In today’s Tuesday 12 x 12, Kristi Veitenheimer gives us some wonderful resources for getting started on the journey of writing picture books–and staying the course. I am honored that 12 x 12 has been part of the path. Congrats to Kristi for going so boldly after her dreams. With the tenacity she’s shown so far, I have no doubt 12 x 12 members will be celebrating her successes soon.
I’ve loved to read and write as far back as I can remember. And I’ve always known that I wanted to be an author “when I grew up.” So after teaching in the elementary grades for more than 25 years, I’ve finally decided to make that dream come true.
Although currently unpublished, I have big dreams and am working on achieving them. For the past 1 ½ years I’ve been studying the craft, making “writerly” friends and connections on social media, participating in online challenges, and writing a few manuscripts.
Here’s what my journey has looked like so far:
- Have bought a number (a lot) of books on the craft of writing picture books (still catching up on reading them, lol) including Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by AnnWhitford Paul, Anatomy of Nonfiction by Margerie Facklam, How to Write Poetry by Paul Janeczko, and Poem-Making: Ways to Begin Writing Poetry by Myra Cohn Livingston.
- Have participated in several online groups and challenges, including PiBoIdMo, Mini-Wow, Revimo, RhyPiBoMo, Ditty Challenge of the Month, ReFoReMo, and Blogging A to Z Challenge.
- Have taken several online writing courses: The Lyrical Language Lab with Renée M. LaTulippe, Making Picture Book Magic with Susanna Leonard Hill, and Pacing Picture Books to Wow with Jodell Sadler. These have all been incredible courses that I highly recommend! I’m looking forward to taking Kristen Fulton’s Nonfiction Archaeology in the near future (have to save up some money).
- Have connected online with a number of picture book authors through Facebook, author blogs, and Twitter.
- Have entered a few writing contests.
- The highlight of this year: I joined Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Challenge. I’ve already written and revised more in the last 3 ½ months than in the last 2 years!
So you may be wondering what I’ve learned so far in this journey. Although I’ve learned more than I can possibly relate here, these are my top 3:
- Read, read, read and study the craft of writing picture books. I’ve found that successful, published authors still read and study even after reaching published status.
- Don’t stretch myself too thin, trying to do too much all at once. During the month of March, I was taking a writing course, participating in 12 x 12, and participating in a couple of online writing challenges. Can you say overload? I felt like I didn’t do anything really well that month. So I’ll choose only a couple of things to concentrate on at one time from now on.
- Spend lots of time writing, writing, and writing some more. I know that I won’t get better by studying alone. So now it’s time to get serious!
I really appreciate Julie giving me the chance to highlight my journey so far. I look forward to the day when I can say that I’m a published author of picture books!
Kristi works at an education service center by day and writes and studies picture books by night. When she’s not working on either job, she likes to read, travel, spend time with her family, volunteer in church ministries, and eat lots of chocolate. You can connect with Kristi on Twitter, Facebook, and her author blog.
26 Responses
So lovely to see you here, Kristi. Even better was getting the opportunity to hug you in person at the WOW retreat last week…how awesome was that!
You are dedicated…you WILL succeed. I’m so thrilled to be taking this journey with you. 😉
Vivian, it was a pleasure to meet you also! The WOW retreat was a real game changer for me. And it was so nice to connect in person with so many of my writer friends. Now to just get busy and write….
I’ve seen your name in our WOW FB group. Nice to get to know you. It seems like you have a great start on writing with all your books and classes. Super!
Thanks, Tina. Now I just have to focus on writing, writing, writing! And if you ever get the chance to go to the WOW retreat, I highly recommend it; it was amazing!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Kristi!
It was my pleasure, Kirsti! And I hope to meet you in person someday.
Good to see your post on 12X12 🙂 It was fun being roommates at WOW RETREAT 2015 and I know you will succeed. Love your initiative and great sense of humor-GO KRISTI! Big Texas hugs!
Charlotte, you were the best roommate ever! It was such a pleasure rooming with you and Angie Karcher. You always made me feel welcome. Here’s to our writing journeys!
Kristi, I know your commitment and dedication to your craft will take you far! Thanks for being a DMC MVP. 🙂
Michelle, you know that participating in your Ditty of the Month Challenges is one of my favorite “writerly” things to do! You will definitely “make the cut” for challenges to participate in as I weed out some activities.
You go, girl! Way to immerse yourself in your craft! You’ll go far!
Thanks, Carrie! And both being Texas girls, I really hope to meet you in person someday. I love your blog!
Go. Go. Go. Love to read about your journey. I think the not stretching yourself too thin is a daily reminder. Glad we met at WOW.
Stacy, I loved meeting you as well. I wish we had more time to get to know each other. Here’s to future writing hookups!
Kristi, so nice to see you highlighted on 12 x 12! I feel so fortunate that I got to meet you in person at WOW AND that I got to be in your round table group at WOW. You are a lovely person with a wonderful sense of humor, a great laugh, and a warm personality. Keep doing what you’re doing on your writing journey and I agree that it’s a good idea not to spread yourself too thin. Writing can be an overwhelming process, but I can see you enjoy “the moment” and all the friends you are meeting along the way. Go Kristi!
Lori, it was unbelievably wonderful to get to know you at WOW! You are such a warm, friendly person with great talents in writing. I’m so fortunate to be able to call you my friend. Your critiques were extremely helpful. So glad that we’re going to continue the journey together!
Very nice to meet you, Kristi!! Wishing you much writing success!!
Thanks, Kelly! Wishing you success as well!
Great tips! I love your dedication and determination!
Thanks, Andrea! I usually go “all in” or I don’t go at all. The journey has been fun so far!
Great advice Kristi. I also have a tendency to spread myself too thin some months. There are so many great writing things going on, but you really have to pick and choose what to focus on.
Rebecca, it’s so true. And I am continually finding more out there to be involved in. I’m definitely finding my favorites and just concentrating on those for now. I’m also finding that I need to stay off facebook and just get busy writing!
Kristi, it sounds like you have really gotten lots done in a relatively short time. I am impressed with all the study and courses. Thanks for sharing your story and tips!
Thanks, Hally. I enjoyed sharing this post on 12×12. Another highlight of my year!
Looks like we made some of the same connections. So good to finally meet you in person at WOW, Kristi. Hope you have great success this coming year!
Jarm, it was a pleasure meeting you in person! I can’t begin to express how much the WOW retreat inspired me. I hope we continue to “meet up” in writer groups in the future. You’re a beautiful person inside and out!