12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Yellowstone Moran »

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 4, 2012 at 10:47 am | Reply angelapenadahle

Following via email.
on January 4, 2012 at 1:05 pm | Reply mudalaki

Following via email.
on January 4, 2012 at 1:08 pm | Reply Jennifer Young

Following via Network Blog link
on January 4, 2012 at 2:25 pm | Reply Jennifer DuBose

Hi Julie,

Whenever I try to right-click on the badge it seems reluctant to let me copy and save it (don’t have this problem elsewhere). Any ideas?

Thanks!
Jen
on January 4, 2012 at 2:59 pm | Reply 12 x 12 in 2012 Challenge – I AM IN! | myhappyhero

[...] Julie Hedlund has initiated a fabulous challenge over on her blog…”12x12in12″ [...]
on January 4, 2012 at 5:04 pm | Reply Cheryl Wilson Velasquez

following via link
on January 4, 2012 at 6:54 pm | Reply Reading and Writing Wednesday: Some goals and ideas. « Krafty Ellen writes

[...] of exciting, I guess…. I am thinking about doing the 12 by 12 in 2012 challenge. I’m not sure if I should commit, considering it’s about to get CRAZY with school. But I [...]
on January 4, 2012 at 9:16 pm | Reply Lisa

Following in googlereader.
on January 5, 2012 at 2:05 am | Reply Melissa

Well – here goes! Following via e-mail. Thank you so much for such an interesting and demanding challenge!
on January 5, 2012 at 6:50 am | Reply Jennifer Ward

Following via email : )
on January 5, 2012 at 7:39 am | Reply Sheri Cook

I think via e-mail….
on January 5, 2012 at 9:38 am | Reply Cathy C. Hall

I’m following via email…will be blogging about the 12 x 12… well, today.
on January 5, 2012 at 9:54 am | Reply aneducationinbooks

I’m up for the challenge!
on January 5, 2012 at 10:15 am | Reply Finding Writing Challenges That Are Challenging « Cathy C. Hall

[...] virtual dust in some forgotten file on your laptop (Or maybe that’s just me). Anyway, the 12 x 12 x 12 Challenge is a perfect way to take those ideas and get to work on them! After all, you have an entire month [...]
on January 5, 2012 at 11:17 am | Reply Irene

Good luck to all. Following via email.
on January 5, 2012 at 4:46 pm | Reply Carol Brooke

Signed up for e-mail! Great idea!
on January 5, 2012 at 5:22 pm | Reply cynthia iannaccone

Following by email!
on January 5, 2012 at 11:26 pm | Reply From BOBE to BOB « Crave Writing

[...] with calendar writing challenges. There’s PIBOIDMO, Picture Book Marathon, and NaPiBoWriWee, 12x12in12 Back in October of 2011, I piloted a prototype called B.O.B.E.: The Book of Beginnings and Ends. [...]
on January 6, 2012 at 3:58 am | Reply Blog Launch Giveaway Celebration for No Water River

[...] Picture Book Fridays, which then led me to… children’s writer Julia Hedlund and her 12×12 in 2012 picture book writing challenge, not to mention her ridiculous energy and enthusiasm! All of which [...]
on January 6, 2012 at 8:02 am | Reply Tamara Pearis

I am in
on January 6, 2012 at 9:50 am | Reply Ben Clanton

Great idea! I’m definitely in and following via my blogger feed.
on January 6, 2012 at 11:00 am | Reply cravevsworld

Thanks for the comment over at http://www.cravewriting.com! I have to be honest and say this is an AWESOME idea. I love the monthly challenges, but this will allow us to focus throughout the entire year and thus be more productive.
I subscribed via e-mail.

Cheers and creativity,
Crave
on January 6, 2012 at 11:09 am | Reply Gail Handler

Okay, I joined the challenge. Nothing like support from other writers to get you on track!
on January 6, 2012 at 11:48 am | Reply Abeni Aschebrook

Following via email!
on January 6, 2012 at 6:09 pm | Reply Mel and Chris Bugaj

We are new and following you by email.
on January 6, 2012 at 10:38 pm | Reply Beth Consugar

Following via email
on January 7, 2012 at 6:58 am | Reply Deadlines and writing « Boobook

[...] You can tell 2012 is off to a good start—this month I have signed myself up for two deadlines. I’ve signed on for Month of Poetry and (while I was in the mood for grabbing at deadlines) I have also signed on for 12X12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge. [...]
on January 7, 2012 at 7:11 am | Reply 12 x 12 in 2012 « Nessa Morris

[...] 12 x 12 in 2012 Picture Book Writing Challenge [...]
on January 7, 2012 at 7:27 am | Reply Heather Kelly

Ohhhh, and prizes! I’m definitely forwarding this link to all my PB writing buddies!! What a great challenge.
on January 7, 2012 at 11:28 am | Reply Jackie Castle

Following you on networked blogs and found you on twitter. I’m working on getting the logo on my blogs.
This is going to be fun! So looking forward to the challenge. I have several ideas that have just been sitting in my idea book. Yay! Thanks for inviting people to join you on this.
on January 7, 2012 at 6:43 pm | Reply Naomi Danis

Thanks for organizing this. I participated in a picture book draft writing challenge organized by Shevi Arnold in 2007 an 2009, where we had to write a picture book draft every week by Monday at midnight for the first six months of the year, January to July. One of my 2007 drafts was the beginning of a book that was published this year, It’s Tot Shabbat from Karben/Lerner.
I’m happy to have the opportunity to do this again, with a different rhythm…
on January 8, 2012 at 8:44 am | Reply Sandy Asher

Following via email. Very excited about this! Just the boost I need for the new year! Thank you for organizing this, and let me know if I can be of help.
on January 8, 2012 at 5:21 pm | Reply Welcome 2012. « The Blue Dingo Blog

[...] on Julie Hedlund’s blog she has set the challenge: write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months–a picture book a month for [...]
on January 8, 2012 at 7:07 pm | Reply Wen

Thanks for putting this together. I’m a hard worker, very determined and also very glad to be here, once again …. thanks!
on January 8, 2012 at 8:56 pm | Reply New Year – New Goals « Artist or Author?

[...] Complete the 12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing Challenge [...]
on January 8, 2012 at 9:29 pm | Reply Gratitude Sunday 67 « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

[...] astonishing response to the 12 x 12 in 2012 challenge, the support and camaraderie of the group, and the whimsical, phenomenal badge Linda Silvestri made [...]
on January 8, 2012 at 11:26 pm | Reply belindamjordan

Following via email.
on January 9, 2012 at 8:01 am | Reply Irene Latham

Following via email. Thanks!
on January 9, 2012 at 10:06 am | Reply 12 x 12 in 2012: Frequently Asked Questions « Julie Hedlund – Write Up My Life

[...] Right Now 12 x 12 in 2012: Picture Book Writing ChallengeGratitude Sunday 67Books I Read in 2011Tara Lazar Launches 12 x 12 in 2012About Julie100 Random [...]
on January 9, 2012 at 3:58 pm | Reply kelly

following by email please.. looking forward to the challenge
on January 9, 2012 at 6:03 pm | Reply artsyandi

Following via email…
on January 9, 2012 at 9:10 pm | Reply Jelli Beanz Publishing

Hi,
To paste the logo on my blog, i assume I just cut and paste it?
Donna
on January 9, 2012 at 9:25 pm | Reply Happy New Year… « Jelli-Beanz Publishing

[...] http://writeupmylife.com/2011/11/30/12-x-12-in-2012-picture-book-writing-challenge/comment-page-4/#c… [...]
on January 10, 2012 at 2:28 am | Reply Julie Fulton

Looking forward to this. Following via e-mail.
on January 10, 2012 at 2:56 am | Reply Julie Fulton

Hi again. Signed up , but had automated message from wordpress.com when tried to confirm subscription to blog Write Up My Life saying could not be activated, may have expired. Does this mean I’m not in?! Help!
on January 10, 2012 at 2:58 am | Reply Julie Fulton

And me again!!! OK, another e-mail just came through and this time it’s worked. Yay! Off to scribble first PB draft.
on January 10, 2012 at 11:39 am | Reply Challenging myself… | Andi Osiek

[...] Not only that, but I decided to push myself even furthur and sign up for the 12 x 12 in 2012. [...]
on January 10, 2012 at 3:47 pm | Reply New Challenge 12 x 12 in 2012 « A Passion For Writing

[...] I am up for it. If you are interested, the challenge is being hosted by Julie Hedlund on the site writeupmylife.com (this link will take you right to the challenge). I will add this site as one of my favorite links [...]
on January 10, 2012 at 9:50 pm | Reply Rena J. Traxel

Just signed up for the 12 x 12 challenge which I found via The Writer Routine blog. I’m following your blog through networked blogs and on twitter.
on January 11, 2012 at 6:28 am | Reply Sarah Frances Hardy

Following via google. Thanks for doing this!! Just what I needed.

sf