Last year, I joined Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 challenge – to write 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months. As part of that, Julie created an eco-system of support for us picture writers which came with an intelligent and sophisticated Forum which let us post our 1st 250 words for critique, along with other support functions. There was a Facebook group where we could post questions and share website resources and the icing on the cake was the opporunity to submit to literary agents for the Gold Membership of US$125 for that one year.
Here’s 12 reasons why I loved this Challenge:
#1- Bypassing the slush pile with 12 agent submissions
Under the 12×12 Gold Membership, I made 1 submission per month to 1 literary agent (and really top notch agencies) – so 12 submissions in all – bypassing the slush pile. I decided then that even if I achieved nothing else, this alone was reason to sign up and worth the money.
#2- The Write Crowd
When I first got on the forum, I was a little uncertain about how it all worked. For the first few weeks, I just read everyone else’s manuscripts. But seeing how the other writers were just jumping in with their manuscript drafts stirred me up, and soon I was on the bandwagon loading up my manuscript draft.
My initial concerns about copyright dissipated when I saw the calibre of manuscripts loaded up (read: better than mine). Also given it was an open system, we are automatically accountable to each other including according reciprocal protection and respect to each other’s drafts.
#3- Picking up the Crit
The 12×12 system was that for every first 250 words of 1 manuscript which I loaded up to be critiqued, I would critique 3 more. It sounded a lot initially to a someone like me who has never been part of any forum or challenge until now. But once I started, I couldn’t stop. I ended up critiquing more than 3 each time round. And the more critiques I gave others, the more critiques I received back.
#4- Working the Write Muscle
Although I liked the challenge of writing 12 manuscripts in 12 months, I wasn’t planning on hitting that target as I had a lot of other things going on on top of being a first-time mum taking care of my toddler full time.
My own personal target for 2013 was 3 polished manuscripts (which could be a mix of at least 2 new and substantial revisions to 1 old unsatisfactory one). I got there along with a few other new drafts in early stages.
My last picture book manuscript Baby Panda Finds His Way was published by Autumn Wonders in 2009 (not counting commissioned writing). Shortly after, I got pregnant and then very caught up with the newness of first-time parenting. For the next 2 years or so, I managed to write only 1 more manuscript – Tibby The Tiger Bunny – which was published and launched by Epigram Books last month. That was 2 manuscripts in 3 years.
I got to 3 relatively submit-able manuscripts in 1 year with 12×12 because I was part of a crowd of writers who worked their writing muscles.
#5- Multiple Crits
Ok. I’m impatient. I loved how I could holler out on the 12×12 Facebook for critiques, get several replies within 2 days and trade full manuscript critiques within a week generally. Of course, I was equally quick getting back on my critiques, having been through many rounds of ‘practice’ critiquing on the forum.
#6- Critique partners
On top of critiquing others, I found it helpful reading how others critiqued as well. The forum was designed so that we could read the whole thread of critiques by others of that same manuscript I was commenting on. Sometimes, I concurred and sometimes I differed in opinion. But either way, I grew through the alternative viewpoints and became more aware in my own writing.
#7-Joining the picture book crowd
I loved how vibrant the 12×12 Facebook community has been. Writers shared links on resources, posted thoughts and comments related to picture book writing. I have through this gotten to know several more writers and joined my first blog hop with a few of them.
#8-Cheer, Cheer up, Write on
When I started popping over to the 12×12 Facebook more often, I found a community where people shared both their successes and rejections. And what I loved most were the replies. Successes (being signed on by agents, new book out, won a competition, received commendation letter) were met with many responses of cheers and yays. It was infectious and I found myself logging in for more good news so I could send my e-cheers. Disappointment were likewise met with the same supportive responses and sound advice.
When my Tibby the Tiger Bunny book came out, the first people I wanted to share my news with was the 12×12 crowd because it met with such warmth that I felt like I really belonged and was understood.
#9- 2 By 2
After hanging around the Forum for a while, I kept ‘bumping’ into the same people in the same critique threads – usually, we were always drawn to the same manuscripts and found each others comments helpful. And that was where I found a few online critique partners whom I have been trading detailed critiques with.
#10- Query, Pitch and Practise
For the first time, I learnt how to draft a query letter and practise how to write pitches. I didn’t even know there is a technique to that. Last year, New York Times Bestselling Author and Query Whisperer Emma Walton Hamilton gave free critiques for about 40 query letters on 12×12. I didn’t make the 40 but I got a lot out of her feedback to the other 12x12ers.
#11- 2-3 course meals
I found out about courses which other 12×12 ers signed up for like the Picture Book Academy and signed up too. I heard about other sites like Rate Your Story (whose Founder and a few editors are 12x12ers), went over there and got free ratings and feedback to 2 of my manuscripts. (RYS has since made some revamp to its free rating services).
#12- This troop is an organised group of Picture Book Writers
I signed up for founder Julie Hedlund’s blog and received her monthly featured author advice, followed Julie’s amazing journey of crowdfundng her latest picture book and all her other successes which adds to what makes 12×12 such an amazing community of writers.
12×12 opens for registration for 2014 on 6th January and I am ready to work my writing muscles more this year!
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Super post, Emily! I’m so thrilled that 12×12 became such a vibrant part of your writing life! I’ll be on board for 2014…and perhaps I’ll follow your lead and submit to 1st 250 words and take advantage of the other functions available on the Forum…in 2013 I didn’t…but, like you, I did submit to the agent of the month.
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