Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to share our SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made comes 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! Here is my list for 2025.
I sold a magazine article to High Five.
I sold a poem (“Recycled Fashion”) to Little Thoughts Press. (It probably sold because I listened to my critique partners and completely redid the poem based on their valuable recommendations.)
I received a champagne rejection for a story I submitted to Little Thoughts Press.
I received a champagne rejection from one of the 12 x 12 featured agents (but I can’t remember which one!).
I received a request for more work from Sally M. Kim of Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
I completed most of my prompts for my rhyming critique group and kept up with my general kidlit critique group.
I started reading about how to build my world in my YA dystopian sci-fi novel.
I wrote the first 15 chapters (nearly 40,000 words) of my YA dystopian sci-fi.
I finally wrote a good poem/story about eyes—a goal of mine for the past seven years.
I was touched to see my name in the acknowledgements of my critique partner’s YA novel, which came out in June.
I was TERRIFIED of doing this, but I agreed to be an Elf for 12 x 12 (and felt a lot of imposter syndrome).
I read part of Save the Cat (for writers).
I received honorable mentions in both the #FallWritingFrenzy and Halloweensie contests.
I sent out 47 submissions into the kidlit writing world (my goal had been 40).
I chose/intuited my word for 2026: “Success.”
By submitting to most of the agents who participated in 12 x 12 (as a Gold member), I discovered which of my PB manuscripts is my strongest.
I began to revamp my blog.
Thank you, Julie Hedlund and 12 x 12 for this wonderful reflection challenge!