Days 14 & 15 - Plugging Away...

So things were a little too busy yesterday to get the blogging in but I did make sure that I got the writing done.  We had some Valentine's Day family laser tag to play which took the place of blogging.  So fun.   And today has been one of those days - fortunately not over yet - but I woke up with a new direction for an idea that I've been mulling over for years.  At least got a skeleton rough draft down before I forgot it.

The marathon has had so many benefits that I hadn't even thought about before taking this on.  So glad that I'm doing it.  It's definitely a great investment.  Anyone that I've talked to that told me they thought it would be too much or they just couldn't commit to it - I have been encouraging them to give it a chance - even if it's just for a week.  Give it a try and see what happens. 

The only thing that is getting a little old for me is this daily blogging - not very exciting things to report - but it's helping to keep me on track.  Ready for day 16.  I'm going to try some really different story ideas in the next week.  Some a little out of my comfort zone, so we'll see how far I can push myself.

Day 13 - Two for One

So yesterday was a really good writing day.  Came up with two new stories instead of one.  Love when that happens.  But sadly, I don't think I can count it for today...I'd be missing the whole point.  Sooo...
just finished some submissions, have some revisions to do and will get something new written for day 14.  Half way now!  Maybe it will be a Valentine's Day inspired story....nah, probably not.

Day 12 - Revision withdrawal...

Day 12's manuscript just morphed into something completely unexpected.  But I think I like it. 

I've realized that one of the many perks of participating in the marathon, is that I am having revision withdrawal.  Never thought I would miss revising...but I really do.  So not only am I making the time to write my new idea each day, but I'm still squeezing in time to revise other manuscripts.  Almost halfway through.

Day 11 - All out of new ideas? I don't think so...

Brought one of my new manuscripts to critique group today - something very different for me - and they liked it!  Ahhh...  Always a great way to start the day.  This got me on a tangent for revisions then.  So when I got back home I revised a different story for quite awhile.  Feeling pretty good, I asked my husband "Do you think revising a story that I started just before the marathon would count for today?" 

His response....
"Yeah.  You've been working really hard.  It's okay if you're all out of new ideas.  I wouldn't worry about it." 

Hmmm.... took me all of two seconds to jump up and run to the other room to get cracking.  Just what I needed to hear and he knew it.  Day 11 - done.  And it was a NEW idea thank you very much. 

Day 10 - Marathon

Day 10 seems like a milestone, I guess because I've hit "double digits".  But I have to confess, I'm feeling a little ADD.  I usually work on a manuscript, or a few, until I feel really good about them.  This is such a hard feeling to get used to - working on a new one each day.  I have several now that I really like and can't wait to be able to work on them more.  I guess I need to teach myself to let go a little bit and enjoy this new process.  I'll try.  So yesterday's manuscript was really fun.  Off to critique group this morning and then back home to write number 11! 

Day 9 - Marathon

Well, this day was bound to come sooner or later.  Had a sick kiddo home yesterday, but still came up with a new idea.  I thought it seemed pretty clever and unique.  Yay!  But when I sat down last night to work it out, ughhh....  It's a real stinker of a draft.  Maybe I was just tired and it might look better today or next week. 

Did get a lot of other writing things done.  Revisions to a few other stories that I'm super excited about, and... a great e-mail from a fabulous editor. 

Bring on day 10.  I'm feeling energized today.  Come on fellow marathoners - let's do this!

Day 8 - Marathon

Just finished my PB for today and I am so excited about the concept.  Did some research too and now I can't wait to get back to it.  If February is the month of the PB Marathon, then March will definitely be the month of revisions.  The grand finale for me is Lisa Wheeler's Picture Book Boot Camp later this month.  Three days to be inspired by a master storyteller on perfecting the craft of writing picture books ~ following a month of producing ideas and rough drafts. What perfect timing! 

This is the beautiful logo created for the marathon by Nathan Hale.  More info at www.picturebookmarathon.org.