Friday, June 29, 2012

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

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Its the end of June, the beginning of summer and there is soooo much to celebrate!

First off, those of us 12x12ers have reached the halfway point in our challenge!  And I am proud to say that I have 6 pb manuscripts to show for it!

But with the halfway point of the 12x12 Challenge, I also face the end of a war I waged back in September.

Ten months ago I vowed to stop dabbling in writing and do what I could to pursue this field with greater focus and passion. 

Now that I am at the end of the 10 month period, I look back in awe.  Never would I have imagined all that I have done...and all that I still need to do!

But today is a day to celebrate the accomplishments.
What I Accomplished in my 10 Month War on Dabbling:

1)  With the help of my local SCBWI, I created a Critique Group which meets monthly in NYC.  We have grown from 3 at our first meeting to 11 regular attenders.
2)  I participated in Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo in November and completed 30 picture book ideas in 30 days.
3)  I enrolled in and completed two 10 week Children's Writing classes at  Gotham Writers Workshop.
4)  Through PiBoIdMo I found out about Julie Hedlund's new 12x12in12 Challenge to write 12 manuscripts in the year 2012 (one per month).  So far I have stuck to my goal and completed 6 manuscripts!
5)  I attended the Annual SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC in January.
6)  I particpated in Paula Yoo's NaPiBoWriWee in May and completed 6 picture book manuscripts in 7 days.
7)  I attended the NJ SCBWI Conference in June. 

8)  I ended June with a 15 day blog-a-thon following Jeff Goins' 15 Habits of Great Writers.

9)  I started this blog!

10)  I have met the greatest, most encouraging, most energetic, understanding, supportive, creative and brave people I have ever met! 

For the rest of 2012 I hope to complete the 12x12in12 Challenge. We might only be at the halfway point, but boy do we all have a lot to celebrate!

What can you celebrate today?

56 comments:

  1. Wow, what a fantastic list of things to celebrate! Well done, Marcie!!!

    Happy Half-way There! Here's to great things in the second half!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! Congrats to you, too! :) Onward to the back half.

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  2. Oh my, this is worth opening the champagne for. You have achieved so much in the past ten months, Marcie. I have even had the privilege of visiting your crit group!! No longer a dabbler for sure!

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    1. Yay! Down with dabbling! :) Thanks, Joanna! Pass the bubbly and we can toast!

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  3. Well done Marcie! I'm working on my post but had to first see what everyone else is doing. I'm so impressed. And inspired! Way to go!! Keep it up.

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    1. Thanks, Jackie. Look foward to shaking my groove thing at your party, too!

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  4. Marcie, you have great reason to celebrate... you have accomplished so much! You really have stepped up and taken your written to the next level. Congrats and I raise my glass , CHEERS!

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  5. Wow! These are real accomplishments! You are officially no longer a dabbler. You're a writer! Congratulations!

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    1. I like the sounds of that. Thanks, Genevieve. Here's to more accomplishments all around!

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  6. Quite a list! Who doesn't love a good War on Dabbling?! You are on a fast track, ain't no stopping you now!

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    1. Great song stuck in my head now! Thanks, Carter! :)

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  7. Love your list and everything this 12x12in2012 Picture Book Challenge has done for you. I hope the next six months are even more exciting and productive for you!

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  8. Wahoo Marcie- you've been busy!! Congrats on all your accomplishments.

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    1. Thanks, Jen! You certainly have been busy too! We rock! :)

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  9. Marcie, you are amazing! I'm so very happy we got to meet in person in at the SCBWI NY conference. Keep up the great work...celebrate YOU! Hugs, Jodi :)

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    1. Awwwwww, thanks, Jodi! I am so glad we got to meet, too. Hoping we can actually find time to hang in the future. I need to get a copy of DRAGON signed.

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  10. You have been productive, Marcie...wow! I'm so thankful for our group...I'll be posting my thoughts soon.

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    1. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Jarm. :)

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  11. You've got quite the list of accomplishments! We are so very proud of you. So yes, celebrate good times__C'mon!

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  12. Wow, Marcie! Those are great accomplishments! Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks, Tina! You, too. Wish I could share some of that cake you pictured on your blog party. :)

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  13. Congrats Marcie, you have accomplished so much, good for you! You have every right to boggie the night away and I'll join you for a glass of champaign.... cheers! All the best for the next 6 months.

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  14. Incredible performance Marcie! You've accomplished so much in such a short period of time. You've even managed to attract a large following. I can't help but feel envious. Congratulations on a job well done! I

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    1. Thank you, Romelle! My blog readers are teh BEST!

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  15. Wow, you've been busy. Keep up the hard work!

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    1. Thanks, Rena! Hope all is going well with you, too!

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  16. Wow, Marcie! I can't believe how much you've achieved in such a short time. Good for you!! I have no doubt that you and that hair are going places! :-)

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    1. Awww, thanks, Julie! That means a lot. Heading out in a few to put some finishing touches on my June manuscript. No rest for the weary!

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  17. Marcie, congratulations on all your accomplishments and best luck with the next six!

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    1. Thanks, Cynthia! You, too! :) Ain't no stopping us now!

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  18. Well done :) What a great list of things you have done in the last 10 months.

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    1. Thanks, Melissa! Its been an amazing journey so far! :)

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  19. Marcie, you should be very proud of all those accomplishments! Wow! Here's to the next 6 months...

    Donna L Martin
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Same to you. Keep up the hard work. :)

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  20. Nice accomplishments, Marcie. Keep on truckin'!

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  21. Hope you keep that list posted where you can see it well! You deserve to feel goooood! Party on Marcie!
    PS - have you written up guidelines for your new crit-group? I just started one too and am looking at what I can find online, but would love to hear what you find works well!

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    1. I should post it somewhere, right? Maybe hang them on a sandwich board around my neck! :)
      As for the Crit Group, I don't really have guidelines but would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Maybe we can make it into a guest blog post?

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  22. Congratulations, Marcie. So smart of you to right a list of your accomplishments (which is amazingly long). Good luck pursuing your writing goals. :)

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    1. Thanks, Dana! And thanks for becoming my 75th Follower!!!

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  23. At least when that song sticks in my head it gets me going! What a fun celebration, and we do have so much to celebrate! Thanks for sharing this year with me!

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    1. Right back atcha! Its been good so far. I only expect it to get better! :)

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  24. You have already accomplished so much!

    Happy Halfway! :)

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  25. Congratulations! What an incredible 10 months you have had, Marcie. Imagine what you'll have to list in December!

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    1. Phew! I am exhausted just thinking about it! :)

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  26. Congratulations, Marcie! For sure your list will have grown very long by the end of the next six months of 12x12. Good for you!

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  27. I raise my glass to you, Marcie! Cheers :~D

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