12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge

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12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge

November 30, 2011 by Julie

Badge by Linda Silvestri

(ETA: THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR THE 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge is now passed. If, after you read this post, you have more questions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions post)

Twelve complete picture book drafts. Twelve months. 2012. Are you with me?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write one picture book per month for each of the twelve months of 2012. This means a first draft: beginning, middle, end. NOT a submission-ready piece. Sounds easy right? It sounds easy to me, too. But when I looked back on my writing output from 2011, I discovered that I only completed one draft from all 30 of the PiBoIdMo ideas I came up with in 2010. I did draft, edit and revise other pieces I had in the works, but I am not content with my overall 2011 results. So I decided to challenge myself to write many more in 2012, and I figured, why not invite others to join me so we can support and encourage each other along the way?

I have been floored by the community that came together for PiBoIdMo this year – cheers to Tara Lazar!! I only hope we can take your good work and keep the home fires burning at least until next November.

Just as with other challenges, like PiBoIdMo and NaPiBoWriWee (National Picture Book Writing Week), so long as you are willing to do your best, you are welcome to join us. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you have 12, 4 or even 1 PB drafted if you’ve gotten more accomplished by being in the group than by going it alone. There will be a winner badge, of course, for those who make it to 12 or more, but the idea is that we support, encourage, and help each other throughout the year as we try to put flesh on the bones of those PB ideas. My own personal goal is to draft 18 PBs between this challenge and NaPiBoWriWee, but I know it’s a tall task. I also know it will be easier with others with me.

As an added incentive to join the challenge, I will be running guest posts on the blog from experts in the field along with a special giveaway each month. My general plan is to run guest posts on the first of each month, and draw a winner of each month’s giveaway on the last day of the month. However, I want to leave myself wiggle room in case I need to change some of the parameters. Bear with me, as this is the first challenge of this type that I’ve run on my blog, so there’s a learning curve for sure.

I want to give a huge round of thanks to Linda Silvestri, the immensely talented illustrator who donated her talents to create our participant badge.

Now, what do you have to do to join, you ask? First, you must sign your name in blood and send it to me at… Just kidding! No, there are two mandatory steps and three optional, listed below:

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CHALLENGE = JANUARY 29, 2012

1. Follow this blog. (Mandatory) If you are a new follower, please specify how you follow in the comments (RSS, email, etc.)

2. Complete the following form indicating you are taking the 12 x 12 challenge (Mandatory) SIGN-UP FOR THE 12 x 12 in 2012 IS NOW CLOSED.

3. Please paste the 12 x 12 badge (courtesy of Linda Silvestri) on your blog (if you have one) with a link back to this post. (Optional) I would also love it if you would consider blogging about the challenge and again providing a link back to this post.

4. Join the 12 x 12 in 2012 Facebook Group (Optional) Please note you must be an official 12 x 12 in 2012 participant in order to be admitted into the Facebook group. (Optional)

5. Participate in Twitter discussions throughout the year using the hashtag #12x (Optional)

That’s all folks! I hope to see lots of you here! Can’t wait to get started!! If you have other questions or comments, please leave them in the comments below.

Posted in 12 x 12 in 2012, Authors, Guest Blogging, NaPiBoWriWee, PiBoIdMo, Picture Books, Works in Progress, Writing | Tagged 12 x 12 in 2012, Julie Hedlund, NaPiBoWriWee, Paula Yoo, PiBoIdMo, Picture Books, Tara Lazar, Works in Progress, Writer, Writing | 330 Comments

330 Responses

on January 27, 2012 at 11:29 am | Reply jerryrexwriting

Reblogged this on jerryrexwriting and commented:
So, I’ll be trying this out, and already brainstormed on a couple ideas! Hope this is motivation for me this year!
on January 27, 2012 at 12:14 pm | Reply Cindy

I’m looking forward to the challenge and the accountability! I follow through email… Thanks!
on January 27, 2012 at 3:11 pm | Reply Teresa

Thanks for the encouragement. Will be following via email.
on January 27, 2012 at 9:25 pm | Reply SevenAcresky

Julie, I’m sure I signed up for the challenge but never got a confirmation on that. I did get a confirmation that I am a follower of your blog. Is that all we should expect in way of 12×12 reply? How would I know I signed up for challenge successfully? (I have been known to be a few clicks short of a full load.)
Damon Dean. – SevenAcreSky
- on January 27, 2012 at 11:18 pm | Reply Julie
  
  I have you on the list Damon. Glad to know your name!
  - on January 28, 2012 at 8:09 am | Reply SevenAcresky
    
    Thanks. Really enjoying the blog and comments. And my first draft is done! Woohoo!
on January 28, 2012 at 4:38 pm | Reply Beth Gentemann Thaler

Hi Julie,
I’m excited to be signed up for the 12×12 in 2012 Challenge! I’m following via email. Looking forward to a great year.
Thanks,
Beth
on January 28, 2012 at 9:46 pm | Reply BethRevers

just signed up to follow on e-mail, hope to be inspired
on January 29, 2012 at 7:34 am | Reply Cristina Ortega

Julie,
this is just what i need… a creative boost.
I may even begin a blog along the
way… cheers to everyone!
on January 29, 2012 at 10:44 am | Reply Ty's Adventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!
Mom & I are super pumped about this! Thanks for the invite!
We’ll blog on it & link back, too! Yippie!
on January 29, 2012 at 11:25 am | Reply On The Web…12×12 in 2012 «

[...] right! Mom & I are official participants in Julie Hedlund’s super fun & creative 12 x 12 in 2012. Gotta keep those creative juices [...]
on January 29, 2012 at 11:27 am | Reply Ty's Adventures

Hi! It’s me again, Ty!
Here’s the link to our blog post on 12 x 12 in 2012!
Yay!
http://wp.me/pR1J1-jp
on January 29, 2012 at 11:33 am | Reply Pam Coughlan

Heard about the challenge after finding your blog through the Comment Challenge. It’s a daring step for me, but I just signed up and followed through Google Reader.
on January 29, 2012 at 12:20 pm | Reply Niki Leonidou

This is very exciting!! Although I am an illustrator, I think this is going to be a great opportunity for me to write my ideas down on a piece of paper, at last!
on January 29, 2012 at 1:03 pm | Reply Lisa J. Michaels

I’m a busy author/illustrator and moderator for a large on-line writers critique group. When you wear several hats, it’s hard to find writing time for yourself and I’ll admit that I’ve slacked off for quite a while in the writing department.

My hope is that this challenge will force me to set aside writing time, and be a positive force in my own crit group. I have asked my group members to sign up as well! Thanks for providing this inspiration. )
on January 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm | Reply Helen Dineen

Just sneaked in before the deadline Am following by email. Thanks so much for organising. Looking forward to the challenge – it’s just the carrot & stick I need…
on January 29, 2012 at 1:51 pm | Reply Angie

Hi – so glad I found out about your blog and the contest from a friend during this weekend’s SCBWI conference this weekend….following the action via Google Reader.
on January 29, 2012 at 3:08 pm | Reply Vincent Desjardins

I’m following your blog through your ‘NetworkedBlogs’ link. Thanks for setting this up. It’s just the challenge I need!
on January 29, 2012 at 3:53 pm | Reply Angela Padron

Looking forward to working on a lot of ideas this year! Thanks for the encouragement and for running this blog.
on January 29, 2012 at 5:04 pm | Reply marshandeesm

I’ve been a silent voice for an eternity, hiding myself and my words in the confines of my home. I think your post held a lot of light for me, and I’m glad to have found the 12×12 in 12; thanks for the inspiration.
on January 29, 2012 at 5:54 pm | Reply Kathleen Cornell Berman

Thanks for providing the motivation I need. I’ve been dragging my pen too long.
Looking forward to the challenge.
on January 29, 2012 at 5:56 pm | Reply Jeannie Brett

it’s getting close…tonight is the sign up deadline. First dummy to be finished by Tuesday the 31st!

I AM signed up, right Julie?
on January 29, 2012 at 6:09 pm | Reply Jeannie Brett

no blog but I’ve made the commitment public. check out my website:
http://www.jeanniebrett.com/new/
on January 29, 2012 at 6:34 pm | Reply Will Orser

Good luck! Signed up and following via e-mail. Of course, now I have 2 days to write a draft…

Will
on January 29, 2012 at 8:09 pm | Reply denise r quintino

Done! thank you. I provided my email address, twitter and blog. YAY!
on January 30, 2012 at 3:19 am | Reply copperbluestudio

Hi Julie, thanks for doing this! I am following through WordPress as I haven’t seen an email sign up yet. I need help getting the badge on to my blog…if you have some instructions somewhere I would love a nudge in that direction. As soon as I figure that out I’ll put up a post about it.
- on February 2, 2012 at 2:13 am | Reply bookwormkkc
  
  Go to widgets in your wordpress file, add a text widget, and then instead of text use an a href/imgsrc html tag to post the URL for the badge. That was a real pain to find on Google for some reason. Good luck!
on January 30, 2012 at 6:39 pm | Reply 12 x 12 in 2012 Picture Book Writing Challenge: 1 down…11 to go! « Positive Parental Participation

[...] of the ones that struck a chord in me was Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 in 2012. Julie is a talented writer, inspired blogger and generous spirit. I’ve never met her, but if [...]
on January 31, 2012 at 1:05 am | Reply January 12 x 12 Check-In

[...] 12 x 12 Check-In January 31, 2012 by Beth Leave a Comment The first month of the 12 x 12 2012 picture book draft writing challenge has been a good one. We’re developing a great community, especially through the Facebook [...]
on January 31, 2012 at 6:51 am | Reply Cristina Ortega

early morning silly question…….. hold on, let me sip a bit more coffee.
sip. sip… sip.
alright. i’m ready.
how do we go about finding a partner or group to critique
with? is this part of the 12×12 experience?
glup!
on February 1, 2012 at 12:09 am | Reply George Shannon: February 12 x 12 Author « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

[...] 2012Monthly 12 x 12 in 2012 Check-In: JanuaryIMPORTANT information for 12 x 12 in 2012 Participants12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge12 x 12 in 2012: Frequently Asked QuestionsGet Your Goodies! 12 x 12 Store OpenFour More Days to [...]
on February 1, 2012 at 6:44 pm | Reply Brussel Sprouts, Spiders and 12×12 « This Kid Reviews Books

[...] those of you who don’t know, I am trying to do Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge. It is a challenge to write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months in 2012. You [...]
on February 3, 2012 at 10:57 am | Reply The Artist’s Way: Weeks 8 and 9 Check-In « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

[...] up the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge. This idea was just a twinkle in my eye at the beginning of November. Now we are one [...]
on February 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm | Reply Gratitude Sunday 71 « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

[...] Completing my January picture book draft for the 12 x 12 challenge [...]
on February 5, 2012 at 7:18 pm | Reply Rate Your Story « Artist or Author?

[...] of my fellow participants of Julie Hedlunds writing challenge 12 Picture books in 12 months in 2012 have also submitted their work and it is great to see all their feedback and delight at how [...]
on February 5, 2012 at 8:10 pm | Reply Liebster Blog Award « Children's Books Heal

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on February 6, 2012 at 3:01 am | Reply Children's poem "Cactus Toe" by Natalie Fischer

[...] I’m not sure I ever mentioned this, but I’m participating in Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2012 picture book writing challenge, through which I have met an astounding number of fabulous writer types. Early on, I glommed onto [...]
on February 6, 2012 at 8:41 am | Reply And The Liebster Goes To… | bildebok

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on February 6, 2012 at 9:27 am | Reply Liebster Blog Award | Flowering Minds

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on February 6, 2012 at 11:52 pm | Reply Academy Award of the Blogosphere: The Liebster Award « Positive Parental Participation

[...] Children’s Books Heal blog to learn more about this special lady. I’ve connected with Pat in Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge and in Susannah Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Fridays. If you love picture books and [...]
on February 8, 2012 at 10:25 pm | Reply Feeling the Love-Liebster Award X2 « illustration junky

[...] characters…definitely worth taking a peak at her site. Both gals and I are a part of Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2012 Challenge. This is a wonderful community of writers/illustrators coming together to encourage and inspire [...]
on February 9, 2012 at 7:58 am | Reply 12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge « emilyschoenfelder

[...] came across Julie’s Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2012 Picture Book Writing challenge just after returning from the SCBWI conference at the end of January. I have a number of [...]
on February 9, 2012 at 11:30 pm | Reply Process for the 12 x 12 project « Children's Illustrations

[...] am officially participating in the 12 x 12 Group which means I am committing to WRITING rough drafts for 12 picture books this year! To get jump [...]
on February 10, 2012 at 11:06 pm | Reply Valentine’s Day Contest « Positive Parental Participation

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on February 11, 2012 at 7:06 am | Reply Cristina Ortega

the moment is near (tomorrow) . . . my manuscript is ready for our “SIXERS” critique group! ok, i have been making changes each day but I am prepared for my first ever critiquing group experience.
whew. . .
I’ll be talking to a 5th grade class on Wednesday on the topic of being an author and the writing process. The 12×12 adventure will be perfect for sharing!
cheers to everyone out there….
on February 12, 2012 at 9:43 am | Reply 12 x 12 Update: Month 1 «

[...] I did it. I beat the 12×12 January deadline and completed a picture book draft by the end of the month. The trouble is, it [...]
on February 13, 2012 at 6:31 am | Reply A Blog Award! « Doodles from my world of make believe

[...] week and put pen to my thoughts and imaginary friends. So I was touched and surprised when fellow 12 X 12 in 2012 participant Margaret Grenias at http://pentoprint.blogspot.com presented me with the Liebster [...]
on February 13, 2012 at 10:55 am | Reply Liebster Blog Award! « Children's Illustrations

[...] a truly lovely surprise to find on a Monday morning. My fellow 12 x 12 participant, Kavita Ramchandran, has awarded me the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you, [...]
on February 16, 2012 at 3:30 am | Reply Tamson Weston 12 x 12 Pitch Contest « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

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on February 19, 2012 at 8:24 am | Reply 12 x 12 Participants: LAST DAY to Submit Your Pitch « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

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on February 21, 2012 at 8:02 am | Reply www.Wednesday « a writers blog by: Tracey M. Cox

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on February 21, 2012 at 9:02 pm | Reply I’m on Katie Davis… Every Month! « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

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