Writing came to me at the end of my teaching career…the perfect gift to continue to touch children’s lives and live a meaningful life. What I didn’t realize as I started out was that to stay on this path one basically needed two things – commitment and perseverance.
I came from a career that depended on immediacy, into the world of publishing that required you to have patience and wait, and wait, and wait some more! But I was willing to give it a try and I jumped right in. However, it took some time to get used to not only the waiting, but the rejection.
In the twenty years of writing, I’ve collected well over 2,000 rejections. Yes, you are reading that correctly. I definitely have the perseverance down. I submitted widely until I became agented. And I committed. I joined SCBWI, took workshops, joined critique groups (I’m presently in five of them.) I didn’t join 12 x 12 when I first learned of it, because honestly, I’m self-motivated and didn’t think I needed that push to write, that I initially thought was what 12×12 offered. But I remember when I decided to join. I was at Highlights Foundation for Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple’s Picture Book Boot Camp. This was for published authors only. On the last day the authors were called for photographs. Someone asked to take a 12 x 12 group picture. Almost everyone there got in the photo. I thought to myself, well if all these successful published picture book authors are in 12 x 12, I want to be there too! Commitment! We need to be committed to our craft, the journey, the community, and the art of the picture book.
What I didn’t realize at the time was all the other benefits of this group. And I can’t have enough community with so much of my time spent alone with words. I was particularly impressed with the quick responses of helpful writers when I asked a question in the Facebook forum. And it’s so comforting to know that though my journey might be my own, we all have similarities that can help bring each other a sense of calm and understanding when we know we are not alone.
12 x 12 helps us with our commitment to this crazy but roller-coasty-always- shifting life of a #kidlit writer. And my own journey continues to show me how perseverance pays off. Yesterday my sixth book came into the world. I believed in this title. I continued to revise, submit, revise, submit.
Almost one hundred rejections and about ten years after I was inspired to draft this story, TRUCKER KID, Capstone, illustrated by Russ Cox, entered the world yesterday, January 1, 2023. Much changed in this manuscript, including the title. During Covid, I had seen for myself the importance of trucks during this difficult time. I was moved to pull out the manuscript and add in back matter to show how we rely on trucks. I did some tightening, yet again, and this ended up being one of three manuscripts that helped me secure my first agent.
And it came out at the perfect time. It needed one agent, one editor to believe in it like I did. That’s all it takes. And it’s a reminder to trust and believe in the process. Not every book I write, and I’ve written more than 120 at this point, will be published. I’ve learned that. Publishers are looking for books that will sell, fill a need, make the world a better place…and make them money!
TRUCKER KID focuses on Athena, who is proud of her truck-driving father but misunderstood by her classmates for her love of all things trucking. By reading an early review I learned that this book also shows how attitudes can be changed through education. Athena explains about trucking and the other students listen and understand, rather than make fun of her. I hadn’t thought about that layer!
I’m also excited to highlight an often-overlooked career and touch the lives of the 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States and their families. One such family sat next to me in a restaurant 10 years ago and inspired this story. I got in touch with the dad when I first drafted the story and then just before the book came out. Little Athena, who went trucking with her dad, is now 12 years old. He sent me a photo or her and was so excited to know it did become a book. They should be receiving their copy any day now. Imagining them opening the package fills me with those joyous highs of being a children’s author and gratitude for sustaining the needed perseverance and commitment it takes for this undertaking.
Thank you to all in the 12 x 12 community, who continue to nurture us individually and as a group through our writing, disappointments, promoting, and good news. Happy 2023! May it be a good year for everyone, professionally and personally.
Here’s the book trailer for Trucker Kid – a family endeavor put together by my husband with an original song by my brother-in-law:
For our first check-in of the year, Carol is offering one lucky 12 x 12 member a non-rhyming picture book critique! Start off strong with a new draft in January!
Ready to join 12 x 12 in 2023? New member registration begins January 9th. Click here to be notified!
Returning members check your email for registration dates.
344 Responses
Thanks for this inspiring post, Carol! A perfect start for 2023! Congratulations on TRUCKER KID!
Thank you, Melissa!
Thank you for your honesty in sharing how many rejections you received…that helps to put the work we do into perspective and how dedicated we must be to succeed!
Wonderful to hear of another teacher who became a children’s book author! We have so many stories and so much understanding of young children. Thank you for sharing you story and stories with us!
Oh my, Carol. You have shared a very inspiring post to this fellow retired teacher who started writing in retirement! You have inspired me to keep going. Thank you!
Nancy, isn’t it wonderful to be able to continue communicating with children through our writing? You must persevere!
This post made me happy. It seems there are quite a lot of us former-teachers-now-writers. We’re a force to reckon with because we have 12X12.
Carol,
Thank you for your inspiring story!! It really lifted me up. I too am a retired teacher and renewed my love of writing picture books and have taken it to the next level. Not published yet, but have hope and an agent. I really needed your story as we begin another year.
My stories too, come from life observed and experienced. There’s magic in those stories.
Julia Wilder Banta
Writing is the best use of retirement time! Keep hanging in there. This business demands perseverance.
Carol, thank you so much for sharing your story! I’m so glad you never gave up. Congratulations on your publishing success thus far and wishing you many more published books in the near future!
Thank you, Lauri!
Such an inspiring post to persevere! I feel like your main character and mine would have a blast together- my debut, Big Truck Playdate, comes out in March!
Our books make great picture book pairings! Congrats to you, Laurie!
Wow truly inspiring and how synchronistic it all came to be in the end! Love it. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Effie!
Carol, I love this post because it shows how believing in yourself AND embracing a community of writers are ways to keep on truckin’ on this writing road! Congratulations on TRUCKER KID!
Carol, I love this post because it shows how believing in yourself AND embracing a community of writers are ways to keep on truckin’ on this writing road! Congratulations on TRUCKER KID!
And I believed in this manuscript! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Lisa!
Thank you for this helpful and encouraging post. Trucker Kid looks fantastic. I can’t wait to read it.
You captured so well the essence of what it means to be a writer – especially a #kidlit writer and how we all support, encourage and learn from each other. Your story of perseverance renewed my motivation to keep on keeping on. Thank you and congratulations on the birth of Trucker Kid.
Thank you, Judy!
So exciting and what a great topic for a book! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing how perseverance and commitment paid off! Congrats on all your success, Carol!
Thank you, Heather! 🙏🏻
Wow, Carol! How exciting to have everything falling into place after working so hard! Congrats on your agent, and on this fabulous book…as well as others to come. How fabulous that you’ve written 120 manuscripts in that time! WOW! Such dedication to your craft, and such a keen mind to have all those stories you’ve woven come to life. May 2023 be your best year yet.
Thank you, Elayne. I hope 2023 is a great year for us all!
Congratulations, Carol! And thank you for your inspiration. I’ve been seriously working at it for about six years. Many times I’ve considered giving up, but stories like yours continue to move me forward. Thank you!
Rose, you can not give up! You know from CTC that it takes the time it takes. I believe in the process.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing your journey and your success with Trucker Kid. My grandsons will love this book. And thank you for reminding me to persevere and never give up. I have been writing for three years and 12×12 has been there for me from the start.
Best wishes for continued success for you!
Thanks, Jeannette! And hang in there. At only 3 years in, you’re a newbie!
Thanks, Carol. I’m always amazed when writers share their number of rejections. But that’s what keeps the rest of us going. And you’re right about 12×12 being a community. Lots of great people here, both presenters and members.
Thank you, Carol. I really appreciated hearing your very inspiring story. Love the book trailer!
Such an inspiring start to January. Congrats, Carol, on a book that really did need to be written. Can’t wait to get a copy! I love the pages you shared and the fantastic video! Hearing about your journey fills me with joy – and the hope that everyone’s day will come, if they work and persist and believe in their stories. Happy new year!
Thank you, Marty! We must remain hopeful. I hope 2023 is a great year for you.
Hi Carol, thanks for sharing the path that took Trucker Kid from concept to published. I was particularly struck by how you regrouped and added a page about the role that truckers play in moving goods across our country.
This looks like such a fun read. What a great trailer!
Dear Carol,
So here we are at the same crossroad Teacher/Author but at different stages of our lives and definitely at distinct levels of our craft.
What fascinates me about the story behind the story of your books, is the way you listen to words of others; come up with an idea and generate a story. It happened in “Trucker Kid” ( a family sitting beside you in a restaurant), “You Know What” (listening to a boy in the row in front of you in an airplane), “Where Am I Sleeping Tonight” (listening to your student).
Good luck with you book! You have touched the heart of so many truck drivers and their families, and to think that you have never been on a truck. The trailer is so awesome, fabulous family cooperation with your husband and brother in law.
Wow, the Activity Sheet for your books ( once a Teacher, always a Teacher) is so powerful. I can just see you in front of a huge paper glued to the wall, brainstorming activities for every learning area.
Eva, you are so sweet! I appreciate your kind comments.
I used to live next to a husband and wife trucking team. They were passionate about what they do, just like everyone else that loves their work. It’s an important field, and fun that there is a picture book highlighting that now.
Thanks for sharing that, Marni!
Thanks so much for the inspiration, Carol–I’ve been feeling dejected lately, so thanks so much for the reminder that it takes just one agent or editor! I can’t wait to read your book!!
I was so happy to see you chosen for this author highlight! I met you at my first Monday Mingle, and have been inspired by your messages of perseverance and commitment. I, too, am a retired teacher. When leaving the classroom, I missed sharing books with my students and writing with them. Now I have more time to devote to my own writing. I’m still in the hunt for an agent, and in the meantime, keep writing, adding to my collection of stories. Congratulations on being honored this way (and for all of your publishing successes)!
Thank you, Lori, for reading the post and commenting. I’m so happy I helped inspire you. And I love Monday Mingles – more community, more ways to share our passions with like-minded folks.
I love your story, what a wonderful picture book! I am also a retired teacher, and love writing stories now. Congratulations!
Thank-you Carol for your message of commitment and perseverance. And also for the fact that writing picture books came after retirement. It has for me too, and I pray that if I keep on trucking in this endeavour, I too will be able to write and bring my stories into the world. One of them will be published Spring 2024, so that’s an encouraging start.
Congrats on your upcoming book!
Congratulations, Carol! Thank you for sharing the importance of commitment and perseverance in our journeys to publication. You give me hope!
So glad to hear!
What a cute and important story you have written! This is a great topic that isn’t discussed often. Truckers are so important to our everyday lives. I think it is so neat that you have sent a copy to the family that inspired this book.
I think my word and theme of 2023 is going to be “perseverance” because it is so necessary to not lose heart and to keep trying in this industry. Thank you for your advice! And congratulations!
The waiting and rejection are all part of the process. Thank you for your kind words.
Wonderful post, Carol! Congratulations on all of your successes!
Thanks, Cathy. It’s been lovely sharing the journey with you, critique buddy!
Thanks for sharing some challenges and successes. What a journey! It’s always so interesting to hear the story behind the book. I can only imagine Athena’s delight in knowing she and her family were your inspiration. Congratulations!
I think we all need to hear the challenges AND the successes. I love hearing about authors’ journeys. Thanks for commenting.
Congratulations Carol! I am very inspired by your journey to becoming a published author!
Carol, what a wonderful book and inspirational post! My oldest brother was a truck driver for many years. I can’t wait to show him and his family this book! I’m a retired educator like you and I am going to keep on truckin’ with my writing career!
Keep spreading your magic!
Thank you, Lucy. I hope your brother and his family like it! And definitely keep on truckin’!
Thanks for the inspiration Carol. My journey with writing has followed a similar path. Loved the trailer!
Thank you, Mary!
Thank you, Carol! As a fellow former classroom teacher, I’m inspired by your journey!
Thank you, Amy!
Hi Carol, I am late with this, but posted on Facebook. I am inspired by your book, perseverance, and the importance of the story, it’s really truckers, bus drivers, postal workers, all kinds of people, who make everyone’s day and life run smoothly. Kids can learn from this. Congratulations on getting it out there, and truckloads of success to you!
Thank you Carol this reminds me of Big Truck, Little Island and I loved reading the story, This will work with teachers working
with communities and working truck days. I hope you get a great response from truckers and children who love to read about trucks and cars and what they do.
Working truck days? I don’t know what that is, but I’m intrigued! Thanks for commenting.
All my kids growing up loved trucks. Even the girls wanted to be truckers. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Diane.
Wow, Carol! What an amazing story–both your TRUCKER KID book–and the perseverance it took for you to get it published! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us and for encouraging all of us to keep persevering! Congratulations to you!
Thanks, Abby!
Thanks, Carol, for the inspiration to persevere! I’m in for the long haul—pun intended, lol. Congratulations on TRUCKER KID!
I loved the pun!!
As a teacher who reads picture books to children every day, it wasn’t until I began writing (and illustrating) that I truly appreciated all the talent, patience, and perseverance that goes into their creation. Congratulations Carol and thank you for reminding us of the importance of the incredible support we receive and offer to all in this amazing community of creatives! Best wishes on the success of TRUCKER KID!
Thanks, Michelle, and I love hearing about teachers who make picture books part of their teaching. I believe in their power!
From teaching to writing as a way to reach children, from immediacy to wait, wait, wait…this all sounds so familiar. Because of the similarities, this post was so inspirational! Thank you!
Thank you, Marcia!
Congrats on TRUCKER KID! Your journey is inspirational and the perfect read to start 2023. Thank you!
Thanks, Krissy! And I’d be so grateful to anyone who can leave me a review on Amazon. Authors need them!! So thanks in advance if you can.
Your story sounds so much like my own. Thank you for sharing it. It gives me hope and a reason to persevere!
Valerie, I love being a source of inspiration. Persevere!
You have great tenacity, Carol and it sure has paid off. Congrats on your newest book, TRUCKER.
Thanks, Dee!
CAROL, you are truly a Super Star when it comes to commitment and a “keep-on-truckin” attitude. The trek to publication is such a marathon. I relate to how you spend so much “time alone with words;” I do that quite often. And you’re spot on about the value of being part of the 12 x 12 Community. What a wealth of collected wisdom for all of us. As a pre-published author, I’m continually buoyed by the members’ sage advice and encouragement, especially on days when I’m most discouraged or pummeled with self-doubt. I congratulate you on your new book and will look for it on the shelves. Sending you energy for your continued success…
Thanks for your kind words and support, Marsha. Hang in there!!
This is so inspiring to stay with it for the long haul- pun intended. 🙂 Congratulations on Trucker Kid!
Thanks, Jen!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Carol! I love the idea that old stories can find a new place, and it gives me motivation to keep pushing with a manuscript that has had great feedback but feels like it’s on its 1,098,028 revision 😀
Keep pushing! It only takes one yes!
Thank you for sharing, Carol! The data you included about submissions and rejections really helps me as a newbie put things into perspective. Your commitment and perseverance are inspiring!
Emily, thanks for commenting. So exciting to be a newbie! Just have fun on the journey.
Happy to see your trucker story come to fruition, Carol. Your own long-haul story is inspiring.
It’s a long-haul story and I’m in it for the long-haul. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Nancy!
What a wonderful story idea and the timing of “when” it filled a need makes so much sense. Thank you for the perfectly practical advice on how to persevere–Gonna get a trucker to honk today for sure!
Smiles,
Allie
Allie, thanks for making me smile! I love the image of making a trucker honk!
Congratulations on your new book! Thanks for the story about your journey. It’s inspiring.
Thanks, Marcia!
I love everything about this post, Carol. I admire your persistence and perseverance and your book looks amazing. I am sure that it will become a kid favorite. The trailer is fabulous! Wishing you much success.
Thank you, Claire. I appreciate your stopping by with such sweet comments!
Thank you for writing this book about such an imoirtant career, Trucking. My nephew is a long haul trucker and it is grueling. I also love what a great listener you are and how you transform those bits into stories. Very motivating.
Carol, sharing your journey to publication and beyond is truly encouraging to those of us who are still in the revise, submit and rejection phase of our careers. Congratulations on Trucker Kid! The book and trailer are delightful.
Thank’s for the inspiring post! Congratulations on Trucker Kid!
Carol, There are days when I feel as though I’m just getting nowhere – and then I read posts like this and am re-inspired to find my mojo and get back on track. I’m way behind this month, but trying hard to write every day! Thank you for the inspiration to keep on keepin’ on!
Thank you for your honest inspirational story. It helps to know that a successful published author has periods where life happens and the writing is put on hold. And yet she persisted!
I just posted my comment. Take 2.
I love that your story inspiration came from another family in a restaurant and that you stayed in contact with them! I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to get their copy! Congrats!
Carol, I’ve been cheering you on since I joined SCBWI 4 yrs ago and discovered your work. But we’ve also known each other for decades (!) via a mutual friend/cousin. I will not enter the giveaway as we have been in contact on a personal level — but besides being inspired by you I hope we can one day collaborate on a professional level (me amateur for now?)….
If “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, great things can soar like the seagulls of Brighton.
Carol,
I also started writing picture books after retiring from teaching. It’s a wonderful way to fill my days!
Thanks for an inspiring story!
Wow – Trucker Kid was exactly the right book at the right moment! Congratulations on seeing that and persevering.
❤️Thank you, Carol for sharing your journey with us. You are a great inspiration.❤️
❤️Thank you for sharing your journey. ❤️
Congratulations, Carol. This is such a good reminder to “keep on trucking.” 🙂
Carol, you struck my nerve… I, too, believe writing is my solo journey. I struggle to join groups like 12×12 for they are overwhelming. Inside, I get all giggly thinking about being part of critique groups and FB posts — excitement mounts — I read, surf the sites, engage in the posts, provide encouragement and (hopefully) helpful comments. Then, I shutdown. No writing gets done. Eventually, I retreat and return to my solo journey. This year… I will persist and thrive with 12×12. Thank you!
Very inspiring! Love the book!
WoW! This is an incredible journey and an amazing example of STAMINA we need to have as authors of kidlit.
I, too, wrote my first children’s book manuscript more than a decade ago and have a long list of ideas and other manuscripts. But, I’ve come to learn, we can’t do this in a vacuum. Community is the biggest part of our success, I feel. I really loved your story and the background on TRUCKER GIRL! Precious!
Well Done!
Hi Carol,
TRUCKER KID sounds like such a great book for children and their parents. Congrats on getting it out into the world. I saw and heard you last night at the NESCBWI Mingle so with Christy and Shawn so today it’s so nice to connect your face with your post. Thanks for sharing your writing journey with us and for letting us know that it’s ok to be rejected. We just need to continue to be persistent and hopeful. Best wishes!!!!
Thanks, Carmen, for reading the post. I hope I’ll see you again at the Monday Mingles!
Wonderful post! I always love the story behind the story :). Thanks for sharing!
Karen, Susan, Patricia, Marla, Robin, and Diane, thank you so much for reading the post and I wish you much joy and success in your own journeys!
I am so amazed at how you persevered. It’s difficult for me to look at rejections and not get bogged down by them, but hearing this story gives me hope. You’re also right that so many things in life are fast-paced, but the publishing world doesn’t seem to operate in the same speed, and it can be an adjustment. Thank you for the reminder to be patient and persevere!
Thank you for this post, Carol. I’m going to remember your words: “It needed one agent, one editor to believe in it like I did.” ❤️❤️
💛Thank you, Carol for sharing your journey. I too am a retired elementary educator. I have been writing for 13 years. I don’t have 2000 rejections, however. 💛
I love seeing how you found the extra layers to really make this story relevant and kept persevering! Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Carol,
I don’t do math but I did catch that you amassed 2,000 rejections and have written 120 manuscripts! I thought it was interesting that a COVID-inspired story led to you finding agency representation. It makes me think about how important timely stories are to the publishing industry. Thanks for sharing this!
Kim
Kim, this business is definitely a numbers game! Not everything we write will become a book, so you have to write a lot and submit often! Good luck in your journey.
It is good to know inspiration for a book can come in unexpected places. I had a dad with a job no kid understood either, so this was a great story for my kid heart to read.
Many congratulations, Carol!
Congrats on Trucker Kid! I like that it’s inspired by a true story, has a girl MC and includes an underrepresented family lifestyle. My sons had a favorite book about a cement mixer driver when they were little many years ago. Kids will love Trucker Kid.
Thanks for sharing your journey. You certainly have a lot of patience, perseverance and tenacity! I think it’s amazing that you took the time to submit your work to be rejected so many times – it’s a testimony to the importance of following your heart, having your goals in mind, and trusting yourself to get the job done well. Best wishes for your future books!
Thank you, Carol, for this wise, big-picture reminder!
Thank you for sharing your journey in children’s literature and publishing. Committment and perserverence that you showed brought forth a wonderful story. The emotions of the daughter finally being shared by her classmates was endearing.
Congratulations on TRUCKER KID, Carol! I bet it’s so cool for Athena to be the star of a book. 🙂
Thanks, Carol! Your story inspired a new occupation-driven PB idea for me.
Carol, I thoroughly loved reading about your teaching and writing journey. I read your post twice and jived to the cool song in your trailer for Trucker Kid. Congratulations. Trucker Kid does indeed fill a need and make the world a better place. I have just the person for your book.
Congratulations on TRUCKER KID! Thank you, Carol, for sharing your story. It is such an inspiration.
This was a great post in helping me to have a more realistic expectation. I have only had rejections. I guess I have a long time of persevering to go. I, too, have started later in life – after raising and homeschooling my nine children. Now I have also started a teaching career as a Montessori teacher. But I am determined to persevere and put in the work of a writer.
Thanks for sharing your CB writing journey, gives me hope!
Love The Trucker Kid shining light on so many overlooked essential workers. Such an important story to tell.
What an amazing story! Carol, you are such an inspiration. I absolutely LOVE the personal connection that ‘drove’ you to this story. Giving Athena such a prominent role in the story is genius! I am so glad you persevered! Thank you for sharing this.
Beth
Thanks, Elizabeth, for taking the time to comment.
Carol, thank you for giving us a peek at your writing journey. I am always interested in reading other authors backstories and yours is amazing. Over 2,000 rejections! I’m curious, did you count those agents & editors who did not reply or are they part of the 2,000? I applaud your “keep-on-truckin” attitude! Both of my cousins were long haul truckers and Linda, one of my high school classmates, became a trucker.
Like you I joined SCBWI, took online workshops, joined critique groups (actually, I had 3 critique groups of my own and was their moderator… Daydream Believers, The Storytellers Roundtable, and The Story Weavers) I also join the League of Vermont Writers (LVW) and was their Manuscript Critique Service Director for over 7 years). I then joined 12 x 12, Storystorm (which used to be PiBoIdMo aka Picture Book Idea Month), ChaBooCha (Chapter Book Challenge), and Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWriWee (National Picture Book Writing Week). I live in Vermont and the first 3 months of the year are usually crappy weatherwise, so it’s the perfect time to settle down with BIC and spend it with Storystorm, then 12 x 12, and later ChaBooCha.
The 2,000+ rejections were from a mix of editors and agents, and I’m sure I didn’t write everything down, so it’s probably more! And the ones who didn’t reply are counted. I just counted how many docs are in the “pitches” folder. Thanks for sharing your story! You obviously keep on truckin’ as well!
Carol,
Great picture book. So relatable to a kid’s curiosity about “big trucks”. I remember giving my grandson his first big truck. It was his go-to toy for months. He loved seeing big trucks on the highways. Your post was inspiring to me. Congratulations on your success!
Thanks, Marlena! I’m so glad my post inspired you.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep going in spite of the rejections. I love the respect and honor that Trucker Kid gives to a profession we undervalue but depend on every day. Brilliant!
Thank you for sharing and Congratulations! I love reading about subjects I don’t know much about – even better in the form of a PB! 🙂
Thank you for the article Carol. My favourite part was when you said an early review pointed out something about your book that you hadn’t realized. I had a similar experience with my book, and at the time it made me feel a little silly (about not realizing that layer of my book), but I am now starting to understand that other people may see what we’ve written differently than we do. It’s fascinating! Thanks again!
It’s great to hear your journey and know that letting things percolate for a (long) while can be helpful. Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing! These stories that we believe in so much get a little magic in them, too, I think 🙂
Great post. Congratulations. You are definitely an inspiration.
Carol – Thank you for being so inspiring. I need to be reminded that perseverance wins the day! I just wish I could look in my crystal ball and know that there will be a positive outcome! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us!
Thanks for the inspiration to persevere!
Thank you for sharing your story.
Congratulations on your books, Carol! And thanks for such an inspiring post, I really admire your perseverance!
Your book looks fantastic! I can’t wait to check it out. Thanks for your message about perseverance. Very inspiring!
Carol – First – What a fun, great trailer!! Yes, I had almost 100 rejections for my award-winning book, LION LIGHTS! – It took just one Publisher to see how inspirational this book would be for children…thank you for your wonderful article!
Thanks, Shelly. You’re so right. It only takes one!
Wow those numbers are numbing. (pun intended?) I always learn a lot from people like you who have been so much more persistent than I. Thanks for keeping me on the right road 👍
Love the pun! And thanks for taking the time to comment.
What a fresh idea. Thanks for the encouragement on the journey.
Carol, I’ve heard you present in other webinars and admired your hootspa! Your commitment to submit your manuscripts to everyone and everywhere definitely demonstrated your passion to get your stories out there and share them with the world. Keep on trucking’, my friend.
Sharon, thank you! I will definitely keep on trucking! I hope you will, too!
Thanks so much for sharing your long and winding journey and how ultimately you got to your final destination and are still going places! Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
Thanks, Carol for the inspiration. I can’t wait to read your book! Best wishes in 2023.
Wow! That’s a lot of rejections. I had not idea. Thank you for helping me to have more realistic expectation of the reality of the PB writing landscape. I was discouraged with five, and not even of the same text! You’ve encouraged me to persevere even more.
Thanks for your wonderful post! I’ll be looking for your book on the shelves. Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Alice, Leslie and Diana. I am so touched by how many of you commented! Here’s to a great 2023 for us all!
Thank you Carol – you’ve inspired me to keep writing and share stories that are unique and special to us. It takes time to find the right fit, but it’s worth it!
Trucker Girl sounds like a great story, can’t wait to read it!
Hi Carol! I needed this reminder – “to trust and believe in the process”. I’m inching toward 10 years of writing and continue to revise, and submit, revise and submit, hoping for that one lucky break for an agent who will love my story as much as I do. Thank you for sharing your journey and congratulations on your writing success. I look forward to reading your books.
You are living my dream! I’m a teacher hoping to retire in the next decade (sooner if my husband gets a big raise! :)) and I want to keep my heart in it by sharing my own books with kids!
Patti, go after that dream! It will happen if you stay in it and do the work. Good luck.
So inspiring! Can’t wait to read it and I have a nephew who would love your book!
Thank you for sharing your journey! Trucker Kid looks absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to read it!
Some days the rejections are hard, but you’re right; it’s important to persevere. Thanks for the great post!
Can’t wait to read your book! Thanks for sharing and congrats!!!
Others have already said this, but I need to chime in. Love how you keep on trucking!
Perseverance!
All we need is one agent, one editor to see the value of our work, and we won’t get to the destination if we let the rejections put an end to our journey.
You’re an inspiration Carol!
As another retired educator, I find your story inspiring. Congratulations on your persistence and the publication of TRUCKER KID.
Hi Carol, you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing!
I also didn’t initially join 12 x 12 because I’m self-motivated and I didn’t think I needed that push to write. But I finally made the commitment in Jan. 2023 and I’m so excited to learn everything #kidlit from this amazing community and to become a better writer. Thank you for your transparency Carol! Congrats on Trucker Kid!
Thank you for recognizing the truckers who were truly heroes during the pandemic. Your personal story was inspiring and motivating. Love the trailer for your new book! Congratulations!
Congratulations Carol! What an inspiring story!
This was so inspiring! Thank you for sharing, Carol! I am new to 12×12, still trying to figure out all the ways to utilize this platform, and I’m excited to be a part of such an amazing community!
Thanks for sharing your story of commitment and perseverance, Carol! I can’t wait to read TRUCKER KID.
I’m a retired teacher who identifies with your story. Perseverance is the key. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thank you for sharing your story! Congrats!
I’m echoing everyone when I say – what an inspiration! I just left 13 years teaching English at the college level to pursue writing full-time: picture books, middle grade novels, and other genres . It takes focus, commitment, and determination, as you said, to keep going. It also takes community and support! Thanks so much for sharing your story.
– Michelle Lee
I’m inspired by your courage to keeping teaching through your books! I can’t wait to read Trucker Kid! Congratulations.
Congratulations, Carol! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
I love your story. I’ve been sitting on a couple of ideas for about 10 years myself, so this gives me hope! And Trucker Kid looks like a great book. I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Carol! Your perseverance paid off!
Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey with us, Carol. I loved hearing the back story to Trucker Kid. Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your story! I am currently teaching and I really love that you aspire to still make a difference in these kids lives. That is amazing!
Thank you Carol for that inspiring post and congratulations on the release of your book. Wishing you continued success!
I watched your book trailer with my 1st grader and she immediately requested we put a hold on Trucker Kid at the library 🙂 Looking forward to reading about a topic we don’t know much about.
Thanks for such an inspiring post! I was a special Ed teacher many moons ago so it is really nice to stay connected with our writing for kids! Congratulations on your new book TRUCKER KID!
Thanks for an informative and inspiring post, Carol, and congrats on your latest book. I enjoyed the video as well. I’m a fellow Brooklynite (who moved to the ‘burbs after 1st grade) and BU Terrier, I hope they highlight Trucker Kid in Bostonia!
My first published book was inspired by a first grade student I knew. It was published when he was in 4th grade. I brought him to my launch and he signed everyone’s book under his name on the dedication page. He was so proud!
Marcia, that’s so cool that your student came to the signing. It’s something he’ll never forget. And thank you 12×12 for being such a supportive community and letting me share my story with you.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story Carol! I am a teacher as well, it’s so wonderful to see your story continue and evolve into becoming a published author. I look forward to seeing your continued success.
I’m inspired by your perseverance and share your reflections on waiting and rejection. My debut is with Capstone exactly a year after Trucker Kid and now I need to learn to do a book trailer!
Thanks again for sharing!
Cedar, congrats to you on your debut. Don’t worry about a trailer. It’s not really necessary. I think I was going to skip this one, but then my brother-in-law surprised us with the song, and we had to make the trailer. I’d say it’s fairly easy, but it’s my husband who made it! Good luck and enjoy the excitement before it becomes a book! I love that part…seeing it come together.
Carol, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your writing journey. It is truly inspiring and I love the premise of your book! I am also a retired teacher, now devoting my time to writing and to my part time psychotherapy practice. You motivate me to persevere. All the best to you on your writing journey and thanks again!
Congratulations on your success, Carol! I loved hearing about how your commitment and persistence are paying off, and about the wonderful and lasting connection you have with the family that inspired Trucker Kid 🙂
Wow Carol! That’s perseverance indeed. And really worth it. Love the backstory. And hope you share more about the real Athena and her dad! Congratulations!!
Wow, 2000 rejections! I’ve accumulated 50 so far. But all it takes is one yes.
2000 rejections! You must have nerves of steel! Congratulations on having the perseverance to keep submitting and believing in yourself!
Good lesson for all of us.
Not sure I have nerves of steel, but it’s not easy and I’ve learned that it’s part of the process. It won’t sell if you don’t submit. And when they pass, I try to believe it just wasn’t the right editor or publisher.
2,000 rejections sounds like the story of me finally getting my now-wife to say yes! 😊 Perseverance pays off.
Thank you so much for sharing. This was so inspirational!
Love the message about perseverance, commitment, and… waiting. All so true! Inspiring to read about your success!
An inspiring start to 2023! You are truly the perfect example of commitment and perseverance. Congrats on the publishing of your book 10 years in the making.
Thanks for an inspiring post, and I enjoyed hearing the story behind your new book! Congratulations on your perseverance and success!
Commitment and perseverance, the hardest part… Thank you Carol for showing us that it really can happen. Congrats on your recent release, and thank your brother-in-law for sharing the catchy tune!
Very inspiring story, thanks for sharing, Carol! Congratulations on your book!!! …and keep persevering, you’re an inspiration. 🙂
Carol, your story and books are very inspiring!
Thanks for sharing your story, Carol. Very inspiring!
Carol, I was moved and inspired reading this. Thank you so much. I am imagining the inspiring family opening their mail to find your book! Brava!
Thank you for this article! I am just starting this journey and keep reminding myself about patience!
Thank you, Carol, for giving us such a unique look at a job most of us take for granted and only until recently realized how important and necessary it was. That’s just another great thing about picture books, they take us on rides and present perspectives that actually teach us something new! Congratulations on TRUCKER KID!!!
I love that it was inspired by a family and they’ll get a copy of your book. Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your story of perseverance.
Thanks for this beautiful post! And congratulations on your book!
Perseverance is key in this business. Thank you for the inspiring post!
Thanks so much for this post. It was really inspiring to see that you’ve had over 2,000 rejections, but persevered. This gives me perspective and encouraged me to keep on trucking.
Such a wonderful post, thank you Carol!
What an inspiring story and journey you’ve had so far! It makes me want to commit and persevere even more in my endeavors! Congrats on TRUCKER KID’s debut! Sounds fantastic!
Carol, this truly is an inspiring post. I, too, have turned to writing at the end of my teaching career (reading specialist) and will do my best to model your perseverance and patience on this roller-coasty-always- shifting life of a writer!
Perseverance is key! I appreciate hearing success stories.
Thank you for sharing Carol.
Loved reading about your discovery of 12×12, the journey of Trucker Kid and the video!
Carol ~ Thought you’d like to know that my library system has 11 copies of Trucker Kid and they’re all in use!
Cheryl, that just made my day! Thank you so much for sharing that.
Such an inspiring stories (both yours, and Trucker Kid’s!!). I love it that after a long career as a teacher, you have written a book about how teaching can win over hearts and minds, and make us all that bit kinder and appreciative of one another.
I’m excited to read Trucker Kid. I saw a webinar where Kaitlyn Sanchez was talking about what a great book it is!
Such an inspiring story and congratulations on your book!
Patience is certainly key in this slow-moving business. Thanks for the inspirational post.
Thanks for the great post, Carol. I came to writing late also, I waited until my last one graduated high school. Now I’m retired from teaching and can spend more time writing.
I love this book! And I’m happy to know I’m not the only one amassing rejections! Congratulations, Carol!
Thank you, Carol for such an inspirational post. I’ve driven across the country many times, and have great respect for truckers. Although it took being friends with a few to get sense of how they drive, what they need for safety, and what I can do to keep myself safe while on the road next to them. Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your story! I look forward to readingyiour book.
I love that you’ve highlighted an often overlooked profession! Thank you for sharing your writing journey. Your perseverance and passion are inspiring!
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Such a great book idea! I can’t wait to read it! It’s always good to hear that patience and perserverance are rewarded. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for your wonderful words of inspiration.
I love it when other people see things in our work that we didn’t realize we put in it!
Such an awesome story. It touched me as my mom is in the trucking business.
Aww! I love that, Claudine.
Whoa! That was a lot of rejections! So glad you persevered, and congrats on Trucker Kid! Thanks for sharing your writing journey with us.
Thanks for sharing Carol!
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m excited to check your book out of our library to read to my children.
Congrats on the publication, and thank you for sharing your publication story!
Thanks for sharing your story, Carol! I too retired from teaching and have just discovered the joy of writing picture books. Your words inspire me to keep on truckin’!
Our stories are similar. I started after retiring from teaching. I am working hard at home. Motivation and perseverance is there. I am embracing all the seminars, webinars, and conferences I am attending, acting like a sponge, and soaking up the knowledge. However, we do our work on our own, and it does get lonely. It truly takes a village for any endeavor. Writers and illustrators understand this and are generous with their support and time. We are all so blessed to have both support and the community. It feels so good to help others in their achievements. Once a teacher, always a teacher!
Thanks for your reminder to commit and persevere! I also like how you mentioned that publishers are looking for stories that fill a need and make the world a better place. Such a great goal!
Wow Carol — I’m picturing Athena’s family opening the published book you sent them and being just over the moon! Thanks for your tenacity, and for pointing out one of the things that makes it hard for former teachers (like you, like me) to be patient in the world of publishing: we are indeed accustomed to (and responsible for!) immediacy.
I so love your book, Carol. As you said, the pandemic was the perfect time for this publication…and, well, maybe the threatened truckers’ strike, too. Since I am an Amazon addict, I am grateful for truckers…and their supportive families.
I am heartened by the number of rejections you received and persevered to keep going right on past them! I am inspired by your prolific writing to get a move on and make 2023 a productive writing year for me.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
I love the juxtaposition of the immediacy required in the teaching field and the patience required in the publishing industry. It’s definitely a shift in thinking for those of us in education! Congrats on Trucker Kid!
Moral of this post? Keep on truckin’ ! Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on your book.
This is amazing. I have new rejection goals now! Thank you for sharing your experience Carol.
Wonderful post, Carol! Thanks for sharing about your journey, and congrats on Trucker Kid!
Your post really resonated with me. Very inspirational. Another plus mark in the 12×12 column.
Thank you for sharing your story. I needed the patience and perseverance message today!
What a great story within a story!
Congratulations on your book! Thank you for the reminder about patience and perseverence.
I love this concept of a child’s parent having a job that doesn’t seem to have a lot of status, and the fact that status doesn’t matter to kids! It’s all in the child’s perspective. Congratulations on a “yes!”
Congratulations Carol. Thanks for the inspirational story. What a great idea for a book. I really enjoyed the book trailer too.
Congratulations on your book Carol! I love the backstory, and the cover is amazing. I can’t imagine how happy and proud you must have felt sending the book to the family that inspired it. Cute trailer too. Glad to have learned about your journey.
I’m also starting after 20+ years as an educator. Great to hear about your experience.
Carol,
I hear you about perseverance. We do have to have a thick skin and be able to pick ourselves up off the floor. But I love the idea of a book about truckers, and I think what you said about the review, that this girl is respected, not laughed at, is an awesome consequence. Brava!
Thank you, Terry! Thick skin is mandatory!
I love hearing about your perseverance- it gives me hope! Thanks for sharing.
Carol, thank you for sharing your story. Perseverance has been my watchword too. I’m so happy for you, and that hanging in there has paid off for you. I’m excited to read TRUCKER KID. Adding it to my GoodReads Want to Read list.
Thank you for adding Trucker Kid to your “want to read list.” I appreciate your support!
Two thousand rejectsions! Your persistence and belief are inspiring. A welcome reset for me. Thank you.
Plus: great trailer; I love the song.
Thanks, Anne! I’m so grateful to my brother-in-law for coming up with that. He did the same thing for my SOME DADDIES book! (Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quCbcNHNbg8)
I just joined yesterday and I am so glad I did, I am already so inspired and encouraged by this post. Thank you for sharing your journey and congratulations!
Wonderful post, Carol, and congratulations on Trucker Kid! I admire your perseverance, and am resolving to pick myself up off the mat with greater speed in the coming year and get my manuscripts out there more outside of Twitter pitch events.
Pardon me if I didn’t read the post or the other comments closely enough, but has anyone asked what the original title was (Since you said you changed it)?
Thanks, and congrats again!
Carol, Thank you for candidly showing your story. It is so helpful to hear that even successful authors face lots of rejection and that perseverance is so important. Congratulations on your latest book!
Patience and commitment–great words for 2023…and every year!
I love everything about this — from the empowering nature of your book to the terrific song/video. Can’t wait to share Trucker Kid with my own kiddo!
I too collect rejection letters. I hope to get enough to wallpaper my writing room.
There’s a reason there are so many picture books about patience and not giving up. We have to convince ourselves! Thanks for your post!
Thank you for sharing your story and being so humble about rejection…it sure helps a newbie like me to understand that the journey is the assignment!!!
Congratulations, Carol! This really shows how an author should keep everything. Sometimes those great ideas need to sit for a while, before they can become the book they were meant to be.
I love hearing about your 2,000 rejections! I’m at about 20… so I’ve still got a long way to go! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Such a great story – thanks for the inspiration!
Carol…Thank you for your honest perspective on the writing field and the commitment and perseverance it takes. I had a similar thought process about joining 12×12, and I am so glad I finally decided to sign up!
2000 rejections, Carol! Yes, you exemplify perseverance. Thank you for the encouragement. Your TRUCKER KID looks adorable. Congratulations!!
Carol, thank you so much for your Picture Book and 12×12 Challenge story… it is truly inspiring, and your book looks amazing!!! 🙂
Thank you very much Carol. So glad I joined 12X12 a year ago, for many reasons, including reading about the writing journeys of people like you. I retired as a paediatrician just over 12 months ago, and writing children’s books is an exciting though daunting adventure. I enjoyed Some Daddies last year and look forward to reading Trucker Kid.
Enjoy your new career, Lee!!
Thank you for sharing the story of your writing journey! I will be looking for this book — a great one for my kindergarten class!! It definitely fills a gap.
Andrea, thank you! I always asked the School Librarian to buy books I wanted, and she was wonderful about it. Keep inspiring your students!
Very inspiring to read, thank you x
I do see diversity here, as well as unique. Your agent and editor must have seen that too!
Thanks so much, Carol! Commitment and perseverance are the perfect words to describe the path to publication. Looking forward to reading and sharing Trucker Kid! Congratulations!!
This is a wonderful and motivational story. Thanks for sharing, Carol! Congratulations on Trucker Kid!
So glad you persevered and never gave up! I’m excited to check out Trucker Kid! Thanks for sharing.
What a great post! Congrats on your success, Carol! Kudos for your patience and perseverance. I love that this story got pulled back out so long after the initial draft, and that its timing entering the world NOW is um… kinda perfect, right? We need truckers, but who would’ve really given this a thought 10 yrs ago?! I also love that the people who inspired this story are getting their own published copy.
Trisha, timing is everything! And that’s why if we can hang in there and believe in the process, it keeps us positive and focused on writing the next manuscript. Good luck with your stories!
I love that you’ve highlighted an important, but often overlooked career. My grandfather was a trucker and I’m excited to read this book with my kids to spark that conversation about their family history. Thank you, and congratulations!
Wendy, that’s so cool that your grandfather was a trucker. I hope your kids love the story and love learning about their great grandfather.
Thanks for the inspiration!
What an incredible journey – I’m so inspired! Congratulations on your success and your most recent book; Trucker Kid is an important story! Wishing you continued success!
This was a great article to start out the new year. It will help me hang in there.
Congratulations on your new book! Congratulations on having the perseverance to get it !
It must have been so exciting sharing the book with the trucker and daughter.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
PERSEVERANCE. Thank you so much for sharing the details (and I’m sure there is so much more) of your journey with Trucker Kid! This is my first day with 12×12 and the day I am saying yes to the hard work and waiting this adventure entails. Thank you for being an inspiration!
I’m so happy for all your successes s. Carol. And thanks for the encouragement tyo persevere :0)
That was supposed to be Ms. Carol :0)
Aileen, writers (and everyone) always make some typo’s…Just part of the territory! Hope you are doing well and writing lots of books!
Carol- I too am a retired teacher/school librarian who always loved reading and writing and am trying to break into the published kidlit world. I really appreciated you sharing the specifics of your journey and would love to read your latest book. Thanks so much!
Congrats on TRUCKER KID!! What an amazing story, thanks for sharing your journey 🙂
Wow, what an inspiring journey of perseverance. I’m so glad you didn’t give up. I won’t either!
Congratulations Carol! What a great topic. We all rely on truckers. They do important work! Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Carol, for this inspiring post! As an educator myself, I loved your comment about continuing to touch children’s lives through picture books. This is my first year in 12×12 and it seems like I am the right place!
Congratulations on your new book! I love the story behind it. I look forward to reading it. Thanks, too, for the inspiration and sharing your journey of perseverance.
Inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Carol for this inspirational post. I’m also a teacher and everyday we perservere with patience and determination. Congratulations to you!
Congratulations on Trucker Kid! And thanks so much for sharing your story. I admire your dedication!
Thank you, Carol, for the helpful and encouraging post. It’s just what I needed to hear. Your book trailer video rocks!
Congratulations Carol!! I’m not only inspired by your dedication, but that you’re an educator like me, and your writing career came along later in life. I’ve always written, but now I am intentional about it. I’m in awe!
Thank you for the inspiring post. You have real grit. Congrats on your debut!
Well, if your story isn’t inspiring, I don’t know what is! I am taking the words “commitment and perseverance”and bringing them into my writing practice. I, too, was a teacher for years. thank you,Carol.
Thank you, Carol, for this inspiration! Your story is helping me get centered and on track. Thank you!
Thank you Carol for your honest and transparent post. I came from a career of delayed gratification so my expectation of everything else is immediacy. It was certainly humbling to read that patience is key. Thank you for writing about truckers, a mighty group that endures some grueling conditions to keep the country moving. Lastly, loved the trailer. Cheers, upward and onward!
Thank you for the encouraging post, Carol! I love your words of wisdom especially related to patience! Thank you for writing a book for families who have truckers! What a great story that shares what it is like for people working in the trucking industry – something that is often overlooked, even though it’s an incredibly important job!
Thank you for this encouraging post. My uncle was a trucker aside from other odd jobs he performed to provide for his family. I always loved hearing about his stories and I even wrote a story about him that mentions his trucking, though it focuses on a hobby he pursued. I hope to see that one published one day. Following your advice, I will commit and persevere this year. Here’s to a great 12 manuscripts I will have at the end of 2023.
This is such an inspiring story! And I can’t wait to read this book with my truck-loving son!
Congratulations on the publication of your book and sharing your journey with us. Your words of encouragement and wisdom is uplifting to me -a beginner in this field of childrens books after working as a behavioural needs educational assistant for 25+ years.
Barb, thank you. And enjoy the beginning of this journey and just know it will be a long and windy road! Enjoy the new venture. Give yourself a pat on the back for trying something new. Many people just talk about wanting to write. Congrats for taking steps toward your goal.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Carol. This was kind of exactly what I needed today. I’m very deep in the persistence in the face of rejection stage right now and it can be a bit discouraging. I try to remind myself that it really only takes ONE yes. But, it helps to hear it from others like yourself too. And congratulations on your new release!
Gina, it’s definitely not an easy road to travel, but we must persist and know rejection is part of our journey. Good luck and stay the course! And thanks for commenting.
I’m on the same post-teaching journey that you’re on, but with less success. So far. Thank you for mentioning the 2,000 rejections and the inspiration.
Freda, hang in there and do the work and good things will happen!
Congrats on your book, Carol, and thanks for your candor about your writing journey! I’m so happy you have persevered and come out on top.
Thank you, Carol. This post was very inspiring. I appreciated your discussion on perseverance and pulling old stories out when you have new inspiration.
Thank you for the encouraging words! What a fantastic example of perseverance! Congratulations on the release of your book!
An inspiring post from another educator. Enjoyed reading your post. Congratulations on your new release.
As both an educator and a children’s writer, I was inspired and motivated by your writing journey, especially your words about commitment and perseverance. Congratulations on your new release, TRUCKER KID.
There were so many great nuggets of inspiration here, Carol! I loved hearing how you’re in five critique groups, your journey to join 12×12, and how you discovered a new layer in Trucker Kid, from a review. HUGE congratulations on Trucker Kid!!
Thank you for this inspiring post! You are a tremendous example of perseverance and commitment, and you’ve made me want to keep writing and (new this year) actually query my manuscripts. I love the topic of this latest book, by the way. Even better that it was inspired by a real family. I’m so happy you stayed in touch with them and have sent copies of the book. What a beautiful gift–both for you and for them. Thank you again. Happy writing in 2023!
Thanks for commenting, Maria. And good luck on your journey. Every journey is different and to be happy, you need to embrace it!
Carol, thank you for sharing your journey! I am a teacher and have been in the PB writing trenches for almost 25 years! I needed this reminder that patience is just as important as perseverance. I am a teacher full time, and so I write/revise/research/repeat part time. Patience is key for me, as my process has been slower than I may have liked or envisioned, as teaching/prep/mommying/health issues/divorce/deaths/life have taken priority. Submitting alone feels like a victory, and I try to take passes as feedback, not rejection. The story of your journey gives me hope at the dawn of a new year, so thank you again for sharing!
Lynn, I don’t know how you do it while teaching – such an all encompassing job. I’m grateful writing came to me at the end of my career. Be gentle on yourself, celebrate your submissions and enjoy the ride!
You sharing that you had more than 100 rejections for Trucker Kid is giving me jolt of inspiration to keep working over my stories that seem like they just aren’t going anywhere. And your comment that you’ve written more than 120 stories is a great reminder to keep starting anew when I have ideas.
I know this is too late for the January rafflecopter, but I’m really committing to doing all 12 manuscripts this year. And I’m happy to be able to report one manuscript draft done so far, for January, and one in the works for February. Thank you again for your inspiration!
Carol, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are indeed an inspiration and encouragement. Writing can be a very lonely process at times, but I’m finding that connecting with other writers is uplifting and moves me forward. It’s good to know that this is how it works and none of us is alone. Congratulations on your new book. I’m thrilled for you.