for always posting the link to the 12×12 Author Spotlight post, Julie…somehow, with all the emails I get, I often miss it, where it not for your reminder…and that would be a great loss because they are always brilliant!
    We’ve been blanketed, or might I say, smothered with snow here in New Hampshire…not good for driving…but perfect for writing and revising. I did write a pb draft…as well as an early reader one (I’m participating in the Word by Word Book Club FB group and we are studying Nancy Sanders’ Yes You Can Write Early Readers and Chapter Books…great info and she gives wonderful writing prompts at the end of every chapter.
    I also revised (with the help of many critique partners’ feedback) one of my non fiction picture book manuscripts…Ready, Set…GO! (somewhere with it) 😉

    1. Hi Vivian, Your post caught my eye for two reasons, here in VA we got 10 inches of snow and everythng stopped. I wanted to tell you that so you could laugh at us “southerners” down here. The other reason is that you mentioned a FB writing group. Since i don’t have a critique group at this point, you have given me the idea to get onto facebook (or perhaps another site) and find a group on line! So thank you so much.

    1. Forgot to comment on Jodi Moore’s book trailer and article. The illustrations were such a great match to the story and the imaginary friend is something many parents understand. I appreciate her honesty on the first group of REJECTIONS… i have not sent any out so i have not gotten any back but I appreciate her journey and it inspires us to WRITE ON….

  10. Very happy to have one draft and one revision! I used the week-long February break from my “day job” to focus on my writing. I am happy with the result. YAY!

  11. I didn’t get to finish a draft this month, but I am so much closer to finishing one, actually two, that my goal is to finish two in March. Thank you for your support all 12×12 ers!

  12. Well, I’m barely getting all this done. Waiting til the last of the month is not something that I want to become a habit, lol! I’ll definitely get this started much earlier in the coming month. But I have revised an existing manuscript and written a very rough draft of an Inuit folktale. Happy February 12×12!

  13. I’m so excited! I’m getting more done since I joined 12 x 12 than I’ve done in a long time. This month I finished two drafts, edited one of those, and completed an outline for a new picture book. This is so much fun!

  14. I finished TWO this month — to mek up for dropping the ball in January. AND did lots of revisions on two others. Oh yeah: and did some GREAT query editing thanks to all the good tips.
    (There are SOME upsides to being homebound and unable walk…)

  15. Thanks to serious peer pressure from 12×12, I DID write a new PB ms from an idea that has been kicking around in my head for a long time now. And completed a total revision (it’s much better!), plus a half . . . plus a magazine article! Grateful for the support.

  16. So happy to have been abandoned in a quiet house this afternoon. The five lines I wrote on Thursday morning have now become my February draft! Planning a new strategy to clean up this messy draft. I’m going to plug the text into a PB template now, then build/cut the story as needed.

  17. I revised one manuscript, and spent way to long thinking about and outlining my new manuscript so I didn’t get it written this month. I am close though so I will write two manuscripts in March to make up for it.

  18. I’ve been SO inspired by this wonderful community! I submitted four manuscripts in February for critique – all new stories since January. Being in 12×12 last year was all about learning the ropes, but, this year, it’s all about making it happen!!! Best wishes, everyone!

  19. I only completed two revisions this month. Working on a new draft for next month already. I am very excited to keep up the momentum.

  20. Love the motivation this brings to “git ‘er done.” My manuscript is so much healthier after listening to the offered webinars and suggestions… Then scrambling to beat the 28th deadline

  21. I finished a February draft, and I’m trying to figure out how to revise my January draft! Also submitted a hook to the forum and am working on my query after trying to absorb all of Emma’s tips! Thanks 12×12!

  22. I agree, Jodi – that’s definitely a successful month! Congratulations and best of luck with the manuscripts that have left the nest…

    I finished a VERY rough draft – yay (well, sort of), made major changes to one manuscript, and small edits to several others. After getting feedback from my mentor, it looks like I have another story lined up for significant updates (upgrades :)) this month. It’s been challenging to try to juggle all the balls, but also a lot of fun!

    Write on!

  23. I did it, and on time too. I revised a manuscript I had previously taken to my critique group. I submitted that to one of the agents here (I’m Golden). Then a wrote a fresh one for my next in-person group session. I also organized all of my ideas from years of PiBoIdMo and reviewed relevant notes from recent writers conferences. I’m ready to roar into March. Thanks for being here everyone. The energy is palpable.

  24. I have been a fan of Jodi’s since her first book came out and I met her at the State College Barnes and Noble. I love her enthusiasm and optimism. She is a gem! I love her reminder of surrounding ourselves with positive people. I can already tell the folks in this 12 x 12 challenge are a wonderful, caring group. I was able to complete a draft of a manuscript this month, albeit a rough draft. 🙂

  25. February a good month. Have 2 new drafts completed and 1 revision. Had submitted a short story to a competition but was up against 6500 entries. Started revising it to send out to other options for publishing.

  26. Whew! just made it. So happy you have a link for the month’s special featured post as I keep forgetting to leave a comment. Just written of new pb draft.. yeek! it needs work.

  27. Looking back in February I can’t believe I made it, but two very ROUGH drafts are out of my head, and I managed to revise three other manuscripts. This would not have happened without 12×12 and this wonderful community!

  28. I had a very productive month with one draft written and three revised with all of them just about to enter into the KBR unpublished PB manuscript comp for Australian writers. It’s definitely helping inspire me being part of this wonderful community!

  29. I revised one PB and began a draft on a second. Lots of reading PBs/MGs & reading about writing, but most of February was setting up my website/blog and writing a handful of articles to fill that up a bit before I go live next week. 12 X12 has really helped me focus on writing! Thanks everyone!

  30. One manuscript and one revision. And lots of reading. 12X12 inspires me to keep on going. I can´t believe I made it! Hopefully I’ll be able to keep it up for the rest of the year 🙂

  31. I have several manuscripts going at once and I made some progress on four of them. I also started one new one too. It’s a very rough first draft but I guess that counts.

  32. Life was well lived in February on our farm, however, it precluded me from writing until today. I wanted to hit my goal, so I looked over my PiMoIdMo ideas from 2013. One caught my fancy and I was able to write a rough draft today! Congrats to all who hit their goals in February. To those who didn’t, keep going forward!

  33. I have an incomplete draft and did some revision work as well. I am also continuing to add story ideas to my list.

  34. Completed my February draft and still revising. Very proud to have my fist one complete. Feeling accomplished. Thank you 12×12! 🙂

  35. Truly this was a mentally distracting month for me. As Julie stated, winter arrived. It is the shortest month in the year and seemed to last the longest. I have to be honest, I limped through but I made it and I think my writing shows that. I don’t ever want to experience this again.
    Lift your glasses with me. Here’s to Marching On.

  36. I finished a very rough draft today, but I’m excited to see where it’s going to take me. I also revised a manuscript although it was a very small revision. I was inspired by Julie’s advice to make sure every word earns its keep.

  37. It’s been a good month, and I don’t say that lightly. Multiple revisions and several new manuscripts. Definitely tiara-worthy.

  38. I wrote a draft for a story that was one of my PiBoIdmo ideas from last year and dusted off and revised a manuscript that I hadn’t looked at in about 6 years. It still needs plenty of work but it made me realise how much I have learned since then. I think I cut at least 200 words!

  39. OMG, I almost almost almost missed this and it’s only the 2nd deadline. Wrote so much this month but NOT an entire children’s picture-book manuscript. Had one 3/4 of the way done so I pulled it out and… done like dinner!

    Thanks for giving me that final push!

  40. February was a busy month. I actually got two drafts done, revised one and a half and working an my YA novel. I am terribly behind tough on my critique groups, but I will catch up. That all done despite traveling to NYC for the conference (EXCELLENT) and from there to Munich, Germany to be with family. Oh, my!

  41. Thank you for the 12 x 12 videos!! Worked on revisions this month. My goal is to complete another manuscript in March. Love the motivation.

  42. Completed a new manuscript for February and worked furiously to revise two previous drafts. The ideas are easy; it’s the refining that takes me forever!

  43. I wrote a new draft and revised two! Wahoo! I started a new draft for March, too, but it’s in rhyme and might be the death of me…Good job everyone for so many drafts completed!

  44. I did write a draft this month but am feeling discouraged from a critique I received on one of my other stories.

  45. I did it! I did it! I am so excited about my draft! Thank you to Julie Hedlund and all the 12X12ers and especially the wonderful Mary Worley, my writing buddy! The illustrations have begun and the only hard thing will be moving on to the next draft while I’m still so excited about this one.

  46. I had a great month with 12×12. I wrote two PB drafts and learns lots at the forum. I am excited about what the year will bring!

  47. Made LOTS of headway revising two different works this month, and was able to pound out a draft of a story that had been churning around in my head for ages!!! Thanks 12×12

  48. I wrote 2 drafts and dug in deep to revisions on another. I’m looking forward to joining a critique group and jumping in the wave of enthusiasm!

  49. I’m really pleased with my work so far this year. It’s amazing how far a little encouragement can take you!

  50. No new draft … yet. But another revision and ideas for additional revisions. I love how this challenge keeps me connected to my passion. When life gets busy, it’s so easy to let the months slip by. Not. This. Year. Thanks 12 x 12.

  51. I worked a BUNCH on several picture books (all on the same general topic – I thought it was one PB, but it appears to be quite a few), but I did not finish a draft on any of them, so I’m not entering the Rafflecopter other than for the comment on the post. Still, it was a VERY productive month, so I’m not complaining. Jodi’s post was WONDERFUL. Thanks so much!

  52. Wrote a draft earlier this month. It wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t joined 12×12. Means so much to be part of this community.

  53. Two down, and 10 more to go! 12 x 12 rocks!!

    Things have eased up a little around here although I am still dealing with computer problems and medical issues with my hands, as for the unpacking I have eased up on that to give the hands a rest.

    I wrote 1 historical PB draft and revised 4 existing manuscripts, one of which I submitted to one of the February 12 x 12 agents.

  54. sad to say no new draft, but, hey February was a short month…so it doesn’t count right!…working on a revision, and a new draft…hopefully soon! 🙂

  55. One new draft and TONS of revising this month! March is crazy busy, so I hope I can keep up the momentum!

  56. Wrote a new draft at the beginning of February that I’m still pretty excited about. Let’s go, March!

  57. We each will get something different from 12 x 12. Thanks Jodi for participating. I know I’m happy to be here.
    Nina

  58. All these snow days off from school made it a good writing month! I revised three manuscripts and wrote the author’s notes for a completed manuscript. Getting ready to send that one out! Love being productive!

  59. In February I wrote a new draft and revised another pb. Since March I have made several revisions to my January draft. 12×12 is the best thing to happen to me regarding my writing. Thanks so much.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter for Free Resources

Interested in Joining the 12x12 Challenge?

Financial Need Scholarship Guidelines

All applications will be accepted via email only between November 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023 at kelli@juliehedlund.com.

Subject line of the email:

  1. 12 x 12 Financial Need Scholarship
 

Please include the following in the body of the email:

  1. An autobiographical statement and career summary in 250 words or fewer.
  2. A short statement describing the nature of the financial need/circumstances in 250 words or fewer.
  3. A sample query letter for the manuscript you are submitting with your application.
  4. Pitches for two additional completed picture books.
 

 Attached to the email:

  1.  The full text of one picture book manuscript, attached as a Word document named as FIN_YourFirstName_YourLastName_Title_of_Manuscript.doc (or docx).