Writers like Maria are the reason I created 12 x 12. Creating a group where we can come together, encourage each other, learn from each other and inspire each other is what 12 x 12 is all about. Maria is a huge asset to the 12 x 12 community with her critiques and support of others. I love how Maria has embraced this new phase in her life and has jumped in with both feet. Maybe you’ll recognize some of yourself in Maria’s journey.
For as long as anyone can remember, I have had a book in my hand. A voracious reader, I read every book in our library’s children’s section, from A to Z, during the summer before my third grade year.
Since I loved writing, making up stories, and creating elaborate treasure hunts and maps for my siblings, it surprised no one in my family when I pursued an English Honors and Political Science degree and ultimately Law School. Although I put much on hold to raise my kids, I ran numerous elementary reading programs, was a librarian for a small private school, assisted librarians in three other schools, and ran a Girl Scout troop for twelve years.
In 2009, I started writing and first joined SCWBI. But with a busy family, I accomplished little. Then in 2011, a cascade of circumstances provided me the “opportunity” to actively pursue my dream of writing. My youngest began college, my oldest started teaching in Japan, and I suddenly found myself widowed.
Shaking myself out, I rejoined SCBWI. At a meeting, an editor encouraged attendees to submit manuscripts. Naively, I submitted my first picture book manuscript. After receiving an encouraging, personal rejection, I limped into my first conference. I quickly discovered how many mistakes I had made and what a long suffering, gentle editor she had been.
But I was hooked, I couldn’t stop writing. So, I enrolled in Emma Walton Hamilton’s “Just write for Kids” course. Then I discovered Julie’s 12 x 12 challenge and the badges! In addition to drafting and revising over 12 manuscripts, I made many friends and learned that I truly enjoy editing and critiquing. 12 x 12 helped me start one critique group, join another, and make numerous connections with amazing and caring individuals. I am eternally grateful for the encouragement and incentives to keep writing (badges and critique deadlines) which the writing community has offered me, especially when life throws me speeding curve balls.
12 x 12 emboldened me to ask my local SCBWI about a critique group. When none existed in my area, I forged ahead and started one. After reading 12 x 12 posts and comments on the internet, I participated in editor/agent critiques at a local conference and an Oregon SCBWI retreat. Only slightly bruised, I am eagerly trying to budget funds to attend a few east coast conferences.
Hungry to improve my skills and learn the craft, I bought recommended reference resources and many mentor texts. Then I stumbled into, or followed 12 x 12 friends through, a number of amazing online writing courses: Renée M. LaTulippe’s “The Lyrical Language Lab,” Jodell Sadler’s “Pacing Picture Books to Wow,” Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen’s “Picture book A to Z’s: Plotting in Picture Books,” Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Making Picture Book Magic,” Harold Underwood’s “Kid’s Book Revisions,” and Jen Swanson & Mira Reisberg’s “Children’s Book Academy: Writing for Love and Money.” Slowly learning to pace myself, I am eagerly anticipating Angie Karcher’s “Writing in Rhyme to WOW!” in October.
Occasionally procrastinating, I found a number of challenges that helped me capture my ideas, keep trudging on, and tune-up my manuscripts – PiBoIdMo, ReviMo, RhyPiBoMo, ReFoReMo, NaPiBoWriWee, ChaBoCha, ChaBoCha Lite, Kidlit Summer School, The Writer’s Soiree, and Rate Your Story. I also enjoy participating in the Missing Voice Picture Book Discussion group, Word by Word Book Club, Debut PB Study Group, WOW nonficpic, and KidLit 411.
In a whirlwind spring/summer, I had two poems featured in the “Ditty of the Month Challenge,” a pitch posted to Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Would You Read It?” contest, received Honorable Mention in the Rate Your Story Competition, and was a Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Competition. Although unpublished and unagented, I can glimpse the light at the far end and, buoyed by these accomplishments, 12 x 12, and my writer friends, I continue marching through the ever so gradually, lightening tunnel.
Maria is an avid bird watcher, proud parent of two wonderful adults, and roommate to two amazing Pixie Bob cats. When she’s not writing, critiquing, reading, or traveling, she loves exploring, hiking and participating in bird counts. Unable to quit volunteering, she also serves on a number of boards, participates in programs with the Woodland Park Zoo, and assists with numerous other causes. She’s passionate about using picture and chapter books to connect children with nature and the best parts of ourselves. Maria would love to follow you back on Twitter.
28 Responses
Thank you for sharing your journey in writing. Your energy is inspiring, Maria 🙂 Wishing you well as you travel forward.
Thank you. And good luck to you as well.
Wow Maria, what an inspiring story. As a “pre-published” writer myself, I can completely relate to your journey. You’ve accomplished so much in such a short time! Keep writing and submitting!
Looking forward to seeing both of us on the bookshelves in the near future.
What an inspiring story! Congratulations on your journey, Maria. Can’t wait to read your books! 🙂
Thanks Beth. I am excited to read yours as well.
Maria, you are such an inspiration (and an awesome critique partner)! You are so dedicated and persistent, it seems that nothing will stop you from achieving even more success than you already have. I hope one day we will get a chance to meet in person!
Oh Andrea, I would love to meet in person and you are likewise an amazing critique partner and writer. Hope to toast our mutual successes, soon.
Maria – Wonderful to see you here! You are well on your way! So honored to be able to call you a critique buddy and be a part of your journey.
I am equally honored to be in our group. Here;s to success for us all.
Congratulations on your successes through hard work and perseverance, Maria! May many more come your way in the future!
Thank you Teresa. From your lips…. Wishing you success as well.
Maria, your journey is inspiring and your enthusiasm is persuading. Thanks for the encouragement to keep engaging, pressing on, and learning more.
You can do it! Just take one day at a time and realize they are each special in their own way. As the doors close in our faces, let’s hope for those wide flung windows. Good luck to you in your writing endeavors.
What an amazing writing journey! I’m sure publication will come soon!
Maria, thank you for this inspirational post! You’re an asset to every community you become a part of, and I’m particularly grateful to have you as part of the TLD community.
Un-agented and unpublished today, Maria…but not for long! It’s been a joy being in classes and FB groups with you…and you are a stellar critique partner. 😉 You are ‘all in’ and passionate about what you are doing – and that is the best way to succeed in whatever goals we reach for.
I look forward to meeting you in person one day – I’m sure our paths will cross (I’ll be at the WOW retreat in July and the Midwest Chicago SCBWI conference in April)…get ready for the biggest hug. 😉
Vivian, I would relish the hug and have an equally big one for you. Thanks for all your encouragement, awesome critiques, and friendship. I’ll peak at the Midwest conference (and WOW 2016 – heard you’re going back). You are also poised for success. I can’t wait to see that happen. 🙂
You are such an amazing asset to 12×12 and the writing community as a whole. Thanks for your support of all of us!!
East Coast event? Make sure you hit up Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in PA (and let me know when you do!). Eastern PA SCWBI is in the woods- many trails, lots of birds- as Highlghts 🙂
*at Highlights*
Thanks Eric, two excellent suggestions. i will definitely let you know. likewise, if you are ever on the West Coast, let me know.
Wow! I’m amazed at all you’ve done! You have an exciting road ahead!
Thanks Tina.
I love the way you have fully immersed yourself in challenges, classes, and groups. You’ve got what it takes! Rock on, Maria, rock on!
Thanks Carrie. You have been an important part of this journey.
You have done so many different course and challenges! I am amazed! I am sure publication is very near. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks Hally. Many of them are self-paced on line. Take a look at them, they are all excellent and highlight different aspects. Good Luck.
Hi Maria, am just sitting down tonight, a sticky humid night in Michigan, to catch up with 12×2 blogs from August, You are a dynamo and doing so many interesting things to learn more about your craft and passion. And I am so sorry about your loss of you partner six years ago–sounds like that occurred while also dealing with a grown child being far away. No doubt, you seem to have found a peacefulness and gift in your talent for writing. Thank you for your insights and the resources you find useful. Best to you!!