Hey there, PiBoIdMo-ers. Hope you’re all well nourished and ready to roar through these final days! This post is about two things: perseverance and truth. The way I see it, there really aren’t many truths in life at all. There’s Death. There’s Taxes. There’s the fact I will wash every load of laundry at least twice because I will forget to put it in the drier and discover it days later…but I digress.
There’s also another:
“Stopping before you reach your goal guarantees you will not reach your goal.”
Now, that may sound like a bit of “duh” phrase. But is it, really? It’s one of many things I take from this incredibly inspirational cartoon about perseverance:
What do you take from it?
Oh, and here’s a little rhyming pep talk for ya, too:
You’re near the end it’s getting tough.
You’re all tapped out of clever stuff.
You may be thinking, this is it.
I’ve done enough. Who needs this s—?
So give it up. Admit defeat.
Or better yet, just lie. Or cheat!
Who needs blood or sweat or tears.
Respect from who? A bunch of peers?
And who needs real integrity.
Who needs a contract? Eh. Not me.
Empty pages float my boat.
27? All she wrote.
30 is for suckers, dude.
Embrace that downer attitude.
Writing’s hard, you’re filled with dread.
Let other people write instead.
Grab your towel. Throw it in,
and let the giving up begin!
BUT….
if you choose to persevere…
to fight and push, then listen here:
To you, I bow. I bow down low.
You’ll win the battle. Blow by blow.
Your quest to find the best of you
will dominate the rest of you.
Your goals and dreams are yours to lose.
And yours to harness….if you choose.
So choose the challenge. Choose to win!
Dig down deep for what’s within.
And one day gaze upon a shelf,
filled with books,
you wrote
yourself.
You never know!! That little idea on day 30 could be the next NYT Bestseller!!
GO PiBoIdMo-ers….GO!!
.
Tiffany Strelitz Haber has eaten fried bugs, jumped out of airplanes and lives for adventures. Tiffany grew up in NYC, but is now located in central NJ, and available for workshops everywhere.
Her debut picture book, THE MONSTER WHO LOST HIS MEAN (Holt/Macmillan) was recently featured in the NY Times Sunday Book Review and the art will be featured in the Society of Illustrators 2013 Original Art Show Traveling Exhibit.
Her next book, OLLIE AND CLAIRE (Philomel/Penguin) is due out April, 2013.
Please visit Tiffany at her website: ItsRhymeTime.com, on Facebook, or Tweet her @TiffRhymes.
Tiffany is giving away a signed copy of THE MONSTER WHO LOST HIS MEAN (which is very NICE)! Leave a comment to enter (one comment per person). A winner will be randomly selected in one week. Good luck!
197 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 28, 2012 at 12:06 am
katiemillsgiorgio
Love the rhyming pep talk! Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 12:08 am
Kerri Kokias
Ahh, sweet poem! And I know what you mean about the forgotten laundry.
November 28, 2012 at 12:14 am
Jennifer Reynolds
I loved your rhyming pep talk. Make way more of an impression.
Great job!
November 28, 2012 at 12:14 am
thatssojen
Wonderful motivating poem! I will not give up. I’m going to finish this challenge. Thank you, Jennifer Lorrekovich.
November 28, 2012 at 12:14 am
Gayle C. Krause
I love to rhyme, too. Good advice. Without perseverance you have shoulda, woulda, coulda! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 12:16 am
Anjali Amit
I thank you for the words, indeed
You gave us all the words we need.
Anjali
November 28, 2012 at 12:21 am
The Backdoor Artist - Mary Livingston
“Stopping before you reach your goal guarantees you will not reach your goal.”
Indeed!
Reached 30 over the weekend, seemed like stopping short by stopping before the 30 days, so on to 34 today. No stopping now, especially after reading this post.
Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 12:22 am
Jenn DesAutels Illustrator
Your last stanza gave me goosebumps girl! You rock for writing a poem for us!
November 28, 2012 at 12:24 am
bucherwurm65
Thank you! I got my 30 yesterday, but now I will keeping going! Love your poem! What a great pep talk!
November 28, 2012 at 12:42 am
Gary Masskin
10% Inspiration, 90% Perspiration
Thanks for the additional motivation before PiBoIdMo’s expiration
November 28, 2012 at 12:44 am
Larissa
Whew, okay…I needed that encouragement to finish till the end. Thank you!
November 28, 2012 at 12:50 am
Juliet Clare Bell
Thank you for the encouragement to keep going…
November 28, 2012 at 12:51 am
Jen Judd
That poem was FAB. Ok for me to pin it to my cork board by my work space? (Properly credited, of course!!) I love the final stanza in particular! This rhyming girl loves that kind of lyrical motivation. Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 12:55 am
Yvonne Mes
Thanks! One foot in front of the other will get you there!
November 28, 2012 at 1:02 am
Susan Cabael
Awesome cartoon visual to motivate us to keep pickin’ at it!
November 28, 2012 at 1:04 am
Talynn Lynn
So sweet! And forgotten laundry? Yep. Happened today!
November 28, 2012 at 1:07 am
tinamariecho@yahoo.com
I will print a copy of your poem. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks, Tiffany!
November 28, 2012 at 1:13 am
diandramae
Your rhyming ability astounds me, Tiffany! And yes, perseverance is probably the most important quality of a successful person. Wonderful post!
November 28, 2012 at 1:16 am
theitaliancob
I needed this post, thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 1:27 am
Deborah Holt Williams
Thanks for your kind and rhyming kick in the pants!
November 28, 2012 at 1:36 am
Carrie Ann Brown
Wow, you sure can rhyme! Thanks for the inspiration. I was feeling so good about the writing I did today that I thought to myself….I should do this idea thing everyday! Forget the 30 days…go wild! With your permission, I may post your rhyme by my computer to keep me motivated! That is an awesome rhyme!
November 28, 2012 at 1:49 am
Laurie Young
Yeah that’s not intimidating at all. I’m gonna have to step up my game . . .
November 28, 2012 at 1:53 am
Kerry Mazengia
Thank you for your timely post! I have to admit, today was one of those days when I wanted to give up….thanks for reminding me to hang in there and go for my dreams! – I’m gonna make it to 30 and 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo too! =0)
November 28, 2012 at 2:12 am
B.J. Lee
I’m not giving up – the goal is so close and achievable. thankx for the rhyming pep-talk! I’m a rhymer too.
November 28, 2012 at 2:18 am
Ashley N. Bohmer
Thanks for the pep talk! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 3:29 am
lisajaynemurray
Ha Ha Ha. Just read your post after putting yesterdays washing load on for the 2nd time…glad I’m not the only one who does that.
November 28, 2012 at 4:24 am
Rita Antoinette Borg
With the flu and feeling low .
But I won’t give up because you told me so.
November 28, 2012 at 4:31 am
cat jones
Great advice but heh, since I started this whole PiBoIdMo thing, picture books have taken me over. Hit thirty ideas days ago and still going strong. I’m on a picture book roll… So glad I heard about this 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 4:56 am
Marcy P.
Hee hee, great poem! And thanks for the post… keepin on keepin on!
November 28, 2012 at 5:26 am
CW
Love it! Yes, the feeling of reaching your goal, especially when the work along the way way so hard, needs to be bottled up so, during the next tough stretch, we can remember how wonderful the end was.
November 28, 2012 at 5:45 am
Genevieve Petrillo
I wasn’t thinking about giving up, but just in case, I am now looking forward to idea #30. I’ve always wanted a NY Times Bestseller!! Yay!
November 28, 2012 at 6:01 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Rhyme always puts pep in my step!
November 28, 2012 at 6:35 am
Michelle Barnes
Thanks for the nice push at the end of this month-long marathon!
November 28, 2012 at 6:42 am
Rosanne
Perfect timing. Great poem. I’m going to print it out and hang it on my wall near my computer.
November 28, 2012 at 6:48 am
Marcie Colleen
Rah rah! Go go go! Thanks for the pep talk, Tiff! We’re almost there!
November 28, 2012 at 6:50 am
Julie Falatko
Thanks for this, and for posting that cartoon, too.
November 28, 2012 at 6:53 am
lauriefrench
Though Mr. Obstacle hovers nearby,
Your rhyme makes me want to give it a try!
November 28, 2012 at 7:03 am
Elaine Kearns
We’re almost there….thanks for the final push through!!! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 7:08 am
erin o'brien
Thank you for this post! I’m pushing through.
November 28, 2012 at 7:19 am
Jenny Boyd
I loved the cartoon and the poem! Thanks for the pep talk.
November 28, 2012 at 7:30 am
Yona
Bookmarked under ‘inspiration’ and copied and pasted for my desktop!
November 28, 2012 at 7:31 am
Sue Poduska
Love the pep talk and the cartoon! Thanks, Tiffany.
Made notes on my last three last night.
November 28, 2012 at 7:44 am
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
I can’t believe how many of you are like- thumbing your noses at the 30 ideas thing! Amazing! You guys are way more creative than me. *sulks*
November 28, 2012 at 7:46 am
Dee Almond
Love the cartoon. Been there, done that. Love the rhyme. There now, gonna do it! Thanks Tiffany.
November 28, 2012 at 7:46 am
Janet Smart
Great cartoon and poem! That’s why I haven’t quit yet, a quitter never succeeds!
November 28, 2012 at 7:52 am
Daryl Gottier
Oh how I love a good rhyme. Thanks!
November 29, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Natasha
Me too! Rhyme away, I always say.
November 28, 2012 at 7:53 am
Laura Lowman Murray
Love your book title – I absolutely can’t wait to read it! From one rhymer to another – your rhyming inspiration is now hanging on my office corkboard – I think I will share it with my son, who was banging his head against the wall last night over an English essay too :). Great post – thanks, Tiffany!
November 28, 2012 at 7:53 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Don’t think of it as washing twice, just consider it laundry revisions…
Great poem!
November 28, 2012 at 7:53 am
Alexa
Great cartoon. Thanks for this!
November 28, 2012 at 7:59 am
Therese Nagi
I loved your poem and the cartoon! It inspired me to finish what my pb manuscript!
November 28, 2012 at 8:10 am
Robyn Campbell
Bodacious poetry to start my day! A quitter never ever wins!!!!! What a great cartoon. Bless his heart! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 8:12 am
Diana Murray
What an inspiring post! Love the poem and the cartoon. As for the laundry, ugh. I hate when that happens. LOL to Cathy, above. “Laundry revisions”. Ha! That’s it.
November 28, 2012 at 8:26 am
laurieajacobs
Getting ready to go for a run and procrastinating (it’s gray and cold and I’d much rather stay in and drink another cup of coffee) when I read your poem. Ok–I’ll get up and go! And maybe come up with more book ideas along the way. Thanks for the smile.
November 28, 2012 at 8:26 am
Laura Thieman
Wow! And I love your picture with your little one!
November 28, 2012 at 8:28 am
Gail Kamer
Great motivator. Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 8:29 am
DaNeil Olson
Just what I needed! Thanks. 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 8:31 am
Pat
It’s the not knowing that requires fortitude. If the guy in the cartoon had a teensy proof that the diamonds WERE there, nothing could stop him! That’s the attitude I’m trying to keep about my notebook of ideas. Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 8:35 am
loriannlevyholm
In “The War of Art” the author talks about the enemy being resistance, with the Borg they chant “resistance is futile”, and now I have Tiffany’s adage that my goals are mine to harvest! Brava!
November 28, 2012 at 8:44 am
laurasalas
Great pep talk! I’ve reached my 30 and wasn’t planning to do more. But I like reading the posts, and now I’m thinking, “Let’s do 35 by Friday!”
November 28, 2012 at 8:54 am
Sharon Putnam
Great post!! Love the cartoon and the poem. I hit thirty ideas weeks ago and am still going strong.
@ Cathy Ballou Mealey – “Laundry revisions,” that’s it exactly! There is a PB lurking in there somewhere : )
November 28, 2012 at 8:54 am
janelle
Loved it!!
November 28, 2012 at 9:00 am
Jennifer Faragitakis
Great post and great visual with the cartoon! Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 9:20 am
Rebecca Walton Evans
adorable poem!
November 28, 2012 at 9:22 am
Kirsten Larson
I can do it! I can do it! Thanks for the kick in the pants I needed to complete PiBoIdMo.
November 28, 2012 at 9:23 am
michelleol
Great poem! I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can… thanks.
November 28, 2012 at 9:24 am
aneducationinbooks
Oh I hope I win this book
to read within my cozy nook
November 28, 2012 at 9:24 am
C. C. Gevry
What a clever post. Thanks for the encoouragement to keep going.
November 28, 2012 at 9:33 am
evelynchristensen
Loved your rhyme. So true. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your books!
November 28, 2012 at 9:41 am
Carolyn
Diamonds could be just ahead. Thank you for the encouragement.
November 28, 2012 at 9:45 am
Becky Hall
Great post! Thank you.
November 28, 2012 at 9:45 am
Sonja Anderson
Just what I needed today. Thank you!
November 28, 2012 at 9:52 am
Cindy
Thanks for the rhyme and the cartoon on not giving up. I just think about how much talent there is out there, but remember that perseverance makes all the difference. Slog your way to the top, lol!
November 28, 2012 at 9:53 am
Corey Schwartz
Oh! So inspiring! And so cute 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 9:57 am
Jarm Del Boccio
Love your inspirational rhyme, Tiffany! You are right…we could be so close to our goal, and yet give up. Perseverance is the key…
November 28, 2012 at 9:57 am
Ashley Bankhead
Thank you for this post. I appreciate the advice and the cartoon. Sometimes I need a little reminder about never giving up.
November 28, 2012 at 9:58 am
Melanie Ellsworth
I read the first few lines of your post and immediately ran downstairs to transfer my wet laundry to the dryer – thanks to you, my toddler will have dry bedding for naptime today. 🙂 I loved your rhyming inspiration, and congratulations on your book – I have put it on our reading list!
November 28, 2012 at 10:03 am
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Love you guys! Especially those who printed out my poem and hung it somewhere! LOLOL
November 28, 2012 at 10:24 am
Carol Nelson
This was so much fun to read! I love the cartoon, too. How appropriate at this stage of the game. Thanks for the little nudge to keep at it. I think I’ll print this out and post it by my computer to remind me that perseverance is the path to publication.
November 28, 2012 at 10:31 am
Jill Proctor
“Perseverance furthers” has been my motto all these years (I’m still pre-published). But it wasn’t until I jumped into the ‘pb writers’ pool’ recently that I discovered an inspiring support system! Thank you for your post and your encouragement!
November 28, 2012 at 10:54 am
Sheri Rad
Thanks Tiffany for the rhyme and encouragement, it is to easy to listen to others and just give up. Or just give up out of frustration at your own effort. Being pre-published is not so bad after all.
November 28, 2012 at 10:56 am
Jacqueline Adams
My last few ideas haven’t been as exciting as the first few, so I needed the reminder that the “little idea on day 30 could be the next NYT Bestseller.” And I loved the cartoon!
November 28, 2012 at 10:56 am
Stephanie Shaw
Hi, Tiffany! It’s so good to see you here cheering us all on.Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 11:00 am
Laura Anne Miller
Tiffany, the stanza of “Your goals and dreams are yours to lose.
And yours to harness….if you choose” jumped up and slapped me. A great reality check to remind me that I am the CEO of my goals, execution of same and marketing them so one day I will ‘gaze upon a shelf filled with books I wrote myself.’ Thanks for the cheerleading!
November 28, 2012 at 11:02 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
Hey, Tiffany S.
Thanks for the the poem.
We won’t quit now.
We’ll really show ’em!
(Sorry. Best I could do before the tea kicks in.)
November 28, 2012 at 11:05 am
Kim Pfennigwerth (@kpfenni)
Tiffany, I was so ready to stop. I hadn’t made the time and so my last idea was on Nov. 19th. After all what did it ‘really’ matter. Then I read your post – Bless you for your post! Because then I pulled out Tammi’s structuring post, turned off the tv and brainstormed. I just now wrote my 31st idea. 12 ideas! 3 classic, 3 reversal, 2 parallel, 1 concept, 1 mirror, 1 circular, 1 cumulative – Thank you! and Thank you! Tara and Tammi – Love PiBoIdMo and so glad I read today’s post and ‘listened’ to the advice 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 11:32 am
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
That is so super freaking awesome, Kim!!!!
November 28, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Joanne Roberts
Way to go Kim!
November 28, 2012 at 11:06 am
Wafa
Thanks for the motivational post Tiffany!!!!
November 28, 2012 at 11:07 am
wendy greenley
Hi, Tiffany. You and Corey are rhyming demons. Freakin’ amazing.
November 28, 2012 at 11:14 am
Buffy Silverman
Thanks for the rhyming pep talk!
November 28, 2012 at 11:14 am
Dawnyelle moore
Excellent motivation! I am going to print this poem and set it next to my illustration table.
November 28, 2012 at 11:26 am
SevenAcreSky
Tiffany,
you took my sigh, my sad tired sigh,
and changed it to a roar.
Where I was bound you turned me ’round
and pushed me toward the door.
Your words inspire–no more a sigh-er,
I’m on a writing roll!
A few steps more, I’ll stand before
the portal of my goal.
One gentle shove from this vast trove
of writer friends above
will push me through–yes, I CAN do
what writer’s hearts all love.
November 28, 2012 at 11:33 am
Diana Delosh
just what I needed to hear.
November 28, 2012 at 11:39 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thanks for the encouraging words. My favorite line; “Your goals and dreams are yours to lose, And yours to harness… if you choose”.
November 28, 2012 at 11:42 am
Jennifer Hawes
Tiffany, as the finish line draws near, we thank you for dragging us along by the ankles!! Great poem;-)
November 28, 2012 at 11:47 am
Elisa Robinson (@elisaitw)
so tired. . .but this kind of encouragement gives me a little burst of energy (I’ve been doing Nanowrimo as well!)
November 28, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Christie Wright Wild
Love both the poem AND the cartoon. Thank you so much!!!
November 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Erin Fennell
Cool cartoon and poem! Thanks for the encouragement!
November 28, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Penny Klostermann
Why you little Meter Maid, you!!! That poem was awesome. I have it pasted in a Word document with plans to post it in my writing space with the cartoon at the top!!! I’d love a title if you have time to title it 🙂
And I love The Monster Who Lost His Mean!!!
November 28, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Penny!! You rock. Thank you so much! Unfortunately, I suck at titles…but feel free to create your own! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Rhyme rocks, and so does your poem–thanks for pushing us to persevere!
November 28, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Cheryl
Thanks for the poem and advice!
Cheryl
November 28, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Sheila Wipperman
Thanks, Tiffany, for your creative post and motivational poem! I’m a firm believer that perseverance pays. Your book is on my to-read list. 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards)
Thank you for the inspiring post on perseverance. I can do it – YES – I can! Your poem was awesome!
November 28, 2012 at 1:11 pm
LeslieG
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Laura Renauld
That poem is going in my notebook!
November 28, 2012 at 1:28 pm
mishkaj
Great poem! I’m doing better than last year… 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Romelle Broas
OMG! A rhyming pep talk. Love it! Very inspirational. The comic strip really hit home for me too. Thanks, Tiffany and Tara!
November 28, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you for the great illustration and the wonderful poem! This is what keeps us going.
November 28, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Lisa Anchin
Amazing!!! Thank you so much for the post and the fantastic, inspiring poem. Copying it into my book, right now.
November 28, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Angela Padron
This book looks so cute. Thanks for the inspirational poem!
November 28, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Catherine Johnson
Super rhyming pep talk, Tiffany! Congrats on your book too.
November 28, 2012 at 2:02 pm
anniebailey7
Love the poem! Off to catch up on my ideas . . .
November 28, 2012 at 2:05 pm
diane kress hower
thanks for the smile. slogging away with three more to complete my 30.
November 28, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Jennifer Phillips
Wise words indeed. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 28, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Keri
Well done! Thanks for the push to finish strong!
November 28, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Sally Phillips
Thanks Tiffany for the rhyming pep talk and the great pic. Stopping before your goal is not an option–no excuses. You certainly know that!
Also, I love how the illustrator of “The Monster Who Lost His Mean,” Kirstie Edmunds, matched your imaginative rhymes with fun, entertaining illustrations to make a truly memorable and creative book.
November 28, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Kirstie is AWESOME, isn’t she?
November 28, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Rachel Hamby
Thanks for the motivation! Must . . . keep . . . brainstorming!
November 28, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Jen Carroll
Must needed pep talk … thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Becky
Love it! I made it to 31 ideas today!
November 28, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Amanda Banks
Thanks for the pep talk.
November 28, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Lori Alexander
We love MONSTER in our house. Thanks for the encouragement on the final stretch of PiBoIdMo!
November 28, 2012 at 4:44 pm
julie rowan zoch
Tired of daily inspiration? Keep my butt-in-chair persuasion? Another successful ms equation? Maybe I do need a vacation! – okay, now I’m pooped! Great post!
November 28, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Deborah G Eaton
Lovely rhyming : D
November 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm
A. Miller
Great post – I’m printing out that illustration – it’s a perfect perseverance booster. Hopefully I’m digging in the right direction! Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 5:01 pm
mona
I wouldn’t often post in rhyme
but since you’ve given us your time
the words inside me want to sing
thanks so much for everything.
PS I hope one day I’ll see a shelf
filled with books I wrote myself!
November 28, 2012 at 5:17 pm
kikimoo
Just when my ideas were starting to rep,
You gave a talk so full of pep!
I can’t just end at 28,
Number 30 may be great.
And if not, I won’t be thwarted,
I will have finished what I started!
I took a pledge and I now I know
That I can complete PiBoIdMo!!!
Thanks Tiffany 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Desiree Batson
Great post! Contract smontract! Digging till I get to the gold.:) (Or die trying)
November 28, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Stacy Couch
So easy(-ish, maybe, not really) to take risks in books…so hard to let others read them. Thanks for the push to go all the way!
November 28, 2012 at 5:41 pm
clarbojahn
Wow! Great Poem and great comments. I was feeling quite played out not getting my quota but I think I’ll persevere !! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 5:47 pm
White Wolf Studio
I think the best ideas, design or compositions come when I think I’ve exhausted all possibilities. Nice reminder post as I still have 3 ideas to get down.
November 28, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Sheri Dillard
Great post, Tiffany! Thanks for the pep talk! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Claudia Broglio
Wow, this post was so much fun to read and reread. Thanks!
November 28, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Robin Bulleri
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…Thanks
November 28, 2012 at 7:26 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
The cartoon is great!
Keep on working ’til real late!
Remember that precious thought,
‘Cause someday it might cost a lot!
If you tend to forget, never fear,
Just write it down in this journal HERE –
___________________________________________________________
Now hide it away, for many, many years to pass,
and when your waiting is done, check it at last!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great post! I want to win The Monster who Lost his Mean! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Cindy Breedlove
Loved the rhyming advice. I keep plugging along- hope to reach those diamonds soon!
November 28, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Donna Black
Love the cartoon. Thank you.
November 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Valarie Giogas
LOVE the poem. That was awesome and at the perfect time. Thanks.
November 28, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Dorothy Wiese
Great poem I would love to see even one book on my shelf that I wrote.
November 28, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Jodelle Brohard
What a cute idea for a book. I would love to win The Monster Who Lost his Mean.
November 28, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Cathy C. Hall
LOVE the rhyme!Makes me want to run out and think up another 30 ideas! 😉
November 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Debra Shumaker
Loved the poem! Thanks for the motivation to finish this!
November 28, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Kathy
Needed to her the word perseverance, not for the 30 day challenge, but for a picture book I’m trying to finish for a class. Thanks for the motivation – and I’m glad I’m not the only one who has to re-wash clothing!
November 28, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Quinn Cole
Today, I had my 31st solid picture book idea. But stopping, now? Not possible! I’m having too much fun! I plan to continue until the tap runs dry.
November 28, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Joanne Roberts
I passed the goal but am still digging for gems. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve heard so much about you from your NJ colleagues. ‘Glad to finally “meet” you.
November 28, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Bill Bibo
Thanks for the poem. I reread it as I rewashed our laundry too.
November 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Jessica Shaw
Okay, as a fellow rhymer, I *love* this post, Tiffany! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
November 28, 2012 at 10:59 pm
JoanneRFritz
Tiffany, you’re a gem, even if you do eat fried bugs. 🙂
Just in time: a cheer in rhyme.
Exactly what we needed.
We’ll keep stretching, not kvetching.
Advice from Tiffany heeded.
November 28, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Donna Martin
Tiffany,
I think possibly this is my all time favorite PiBo post from the past two years…don’t know for sure cuz the month’s not done yet…;~)
I think I will type up in big bold letters these two quotes and post them in my writing study:
“Your quest to find the best of you
will dominate the rest of you.”
“And one day gaze upon a shelf,
filled with books,
you wrote
yourself.”
You have NO IDEA how much those few words SING to my writer’s spirit!!
Thank you for such a lovely, lovely post!
Donna L Martin
November 29, 2012 at 6:44 am
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Aw!! Thank you so much, Donna. That makes me so incredibly happy- you can’t even imagine. *snoopy dance*
November 28, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Natasha
Thanks, Tiffany. Hope to win your monster book. Sometimes I loose my mean, too.
November 28, 2012 at 11:26 pm
viviankirkfield
Thank you so much, Tiffany, for sharing…I, too, love to write in rhyme, grew up in NYC, have jumped out of an airplane and believe that determination and tenacity are necessary components in reaching any goal.
Dear Tiffany, please take a bow to Thunderous Applause,
Your sound advice is well-thought-out…in it there are no flaws.
I happily put PERSEVERE into my treasure chest.
Among the PiBoIdMo gems this is one of the best.
Happy last couple of days of PiBoIdMo everyone…whether participants have one idea or one hundred and one…these guest posts are amazing!
November 28, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Linda Graden
Great poem! And I just love that cartoon! Thank you!
November 28, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Kevin J Doyle
That is an inspirationally wondertastic picture! Love it’s motivational powers. And thank you so much for the great words!
November 29, 2012 at 12:04 am
Carol Munro
There are some great lines in that pep talk of yours, and the cartoon, PERFECT. Thanks. I’m going to make it!
November 29, 2012 at 8:42 am
rusty
Love the cartoon and post! Going to refer to this the next time I feel like giving up.
November 29, 2012 at 9:16 am
Lynn Anne Carol
Lather, rinse, repeat. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be done?
Wash, rinse, spin!
Think, write, rewrite.
It’s all the same, yes? Thanks for the uplifting and encouraging cheer.
You break through book sounds delightful. I’m glad to see you have the repetition down in publishing too.
Lynn~~
November 29, 2012 at 9:37 am
Deb A. Marshall
Just put this on a stickie:
“Stopping before you reach your goal guarantees you will not reach your goal.”
So true.
Funny on the bugs…my husband, too. I’ve not tried it yet, can’t quite get myself there, lol.
November 29, 2012 at 10:15 am
laurimeyers
I hope the meter maids don’t come after me….
A thank you in rhyme seemed right
But I tossed and turned all night
Tiffany Strelitz Haber-
Does it rhyme with a saber?
Is it Tiffany Haber
Like a tricky rhyme robber?
November 29, 2012 at 10:22 am
Renée Kurilla (@reneekurilla)
Awesome poem!!! And that image really stuck with me since I’ve seen it, I think it applies to a lot of things. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing.
November 29, 2012 at 10:47 am
h1jackson
Great poem! Thanks for sharing!
November 29, 2012 at 10:53 am
Angela De Groot
Thanks for the pep talk, Tiffany. Never give up, never surrender. That’s my motto.
November 29, 2012 at 10:59 am
Frizz
Tiffany is great! Love her monsters!
November 29, 2012 at 11:20 am
Patricia Holloway
I love your rhyme. I want to share it with my sister, who has all these stories in her head. I think it might be the nudge she needs to tell them in the way only she can. Thanks.
November 29, 2012 at 11:47 am
daniela weil
omg, you also do every load of laundry twice?? i thought i was the only loser that did that! love your poem, it hit the spot to me on more than one level… thanks for that.
November 29, 2012 at 1:29 pm
renajtraxel
Lovely poem. There are times I feel like giving up, but you just never know what’s around the corner.
November 29, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Veronica Bartles (@vbartles)
I think I need to keep a copy of that rhyming pep talk in my “encouragement” file for the days when I feel like I can’t keep going. 🙂 Thanks!
November 29, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Mary Flynn
Thank you Tiffany I especially love the line, “your goals and dreams are yours to lose or yours to harness if you choose.” that is so inspirational.
November 29, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Annette Pimentel
I just made it to 30! One day early!
November 29, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Erin
True
November 29, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Beth MacKinney
I LOVE that title. Lol.
November 29, 2012 at 10:17 pm
susan crites
congratulations and thank you!
November 29, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Kristiane Pedersen
What a wonderful post! Totally and completely got me going! Oh and thanks for the reminder to change my laundry…..I always forget too. Hopefully you’re not as brain dead as me, I always forget to turn the dryer ON! Congrats on your books. You’ve found the acres of diamonds!
November 29, 2012 at 11:09 pm
S.H. Sherlock
Such a needed reminder, thank you! Love the rhyme-post and your book sounds perfect for my nice-monster-loving preschooler.
November 29, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
Thank you for your inspiration!
November 30, 2012 at 1:47 am
Kathryn Ault Noble
So we never know when we might be just one swipe of the pickax away from success! Thanks for the encouragement!
November 30, 2012 at 8:52 am
Hilary Leung
Thanks for the pep talk!
November 30, 2012 at 9:06 am
Lois Sepahban
Love the rhyme! Thanks for a great post!
November 30, 2012 at 11:03 am
kirabigwood
OK, ready to go now–thx for the poetic inspiration!
November 30, 2012 at 12:47 pm
angelapenadahle
Your post is a classic example of finding profundity in simplicity. Thanks of sharing that clever cartoon and fun poem on perseverance. Onward!
November 30, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Debbie Mickelson
Thanks for the fun rhyme pep talk and congratulations on “The Monster Who Lost his Mean.”
November 30, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Abigail
Love the title of your book. Thanks for the inspiring post!
November 30, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Andrea W
Loved your poem – thank you so much for posting it!
November 30, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Lisa Rogers
Glad to know of your success with rhyming picture books. Congratulations–and I’ll persevere.
December 1, 2012 at 12:02 am
Heather Soodak
You understand us!
December 1, 2012 at 2:43 am
Lisa Olson
Tiffany, you recently critiqued my rhyming PB. I’m a big fan and love your cute post. 🙂
December 1, 2012 at 7:42 am
Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much!!
December 1, 2012 at 4:35 am
Angie Breault
Love the post! Thank you 🙂
December 1, 2012 at 8:24 am
Ellen L. Ramsey
Thanks, Tiffany, for helping me not lose the “Big Mo” Momentum for finishing PiBoIdMo–and also for finishing the three draft picture books in progress!
December 1, 2012 at 9:24 am
Kelly Parker
Thanks for this, I loved the poem. It is hard to sit and force yourself to write, especially when you feel like there is nothing left, no idea in site. I have felt that way, nothing coming to mind, then just when I think, ok well I’m ahead, I can just stop now, POW! I think that it is important to just keep going to the very last day, no matter what!
December 1, 2012 at 10:29 am
nicolezoltack
Sounds like such a cute book! Loved the poem!
December 1, 2012 at 3:58 pm
JoAn Watson Martin
Great title. Piqued my curiosity. How? Maybe it’d help an old writer/mother/teacher lose her mean.
JoAn
December 1, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Ramona
I loved your rhyme, it’s really cool,
Books that rhyme do rock and rule!
December 1, 2012 at 7:40 pm
lindamartinandersenL
Thank you for inspiring us to keep on keeping on.
December 3, 2012 at 1:40 am
Sue Frye
Very nice rhyme and great title!