Thursday, December 13, 2012

My 2012: A Look Back



2012 has beens my year for challenges and acronyms. I participated in Julie Hedlund's 12x12 all year, Paula Yoo's NaPiBoWriWee in May, Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo in November, and Linda Silvestri's SkADaMo in November. In addition to all of these, my debut picture released November 15th. It was a lot of challenges and a lot of work. In case you don't know what these acronyms stand for, here are some quick definitions:

12x12 - Write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months. I did it. Thank you Julie Hedlund.

NaPiBoWriWee - National Picture Book Writing Week, Write 7 picture book manuscripts in 7 days. I did it and with 12x12, I wrote 18 manuscripts this year. Thank you Paula Yoo.

PiBoIdMo - Picture Book Idea Month, Come up with a concept for a picture book storyline every day of the month of November. I completed this challenge this year and last year. I used many of last year's ideas to create drafts for the first two challenges on this list. Thank you Tara Lazar.

SkADaMo - Sketch a Day Month, Create a sketch every day in November and post them on your blog. I posted 23 sketches on this blog. I actually created one every day but could not post some because they are part of a picture book dummy for a NaPiBoWriWee story I wrote in the 2011 challenge. This was my first year doing  this challenge and it was a lot of fun. Can't think too long when you have to produce a sketch and post it that day. Thank you Linda Silvestri (who also created the 12x12 badge you see at the top of this post.

As if November wasn't busy enough with writing a draft for 12x12, coming up with an idea for a story everyday for PiBoIdMo, and creating a sketch everyday for SkADaMo - a picture book that I wrote and illustrated launched on November 15th. FLAP! is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, and my website (if you want an autographed copy). See image of FLAP! cover on the sidebar.

Now that I have thanked the four talented women who led these challenges, I need to thank the other writers and illustrators who participated in these challenges with me. Thank you. I read many of your pitches, critiqued many of your stories, reviewed many of your sketches. You are all very talented and supportive and I appreciate the communities created within these writing groups.

But wait! There's more! Because of exposure through 12x12, I was invited to join a group of writer's who had books coming out in 2012 and share marketing advice and efforts. Thank you Picture Book Pluggers. I also created a business called AH Designs in which I create swag for authors and other professionals - including bookmarks, business cards, postcards, coloring pages, book formating, etc... Thank you Susanna Hill for helping to get this ball rolling.

One More Thing! Through the connections I made in 12x12, I also started an online picture book critique group called Flowing Words with several talented writers and illustrators. Thank you to those writers for sharing your manuscripts with me and for helping me polish my writing.

Whew, now I can breathe for a couple of weeks until 12x12 in 2013 begins this January. Are you with me? There is nothing more motivating that a group of writers struggling along with you and telling you that YOU CAN DO IT.

17 comments:

  1. Hi Alison! And here I thought I was a busy lady...lol...what a GREAT year you've had! Congrats on Flap...such a cute looking book. I'm honored to be a part of your Flowing Words critique group and can't wait for your guest blog post on my new series WRITERLY WISDOM next year! Here's to an even busier 2013...;~)

    Donna L Martin

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  2. Congrats on your achievements for the year. Wishing you much continued success in 2013.
    -Darshana

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  3. You also are a charter member of YoRoAlKiHe -- You ROCK, Alison Kipnis Hertz! Congratulations on all your accomplishments this year, and here's to another wonderful year in 2013!

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  4. Wow! What a year, Alison! So many fabulous accomplishments! Hope 2013 will be even better! :)

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  5. What motivation you must have Alison. I'm so happy for you with all your accomplishments this year. Congratulations on your four successful challenges, your picture book and your new business (how neat)

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  6. I'm with you, Alison! Nice to meet you through the 12x12 challenge. And I love your about me summary. Carpe diem.

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  7. What a year you have had Alison! I really liked hearing your story recently. Congratulations on all your accomplishments this year, and best wishes for a great 2013. -- Carrie

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  8. You have been one busy woman! Wow! So glad to have been through some of these challenges with you!

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  9. I'm glad you summed up your experiences in 2012. It gave me a window into what you've been doing. Cheers for you, Alison. Don't forget to mention all the valuable help you've given us (especially me). Hugs to you! :)

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    1. Aaaww. Thank you, Brenda. I love helping other writers. Some wonderful writers and illustrators have helped me and I enjoy giving back to the kidlit community. : )

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  10. Hi Alison! Congrats on all that you have accomplished this year. You are an inspiration. Here's hoping 2013 is even more creative for you! :)

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  11. Wow, Alison! There's no stopping you! I'm exhausted (but also inspired) just READING your post much less finishing all of those challenges. And congratulations on the publication of FLAP! My kiddos are enamored of it. I'm glad you made so many fruitful connections through the challenge. I sense more great things will come your way in 2013!

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  12. You sure were busy, Alison! Double busy as an author and illustrator. I learned a new acronym today- SkaDaMo. Congrats on your new book FLAP...exciting news!

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  13. Wow! You've been busy Alison! You have accomplished so much this year! I really can't draw at all, so I love that you get to write AND illustrate your stories! And congratulations on the publication of FLAP! So happy for you!

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  14. Congratulations, Alison, on all your accomplishments and so many challenges + a new book and business! Happy 12x12!

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  15. Hey, Allison! Not too busy, were you? ;-)

    Congrats on all your success this year! Looking forward to hearing all about FLAP at Springmingle!

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  16. Alison, what a wonderfully productive year it has been for you. And congrats on FLAP! So happy things are coming together for you. Looking forward to 12x12 in 2013...see you then!

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