Welcome, Twenty-Twelve

 2011 has passed, and 2012 is here. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   

I am excited to see what this year will bring.

For my first blog of the year, I thought I’d do a little reflecting.  It’s important for me to look back at my path so I can think of where I’ve been, while keeping in mind the great distance that I still have to go.  I am learning that, with all the rejection and all the time it takes to move forward in this industry, sometimes it feels easier to slip into the negative and give up the hopes of ever publishing a book at all—but of course, I won’t let that happen!  Thus, by reflecting and internalizing the fact that this is how it goes, and that all the “no’s” get me that much closer to the “yes’s”, it helps me to keep pushing on down that path.  Still, overall, I would say that 2011 was a positive year for my writing. 

JaNayB’s 2011 Writing Landmarks (Along her Path to Publishing):

• I edited and finished two manuscripts that I have been working on for quite some time, and sent them out feeling really good about them (let ‘em sing!).
• I started a new poetry project with one of my fellow critique group members, Rosi Hollinbeck, and am eager to see how it pans out.
• I have read, and am in the process of reading, more books about the craft of writing (and more!).
• I attended several workshops, classes, and events about writing, ultimately expanding my own talent and writing community.
• I began learning more about the artistic side of picture books.
• And of course, I sold two poems to Highlights for Kids—which has certainly been the highlight (clichéd, I know, but “highlight” surely encapsulates how I feel about that accomplishment) of 2011 for me and my writing.

Keeping my goal in Mind



Working.  Toward.  Publishing.  Is.  Definitely.  A.  Slow.  Process.  I know!  But, I am learning to embrace the process and beginning to appreciate the motion of what it takes to get there, whether “there” be a finished poem, an edited and completed manuscript, or a ultimately a publication.  Like the words of India Arie’s song A Beautiful Day “Life is a journey, not a destination/ There are no mistakes, just chances we’ve taken”.  So, I look forward to 2012 as another year that will mark more and bigger milestones on my path to publishing.  AND, once it does happen, it’ll make it all feel that much sweeter!

The year is new, but the journey continues!

ONWARD!!