It’s officially 12 x 12 in 2015!! The start of a brand new, shiny year full of blank sheets of paper (and computer screens) for us to fill with our luscious words as we write picture book drafts.
Here to kick off our year is none other than Tara Lazar, founder of Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo), author of THE MONSTORE and THREE new books releasing in 2015 — I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK, LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD, and NORMAL NORMAN.
In this informative and entertaining (if I do say so myself) interview, you will learn:
- How to pronounce PiBoIdMo once and for all!
- How Tara manages to make those PiBoIdMo mugs so awesome
- Why Tara and I both eschew New Year’s resolutions, and of course…
- The “secret” to success as a picture book author
Many thanks to Tara, here for her THIRD round of featured authordom for 12 x 12! One lucky 12 x 12 participant will win a picture book critique from Tara after the monthly check-in. Good luck, and enjoy!
REMEMBER: Deadline for GOLD members to renew is 11:59 p.m. EST January 8th. SILVER members have the same deadline to enter the lottery for remaining GOLD spots. General registration for 12 x 12 opens on January 14th. Want to make sure you don’t miss registration? Sign up here to receive notice.
295 Responses
Excellent as usual. Tara is always fun to listen too.
A fun and inspiring interview to start of the year. Looking forward to my senior year at 12×12 university!
Thank you, Julie and Tara! That was fun! I hadn’t seen Tara “in action” before, and now I feel like I know her. Her character and enthusiasm shine through. Thank you for the inspiration! I’m going to keep on keeping on!
Fun, indeed! As a newbie PB writer, the biggest point I took away from this blog is that patience is essential while navigating through the process. Also, thick skin is required. It will take a lot of hard work as I journey to the bookshelves! Thank you, ladies for sharing your time and effort! And… congratulations on YOUR successes!
Thanks Tara and Julie,
That was so encouraging to know no one writes everyday and sits and pounds out a winner every
time and some things just don’t work. I loved hearing about your process Tara. And Congratulations
on your 3 new books. Wow three at one time!
Thanks for such refreshing and down to earth advice. “Just keep going!” “Get the work done!” LOVE it! Very motivating. 🙂
It was lovely to “see” you Tara! I’m in the “don’t write everyday” camp too! My husband continually asks my why I’m staring at things to which I respond “Shhh, I’m writing.” 🙂
I love that comment about this member saying that she is writing when she is staring. SO great!!
This was the first year I participated in PiBoIdMo. Now I have 33 shiny new ideas to bring me into 12×12! Thank you Tara and Julie!
Tara is a RIOT – and so encouraging (Julie too!). Fabulous post!
I have to say, that was one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve had the pleasure of listening too! Thanks, Tara and Julie – for being so real, so down-to-earth, so funny! Happy Sameness!
Thanks for this! Finding the joy in the process is key!
Off to a great start!
Tara is so funny. Same old, same old. Not you Tara, I’m the old one! Ha.
Great interview! Tara, you are hi-larious! This interview was so inspiring. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is not prepared! Thank you Tara and Julie!
Here’s to doing your best and getting published!…eventually. And then doing it all over again 🙂
Although I’ve been writing my whole life, I officially decided to give myself permission to call myself a writer and really pursue my dream last January. The 2014 12X12 Challenge and PiBoIdMo have both given me the much needed encouragement and support that all less experienced writers crave. This interview was funny, informative, inspirational and demonstrates how much you both enjoy helping others in the writing community. Congratulations on all your previous and upcoming successes! Great first interview to kick off the New Year!
Loved this interview! And it’s encouraging to know that other writers who are farther along on the journey still have to “do the work.” I know that, but it’s always nice to hear. 🙂
This was way funny, and I appreciate the perspective. Thanks Julie and Tara!
Fun interview, ladies! I like that 99% staring and 1% writing. If our husbands just understood that!
Wonderful interview. thank you ladies.
Thanks guys- it was great hearing about writing form your perspectives. Looking forward to participating in my first 12 x 12!!
Tara’s comments about how she wants to help others make great books for children so kids have more books that engage this is so much of the spirit of the writing community we’re part of. I also appreciate Tara’s reminder that persistence is important and that we shouldn’t rush our efforts. Thanks, Tara.
Yes! I’m all about the process. For me, if the process isn’t fun, the product isn’t going to matter. It took me awhile to come to that, but after I did I stopped worrying about getting somewhere with my work and instead put the emphasis in the joy of creating it. Thanks for a great interview and an inspiring message.
This was so much fun to listen to! Thanks for sharing your ever-so-witty thoughts, Tara!
Tara and Julie, felt like I was chatting with friends. Great to hear your voices . Thanks for the encouragement❤️
Great interview Tara! Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration. I’m also a “fly-by-the-seat-of-my pants” writer and am glad to know that I’m not the only one who is not organized. Loved it when you said, “it’s 99% staring and 1% writing.” And a huge “Congratulations” on having 3 new books coming out this year!
Wonderful interview, real and down to earth. I love the video interview! Thanks ladies for your support in our writing journeys.
We are living in the future! Thanks for the fun interview, Tara and Julie! Looking forward to a productive 2015.
Tara is always so positive and inspiring. The episode of the Let’s Get Busy podcast where she is interviewed is also great. Thanks for the encouragement — I’m eager to fill this year with writing (even the staring part.)
That was fabulous! A hilarious interview full of inspiration and practical advice. Thanks so much!
It was great to hang out with you both for a bit today. Love the idea of condensing all my PB goals down to “Write and good book and get it published.” Yep. It’s a very good goal.
Wishing you all a 2015 that exceeds your expectations!
Happy New Year to 12X12! This video was a great boost to launch our year. Lots of fun info and advice.
eg : Don’t write about the circus because editors think clowns are scary!
Great to know we all go through the same things….. Not so great to know that the self-doubt never ends. Thanks to you both for creating this wonderful supportive community!
Excellent listening in on your chat 🙂 Congrats on three new books Tara!!
In an online writing world, it’s refreshing to get to know the personalities of those that inspire us most through video. Thanks for taking the time to organize and produce this, Julie and Tara. Thanks for sharing of yourselves in a personal way. Funny how I started out with PiBo and then progressed to 12×12, and now I can’t do without either. Both of you inspired me to share what I am doing naturally, and the first annual ReFoReMo is coming together very well. If it gets other writers to read more than they originally set out to read, or know more about mentor texts than they originally knew, then it will be a success. THANK YOU so much for motivating me!
Very much enjoyed that, thank you!
Thanks for the fun interview Tara and Julie!
What a fun interview! You can’t get more real that purple pajamas and saying it like it is. Looking forward to a fresh new beginning in 2015, and this was a great place to start. Thanks Tara and Julie.
Love the interview and love that it’s in video format!
Thanks, Tara and Julie! I’m still going to say it with long /i/ for both parts, though. 😉
What a great way to continue with last year. Thanx for the inspiration and validation to just do what works for you.
Steve
Thank you for making me smile, living with ms myself and also battling the self doubt so for me it was nice to hear I was normal. Thankyou for being so fun and honest. Tara you are a beautiful inspiring person. This is my first 12 x 12 challenge ever. I thoroughly enjoyed, you honesty and fun to life. You are wonderful
I commented last week on FB about this video chat. I hate to repeat myself, but in this case it’s worth it! You’re both inspiring, honest, and cool chicks! Thanks for all you’ve done and are doing for all of us 🙂
Loved this post, as usual. Thanks so much!!!!
So enjoyed your interaction, Julie and Tara. Good to be reminded we are all unique in our methods, but one in spirit. Thanks, ladies. I’m looking forward to a super productive year with 12×12!
Great interview. I hope someday I can bother you both with the good news that my PiBoIdMo idea, turned 12×12 draft has become a published book!
What a fun interview! Here’s a toast to doing the hard work…whatever that means for us individually! xoxo
What a great way to kick off the 12 x 12 Featured Author series! Very inspiring!
Does it get any better than a 12×12 JH interview with Tara Lazar? I don’t think so!
I’m new to PB so I had no idea PiBoIdMo was such a huge phenomenon. I’m looking forward to participating next year. Top 1% to be publishable is a little daunting. Like the advice to just keep writing.
PIE Bo Id Mo.
Of course it’s pie.
Excuse me while I go eat something sweet. 😀
It’s comforting to start this year with both of y’all, since I finished with both (my PiBoIdMo continued into the middle of December, and I followed the 12 Days of Christmas). So, thanks for helping me kick off this year right! Here’s to 12 finished drafts, 10 submissions, 30 ideas, and a well developed author by 2016!
What a way to start of the New Year! Thanks for this inspiring interview, ladies!
Well, we’re 20 days in and I finally had a chance to sit down and watch this. Thanks for the inspiration, Tara and Julie, and here’s to doing more of the same in 2015, and building on what’s working for us!
I so love Tara Lazar. Such a great interview. Be motivated Tara and get tons of stuff done. Or I swear I’ll do something. I mean it! I’LL DO SOMETHING! Good to hear about your process. Only 15% swearing? I must be doing it wrong!
Okay, that was adorable. And helpful. And, as Julie stated, “refreshing.” Keeping our eyes (and typing hands) on the goal of “write a great book and get it published” is great advice and keeps the focus on what’s really important: getting great books into the hands of children. So thank you!!! As for the bit about “staring?” Hmmm…let’s just say that…..it happens……a lot. Glad to know I’m in good company, Tara! This will be the year I do PiBoIdMo!
Inspiring and enthusiastic interview. It’s a new year, but get the work done-the goal is the same 🙂 Thank you, Tara and Julie.
Thank you for the encouragement and the laughs. Good to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t write every day.
Sorry I forgot to include my last name in the above comment post.
What a great interview. I appreciate the Tara’s enthusiasm and candor. I’m quite excited and motivated to be a part of 12×12 and am really looking forward to PIBoIdMo – especially now that I can pronounce it correctly. Thank you
I’m a little late to the party, but as always, I loved hearing you speak, Tara. And I’m thrilled to hear that you succeeded in selling three books while staying true to your non-planning and free-spirited nature. It is encouraging to me because I think we must have similar personalities. Thanks for sharing.
Fun to watch, makes me want to be a writer even more. Hah
Such a refreshing video! Thanks so much Julie and Tara for your honesty about your process and approach. It’s nice to know that no matter where you are on this journey, everyone deals with the same emotions and struggles. Let’s keep on keepin’ on!
Thank you. I loved Tara’s energy and honesty. I’m very happy to be part of 12X12. Thank you
This is the first month I am taking part in 12×12 and really encouraged to hear such human advice! To know that others struggle with the same insecurities and self doubt is comforting to know. Here’s to a great 2015 to everyone!
Love your ideas. So much fun! Thanks for sharing and encouraging.
Thanks for sharing this interview with us. I love that not completing your own challenges hasn’t kept you from motivating the rest of us. Thanks for all that you do!
Great advice, Tara…as always!! Thanks!
Everything connected to 12 x 12 is so helpful! Thanks.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Tara’s post was so inspiring. I can’t believe I didn’t comment on it right away. Not sure why I do this every month but I can never remember if I commented. I usually think I did but then when I scroll through the comments to be sure I don’t usually see my name. Next month I vow to comment right away!!!
PiBoIdMo really got my creative juices flowing. Thanks.
I so appreciate the down to earth approach and great ideas. Trying to learn about all of this is a lot like trying to find your way around in the fog. I have learned so much in the few weeks I have been in 12×12.
Well this was fun. Thank you so much! I love all the inspiration that comes with 12×12!
Great chat about grafting!
Fun, inspiring and overall enjoyable! Thanks and much needed!
I’ve always wondered how to pronounce PiBoIdMo! LOL.
Wonderful post
Thanks for the great interview, ladies! Much appreciated.
How adorable are the two of you! Such a lovely, inspiring chat. Thank you for inviting us into your home and your heart, Tara. At this point, I doubt there are ANY manuscripts I write that haven’t been launched by your PiBoIdMo challenge. But never question the fact that we admire, love and respect your amazing talent as an author. Love The Monstore, excited to see your newest babies and can’t wait to see what the future brings! Thanks to both you and Julie for all you do for all of us! <3
Thanks so much Tara for a fun and inspiring interview!
What a celebratory way to start 12×12! I’m so thankful Tara started PiBoIdMo. Thanks for the wise words and inspiration.
Looking forward to a challenging writing year, and learning from successful children’s writers like Tara Lazar.
Thank you ladies for the interview and for what you have contributed to the children’s book community. Keep on inspiring. 🙂
I absolutely agree with Tara! I love to write for children simply put, I think there can always be more books for children to love and if I can write a book that a child loves and wants to keep read more because of that. Then all the re-writing and revisions and anxiety will be worth it. Thank you for all your wisdom.
Wonderful advice to keep in mind: just keep working!
Thank you both for sharing your journeys. A great way to kick off the 12×12.
A great interview! Thanks,Tara, for sharing your writing experiences and encouraging us to keep at it! You’ve given so much to the world of children’s books and to the children’s literature community. Thank you!
I’m so happy to be part of this year long motivation and loved PiBoIdMo, as well.
Great post! Thanks!!!
This is a great interview. Thank you to both of you for sharing this process and the motivation behind starting both of these wonderful challenges. I’m really excited about 12×12 this year because I participated in PiBoIdMo for the first time this year and I’m excited to tackle 12×12 with a notebook full of ideas.
Thanks, Tara! We have MONSTORE from the library right now. Love that one!
I always love listening to you, Tara…you’ve always got inspiring things to say. And I’m sure I listened to this earlier in the month, but, after going to the 12×12 Check In, I thought I’d better come back to make sure I had commented…good thing I did, cause I hadn’t. 😉 😉 🙂
I’m excited for another year of 12×12,, writing and connecting with this incredible community! Thanks, Julie!
This was a great introduction to 12×12 for this newbie! I’m already keeping a notebook close by to keep all the helpful information handy for reference. Looking forward to even more posts!
Thank you for the fun and inspiring interview! Thank you for sharing your time and your advice with us! Blessings!
Debbie
I did get a major revision, more a re-write, done on a PB this month. Also got a kid novel in the hands of an editor who is reading it and getting back to me in the next few days. Can’t wait for her replay. And this anxiety led to the mega re-write of the PB. So it’s all good. Also, this month my first half of my advance for my first PB to get published arrived in my bank account. It’s been a great month. It’ll be a while for the actual book to appear. I don’t think they’ve even hired an illustrator yet. It’s with Beach Lane, an imprint I LOVE, so life is good! 😀
I love Tara’s wisdom about being spontaneous and doing what works for her instead of listening to the “write every day” crowd. I’ve tried both methods over the years and they both work for me in terms of creativity and productivity, but the spontaneous method works better for my lifestyle. Happy 2015, everyone!!
Great post as usual. Tara is so inspiring. Wonderful motivation. 🙂 Wonderful books, too.
Loved this. Great way to start this 12 X 12 year for me.
Thank you for an inspiring post, Tara! I love the idea of thinking about rejections as learning experiences. I have had quite a few rejections in the past few years but I sure have learned a lot about writing picture books. Congratulations on all your successes and thank you for all you do for this amazing community of writers!
Loved this interview — especially Tara’s comment about how much time she spends THINKING before writing: “About 99% staring at the screen, 1% writing.”
Thanks for your inspiring and motivational words.
Great post! It’s great to hear how different methods can work for different people…as long as you’re writing that’s the most important thing! great to get to ‘know’ Tara a bit more too, I loved PiBoIdMo this year, or last year now I guess! And I’m loving 12×12!
Thanks for an inspiring interview! I was kicking myself for enjoying the process too much and not thinking enough about submission. However, I am now giving myself permission to enjoy the process this year and worry about submission later, when more of my stories are where they need to be. Whew!
Two funny ladies being real. Thank you.
Thank you for the inspiration. I also think a long time, working things out in my head before I actually write/type words onto a page.
Tara and Julie,
I’m happy to be in the “Doesn’t Write Everyday” group with you. I enjoyed PiBoIdMo and am enjoying 12×12. Thank you both for helping a newbie like me follow my dreams.
Ali Pichardo
Thanks, Tara for the inspiration! Can’t wait to read Little Red Gliding Hood!
This was my first piboidmo and now my first 12X12. Looking forward to an awesome year! Thanks Tara.
Great introduction to 12×12 and PiBoIdMo! Tara is so inspiring and fun — really enjoyed the video blog!
Tara’s interview helped remind me that “It takes a long time to get to the level where your work is ready.” I’ve been impatient, and now I realize that patience is just part of the process. Thanks to Tara and Julie for the motivating interview!!
I appreciate the genuineness you both have about your work, and that you bring to the communities you created. 🙂
Funny and insightful. I like what Tara said about needed to write to get more books out there for these kids!
This is great ladies! You are both so inspirational and I can’t wait to go buy those books!!! 🙂 One question- were either Tara or Julie already published when you started PiBoIdMo and 12 x 12? Just curious….I haven’t seen that anywhere….
Thanks, Tara. Such helpful tips!
Oops – forgot to comment – great start and thanks Tara and Julie!
Thanks for the insight, Tara! What a great way to start the year!
Loved this! And here’s to helping others make more great books for children! 🙂
I loved getting to “meet” Tara in this format. Thanks for the real-life look at being an author. Very helpful!
This was a wonderful interview! Thank you Tara and Julie for sharing some inspiration to kick of 2015. Congratulations on your new books Tara. It’s going to be a great year. 🙂
Tara is so enthusiastic and inspiring! A good kick-off to the challenge. Thanks!
This was a fun interview with some good tips. Thanks!
Thank you, Tara and Julie, for a fun interview and the wise words – especially the advice to let your ideas marinade before writing.
I love listening to Tara talk about writing! Great interview filled with helpful advice and inspiration.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and expertise Tara! Normal Norman…. Why didn’t I think of that title??
Thanks for the inspiration! Have been without internet access for over a week so am trying to catch up. :o)
Great advice to find joy in the process!
Thanks Tara and Julie, for your refreshingly honest discussion. You have opened up a whole new world for me in the community of picture book writers who are part of PiBoIdMo and 12 x 12. It’s wonderful!
I’m more than a little comforted to know there is no one true pronunciation of PiBoIdMo. But, I do agree with pie….yum….
Set goals. Meet them. Onward!
What an awesome way to kick off the new 12 x 12 year! Thank you, Tara and Julie!
That was enjoyable.
This was a fantastic interview to start 12×12- Inspirational and so very smart- Funny too! Tara, Your approach to the work is wonderful and I am so happy for all your success! Love The Monstore and I look forward to your new books in 2015- Thanks for all you do! And thank you, Julie for 12×12! It’s my first year and I’m so glad I joined! January has been great! Looking forward to a lot of writing this year 🙂
Great stuff! Thanks so much for sharing.
I prefer “pi” as the pronunciation for a different reason: my undergrad is in engineering so I’m very math oriented. Great interview!
Thanks! Loving the positive vibe of this community!
I learned and laughed. Perfect!
Loved hearing the discussion. PiBoIdMo and 12×12 are definitely motivation to write more and meet my goals! 🙂
Very inspiring interview! Great that you two ladies had such wonderful ideas to help the rest of us get writing! It’s also nice to know you don’t always get everything you planned completed. It’s awesome to have the challenges and the groups to keep us going, but sometimes life intervenes too. Thanks for such a balanced approach!
Just got my much needed Tara-Julie fix. Thank you. I watched this when I joined and I can’t believe I didn’t comment. One of my biggest obstacle in writing is fear. Fear of failure, fear that my ideas suck, fear that I am a terrible writer…Listening to this interview for a second time makes me feel…”Hey, I belong to this wonderful, incredible group of writers!” Everyone starts. Everyone has mountains to climb. Everyone one has fears and issues they must face. I AM NOT ALONE! Thank you.
Thank you, Tara, for your amazing website and the great video filled with inspiration and instilling a sense of community in all of us writers and writers-to-be. =) Have a wonderful weekend! I’m so excited to have another PB underway that I started this month, and it was great to have extra support in January to get the year started off right, write, =), with drafting and revising! =) Thanks again!
Thanks for a great interview – really enjoyed, especially to give yourself permission to give yourself time… And so fun to find out about PiBoIdMo – looking forward to participating this year in that!
Thanks Tara and congratulations on your new books!
All I can say is WOW! What a great inspiration you are. You have challenged me, and you have set the bar high. I am no quitter. Whatever it takes, I accept this challenge! Now, pardon me…I have to go to work!
Thank you for the reminder of patience!
I missed the boat on PiBoIdMo this year, but look forward to next year!
Thanks Tara and Julie for the warm and positive interview! So great to hear Tara comment on the value of plain old dedication to the work! And I feel so fortunate to have found this community of people doing work they love!
Thanks, Tara, for a fun interview! I, too, find much of writing happens when your fingers are NOT on the keyboard. Hope to see you again at the NJ SCBWI. Take care and I look forward to reading your new books!
Great interview! Thanks Tara and Julie.
Thanks, Tara. I love PiBoIdMo no matter how we each pronounce it. Your inspiration is always welcome in my world.
I feel like Tara has just given me permission to let my brain work the way it’s supposed to work! For years I have been plagued with guilt because I don’t write every day–and that has always added to my stress. It’s the process that brings me joy, whenever it happens. Tara, I hope you have a successful year with the publication of your new books!
Now I finally know how to pronounce it 😉
It’s wonderful to hear that even the successful children’s book authors have to work at it. Rejections are so hard to accept. I agree that you have to concentrate on your writing and give yourself time. Thank you you are a great inspiration.
My goodness I do so love hearing from Tara! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm and constant bright-side-of-life-ness, Tara! Your fan, Matthew.
Great interview with Tara Lazar. She is very funny, and I agree about the 90% staring, 1% writing. I’m working on a new book, visualizing where to take it, and playing plot lines out, and my husband asked me, why aren’t you typing? “Oh, I’m not there yet.” He looked at me like I’m crazy, but I have to think it through. I look forward to reading Monstore with my kids. Warmly, Brenda
I love how casual this conversation was, but still full of good and encouraging information. I have heard about PiBoIdMo for a couple of years now, and now I know exactly what it is and what it does – it sounds terrific! I will admit that I find the experiences in rejection that everyone undergoes both reassuring, and a bit disheartening, but if you want to write, you just have to come at writing from a personal place of achievement and desire. It’s great to see how that can, eventually, translate into being able to share your work with the larger world. Thanks Tara and Julie. 🙂
Great tips! Thanks, Tara.
Tara has my undying admiration – thank you for creating PiBoIdMo. This was my first year and I found it both inspiring and productive. Thank you! So thrilled to be participating in 12 x 12 – a companion commitment. Huzzah!
I loved this, thanks so much Julie and Tara. So many things Tara said rang true for me – wow what a relief. Don’t know if I have the courage though, to stop submitting for a year! But I totally understand why it is a good idea.
Thoroughly enjoyed two authors discussing angst, uncertain if you ever will find your voice again and the pitfalls of being able to write another picture book; but most of all the unselfish nature of two successful authors willing to help writers not yet published or even noticed.c
Thank you for sharing this! So thrilled to be part of 12×12 this year!
Great advice. Especially putting in the time to hone/own the craft.
I’m not one for watching video, but I really enjoyed hearing two successful writers discuss writing and goals. Seems to be a pattern to have done PiBoIdMo and then 12×12.
Great interview with lots of useful and encouraging information!
It’s nice to know that people who have been so successful aren’t that different from me! It’s a shot of hope! Thank you!
Fun interview! I am inspired to join PiBoIdMo next time around 🙂
I completely enjoyed this fabulous and energetic interview. So inspiring! Monstore is one of my daughter’s favorite books. She’ll be so happy to learn that Tara has three more coming out soon! (And I’m happy about that, too.)
Tara is a hoot! Fun interview, Julie! Thanks for the great and inspiring information!
Thank you for the great suggestions, Tara!
Thanks for your hilarious support. You two made me feel so good… and so hopeful!
Thank you, Julie and Tara, for sharing your experiences and thoughts on writing. I’m inspired because you both are so real about it all.
I love to listen to other writers talk about writing, to hear how their processes work, to listen to their challenges and victories. This discussion between Julie and Tara encouraged me in several ways. My first take away was to consider not writing immediately after an idea pops into my head, but to write down the concept and then let it marinade for a while. I’ve jumped in too fast sometimes, and when that happens, I’ve found myself unhappy with the story’s journey, but unsure how to or if I can back track to write the story the right way. A second take away was that I don’t necessarily have to blog. I’m at a point in my life where I simply can’t find the time or energy or creativity to write a blog plus home school, work part-time, volunteer in two areas and write PBs. I am relieved to receive this “permission,” if you will. Another precious take away was that like Julie and Tara, I don’t write every day. I’ve been chastised by other writers that I’m supposed to write every day. I’ve tried, but often when I force myself to, I don’t feel as if it has value. I plan to listen to this interview again. Thanks gals!
Thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions! Very inspiring!
So inspiring!
Tara, wonderful as always. You make me smile, laugh, nod in a agreement, and you give me hope. Thank you!
Thank you for an enlightening interview. I admire Tara Lazar for her dedication to writing, especially when also bearing illness. I was grateful to hear that I’m not alone in my occasional self-doubts and that persistence pays off. I so enjoy the process and was glad to hear how important that is too. Good writing to everyone!
This was such a great interview! Raised a few chuckles out of me and very insightful. It is so true that as a beginner a part of you thinks once you get that first book published you’re done, but you are NOT! You just gotta be like Dory (if she was a writer not a fish) and just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing, writing, writing, that’s what you do you just write, write…. LOL
Thank you for the interview. I admire Tara Lazar for her dedication to writing especially while also bearing an illness. You have inspired me to be persistent, and to recognize that self-doubts may creep in but I don’t have to let them stop me from pursuing my goals and enjoying the process.
Great post, Tara! Thanks so much!
What a fun way to meet both of you! Thanks for all the great and fun info!
Such a lovely, fun interview! Thanks ladies!
Wonderful interview! I am SO excited for my first 12×12 experience. So far, it has been tremendously motivating!
A great kickoff to what promises to be a great year!
Thank you for the great tips and information. This has helped me with my rough draft. Happy writing.
I have use the ideas generated in Picture Book months for the whole year after! I’ve got a file I throw things in all year long. Thanks for organizing us!
A highly inspiring and reassuring interview – thank you 🙂
Thanks for the Tara tips 🙂
I appreciate the advice as well as a fresh perspective.
Thank you for all that you do.
Sounds like slow and steady wins the race. Kind of like the stock market. Hahahaha!
Thank you for all the amazing words of encouragement and ideas! it is great to know we are all on a similar path and can learn so much from professionals like yourself… thank you!
Blessings!
Tracy
Wow! Three new Picture Books coming out this year. Congratulations, Tara1
Great post, great perspective, Thank you.
What a great first month–looking forward to learning more and writing more in the 11 months ahead with this gang of writers, featured authors, and our fearless leader!
Thank you very much for all your helpful tips, Tara!!
A fun, refreshing and inspiring exchange! Thanks, Julie and Tara! Like you, I avoid resolutions about specific goals for the New Year. Rather, I set intentions for how I would like to feel. And in 2015, I would like to feel “productive” and “joyful.” These intentions (I hope) will inform the choices I make in the weeks and months ahead.
I committed to PiBoMo this year and was really inspired! Now I”m looking forward to turning a lot of those ideas into manuscripts. Thanks for the encouraging posts and for the program as a whole! Writing PBs is hard work, but I love it!
Whoops. Still catching up. It’s my first time in the 12×12. Tara, it’s totally your fault I’m here even though you didn’t know that. Thanks for the motivations!
Terrific, down-to-earth interview. Thank you, ladies!
Thanks!
Loved the interview!!
Really fun and useful interview. Thanks! Makes me want to do PiBoMo this year.
Excellent interview and wonderful tips! Thank you both.
Thank for you this! Great interview and tips!
My son and I are huge fans of The Monstore! Congrats on all of your success!!
Congratulations on the publications!
Thank you for the information and inspiration! Here’s to a productive 2015 for all of us.
God bless you both! Thank you so much! What you said really helped me & took the pressure off me, so to speak. The best motivation I could have asked for at this time!
Thanks Julie and Tara! Congratulations on the success of your books, and your platforms of PiBoIdMo and 12 x 12. Thanks for leading us to success!
Like Viv, I thought I had commented. Guess not. (I do remember watching the video, which means I probably did it on my phone. Not as easy to comment from my phone.)
SO, let me say this was a FUN interview, and it encouraged and inspired me, made me realize that I am in the company of wonderfully ordinarily unique real people who happen to love kids, love picturebooks and love sharing that love. Thanks Julie and Tara, for all you do for our community.
Thank you, Tara and Julie, for the inspiration! I’m so excited to be a part of 12×12!
Inspiring start to the year. Thank you both. Looking forward to the arrival of Normal Noman, Little Red Gliding Hood, and I Thought This was a Bear Book.
Thank you for the incredible wealth of information. I am learning so much again this year. 🙂
Tara, when I’m exhausted and in my robe, I’ll think of how the magic came in November, and I’ll get my cup and carry on, knowing that Tara works harder than most, authoring 3 new books and hosting PiBoIdMo each November. So excited for your success. Thanks for another doze of inspiration.
Thank you for the joy and laughter!! Just starting to believe in my dream and write my stories… you both are so encouraging and so real… I LOVE my new tribe!!
Thank you for the post!!
Fabulous interview! What a treat to see you both. Such good advice too.
Great post!
Thoroughly enjoyed your interview, Tara. Thank you so much! Two things particularly resonated:
1. The goals remains the same (writing good books for kids to enjoy).
2. The more books the better (more opportunities for kids to find their favourite).
All the best with your new books coming out this year 🙂
As always, thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Tara for sharing your authentic self, realistic expectations about the writer’s life, and inspiration to keep writing.
I just read The Monstore and really enjoyed it! Thanks so much for everything you do to encourage writers like me!
Enjoyed the interview. Note to self: don’t write a circus story! Best wishes to all in 12×12!
Thanks for the advice and the opportunities.
I have already felt so blessed to have found 12 x 12. It has made such a difference for me in terms of personal accountability and taking my writing more seriously. I have been a member of SCBWI for a few years now and attended a few wonderful conferences but I had this feeling that my writing would get done “someday.” Someday I would have more time to write. However, since signing up on Jan. 14th, I’ve been getting up an hour early every morning, before the rest of my house is awake and writing. It feels great to put my goals in the front of each day. I’m also happy to report that I finally have a critique group! It has been an amazing January. Best of luck to everyone this year!
Thank you Julie and Tara! Tara you are always helpful!
I started watching this interview the first day it was posted, and finished watching it the last day of the month! 🙂 Nothing like a crazy month to keep me on my toes, but I’m so glad I finished it. Thanks for your openness about the way you ‘organize’ your writing time, Tara – gives me a little confidence that my process of writing in my head for weeks before putting anything on paper isn’t all that unusual!
Thanks — that was a fun video, and inspiring too!
This was such a great interview t watch because Tara and Julie are so natural and unpretentious. I love the phrase “marinade in my brain” as a way that Tara describes letting a PB idea just have time to do its thing without pushing it. This interview drives home the point that above all, people need to hold onto their “selves”, no matter how much they hear about how others write , to take in advice and cull through it, but stay true to your own quirks and fancies and with hard work, the writing process should hopefully unfold as worthy and rewarding. Thank you Tara and Julie so much!!!
Thank you for the encouragement. I appreciated Tara’s comments about taking time with an idea before getting it down . I also can either write or submit, but have difficulties doing both at the same time. Julie thank you for the point of appreciating each small success in the process.
Another great read and I like taking my time with my ideas too. Good advice
Thanks Tara for kicking off 12×12. And congrats on your new books!
Fantastic post guys– Thanks for keeping us motivated!
Awesome interview, inspirational!
Thanks for getting us off to a great start!
Thanks Tara and Julie. Very helpful interview , and funny too. I took part in Pibomo for the first time last year and have revised one of those drafts for this month’s 12 x 12.
Thank you, as always a great article. A great way to start the year!
Lovely way to kick off the year. Nice interview. Thanks, Tara and Julie! And share the spirit of this great community.
Inspirational interview! So great to hear you after reading so much about you and participating in PiBoIdMo the last couple years. Thanks!
Yaaaay! Thanks Tara for even more inspiration!
Great interview. It’s inspiring to hear such down to earth and relatable advice. Thanks Tara and Julie.
Thank you for an entertaining and enjoyable experience Tara and Julie. I look forward to another year together 🙂
You both made me laugh! (My favorite thing to do.) Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Oh, Tara, I look forward to one day bothering you with my success story. In the meantime, I think I need to work on perfecting the formula for writing picture books, because I don’t think Tara and Julie quite made it to 100% in that interview. (So, it’s 9% googling your working title to make sure no one else has written it yet and 8% mounting your main character on a dart board and throwing plot darts at her and 5% coffee and 3% cake and 1.2% bourbon…)
Thanks for an inspirational interview, ladies!
I just let out this HUGE sigh of relief to hear that neither Julie and Tara struggle to meet their goals. As always, interesting bits of information that made me smile and inspired me.
Thanks for the interview! Tara Lazar rocks.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!
I’m more of a list making/goal setting person, but I’m thinking about the idea of not setting such strict goals. I do know that not getting to write for a few days makes me more productive when I finally do get to it. Definitely some things to think about. Thanks!
I found the advice to let ideas marinate for a while and to evaluate their worth BEFORE you write the story particularly helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for this! So grateful to Tara for PiBoIdMo which got me started AND introduced me to 12×12, yay!
Thank you so much for this helpful post! Congratulations on your new books, Tara! 12×12 and PiBoIdMo are integral parts of my writing journey. Thank you!
Great advice, Tara!
Thank you Tara and Julie for a great kick-off! I’m not a Resolutions person either, and found that that actually allows me to get MORE done because I’m not kicking myself when I “fail” right out of the starting gate. Looking forward to 2015!
What a great interview – more like listening in on a genuine conversation. Great questions and truly helpful advice. Thank you.
That was so much fun! Tara’s a hoot.
My head is still kind of spinning from trying to learn everything, but I’m ready to give it my best this year. Thanks Tara and Julie.
Tara, thank you for sharing your writing journey so candidly! Your impact and inspiration through your blog and PiBoIdBo is incredible!
Wow. Great post. Thanks so much!
Thanks for the inspiration! It’s great to be here 🙂
I love it that you don’t make resolutions and are honest about it. I used to agonize about making the. One year I refused and nothing bad happened! The conversation inspired me by making is ok not to write everyday.
Thank you Julie and Tara,
Such a motivation to hear about all the twists and turns Tara’s writing career has taken. Excited to see where my journey (with the help of 12×12) will take me.
Jane
Very helpful to hear the stories of writers working through the long slog to refine their craft and and overcome frustrations of writing life… Many Thanks!
I enjoyed listening to the conversation between the two of you! Thanks so much to both of you for creating these wonderful resource communities for writers.
Thanks for a great interview. Very inspiring!
Tara’s blog post was inspirational. Being a newbie to picture book writing, her advice that you should approach your writing in a way that works for you helped eliminate some of my stress. Thanks Tara.
Tara and Julie – thanks for a warm kickoff to 2015 on this rather cold, dreary day. It felt like we were chatting with old friends. It was interesting to hear how even successful authors still can have a tinge (or even a tad more) of worry regarding if they’ll be published again or wonder if they’ll be struck by inspiration for another story. It’s always nice to know you are not alone!
Write on!
I enjoyed the information and am excited to learn more as a part of this community!
Tara,
Thanks for the post and for PiBoIdMo! I always look forward to it. It is like the dessert of all challenges 🙂
Thanks for this, feeling uplifted and inspired!
I definitely love PiBoIdMo, and glad it exists! Love the combo of PiBoIdMo and 12×12, too. Conjure the ideas, then act on them! Yay! Thanks to both of you ladies.
Love: “The work is important.”
This is my first year in 12 x 12, and I am encouraged by the professionalism I have experienced in the recent webinar as well as this blog. I enjoyed listening to this informative conversation between Julie and Tara. Tara’s energy and sense of humor are contagious and honest. The topics of practicing work habits and believing in yourself are definitely important but most of us are most likely challenged by doubt and procrastination as well. This blog helped put it all into perspective.
I did write a draft and also worked on revising another manuscript during January. Thank you for the support and information provided by the 12 x 12 challenge.
So fun to see and hear Tara “in person”. Congrats on the book contracts! I guess I’ve been mispronouncing PiBoIdMo incorrectly all along according to Julie.
LOVE IT! I really enjoyed listening to your video interview. I must say that PiBoIdMo has helped me tremendously over the years. THANK YOU so much for creating such a wonderful forum. Hugs. T
Love Tara, love PiBoIdMo and I’m loving 12 x12!
Thanks for all of your positive energy and inspiring help!
Thanks for your inspiration, a great way to start off the year!
Great way to kick off a new year of 12×12! Thanks for the inspiring words and inspiration – and we’re off and running 🙂
Thanks for kicking off 12×12 and for the glory that is PiBoIdMo!
This brought to mind my fantastic writers group in California. Thanks!
Thanks, Tara, for being so inspiring and so generous. PiBoIdMo is a huge gift. I appreciate your desire for there to be more opportunities for more children to have a favorite book.
The push to get out so many ideas is GOOD GOOD GOOD. And doing the things people love, like blogging (well done) is a part of the task. I have really needed this clarity and encouragement to be patient (I once had an Amazon (the place, not the retailer) shaman tell me I was here this time around to learn patience!).
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
As a past participant in PiBoIdMo (and a first-year 12x12er), it was a delight to hear from Tara! And, I’m looking forward to working some of my languishing PiBoIdMo ideas into 12×12 drafts. Synchronicity!
A great kickoff for a new year! After participating in PiBoIdMo, I am sure 2015 will be a much busier – and more successful – year for me.
Thanks for the humor and the inspiration. I’m looking forward to 2015!
Thank you so much, Tara & Julie. Was motivational and inspirational to listen to. 2015, here I come!
Nice refresher that there is no replacement for putting in the hard work. May we all keep truckin’.
I enjoyed listening to the video. It was interesting. I am a beginner so appreciate all I can learn. Thanks for helping me go forward. 🙂
Thanks to both of you for letting me know that it is OK to focus on writing rather than devoting time to submissions before I feel ready.
Inspiring video. Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder that stories don’t always grow at the keyboard!
Tara, you are a delight and an inspiration whether I watch you or read your blog! Your attitude, honesty, and approach to writing are a calming and motivating influence. I love MONSTORE and look forward to your upcoming books.
You know you’re a children’s writer when you choose to watch a video interview between Julie and Tara instead of watching the Super Bowl. Glad I finally got around to it! I must be your long-lost brother because I’ve experienced so many of the same ups and downs. Great talk, and I hope it’s inspiring to all the 12x12ers and PiBoers out there.
Great information! Thank you!
I revised one olllllld story and did complete a new story. Woot!
Bravo! Honest, wise and helpful. I’m inspired!
From Tara’s PiBiIdMo to Julie’s 12x 12, the journey to success is close at hand, at least that’s I motivate myself and to others. We appreciate these two’s uplifting spirit to make picture book writing as exciting and motivating to authors whatever level they are in. Let’s get on with 2015!
Having just joined 12 x 12, I’m just catching up and watched the interview today. Love the honesty and practical down to earth comments and advice. Lots of inspiration to keep going and focus on what’s important. Thanks for a great start 🙂