Waiting and Wondering

   Julie Hedlund has created a fabulous program for authors in 12x12, and a wonderful facebook community as well.  She is very kind and does not want anyone hurt or frustrated to learn that someone else has heard from the agent that reviews manuscripts every month, while they themselves may have heard not a word. That is her right and her responsibility as creator of that site.
   However, some of us want to share the celebrations and frustrations that come with submitting to an agent, and we are toughened by enough rejections to where we can handle it.  I would love to know if this month's agent, for example, is responding to any of the submissions, and what can be learned from her comments.  In fact, that's one of the reasons I joined 12x12 at the gold level.
    So if you are stout of heart, and you can handle others' successes without taking it personally when you are not as fortunate, you are welcome to share your thoughts here.  And please share your good news as well!

I'm Out, but in good company!

Well, I didn't win my poetry match-up, but April's poem truly was better.  I voted for it myself!  But there are some very talented folks who didn't make it to round two, including Stephen Cahill, last year's winner!  I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I am so sophisticated...

...that I had to look up my March Madness word, sophisticate.  I knew sophisticated, but it turns out the verb sophisticate means to adulterate or alter.  Anthony suggested the title.
My poem is: SophistiCat
   To sophisticate means to alter,
to adulterate or change.
    I'd like to sophisticate Walter,
or at least get rid of his mange.

I announce with great gladness...

...I'm part of March Madness!  The children's poetry challenge, that is.  64 entrants were chosen, based on a submitted rhyme, and we'll face off in March.  Each player is given a challenge partner and a word, and then a day to write a poem for children that features that word.  Votes are tallied, the winner moves on, the loser is out.  Last year, words included "kinkier" and "nonconfrontational"!  Famous children's author Jane Yolen was knocked out in round 1 in 2012, so who knows what can happen!  I'm excited.

Writng Picture Books Can Be Violent!

   I wrote such a good little, innocent story today, and then--cue the chainsaws!  I cut and hacked and chopped, and pared it down to the bare bones.  The story is based on an idea I came up with in November during PiBoIdMo, about two friends and a dog, and a hurricane.
   Next step will be to write a query letter for it, and Emma Watson Hamilton recently critiqued one I wrote earlier.  Return of the chainsaws!  Cut the query letter, too!  Throw it in the wood chipper!
   But, a great joy this month has been contributing to David L. Harrison's blog on poetry, and having the wonderful author Iza Trapani say she loves my limerick.  The swords are sheathed, at least for a moment. 

January's Over!

   January seems like the looooongest month.  With all due respect to Dr. King, there are no silly, fun holidays in January.  Here in Glenwood Springs we had bitter cold temperatures, then a wierdly warm spell where it rained.  I got rejections in the mail, and I had to hire a plumber when I couldn't unclog the toilet, and I got a miserable cold and couldn't work for over a week, and had to get four new tires for my car. But, I also signed up for 12x12 and I'm excited that I'll be able to present one of my manuscripts to a real agent or editor every month.  It can't hurt!  I've signed up for a poetry challenge this spring, entered the Saturday Evening Post Valentine poem contest, and entered an easy reader story in the Highlights fiction contest.  I've submitted six pieces so far, with a goal of 50 again this year in addition to the 12 picture book manuscripts.
   So farewell January, and welcome February!

  I've signed up for this program, to come up with twelve picture book manuscripts in twelve months.  I'm also entering the annual Highlights contest, coming up with an early reader story.  I still love magazine work, but where that was my focus last year, picture books will be my focus this year.  I'm looking forward to the group support offered at Julie Hedland's website for 12x12, and to pushing myself!