We’re off and writing, and hopefully creativity is bustin’ out all around. To those of you who have already finished your picture book today, congratulations! Yahoo! To the rest of us (including me) let’s get to work . . .
Remember, it’s not about perfection. The point of a marathon is to run fast enough and far enough that your inner critic will be left gasping for air many miles behind you!
Good luck, everyone!
--Jean Reagan and Lora Koehler
True confession: My PB today was a stinker, a REAL stinker. Yet, now several hours later, I've thought of a related idea for tomorrow that I'm excited about.
ReplyDeleteMay all your PB stinkers morph into other beauties!
Check out Nathan Hale's daily PB cover illustration and synopsis. http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/
One down, 25 more to go! Yeah!
ReplyDeleteWoke up sick and turned it into a PB. It was actually fun and since I felt lousy ... I could capture that in the PB. Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we need to have a stinker award, Jean, cuz mine stank. I did have fun writing it though. Made myself laugh.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on revisions for a long time, and it's been quite awhile since I wrote anything new. An idea from long ago came to me this morning, and I successfully turned it into a PB today. I think it might even be a non-stinker! If this is the only non-stinker I get out of February, it was worth it. =D
ReplyDeleteCheers, comrades!
Laurie
The thought of imperfection was comforting. I'm not a great idea person - for me revision is everything, and I can worry a 200-word picture book manuscript to death for months on end. T'was liberating to sit down today and get a nasty rough draft done in two hours! Hope I can keep it up, even if they're all stinkers.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm working from Orange County, CA. How about you?
Did it. I began. Even though I'm killing myself to finish illustrating another picture book (I thought it'd be done and turned in by now but the editor keeps wanting more). I'm excited to get the wheels turning. THANKS! I can't wait to see what you all do. Please post links to yours. (Is there any way a list of links can be added to this blog at the side of all the participants?)
ReplyDeletehttp://jujubeeillustrations.blogspot.com
I love what I wrote today. We'll see how I feel in the morning. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was on the track team in junior high I was given some very good advice, "Don't look back, it will only slow you down." So hold your head up, keep writing, and congratulate yourself. Whether it stinks or not, you are still in the race! Good luck every one. ~ Connie Mustang
ReplyDeleteJennifer Tomscha asks (in Glimmer Train's essays posted on their website now) "How, then, will I sustain both a writing life and a life that supports my writing?" Of all things, I expect that taking part in the PB Marathon will help to formulate that answer for each of us in crash-course format! I am excited about seeing what moving my art forward on my priority list will do for me and for the kind of work I can create. How much have I been holding myself back by NOT moving writing forward? After this potentially life-changing experience, read Julia Cameron's "Walking in This World" and truly study the nurturing of creativity within yourself. Best wishes for many wonderful discoveries!
ReplyDeleteWow, that can be quite a hard first mile if you let it creep up on you at night! I've been thinking about it all day long and learned that for me, if I want to get it done I've got to put it on the front of the day's list instead of the tail. Keep it up one and all!
ReplyDeleteNate
dreamshoebox.blogspot.com
When I let myself write...really write, it was okay. Progress not perfection. There will be time for revisions later. On to day 2.
ReplyDelete2 stories down. W/a snow day yesterday, my son provided much inspiration! It'll be interesting to see at the end of the month what % of the stories will be worth rewriting. This is like spring-cleaning for my writing muse!
ReplyDeletePicture book Number 2 done on Feb 2. With the snow in Chicago I may get ahead. (And the groundhog has been cancelled until Saturday!)Both books grew out of the training tips - thanks!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Done with story two.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe I've already gotten #2 done. This is exactly what I needed to get back in writing mode. :)
ReplyDeleteI am loving this! And what a great visual about outrunning my inner critic. That monster is about to be left in the proverbial dust!
ReplyDeleteAlong with all my furniture this month! LOL
Elizabeth--Love that Glimmer train quote. Gave me something to ponder over. PB #1 completed. Critique Group mostly loved it. Working on #2 today. May not come so easily as yesterdays. Onwards and upwards people!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! It feels good to be getting ideas into a more finished form. Finished 2 PBs yesterday. I knew they would need help, but I worked on one today and actually got it aaaaaaalmost ready. Now, to let it sit for a month or two.
ReplyDeleteWorking from near Orlando, FL during any spare time I have. Plus, I generate ideas while driving to and from work.
Stay warm! Keep writing!
Will Orser
(openID doesn't want to work for me, so here's my livejournal: williamorser.livejournal.com )
PB#2 didn't go so great. Glad no one's grading these things!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly express what a godsend this Marathon! It was a pleasure to return from SCBWI NY 11 to a clean desk, as per the warm-up. And, as a result of having the Marathon on my horizon, started Day 1 focused on my writing goals, not only for the Marathon, but for my writing career. Thank you so much, ladies, for organizing this!
ReplyDeleteAnd to give back, anyone who chooses can visit my blog for both writing inspirations, prompts, tips and techniques from published authors, and picture book marathon updates.
www.mywordplayground.blogspot.com
Lynne Marie