I’m not quite sure how it got to be MAY before hosting our first Tuesday 12 x 12 author of 2015, but better late than never. Tuesday 12 x 12 is a series where we celebrate and learn from the dedicated, talented, pre-published authors working toward achieving their dreams.
Lisa Connors exemplifies the hard-working 12 x 12 member dedicated to improving her writing craft and giving to our community. After reading her post, I can definitely say, “YES, you ARE an author even if you are not published.” So long as you keep working, you are an author. At its heart, that’s what 12 x 12 is all about. We’re lucky Lisa found her way to us. Please give her a warm welcome!
A 12 x 12 garden will bloom in no time. A 12 x 12 bathroom is easy to clean. But the 12 x 12 challenge to picture book writers is no walk in the park. Who would take that on? I would! As a pre-published author, I find it hard sometimes to explain what I do. Am I even an author if I’m not published? Those frustrations fade when I’m focused on 12 x 12. That’s because it’s not only a personal challenge to me to write a picture book every month, but because it’s also a community of peers whose ideas and questions help me and empower me to stay the course.
I love everything about children reading: the immersion into another place, the connections to the characters, the magic that seems real, the things they learn, the special bonds between the adult reader and child, the dreams they ponder and the words they soon learn to gobble on their own. I love reading to children and so I want to write for children.
My writing journey is only in its third year. I’ve published articles in my previous careers in science and teaching, but it’s a totally different ballgame to write a picture book, much less get it published. I needed time to immerse myself in all the parameters of the craft, not just the writing. So with my husband’s support, I left teaching and now call myself a quasi-homesteader and a writer. I blog about my nature encounters as I homestead (http://www.halcyonnature.com) and about favorite picture books and ways to use them in the classroom (https://lisaconnors.wordpress.com). But I must admit to many times in the last two years where I was still ‘too busy’ despite not teaching; it’s much easier to weed than to sit in a chair when I’m stuck. And I’m convinced that if Facebook didn’t exist, I’d have scads of manuscripts being fought over by publishers!
So what’s a wannabe with good intentions to do? Join 12 x 12. It helps to imagine the picture book community peering over my shoulder or looking at my agenda. Did you schedule time to write today? How’s that monthly draft coming? I find 12 x 12 provides me the right amount of extrinsic motivation to keep my intrinsic flame lit. Ideas have always come fairly easily to me. I love Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo challenge and each of the two years I’ve participated, I’ve drafted about five of my ideas. But I had more than 30 each year! I need practice in developing my ideas and especially in ‘RE visioning’ my stories.
The 12 x 12 community introduced me to Carrie Charley Brown’s Read For Research Month, which was a huge help in how I read picture books and in their use as models for my own development of the craft. Every single manuscript I have out in slush piles will be cut up and spun on its head next time it’s rejected, instead of my usual method of just submitting to a different publisher. It’s all part of the process.
So I am doing much of what I’m told needs to be tackled to be successful as a children’s writer. I joined SCBWI and I’ve been to a few conferences. I met a fellow writer at a workshop who has become a fantastic critique partner and friend. I read picture books at my library every week and work on my manuscripts or draft new ones regularly. But in my small town, working at my desk, the isolation can be a blessing or a frustrating hindrance. Luckily, I’ve found the perfect online community to keep me buoyed. Thanks 12 x 12!
Lisa grew up in Pennsylvania and now calls Virginia home, except when getting to sabbatical with her family in Spain. She finds it embarrassing that she never discovered Dr. Seuss until reading to her own children because her mother did not approve of his silly rhyme. Deciding she was raised in a vacuum, she delighted in reading anything her kids wanted to hear, especially silly. She loves collecting story ideas and keeps an eye out for them anywhere, but seems to find most while mowing or walking. She also loves nature and has more pictures of caterpillars than of herself. When not writing, walking or mowing, she enjoys knitting, gardening, canning and traveling.
28 Responses
I, too, struggle with that self doubt, despite having published journal articles and other nonfiction for adults. Glad to hear you’re pressing onward. That’s the only way to get it done. Good luck!
Thanks Jilanne! Good luck to you too!
Lisa,
As a pre-published author, the self doubt and angst at times are deafening. But words of encourage when posting on 12 X 12 the first 250 words is the only way fresh eyes can help you. Thank you for the post and the courage it takes to persevere.
Thanks Deborah! I think I’m only in the beginning of persevering, but I am in it for the long haul. Good luck to you too!
Thanks Lisa, for sharing your journey so far. You’ve covered a lot of my own doubts and helped me to fight them. Here’s to the next stage!
To the next stage indeed, Kaye! Good luck to you.
Love PA and VA. What a great place to live for inspiration.
Virginia is inspiring Johnell. My husband and I just had a 25th wedding anniversary picnic on the top of a nearby mountain–one we can see from our property, but have never hiked to. Love that about this place.
Love how you say ” frustrations fade when I’m focused on 12 x 12″ – always felt that way about this challenge and the community too. Write on, Lisa!
Yes Julie! That’s the power of flow, especially when you’re lost in something you love.
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing. I feel so similarly. I really need extrinsic motivation to keep that intrinsic flame going. Loved that.
The only extrinsic motivation that would be better than 12×12 would be a deadline from a publisher! 🙂 Good luck to you!
Nice to meet you, Lisa! I’m in your boat, learning and growing as we sail forward in 12×12.
Good luck to you too Wendy! I like the image of sailing forward.
Good luck on your journey! Being a pre-published author myself, it’s always interesting to hear about others who are on the beginning of this wild ride.
Thank you Kristi. It was cathartic to share my story. I plan to revisit my journey yearly to help propel me forward. Good luck to you too!
Hi, Lisa! Thanks so much for sharing your progress as a writer. I, too, am a former teacher (and, guidance counselor) turned homemaker w/ articles, but no books yet. It is still hard to get my writing in some weeks. This is my first year with 12×12, and I love it! I also love your garden and bathroom analogy — not the same thing at all! Mowing is a great time for ideas to come, I agree. It allows for your mind to wander to all sorts of stories. Thanks for sharing with us. The encouragement is greatly appreciated!
I’m glad I could help Hally! Best of luck on your journey too! I hear you about how it is hard to get writing in sometimes. I have stopped listening to anyone who is dogmatic about how many words a writer must write each day.
Thanks for the boost, Lisa. I agree that it is the structure and support from 12×12 that can keep us perking. Webinars like Jane Yolen sure get my BIC going!! Good luck on your journey and thanks for the encouragement.
Thanks for the reminder about Jane Yolen’s webinar Rosie! I’ve been doing some remodeling and almost forgot about it. Good luck on your journey too!
I agree–belonging to 12 x 12 is definitely motivating! It sounds like you gave made great progress on working towards your dreams.
Thanks Andrea. Sometimes it seems so slow, and there is so much waiting, but I hope to be writing for 30 years!
I may remain pre-published as a children’s writer, but I will never stop loving creating children’s stories and sharing them with my critique group and will continue to try to get them published. Best wishes to you, Lisa. (P.S. I was born and raised in Virginia!)
Hi Jerrianne. You are brave to state something we all wonder…will we ever get published? I love your commitment regardless. And because of that, I bet you will get published. Good luck to you.
Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your journey. I’m a prepublished author and it’s inspiring to hear from other’s in this group. 12×12 has put me in touch with so many resources and people of like mind. Best wishes to you as you follow your path.
Best wishes to you too Charlotte. There are so many resources out there, but 12 x 12 seems genuine and supportive.
Thank you Lisa for sharing this wonderful post!
I’m glad you liked it nata.