Did you survive November? To an average non-writing person this question may seem a bit extreme, but to those of us in the writing world we know just how fraught with turmoil November can truly be. Trying to complete a full length novel (Nanowrimo), Write and/or Illustrate thirty ideas for picture books (PiBoldMo and SkADaMo) all in one month along side an all-out carbfest (ie. Thanksgiving). It’s enough to make even the cutest of creatures exhausted:
But now you’ve finished! Conquering the beast of a goal you set out before you at the beginning of November, you now need to celebrate! Accomplishing these tasks can be exhilarating and equally exhausting, but celebrations are certainly in order.
And then, get back to work!
Recently, my client Julie Falatko posted this in the PiBoldMo Facebook group and I loved it:
Julie is spot on with her mention of “smooshing” ideas together. When it comes to picture books, one idea from a month of ideas may not stand on it’s own. Although, when coupled together with one or possibly two or even three of your other ideas you may come up with that unique storyline that will spark the creativity you’ll need to complete your fully fleshed out story.
As many polished writers know the last thing you want to do is send your recently finished novel or a list of half thought out ideas to a list of agents you hope to work with. Let your ideas marinate. Edit. Revise. Rethink. Critique. None of this should be new to you, but my biggest piece of advice for writers having recently finished these goal oriented months is to RELAX. Rushing things can only result in more rejections than you need receive. Take a deep breath and read. Read articles and books on honing your craft, then use these new tools to polish and bring to life these fantastic ideas.
Here are a few of my favorite recent blog posts as well as editing resources that will help you during this time while you polish and refine those spectacular new ideas and novels:
Post-PiBo Day 1: Corey Rosen Schwartz Looks for What POPS
Plotting Your Picture Book by Writing Your Pitch First
The “P” Word
Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing
12 Signs Your Novel isn’t Ready to Publish
Teachers Write Program with Kate Messner
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers by Mary Kole
On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
Now, take these great resources and get to work! But also, remember to enjoy your accomplishments and successes as they come. No matter how big or small they may seem, they are still successes that will only grow with time and effort.
Do you have any great go-to articles or books you read while editing and revising? I’d love to hear about them! Please leave links and titles in the comments below. Thanks!
