Friday, February 4, 2011

Picture Book Marathon


I'm in a marathon. Running hard to catch my prize. I'm out of breath, but not because I've been physically  running, but because I've been writing a picture book a day. The entire month if February. I've kept up so far. This all began on Tuesday and I have three first drafts completed. Today I'll write my fourth. And tomorrow the fifth. And so on and so on.

Is it crazy? Uh-huh. Is it fun? Dang right it is. And I've come up with some really good picture books too. Funny stories. Boy picture books. Because they need books. The first one I wrote, was a laugh so hard milk squirts out of your nose type book. This encouraged me so I wrote again the next day. And the next.

I'm going to be talking about the highs and lows of this marathon as I go. (There are sure to be days when I struggle to get a draft completed.)

What do I expect to gain from doing this? I know not all the drafts will be great. I might stick some in a folder and decide later what to do with them. But so far?  Some really great ideas. Sparks of beautiful stories.  Gems if you will.

And I expect to have some wonderful story starters. First drafts. Rough. Uncut. But. I'll. Have. Them. And I will make them sparkle and shiny. I can't wait to see what happens.  The characters I've met are wonderful and funny. I love funny. I love wonderful too.

 Think I can win this thing? Oh, and I need a cheering section. You in? :)

20 comments:

  1. I'm in! Yay Robin! You go girl!

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  2. Of course I'll cheer you on! I'll sing "Shosoloza" every time I think of you! (that's a traditional working song sung by the migrant mine workers and it caught on for the 1995 Rugby World Cup) I'll see if I can find a you tube video of it and put on FB!
    Judy (South Africa)

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  3. What an awesome challenge. I know you can do it. That sounds like so much fun. Keep us posted. I'll be cheering for you!

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  4. Go Robyn go! (Can see my pompoms wave, can you hear 'em rustle?)

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  5. I'm in! I love wonderful and funny too, and I know you can make it sparkle! You go, amigo! :P
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  6. Go Robyn Go! Sounds like fun! Let me know which books you recommend. I'm always looking for good ones for my boy.

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  7. That's fantastic. You can do it and think of all the ideas you'll have at the end of the month.

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  8. What a great idea! Count me in!!! Prayers for a wonderful finish line experience!!

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  9. That is such an awesome marathon to race. I can't wait to hear about your journey this month. Good luck! Maybe they'll all be gems! ;)

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  10. Woohoo! GO GO GO !!!!

    This sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck and I hope you find a lot of gems.

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  11. Wow. A picture book a day?! That's certainly ambitious but I back anyone with any sort of aim! Go for it, Robyn! :)

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  12. Awesome motivation and endurance. Rah rah rah!!! :O)

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  13. YAY! books for boys!!! do I get to read the rough drafts? I need something to do 3rd session ;) Missed you today but so glad it was canceled.

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  14. Give me a "B"! Give me an "F"! Give me another "F"! Goooooooooooooooo BFF!!! *jumps awkwardly and shakes pom-poms* :-)

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  15. I got my pom poms ready!!!! Hooray for Robyn! She's the best!!! Hey, I finally get to be a cheerleader in this life. LOL. Glad that I didn't have to do a cartwheel. Love ya, Kel

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  16. You go girl! I'm cheering you on! Can you hear me?

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  17. You can do it, Robyn! You're off to a great start!!!

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  18. Wow! that's sounds like a daunting task but I know you can do it.
    Save me a place in the cheering section, Robyn :)

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  19. I'm so impressed!!! You go, Robyn!!!!!!!

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