So did I get a draft done for May?
Short answer: No
Long answer: Normally my first draft are like skeletons. Just a story arc but not much character development or writing style to show. My stories are typically short, humorous or with a twist. But I wanted my May draft to be quiet, emotional, and eventually maybe even poetic. The story was inspired by my girls experience of watching two ducklings raised at school (waiting for the eggs to hatch, watching the ducklings grow, to the sadness of when they left for they farm). I got half way through the story when I realized I didn’t have the faintest clue about how a person takes care of a duckling nor how the children bonded with the ducks. What to do … RESEARCH! I am in the process of interviewing several staff members at my kids’ school about the duckling experience. This is new territory for me as I am a bit on the introverted side, unless the topic is something I am passionate about. My June goal is to finish the interviews and the first draft.
What else did I do in May … interviewed fellow 12x12er Joanna Marple about her new book Snow Games (must check out if you haven’t), submitted a pitch to Susanna Hill’s “Would You Read It” Series, attended SCBWI NorCal’s Illustrator’s Day which was jam-packed with useful information, guest blogged for the Tuesday 12×12 series, and I did squeeze in a re-submit of my Feb 12×12 draft to Rate Your Story. Keeping my fingers crossed for a top score so I can do a conference submit to an editor from Illustrator’s Day.
Oops, almost forgot. I took the plunge and I am now a Twit. 
You can follow me on Twitter at @darshanakhiani .
So what’s on tap for June:
- Finish interviews and my May draft.
- Taking Anastasia Suen’s Intensive Picture Book Workshop #1-6
- Listening in on “Teacher’s Write” Virtual Summer Writing Camp by Kate Messener
Seems like a fairly full schedule to me.
Lastly, here is a pic of what is currently on my TBR shelf. (click on picture for a larger version)
Which of these books would you like to hear more about ?
