Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year.  Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution!

Sometimes I feel like I am spinning my writing wheels but going nowhere. Here is my list of SUCCESSES in my writing related-activities for 2019.

Angie’s Anti-Resolution Revolution:

1. I met my contracted deadlines and celebrated over 26 years of writing work-for-hire with an organization I adore.

2. I was awarded a writing residency at Holly House through Hypatia-in-the-Woods. I enjoyed a fabulous week to work on a picture book and Haiku.

3. I had a heart during #kidpit at the end of 2018. I received a rejection this year, but still…I tried!

4. Our critique group has increased to 4 active members and we’ve been really working hard.

5. I’ve been blogging more and supporting writers.

6. I had my first author interview and my first author/illustrator interview on my blog.

7. I read tons of picture books, chapter books, and YA books.

8. I participated in Storystorm and have a great list of picture book ideas.

9. I participated in ReFoReMo and studied great picture books.

10. I participated in 12 Days of Christmas last year. Thanks, Julie, for this year and last year!

11. I wrote 4 new picture book manuscripts.

12. I edited 12 different picture book manuscripts.

13. I participated in Multicultural Children’s Book Day for the first time.

14. I wrote and edited more this year.

15. I have editing opportunities to explore in 2020.

16. I connected more with other writers in the wonderful kidlit community.

How about you? What SUCCESSES did you have in 2019?