Light #1...Tara Lazar (www.taralazar.wordpress.com), creator of PiBoIdMo and published author. It was her leadership that made my experience with this annual picture book idea creating event so successful and her guest bloggers taught me so much about becoming a better writer.
Light #2...Joanna Penn (www.thecreativepenn.com), author, blogger, speaker and business consultant. Joanna's website has an incredible wealth of articles on writing, marketing, publishing as well as a online store. It would probably take me a year or longer to make it through all the wonderful articles you can find there.
Light #3...Kristi Holl (www.kristiholl.com), award-winning author of 34 books and over 150 stories and articles. Kristi's book, Writer's First Aid, sits on my roll top desk as a quick reference guide and she has just come out with Writer's First Aid 2 which I have added to my wishlist.
Light #4...Darcy Pattison (www.darcypattison.com), speaker, teacher, and author. Darcy's website carries an exceptional collection of articles going back 4 years and covering all aspects of fiction writing for both children and adults as well as other writing, marketing, and publishing tips.
Light #5...Karen S Elliott (www.karenselliott.wordpress.com), writer of horror, poetry, memoir, experimental fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction. I love Karen's website picture of the shark. It reminds me that one needs to be sharp and aggressive in strengthening their writing skills. She invites many guest bloggers who write fascinating articles about perfecting the written word.
Light #6...Linda Silvestri (www.lindasilvestri.com), illustrator and graphic designer. Oh my goodness, how I LOVE Linda's illustrations! I am following her blog (www.sketchedout.wordpress.com) where her hilarious drawings are giving me ideas for other picture books.
Light #7...Susanna Leonard Hill (www.susannahill.blogspot.com), author, speaker, and book critic. I like reading her Perfect Picture Book Friday blogs to get an update on what is out there in the writing industry.
Light #8...Julie Hedlund (www.writeupmylife.com), writer, blogger, and current participant in the Meegenius writing challenge. You can read and vote for Julie's entry, A Troop Is A Group Of Monkeys at the Meegenius website (www.meegenius.com/challenge/a-troop-is-a-group-of-monkeys-by-julie-hedlund. I like reading her "How I Got My Agent" series as it gives me tips as well as hope that one day I too might be able to join that successful group.
Light #9...Beth Stilborn (www.elizbethannewrites.com), writer, blogger, and in my humble opinion, an excellent supportive cheerleader of other writers! Beth is a great source for industry updates and is the reason why I joined the Children's Book Hub Facebook group.
Light #10...Sheri A Larsen (www.writersally.blogspot.com), writer and blogger. I can always find many helpful articles and tips to help me sharpen my writing skills.
Light #11...Jean Reidy (www.jeanreidy.blogspot.com), author and creator of the Light Up The Library online auction event. I will be forever grateful to Jean for this event because I was lucky enough to win the bid for a picture book critique from author Nancy Coffelt and the information I received from Nancy regarding my picture book, "Nicky's Birthday Surprise" was priceless!
Light #12...Mindy Alyse Weiss...(mindyelse.livejournal.com), author and blogger. Mindy is multi talented in the writing industy. She writes in many of the genres that interest me so I find her blogs very informative.
There you have it...my Twelve Lights Of Christmas...people that I was introduced to through the magic of the internet, through events like PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo and Light Up The Library. People who shine along that path we all travel toward becoming a better writer. Their wisdom, encouragement, and online friendships are their gifts to me. My gratitude, growth as a writer, and ability to shine the light back on their writing efforts is my gift back to them. Somehow I think I have received the greater gifts and will be forever thankful!
Many of your lights were mine as well. Great post...and have a very Light, Bright and Write Christmas season, Donna!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful list, and I am so honored to be on it! Thank you, Donna! So many of the people you mentioned are on my list of "bright lights" as well. They are truly wonderful people who share so much. What a nice way you have thought of to acknowledge them and also spread the word to other writers who can benefit from their expertise and generosity :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteSusanna, I plan on adding a note to the walls of all the people on my list so that MORE people may benefit from their light! I wanted to thank everyone that has helped me these past few months...the list would be longer but I was trying to keep with the theme of the song...lol...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Donna! And I am so thrilled and honored to find myself in that list. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThis has been an amazing year of growth and making connections, finding new friends and new support for writing, and having my path brightened by many of the same lights as you! You, my new friend, have brightened my path considerably. Thank you.
Beth of elizabethannewrites.com
Oh my goodness, I am so honored to be on your list, especially in such great company. I actually know all of the folks on this list, and I admire each and every one of them - AND YOU!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to sound corny but I can almost be brought to tears by the generosity and kindness of this writing community. It's made ALL the difference in my writing life. Posts like this one are great reminders of that.
Lovely, lovely post, Donna... all wonderful literary luminaries indeed.
ReplyDeleteBeth, you have touched my heart with your kindness to me as I flounder my way through this writing world. I am learning new things every day, thanks to people like you!
ReplyDeleteJulie, that is exactly how I feel. A writer's life can be a lonely one if they choose it..I know because I've been there...much more fun to join the world of "bright lights" like yourself and others on this journey of mine!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna, for reading my post. I hope you come back and visit again sometime!
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Will bookmark it for later use as reference.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post, Donna!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Darshana, for visiting my blog. Yes, great source of fabulous articles and inspirational posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise, I want to make sure the people who have helped me along the way know how much I appreciate all that they have done. I really need to make a much longer list but then I would have had to break it up in parts...lol...
ReplyDeleteFabulous...so many wonderful people listed here. Thanks so much for the inclusion!
ReplyDeleteI should be the one thanking YOU, Tara! Wait, I've already done that...lol...
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much for including me, Donna! From the moment I met you, I've been amazed at your energy, enthusiasm, and dedication,and I can't wait to celebrate as your ideas turn into manuscripts that will dazzle editors one day (hopefully in 2012). :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, shucks Mindy...*blushing*...lol...I had a parent ask me the other day how old I was and when I told her she couldn't believe it. It was too funny! I've never acted or felt my chronological age so I'm thinking that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteDonna:
ReplyDeleteJust coming off a high of watching my new grandson being born and came to FB and saw your note. Another high of the season! Thanks for including me!
Darcy
Congratulations on the new grandson, Darcy! And thanks for being an inspiration to so many beginner writers like myself!
ReplyDelete