Embrace Failure: A Recipe for Success
Prep Time: Indeterminable
Yield: Infinite Possibilities
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Inspiration
- 10 cups of Perspiration
- Spread with Failure
- Sprinkle with Hope
With the lightbulb logo as inspiration, I thought I’d quote Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” So get out that deodorant and sweat away!
Now that you have a bunch of ideas, it’s time to play with them, and fail. Most of the time, we have to fail before we can succeed. Let’s face it, failure sucks. I hate failing. It’s painful. I go through cycles where I feel like a fraud and a complete loser. Some days I still want to give up. But I can’t—it’s in my blood, and yours. Writers, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Inventors, all creators, more often get it wrong before they get it right. Failure is integral to the creative process.
Giving ourselves permission to fail is very liberating. How can we fail at writing a sh*tty first draft? The only way we can truly fail is by not writing. Not drawing that first line. Not trying. Being too afraid.
So jump right in and fail! Here are some ways to embrace failure:
- Keep Kneading: Change genres/formats
I had my first close encounter with a coyote on a moonlit night in January 2007. I became obsessed with coyotes. I researched—I even interviewed a biologist for the nonfiction article I’d be submitting to Highlights. I subbed. I waited. I hoped…REJECTION. But the coyotes kept howling in my head. This failure was an opportunity to begin anew. I re-worked the article into a poetic nonfiction picture book manuscript. I submitted, got rejections, revised. Three years later it received a Barbara Karlin commendation, and helped me land the incredible Ammi-Joan Paquette as my agent. In May 2013, COYOTE MOON sold to canine lover Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press—six years after the early version failed.
- Marinate: Let It Sit a Bit
I’ve love raptors, especially red-tailed hawks. In 2009, Highlights rejected “Highway Hawks” because they had too many bird stories. It sat for three years before re-surfacing as PiBoIdMo idea #21 last year: convert hawks article to a haiku picture book! It didn’t end up in haiku form, but it also sold to Emily at Roaring Brook this past summer—four years after the initial rejection. And even better—it will be illustrated by the phenomenal Brian Floca!
- Fold in: A New Point of View
“Terrific Tongues” began as a poem in 2004 when my then 2 ½-year-old daughter became obsessed with tongues. Tongues everywhere were greeted with the German word “Zunge” since we were then living in Berlin. Inspired by her fascination, I penned a poem for Highlights, though I never submitted it because it felt incomplete. I toiled, researched creature tongues and it evolved into a nonfiction picture book. I revised, incorporating a second person interrogative refrain that gave the story an interactive feel. Though I received some nice comments from editors on its originality and kid appeal, it continued to be rejected.
In 2008, I submitted it to the PEN New England Susan Bloom Discovery Award contest. I received the form rejection letter and filed it away. A month later I received a phone call from Judge Susan Goodman explaining that my manuscript had been a contender, but for the failure of a too-technical ending. Grateful for her encouragement, I re-worked the ending and re-subbed it to the contest in 2009 when it was one of the winners! Though the award didn’t lead to acquisition, it was how I first met Joan. This manuscript sold to Rebecca Davis at Boyds Mills Press in June 2013—nine years after the initial inspiration.
- Set Aside: Take a Break and Procrastinate!
One of my all-time favorite movies is “High Fidelity,” starring John Cusack. It’s one of those rare movies that’s actually better than the book (no offense Nick Hornby!) The main character, Rob, is a charming cad who owns a record store and confesses to the camera like he’s our friend. He and his musical snob sidekicks, Dick and Barry, make “Top 5” lists for: Mondays, memorable break-ups, death. Watching the movie inspired me to insert lists into the picture book I was then revising. PENNY AND JELLY was my first sale, acquired in a two-book deal by the lovely Cynthia Platt at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt! Newcomer Thyra Heder’s humorous and warm illustrations will accompany the text.
Find inspiration in creative procrastination: watch a movie; go to a museum; explore nature; read poetry; listen to/play music; dance; garden; bake; craft. If you’re an artist, try another medium: switch sketching for sculpting; exchange knitting for painting; choose collage over clay.
Here are a few other ingredients to spice up your failing manuscripts:
- Stir in a new setting
- Truss with structure: lists; recipes; manuals; formulas; diary/letter formats; musical compositions
- Beat in a dance tempo: waltz; disco; cha-cha anyone?
- Frost with layering or a dual narrative (works especially well for nonfiction)
- Blend poetic forms: sonnets; haikus; acrostics; ballads
- Render your MC from human to animal; female to male; animate to inanimate object (or vice versa)
- Mince previous PiBoIdMo ideas together to form something new
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time,” said Thomas Edison.
Give yourself the permission to fail—you never know what you might discover in the process! It will take time, but don’t give up! You will get there! If you’re completely passionate, perhaps even obsessed with your manuscript, all the better. This energy will give you the momentum to glide over bumps in the road.
So try that picture book text, those illustrations, just one more time. Embrace failure, and you will surely find success!
Maria is currently failing on 2012’s PiBoIdMo idea #29. She is a nature, creature and dog lover who grew up near a farm in New Hampshire climbing trees, smelling maple syrup clouds, and slapping cow patties. She now lives in northern Virginia with her German-scientist husband, Niko, their artist daughter, Anya, their Dixie Chick rescue dog, Becca, and two rescue rats, Lucia and Nera. She has three fiction picture books forthcoming: two PENNY AND JELLY books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) as well as OFFICER KATZ AND HOUNDINI (Aladdin); and three non-fiction books: COYOTE MOON & HIGHWAY HAWKS (Roaring Brook Press) and TERRIFIC TONGUES (Boyds Mills Press). To learn more, check out her website: MariaGianferrari.com.
Maria is giving away a picture book critique!
One winner will be randomly selected at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for this prize if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)
Good luck, everyone!
402 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 24, 2013 at 9:11 am
nicole snitselaar
I’m going to keep this recipe and learn it by heart !
Thanks !
November 24, 2013 at 9:13 am
gpatmiller
Congratulations, Maria, on your many successes! How encouraging to hear about failures that you persisted with until publication. I’m very happy for you.
November 24, 2013 at 9:19 am
Michele Norman
Terrific post Maria! It is so helpful to know how the path unfolds for others – helps us all put and keep things in perspective.
November 24, 2013 at 9:21 am
FLOWER T
Thanks for sharing your recipe and your failures as well as your successes.
November 24, 2013 at 10:26 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks Nicole, Pat (loved your post the other day), Michele & Flower–lovely name for such a cold day!
Hard work is always the key, and that’s something we all can do.
November 24, 2013 at 9:22 am
jenswan90
Awesome post! Maria you are truly inspirational and also a very hard worker!
November 24, 2013 at 9:22 am
dzipeto
Love your perspective and admire your accomplishments. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and process!
Diana Zipeto
November 24, 2013 at 9:24 am
Joy Moore
Thank you for giving us a tip of inspiration!
November 24, 2013 at 9:26 am
kjfoote
Inspiring!! Reminder to never give up on old manuscripts, and to take failure as an opportunity to rework!! Thank you for sharing both sides of the coin!! 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 9:28 am
LovableLobo
Thanks for sharing that the main ingredient in the recipe for success is to never give up! Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 10:27 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thank you Jen, Diana, KJ and Lobo–do you love wolves? Does anyone remember that old movie, Lobo? I cried so hard.
November 24, 2013 at 9:32 am
kroberts24
Thank you for the advice! Looking forward to reading your new books!
November 24, 2013 at 9:36 am
Sarah Kilfoil
Thanks for sharing how you re-worked ideas until they sold. Your journey is inspiring.
November 24, 2013 at 9:36 am
teresa m.i. schaefer (@TMISchaefer)
It amuses me that in pre-PiBoIdMo chatter there were numerous references to being so busy with generating ideas that there would be little to no time to cook–big yippie, my reaction. Now in day 24 we have a sumptuous recipe to cook–and not the first. But one definitely worth making! Thanks Maria.
November 24, 2013 at 9:38 am
Sue Poduska
🙂 Kinda reminds me of singing. One of the best pieces of advice I received from that was that, if you’re going to make a mistake, do it like you mean it. Or at least do it till you get it right.
November 24, 2013 at 9:38 am
Doreen E. Lepore
Congrats on your new books! Thanks for great advice.
November 24, 2013 at 9:39 am
Lynn A. Davidson
This post really spoke to me. I believe I have a few ideas from this PiBoIdMo challenge and past ones that could find some measure of success. Now I have to try harder to get them noticed.
Thank you for this.
November 24, 2013 at 10:29 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, K, Sarah, Teresa, Sue, Doreen & Lynn-cook away (and sing while you’re doing it–great idea)!
November 24, 2013 at 9:39 am
Meline
Thanks for sharing your failures and successes, it truly gives us struggling authors hope! Loved the format of your post too!
November 24, 2013 at 9:41 am
Anne Bielby
Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 9:42 am
storyfairy
Thank you Maria! What you said is so true! It reminds me of another, anonymous quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s always been one of my favorite quotes.
November 24, 2013 at 10:11 am
writersideup
Don’t you just LOVE quotes? This is another gem, storyfairy 😀
November 24, 2013 at 9:45 am
Angela De Groot
Thanks for sharing your failure and success stories.
November 24, 2013 at 9:48 am
Kimberly
Always be proud of your rejections, they mean you’re working toward your goal. You’ll get no where if you do nothing. Just don’t give up!
November 24, 2013 at 9:50 am
Courtenay Schurman
Ooh, this one is a keeper. Never give up. The only failure is in not trying just one more time. Thanks for the great tips!
November 24, 2013 at 9:50 am
Eleanor rubin
Many great reminders about how to move forward even if a story takes years to blossom. Thank you, Maria, for your ideas about structure and your example of perseverance , inspiration and success.
November 24, 2013 at 10:30 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks so much, Elly–one of my dear friends, and critique partners. Another thing I didn’t mention is the importance of getting feedback from trusted people, and being open to it, that’s part of the failing process mix too!
November 24, 2013 at 9:51 am
julie rowan zoch
Really appreciate your sharing so many ms journey stories! Excited to see all your books, especially to see how the Zungenbuch Dir gelungen ist! Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 10:34 am
Maria Gianferrari
Vielen Dank, Julie!
November 24, 2013 at 9:51 am
Lauren Greenberg
Thank you for the pick me up — I’ve been spinning in the fraud/loser cycle for a couple days now.
November 24, 2013 at 10:36 am
Maria Gianferrari
Hang in there, Lauren–the bad days are part of the process too.
November 24, 2013 at 9:53 am
Rachel Smoka-Richardson
Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement!
November 24, 2013 at 9:54 am
Laura Zimmermann
Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 9:56 am
Eileen
Thanks for sharing your story.
November 24, 2013 at 9:58 am
kathalsey
” Failure is integral to the creative process.” Such sage words! I love coyotes, also, living in Arizona! Excited to see that NF PBs get published for you! Must check them out. Would love to win your crit!
November 24, 2013 at 10:35 am
Maria Gianferrari
Kath–I love Arizona–I’m working on a book about saguaro cacti now 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 9:59 am
Kimberly Vogel
Thanks for helping me not fear rejection quite so much!
November 24, 2013 at 10:00 am
dorothia
Thank you so much for this inspiring post!
November 24, 2013 at 10:00 am
Ellen Mott
Enjoyed your post. Thank you for reminding me of quotes from Thomas Edison, one of my father’s idols. I will add those to my list of inspirational quotes. The recipe sounds great as well.
November 24, 2013 at 10:02 am
Anita
Thank you for the post! I have a hard time giving up on my stories!
November 24, 2013 at 10:04 am
danacarey1
Wonderful post, Maria. You’ve inspired and given concrete examples and ways to take ideas as far as possible. Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 10:04 am
Juliana Lee
Sometimes a recipe fails, sometimes it a success. Thanks for the reminder to keep reworking it until it comes out just right!
November 24, 2013 at 10:06 am
lmconnors
Your perseverance is inspiring! Thank you for sharing. I am in the stage of trying to figure out which of my ms need more stewing and which need additions and deletions. This was a helpful post.
November 24, 2013 at 10:08 am
Barbara Krasner
Great post – gives me hope for all those not-quite-right-for-us mss. I give up way too easily it seems.
November 24, 2013 at 10:10 am
Sue Heavenrich
Great reminder to keep on experimenting until we get it right. And this is the perfect time, too – I just spent yesterday in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes (apple-beet salsa for sweet potato latkes – will it work?) Now if I can be brave enough to test new story recipes at my desk!
November 24, 2013 at 10:37 am
Maria Gianferrari
Yes! Experimentation is the key. I still struggle with the letting go process too!
November 24, 2013 at 10:10 am
MichelleLynn
I love how Willy Wonka borrowed and transformed Thomas Edison’s perspiration quote: “Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple.” – WILLY WONKA
I think that has been my problem… I’ve been missing the butterscotch ripple!
November 24, 2013 at 10:37 am
Maria Gianferrari
Sounds delectable, Michelle!
November 24, 2013 at 10:14 am
Margaret Master
I’ve decided to make some bacon wrapped dates – that might get my creative juices going. Nothing to critique right now but inspired to get there.
November 24, 2013 at 10:14 am
Andrea
I really like your list of ideas for how to give stories an original twist! Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 10:14 am
Rebecca Trembula
Lovely metaphors! Persistence is so important, isn’t it!
November 24, 2013 at 10:15 am
Lois Sepahban
Thank you, Maria, for a delicious post! 🙂
I cannot wait to see your books in print!!!
November 24, 2013 at 10:39 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Lois–another friend, amazing writer and critique partner!
Go Crumpled Pages–my online group with Lois, Lisa, Andrea, Abby & Sheri!
November 24, 2013 at 10:17 am
rosemary basham
Anxious to read your books!
November 24, 2013 at 10:17 am
writeknit
Just like all great recipes, one must be patient for it to succeed! Thanks for the great post.
November 24, 2013 at 10:18 am
Cindy Cornwall
I love the baking analogy and hearing about your success after many tries…inspiring!
November 24, 2013 at 10:18 am
Lori Dubbin
Thanks for talking about failure and cups of perspiration and pointing out that even though they feel like obstacles and reasons to give up, they are essential and vital to success. Your recipe, your suggestions, and your ways of spicing up works in progress are brilliant. Thank you — I will be rereading your post often.
November 24, 2013 at 10:18 am
writersideup
Maria, this was a joy to read 🙂 First, I love “recipe” analogies (as you can see by one of my hopefully-soon-to-be-launched blogs: http://www.2creativitycookbook.com )
And secondly, I, too, LOVE Thomas Edison (and Albert Einstein AND Mark Twain) quotes 🙂 Most of Mr. Edison’s has to do with the nature of inventiveness and success. I don’t really like the word “failure,” and I never really stopped to think about it, but I’m not sure I ever use it in conversation! lol It’s because of what it connotes and how, so often, people call THEMSELVES “a failure.” I prefer to think of it the way Thomas Edison did. Here’s another one to go with the couple you quoted, that is directly in line with this. I’m pretty sure this was in reference to the light bulb:
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
Thomas A. Edison
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#EXhIABz2Zmp7lQSg.99
And I think, too, that a great point your post brings out is that we should NEVER throw ideas away! I know many people who easily throw away things they’ve written simply because it wasn’t going well, etc. There’s no way to know when even one word, one sentence, one thought, one whatever, can spark something new or be used in a new way 🙂
I love all these posts telling all of us the many different ways of going about the creative process! 😀 Thanks for another one 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 10:41 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks Donna Marie–looking forward to checking out Creativity Cookbook when it’s up & running!
November 24, 2013 at 10:47 am
writersideup
Thanks, Maria 🙂 I hope you do. And I hope I can “cook up” some good content 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 10:22 am
Daryl Gottier
Thanks for your recipe and inspiring message. Another quote…“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” ― Henry Ford
November 24, 2013 at 10:23 am
Susan Latta
Persistence is the key that’s for sure. Great post, thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 10:23 am
Stacy Gray
I love this post! Thanks for your insight!
November 24, 2013 at 10:23 am
deborahholtwilliams
Love the Edison quote—“try one more time.” I could relate to your Highlights experience, as they rejected my well-researched article on roadrunners as “too encyclopedic.” I re-wrote it as a picture book, and your post has reminded me to keep submitting it. Thanks, Maria!
November 24, 2013 at 10:43 am
Maria Gianferrari
Yes–keep submitting, Deborah & good luck!
November 24, 2013 at 10:24 am
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, everyone! It was an inspiration to be invited by Tara to post today. And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, thank you Tara for giving back to us all with PIBo and your generous spirit!
November 24, 2013 at 10:24 am
msmo1958
Love your never give up and reinventing attitude!
November 24, 2013 at 10:26 am
Therese Nagi
Maria thanks for giving us encouragement and permission to fail. Failure is part of the writer’s learning curve. Thanks for ginving us hope and a nudge to keep persisting with writing.
November 24, 2013 at 10:27 am
Stephanie Shaw
Thank you, Maria. How exciting to think that the files of rejections still hold stories worth recreating into winners.
November 24, 2013 at 10:31 am
Shannon Anderson
Thank you for reminding us to keep trying even after someone else doesn’t like it.
November 24, 2013 at 10:34 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Another inspirational post about the value of persevering with creativity and resilience! Thank you Maria!
November 24, 2013 at 10:35 am
cherylsec
I love the recipe for success and the Thomas Edison quotes. Wonderful advice, Maria. (And what a beautiful dog. Looks like a great companion.) 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us today!
November 24, 2013 at 10:45 am
Maria Gianferrari
Becca is the best writing companion–a symphony of her snoring is very inspirational and comforting 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 10:36 am
Elizabeth Metz
Permission to write “shitty first drafts” (thanks Anne Lamott and Maria!) is quite possibly, honestly, the best advice ever. Just get started already, right?
November 24, 2013 at 10:36 am
lindaschueler
The only way we can truly fail is by not writing. I am going to keep reminding myself about that.
Thanks.
November 24, 2013 at 10:38 am
creationsbymit
Love your clever recipe analogy (sound advice for sure) & your story of perseverance! Thank you for sharing!
Michele Katz/Creations By Mit
November 24, 2013 at 10:39 am
Lori Mozdzierz
What a perfect recipe for success! Thanks, Maria for encouraging us to fail on 😀
November 24, 2013 at 10:40 am
Catherine Johnson
Fabulously encouraging! Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 10:40 am
katiemillsgiorgio
I’ve never been a good cook but this recipe seems like I should buckle down and perfect it! Thanks for sharing!
November 24, 2013 at 10:45 am
cantsing1
Love the verbs to get me going in a new direction: truss, beat, frost, blend, mince.
November 24, 2013 at 10:45 am
Debra shumaker
I love all these ideas on how to revamp work. Definitely print worthy! Thanks so much.
November 24, 2013 at 10:46 am
Maria Gianferrari
I guess I could safely say “Keep Calm & Fail on!”
Thanks, everyone!
November 24, 2013 at 10:49 am
Linda
Thank you. It inspires me to hear published authors speak to the time and rewriting required for each project. Examples of such keep me positive and productive.
November 24, 2013 at 10:51 am
rlkurstedt
Beautiful. Can’t wait to read Coyote Moon. Your editor was at the NJSCBWI Fall Craft weekend and in her bio she mentioned Coyote Moon. Love the title. Your post is honest and inspiring. Thanks.
November 24, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks! Emily’s really sweet and it’s still so exciting to me that I’m mentioned in her bio 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 10:53 am
Nancy Armo
Rejection sometimes is the best teacher. It can make you work harder. Thank you for the encouraging post!
November 24, 2013 at 10:55 am
Robyn Campbell
Lovely. Here lately I’ve had loads of failure to embrace. You are my encourager. *pats back* Mighty beholden to ya. 🙂 *printing* Happy Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2013 at 10:56 am
klmcmorranmaus
Great ideas for changing MSs to improve them. Thank you for sharing.
November 24, 2013 at 10:56 am
Melanie Vickers
This is, by far, my favorite of all the PiBoldMo suggestions by authors . I can’t wait to read your books about coyotes and hawks, creatures I find fascinating. On your webpage, our likes and dislikes are similar. The creative procrastinations list is excellent.
November 24, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Melanie–glad to hear that there are other predator fans out there, and that we have some similar likes/dislikes–what I wonder?
November 24, 2013 at 10:57 am
Mary Warth
Thank you so much Maria! On a very cold, snowy morning, this is just the hope I need to carry on. I also feel much better about the stack of failures from the last five years just waiting for their new form!!
November 24, 2013 at 10:57 am
Debra Daugherty
I’ve used your recipe many times!
November 24, 2013 at 10:57 am
redheadedstepchild64
Great post! I’ve always thought that if you’re not failing, then you’re not trying hard enough! “Keep Calm & Fail On!” I love it!
November 24, 2013 at 11:03 am
Sandie Sing
Thank you for reassuring us. The encouraging words will push me through.
November 24, 2013 at 11:03 am
Elisa Robinson (@elisaitw)
Lovely post, Maria. Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Lisa–another great writer, critiquer & friend 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 11:06 am
Jeanine Potter
Thank you for reminding me about the benefits of failure. I once went to coaching training where they gave us a blank nametag and we were charged to see how many times we could fail- how many tick marks we could record! The more the better! At first disconcerting- then strangely liberating!
November 24, 2013 at 11:07 am
schriscoe
Thank you so much for this post Maria. I can truly relate to this. My 4th assignment for ICL was in 2009. That PB has changed SO many times in the past 4 years but I have never given up on it. Now it is my strongest PB and even though it has not resulted in a book or landing me an agent just yet. The feedback I have been getting lately from agents is fantastic. So I hope that I land it on the right desk soon. And perseverance has paid off for me in magazines too. It took me 3 years to finally get an acceptance from Highlights…now I have 2! So yes, never give up, allow yourself to fail and get right back up and keep writing. Thank you again for such a wonderful inspirational post!
November 24, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Congrats on your Highlights successes & may there be many more PB ones, for you and the other posters!
November 24, 2013 at 11:08 am
Rebecca Hirsch
Thanks for sharing your insight, Maria. I’m looking forward to reading about coyotes, hawks, and tongues when your books come out!
November 24, 2013 at 11:10 am
Laura Gehl
Thanks for this post. I am planning to try a NF picture book soon for the first time, and I appreciate your insights.
November 24, 2013 at 11:13 am
Sandy Perlic
One of my favorite posts of PiBoIdMo! I love how you’ve suggested techniques for salvaging a “recipe” that we know has potential. Lots of ideas here to keep us failing successfully.
November 24, 2013 at 11:15 am
Jennifer Kaap
I am ready to fail! Thanks for sharing your experiences 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 11:28 am
patientdreamer
Thank you for such an inspiring post.
Diane Tulloch
November 24, 2013 at 11:31 am
robinghoward
Wow! So many new ingredients to help me think outside of the recipe box. Thank you 😉
November 24, 2013 at 11:32 am
Abigail Aguirre
A PB critique from Maria is a real treasure! Congratulations on all your successes, Maria. It’s been amazing to watch. Love your inspiring post.
November 24, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Maria Gianferrari
And another wonderful writer friend & critiquer–thanks, Abby!
November 24, 2013 at 11:33 am
tanyakonerman
Great inspiration and solid advice. Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 11:33 am
Linda Knoll
Yes, I find that marinating makes things much more flavorful.
November 24, 2013 at 11:35 am
Valarie Giogas
All great idea, Maria. SOOO happy for your success. Miss you!
November 24, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Hey, Val–thanks! I miss you too 🙂 Another MA friend, funny PB writer and critique partner–I am very lucky to have such wonderfully insightful readers, and I hope you do too!
November 24, 2013 at 11:39 am
Teresa Daffern
Thanks Maria, for sharing your experiences (and successes!) that came from ‘not giving up.’ My daughter also teaches me this on a daily basis.
November 24, 2013 at 11:47 am
Alisa Harris-Norico
I love all the cooking and baking analogies! Thanks for the reminder that some of my ideas may be done marinating and need to move on to the next step. Congrats on keeping at it and getting your work published!
November 24, 2013 at 11:55 am
katmaz2012
I am very Thankful for your practical words of inspiration. My manuscript needs a pinch of something. Your clever words will definitely help me continue!
November 24, 2013 at 11:57 am
Beth Gallagher
Again, such a wonderful and inspirational post!!! This one seems to hit me at the perfect moment. Thank you for sharing!!!
November 24, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Charlotte Cheng
Thanks for sharing your experiences of being persistent! It makes me want to dig through my old manuscripts and remix them again 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Sharon K Mayhew
Great post! You are inspiring me to pick up some failed stories/articles and revisit them. 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Jenn DesAutels
Maria, I love your cooking analogy! I have kids, too, and food is necessarily part of my creative repertoire (both the successes and failures). BTW I was at the PEN/NE CBC Discovery Evening when you and your daughter read Terrific Tongues. The brief intro describing the initial rejection and then awarding(?) of that piece was one of the encouraging things that I remembered from that event, partly because my own oldest was 3 at the time. Thank you so much for sharing more of your journey to publication. Congratulations on selling it this year!!! =) =)
November 24, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Jenn, for remembering that event! It was so special to me, especially that my daughter Anya helped me with the reading. I was so nervous, and having her up at the podium with me really helped!
November 24, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Bev
An amazing post! Congratulations on all that you have achieved. Inspiring to see how you kept persevering to be published in the end. Thanks for the great advice.
November 24, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Marcie Wessels
Congratulations! Your example teaches us that hard work and persistence do pay off! I also admire your openness and desire to try new things.
November 24, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Margaret Greanias
Thank you for sharing your “failure” stories. I’m going to give myself permission to fail and not feel so bad when I do.
November 24, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Tracy Molitors
Thank you, Maria. I strongly believe in the power of failure, but I still can’t make myself appreciate it when it happens. This is a wonderful reminder of why I should!
November 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Lisa Rivard
Thanks for the words of wisdom!
November 24, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Shanda McCloskey
I believe you are so right to do something different and procrastinate when your brain is spaghetti. I also thought it was interesting how many different forms you have tried to get your ideas sold. Thanks for the post! Inspiring:)
November 24, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Natasha
Take a break
Procrastinate
Thank you for permission
Read a blog
Pat a dog
Now back to that submission!
November 24, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Jessie Miller (@pigknit)
Very inspiring! I have a hard time going back to work on something that I’m not happy with so this is a definite reminder that there’s hope!
November 24, 2013 at 12:35 pm
maya elson
This post was fantastic. I am guilty of being too afraid of failure too often, and I need to never forget it’s all just part of a worthwhile process.
November 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Mary Jo
So all along I’ve just needed to aspire to fail! This could actually work!
November 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Susan Groh
Love the baking references…and the inspiration! Thanks! Just what I needed.
November 24, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Annie
Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Pia Garneau
A great reminder that it is ok to fail. Love the baking analogy. Thanks for this post.
November 24, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Kathy moncrief
Thanks! I’ve got the oven pre-heating!!!
November 24, 2013 at 1:19 pm
joannesher
Love this reminder – I’ve failed in so many ways – and in so many instances, I’ve turned it around into a success of a different type. But I needed to be told again (don’t we all?). Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Kathy Doherty
A meaty post! Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Maria Gianferrari
As a vegetarian I object (just kidding!) Thanks, Kathy 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Sheri Dillard
Great post, Maria! And I love that photo of you and Becca! (Becca has such a serious look on her face — maybe she is thinking, “What are you waiting for? Get busy!” Or maybe, “Hey, did someone mention food? Any leftovers for me?”) 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thank you, Sheri–another critique partner and writer of hilarious and clever picture books. It was hard to get Becca to pose for that picture. She’s very laid back and she literally kept lying down.
November 24, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Laurie Ann Thompson
Thanks for the inspiration, Maria! I can’t wait to see your books!! 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Laurie–a fellow EMLA person and writer of nonfiction (and fiction too) Looking forward to your books!
November 24, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Susan Nicholas
Thanks for sharing your story. I have lots of failed scripts stashed away. I think it’s time for me to dust them off and add a few sprinkles of hope!
November 24, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Dawn
Thanks for sharing your recipe for success!
November 24, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Donna L Martin
Hi Maria!
The motto at my martial arts school is PERSEVERE. That motto has stayed with me during my thirteen years of training and has been my shield against failure during my fours years so far of writing professionally. As long as I’m collecting rejection letters I don’t see myself as failing, but actively working toward my first success!
Great post!
Donna L Martin
November 24, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Mary Jane
Thank you for your words of wise council today. It comforts me to know how much the process of creating a manuscript and picture book takes time and many changes before becoming a good story that works. I think I’ll pull out some stories from my files and re-work them. I won’t give up on them after all. A great post!
November 24, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Jim Hill (@heyjimhill)
Excellent recipe. One to hand down to the next generation, as well as use today.
November 24, 2013 at 1:43 pm
S.H. Sherlock
This is a great post- and one I needed to hear! I have yet to “perspire” enough to finish that crappy first draft. Thanks for the nudge.
November 24, 2013 at 1:45 pm
kpbock
I’m suddenly feeling hungry!
November 24, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Linda E.H.
From Plan A to Plan B to C to D… I like how you explained the various changes you made to your manuscripts before they were accepted. Determination pays off.
November 24, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Pam Brunskill (@PamBrunskill)
Great advice! It’s wonderful hearing about how others’ experience with rejection can turn into something positive, and I also enjoy getting a realistic perspective of how long this can take–you just never know! Thanks for sharing!
November 24, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Andrea Allen
Absolutely love the Thomas Edison quotes – thanks for sharing your story and reminding us to never give up!
November 24, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Laura Zarrin
Ugh! Here’s to failure! May it lead to success.
November 24, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Yvonne Mes
Ahh, it is so good to read that hard work pays of and that the rejected story of today may be the resurrected story of tomorrow.
November 24, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Julie Grasso
This was inspiring and sobering. Lol Thanks for the ideas to spruce up our stories. They were great.
November 24, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
I love this post! I tweeted about this post. it’s so great. So worthy and worthwhile. Failure is indeed the best stepping stone to success. Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Catherine
This is a great blogpost. Congratulations on your book success, your tenacity and your patience, Maria. Your blogpost has inspired me to keep going 🙂 Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Buffy Silverman
Great ideas for reworking failure into success! It’s clear that hard work has been a large part of that for you.
November 24, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Noel Csermak
Cheers to that Laura (post above mine)! Thank you for sharing.
November 24, 2013 at 2:31 pm
colleen kosinski
Inspirational post! Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 2:31 pm
jheitman22
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maria! Don’t throw an idea away, and keep at it! Your examples are perfect, and I can’t wait to read them!
November 24, 2013 at 2:36 pm
kirsticall
This gives me hope for some of my rejected manuscripts:)
November 24, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Ashley Bohmer
I believe I’m finally ready to allow myself the freedom to fail. 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 2:46 pm
saputnam
Thank you for sharing your recipe for success! I loved it when you said, “Giving ourselves permission to fail is very liberating” as it fits right in with a motto of Norman Vaughan’s that I have over my computer which is,“Dream Big and Dare to Fail!”
Norman was the chief dog driver on the 1928 expedition to the South Pole with Admiral Bird. To honor Norman for his contributions Admiral Byrd named a mountain after him and on December 16, 1994, three days shy of his 89th birthday, Norman fulfilled a lifelong dream. He climbed Mount Vaughan, a 10,302′ Antarctic peak. Norman also took part in 13 Iditarod’s, running his first Iditarod at age 72. He completed 6 with his last finish being in 1990 at the age of 84. Can you imagine crossing 1,000 miles of Alaska by dog sled at 84?
November 24, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Maria Gianferrari
That sounds like a great potential PB! Quick–add it to your PiBo list, and good luck!
November 24, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Gaye Kick
Thank you. I needed a lift today.
November 24, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Christine M. Irvin
Great advice and ideas. Thanks for sharing!
November 24, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Patrick Waldron
I don’t know how you embrace failure, turning an idea around is revision. I think you should have titled this article “Success lies in revision.”
Many thanks.
November 24, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Theanna
Congratulations on your success. Rejection is part of this business, but we definitely have to still pick up our pens, pencils or tap away on the keyboard. I love the quotes you used, some of my favorites. They are so true. Best of luck to you!
November 24, 2013 at 3:10 pm
svaisnoras
Absolutely love your ideas…thanks for the post.
November 24, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Kaye Baillie
Oh, Maria. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Pat Haapaniemi
Great post, Maria! Thanks for the inspiration. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try (and try and try) again!
November 24, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Andi Osiek
Great suggestions! I’m having a creative day of procrastination today myself… and have 3 PB ideas to show for it. Looking forward to a day of perspiration soon!
November 24, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Kathryn Ault Noble
Thank you, Maria! I’ve cooked up some awful dishes on my way. . .great analogies.
November 24, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Janny J. Johnson
Just reading your blog today, stirred up some ideas in my brain and I’ve added two new ideas to my 30+ books for PiBoIdMo! Thanks! Now I’m going back to look at some old rejections to see what can be done to them next. 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 3:31 pm
donnashepherd
But it’s so hard to let it marinate! 😀 Thanks for the tips.
November 24, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Janie Reinart
Maria, thank you for the delicious post. I will let your juicy words of wisdom simmer in my brain! My favorite quote is “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”by Robert H. Schuller
November 24, 2013 at 3:44 pm
danielledufayet
Thanks for your fun and lively kitchen solutions to a tasty manuscript! Wishing you continued yummy success:)
November 24, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
These are great tips – including the one about how there’s a canine lover at Roaring Brook Press! Yay! 🙂 I think the toughest but one of the most important parts of this recipe is letting it sit.
November 24, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Joanna
Great wisdom. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Lori Alexander
The stories behind your PB sales are so inspiring! Thanks for the great post, Maria.
November 24, 2013 at 3:48 pm
Dawn Young
Failing first makes succeeding that much sweeter!
Thank you for sharing. Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 3:48 pm
renajtraxel
It’s nice to read stories with light at the end of the tunnel. One of my biggest fears is trying and trying and never getting anywhere.
November 24, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Jodelle
I loved all your ideas. I’m going to use them when I start my next project.
November 24, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Suzanne kaufman
Time to fail!!!!
November 24, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Beverly Snedecor
Wonderful… thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Alicia Schwab
Just keep trying… that’s my motto. It’s amazing what you can do once you give yourself permission to fail. you relax. you play. you succeed!
November 24, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Stella Jane Stauffer
Such a great post. This is one I will read again. My studio is filled with lots of “attempts”. My shelf has a few written failures too. But to stop trying is out of the question.
This animal lover says thank you for Becca.
November 24, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Lauri
I enjoyed your post. It has inspired me to keep trying and to not be afraid of failure. It has also inspired me to go bake something. : ) Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Jewel Sample
Thank you for the encouragement to never give up, be patient, sometimes all it takes is a little incubation for that baby to grow and hatch…
November 24, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Angela Turner
I am so encouraged to hear your story Maria. I have taken several stories and re-written them in several different formats and wondered if this was a good idea. Also, your story about the really lengthy times between writing and getting things published really encourages us to press on.
November 24, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Kerry Mazengia
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Your encouraging words about failed manuscripts that come to life in the future were just what I needed to hear to keep putting one foot in front of the other in hope for the future!
November 24, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Lorraine Marwood
I truly believe in other creative activities besides writing to really set inspiration in motion. And totally inspired by your post. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 4:29 pm
marciecolleen
Wow! You are one busy woman. Congrats on all of the upcoming books. And thank you for the pep talk.
November 24, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Erika Crowl (@erikacrowl)
Great post!
November 24, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Jill Siegel
Great post!!! Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Anne Bromley
This is a keeper! I know I will look back on this post when I plunge into the 2013 idea list. Thank you for the generous advice!
November 24, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks again, everyone & have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday! I know I have so many things to be grateful for this year, writing and otherwise.
November 24, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Jarm Del Boccio
Creative procrastination. . .I seem to do lots of that lately. Thanks for your helpful tips, Maria, and giving is permission to fail!
November 24, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Deb Dunn
Thanks for the reminder that we need to shake our recipe up a little – change the format, the setting, the POV, etc. – all great ideas!
November 24, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Angela Padron
What a great post – thanks for sharing!
November 24, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Marty McCormick
A truly inspiring post. It helps so much to hear of the experiences you have had, and how you have persevered and not given up. It’s still a daunting process, but obviously has paid off for you. Congrats on all your amazing success!
November 24, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Brigid G
I can be so easy to forget the long haul — thanks for such wonderful ideas and encouragement!
November 24, 2013 at 5:26 pm
LeslieG
Giving ourselves permission to fail–or better yet, to expect it and embrace it–is huge. Thanks for the reminder!
November 24, 2013 at 5:40 pm
dee win
thank you for your wonderful ideas and words of inspiration 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
I love the cooking references! Gets me excited for the Thanksgiving holiday when I will get to cook and write!
November 24, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Fran Price
You are such an inspiration! What a great post. I’m afraid of success and terrified of failure. You have inspired me to fail and fail again and not give up so easily. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 6:18 pm
theitaliancob
Good tips, thanks.
Claire O’Brien.
November 24, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Susan Cabael
What an inspirational recipe for working and reworking stories until the right combination of format and submission melds into something delicious.
November 24, 2013 at 6:27 pm
AndreaWang
Awesome and inspiring post, Maria! I can’t wait to feast on all your books!
November 25, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Andrea–likewise & Bon Appetit/Guten Appetit
🙂
November 24, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Julene Kinser
Love this post. Encouragement and permission to rework officially accepted!
November 24, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Darshana
Inspiring story. Congrats on your success.
November 24, 2013 at 6:47 pm
viviankirkfield
My husband says I am the most tenacious person he has every met…I can remember looking through yucky garbage because something important had been inadvertently been thrown out…I always found it! I am sure that this trait is going to stand me in good stead now.
Maria, I so appreciated your sharing the examples of how ideas and manuscripts penned in 2007 have become the reality of a book ready to be published…CONGRATULATIONS on your multiple book deals!!! You are an inspiration!
After raising our children in a small Connecticut town (with 3 huge maple trees in the yard that we tapped – the Jefferson Pine table and chair set that I ruined due to days of boiling sap in the kitchen is another story entirely – we lived in the Colorado Rockies for 17 years. Now we have moved back to New England…New Hampshire to be exact…and I look forward to those maple syrup clouds again.:) 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Welcome back to NH, Vivian–whereabouts are you? I grew up in Keene, and my mother & brother still live there. Send some maple vapor my way :0)
November 24, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Debbie Lubbert
Great advice. Thanks!
November 24, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Cindy Schumerth
This was truly inspiring. Sometimes I really feel like giving up, but there is just something that doesn’t let me. So your article gives me even more hope to hang on during those times.
Your dog is beautiful.
November 24, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Dawnyelle
Thank you! Here’s to failures!
November 24, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Barbara Messinger
Thanks for sharing!
November 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Janet Smart
Some great advice! I keep plugging along with ideas I’ve created years ago – changing them and trying to make them better. Thanks for sharing.
November 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Debbie Faith Mickelson
More often than not, we need to fail in order to know how to succeed. Congrats in your failures that you took to success.
November 24, 2013 at 7:22 pm
sspratt2010
Another awesome post. I think we writer’s have a thicker skin than most people…we take a lot of rejection and just keep on going.
November 24, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Amy Cohas
Thank you for your upbeat message and for describing in detail your own path to success.
November 24, 2013 at 7:43 pm
tpierce
So inspirational, Maria. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said this to myself (and my writing friends): “The only way we can truly fail is by not writing.” Thanks for this important reminder.
November 24, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Russ Hogle
Thanks for sharing your insightful words of wisdom.
November 24, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Tina Cho
Thanks for sharing your failures and successes! Congratulations on all your forthcoming books! Thanks for your tips!
November 24, 2013 at 8:17 pm
helen dening
Time to take the old manuscripts out of storage and try a new recipe. Thanks for your recipe suggestions.
November 24, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Mandy Yates
“How can we fail at writing a sh*tty first draft? The only way we can truly fail is by not writing.” Going to have to print this out and tack it to my wall. So true. Thanks for the inspiration to go ahead and fail! Love it. It’s so freeing. 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Heather Greene
Thank you…for permission to fail and take a break!
November 24, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Michelle @ Fitztopia
What an inspirational journey! Thank you for sharing your experiences… wishing you wonderful successes in your career! 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Jen Carroll
SO helpful. This was exactly what I needed. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Evie Hjartarson
Love, love loved your post, so inspirational.
November 24, 2013 at 8:48 pm
B Lee Draper
Embracing failure…so simple yet so difficult to do. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 8:50 pm
MSackman
The thought of failure is so immobilizing. Your post was very encouraging. I am always telling my students to keep trying, to learn from their “failures.” But I have difficulty, a great deal of difficulty, following my own advice.
November 24, 2013 at 8:57 pm
bnkupetz
A great post, Maria. You’ve offered some terrific suggestions. It’s so encouraging to hear of how you’ve turned failures and rejections into successes through perseverance and experimentation. Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Christine Cowan
Thanks for the insight.
November 24, 2013 at 8:59 pm
Joanne Roberts
I’ve filled a page in my notebook with bits of your advice. Now I just need to fill the next page with ideas. Thank-you for the very motivating post.
November 24, 2013 at 9:00 pm
intheirownwrite
Excellent advice – and I know from personal experience that following this practice works. Several of my publications evolved from earlier manuscripts that I could have written off as ‘failures’.
November 24, 2013 at 9:04 pm
lindamartinandersen
I have some manuscripts that would benefit from another round of revisions. I was already thinking of doing that. Now, I feel even more hopeful of the outcome. Thanks.
November 24, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Hannah
Great Tips – thank you for the reminder that we shouldn’t fear messin gup the first draft. Do that way to often.
November 24, 2013 at 9:17 pm
Alicia van Thiel
Dear Maria, Thank you for a great post! I loved reading your stories of not giving up and the realistic progress that goes along with it! Congratulations!
November 24, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Michelle Church
I love this recipe! Thank you for a great post!
November 24, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Kim Mounsey
Congratulations on your upcoming books! Thank you for the rekindling of hope and encouragement to continue to ‘fail’.
November 24, 2013 at 9:30 pm
ccbooks
So much good advice. Thank you!
November 24, 2013 at 9:34 pm
DaNeil Olson
Sound advice. Thank you.
November 24, 2013 at 9:54 pm
rgstones
Great post, thanks! One of my favorite quotes is “Failure is the fertilizer for success.” 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Carrie Brown
Thank you for inspiring me to be more patient and never give up!
November 24, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Deirdre Sheridan Englehart
Never give up!
November 24, 2013 at 10:58 pm
amievc
Thank you for your great ideas for what to do with our great ideas!
November 24, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Meg Miller
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration Maria and for sharing your story. I liked that you kept writing magazine articles and they kept becoming picture books. It was meant to be! 🙂
November 24, 2013 at 11:52 pm
childrensbooksonadime
Thanks for the amazing post- it can be our 1% inspiration!
November 25, 2013 at 12:01 am
Ashley Bankhead
Great post. It just shows how important it is to not give up. Thanks.
November 25, 2013 at 12:04 am
Jessica
This was great inspiration. It had just the right amount of “work hard” and “you can do it”. Thank you.
November 25, 2013 at 12:18 am
nessa dee
What a yummy recipe! Failure makes success all the sweeter. Thanks for an inspirational post!
November 25, 2013 at 12:28 am
cathy john biggerstaff
Thanks, Maria! You’ve given me lots to think about in the next few days. I appreciate your honesty about the business.
November 25, 2013 at 12:36 am
Julie
Thanks for the encouragement.
November 25, 2013 at 12:53 am
Danielle Heitmuller
This was particularly inspiring as my hobby is baking! It was also encouraging to note that success does happen after hard work, even if it is 9 years later. That makes me feel better about all the work I put in. Thanks!
November 25, 2013 at 12:58 am
LeeAnn Jensen
Wonderful article. Mixing in the recipe idea with working on story ideas. Thank you!
November 25, 2013 at 1:19 am
Judith Snyder
Your suggestions got me thinking about a manuscript that has been marinating for a few weeks. Maybe now I can start cooking again. Thanks.
November 25, 2013 at 2:07 am
Becky Fyfe
Definitely working at embracing my failures. lol! Great post!
November 25, 2013 at 2:28 am
amomnextdoor
I love hearing about the lifetime of ideas, and am inspired to throw some non-fiction into my writing and see how it bakes up!
November 25, 2013 at 2:33 am
kelmcdonald
ive got my 30 ideas thank goodness, but failed miserably at NaNo… but shall soldier on! thank you.
November 25, 2013 at 2:46 am
Mrs Ricefield
This is so wonderful. It offers encouragement with examples that don’t feel contrived. Congratulations on your success!
November 25, 2013 at 2:47 am
bitsykemper
Impressed, and motivated, by your run of failures-turned-success. Nice to see persistence paying off.
November 25, 2013 at 3:51 am
Helen Ross
I love this recipe and your suggestions.
November 25, 2013 at 4:39 am
Laurie L. Young
I’m getting better at failing. Thanks for the reminder.
November 25, 2013 at 7:12 am
Cindy Johnson
Thank you. It is a good reminder that everyone fails until they succeed.
November 25, 2013 at 7:15 am
RaChelle Lisiecki
What great success for you, Maria! Congratulations and thank you for your post…I needed it today more than you know. You go work on #29 and I’ll go work on my #5. Cheers!
November 25, 2013 at 7:54 am
MummyTheFunny (@EmiHowe)
Hi Maria, could you explain: “a second person interrogative refrain” please? Thanks for your piece, it’s good to fail =) I’ll keep that in my heart xx
November 25, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Emi–I added a “you” quasi question format, so that’s the structure of the story.
November 25, 2013 at 8:03 am
Kim Pfennigwerth (@kpfenni)
Thank you Maria – I love the ways to spice up a story!
November 25, 2013 at 8:09 am
Amanda Banks
Thank you for the recipe Maria. I love it!
November 25, 2013 at 8:43 am
Hayley Barrett
Maria’s cooking up some terrific advice!
November 25, 2013 at 8:48 am
jdrury002
I have always struggled with accepting failure. I’m still working on it; thanks for this post!
November 25, 2013 at 8:51 am
erin
Wonderful advice! Thank you!
November 25, 2013 at 9:09 am
aneducationinbooks
Love the cooking analogy.
November 25, 2013 at 9:13 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
What a great idea. I have never compared writing and cooking but they sure do go together.
November 25, 2013 at 9:18 am
Melanie Ellsworth
Thank you, Maria. It’s always so helpful to hear more about the paths that authors’ books have taken before being published. Your ideas about changing the structure to see how that affects a PB have given me some food for thought.
November 25, 2013 at 9:23 am
Emily Lim-Leh
Thanks for sharing your failures and successes. It’s great to hear how you reworked your ideas till they worked. Definitely one of my Favourite posts this PiBo!
November 25, 2013 at 9:27 am
Jill Lyttle Tadros
We have a family motto: The bigger the mistake, the more you are learning!
November 25, 2013 at 9:34 am
Ann Birnie
Thanks Maria – I like the marinating, but some of my stories are fermenting! I hope that is okay too. (I wouldn’t go so far as “vintage”. At least, not yet.)
November 25, 2013 at 9:41 am
aliciaminor
You give us all the winning ingredients, now all we have to do is write and apply it. Success comes with failures. True. Thanks for sharing.
November 25, 2013 at 9:43 am
Donna L. Sadd
This was a truly inspiring post, thank you. Wishing you great success with all your books, Maria! :0)
November 25, 2013 at 9:49 am
Manju Howard (@ManjuBeth)
Maria, Thank you for your writing recipe.
November 25, 2013 at 9:51 am
bandyslant
I love your ideas about trying things in new ways and really freeing up your creative process. The fear of failure is often what holds me back, so it’s very encouraging to know that others face the same obstacles and overcome them! Thank you! Good luck with your books 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 9:57 am
Suzi Guina
Congrats on your failures that led to successes, and thank you for giving us permission to fail, as well!
November 25, 2013 at 10:21 am
naturewalkwithgod
Great perspective on failure, persistence, and converting those failures into something more … success. Great advice, beautiful dog. My kind of post. Grin. –Kim
November 25, 2013 at 10:28 am
Marcia Berneger
Thanks for the great ‘recipe.’ I have 30 new ‘ingredient’ ideas to try with it. And who knows how many unique combinations I can make with them, thanks to your suggestions?
Back to cooking!
November 25, 2013 at 10:31 am
Micki Ginsberg
Thank you, Maria, for your incredibly uplifting advice. I needed that!
November 25, 2013 at 10:46 am
helenajuhasz
Putting multiple ideas together! That’s great! I never thought of that 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 10:48 am
Prairie Garden Girl
Two ideas that I take away from the inspiration you shared, in such an outstanding post are: “Failure is integral to the creative process. Find inspiration in creative procrastination . . . ” Thank you. ~Suzy Leopold
November 25, 2013 at 11:00 am
Kari D Allen
So many things to try! Thank you!
November 25, 2013 at 11:21 am
fashionistaphilly.tumblr.org
now that’s one recipie to give a try even if you don’t know how to cook 😉
November 25, 2013 at 11:23 am
Colleen Jensen
I am now inspired to fail – and then pick myself back up and create a “never fail” success. Thanks for the advice!
November 25, 2013 at 11:23 am
Tonya
The hard part for me is the idea of waiting with a failure for years. I will remember your advice and encouragement when this happens. Thank you.
November 25, 2013 at 11:49 am
mona861
Thank you so much, Maria. Wonderful post! I’m stirring up an old secret recipe!
November 25, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Juliet Clare Bell
Thank you. Nice stuff!
November 25, 2013 at 12:16 pm
heather sisson
Your blog post would have to be my favorite this month! I love how you compared the process to a recipe. Im such a foodie and for me im going to quote half of this to get into the motivation mode 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Lauri Meyers
Just keep kneading! This is a great post Maria, sprinkled with more than just a little hope.
November 25, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Patricia A Miller
Finding a new point of view is so important. Eventually perseverance pays off!
I, too, grew up in NH, climbed trees, and smelled maple syrup clouds. However, we didn’t slap cow patties!
November 25, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Maria Gianferrari
What no cow patties Patricia–you were definitely deprived! Whereabouts? I grew up in Keene.
November 25, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Melanie Lucero
LOVE the recipe format, but love what you said even more. Thanks for the encouragement!! 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Debbie Austin
Thanks, Maria, for giving me a new perspective this morning by sharing your journey. You’ve encouraged me to dust off a few manuscripts and knead them into a new shape.
November 25, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks so much for your thoughts & replies everyone–I’m glad that my failures can be a source of inspiration 🙂
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and continued failures & successes in your writing/illustrating endeavors.
November 25, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Karen Mae Zoccoli
Thanks Maria for your words of wisdom and encouragement!
November 25, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Keri Collins Lewis
Thanks for the reminder that not writing is the biggest failure! I love your cooking analogy!
November 25, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Laurie Young
Thank you so much for your wisdom and inspiration…. hmmm should I go and so some cooking or should I be cooking something up for a picture book idea???? Ahhh decisions decisions……….. Picture book ideas it is!!! 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Christy Mihaly
Thank you thank you thank you — for sharing your “rejection” stories — along with their ultimately successful conclusions. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
November 25, 2013 at 1:55 pm
wendymyersart
Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. Sometimes it’s so good to get away from your work. I get tired of mine at a point and it always helps to play with it after a little break.
November 25, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Sandi Lawson
Great post. Thanks for the inspiration to keep going.
November 25, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Sherry Walz
Maria, your post really resonated with me. Thanks for all of the great tips and the reminder to never give up.
November 25, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Karen Sipps
Wow. How do I love this post; let me count the ways! Exactly the encouragement one needs to keep going. Thank you!
November 25, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Wendy Greenley
I recently met Emily Feinberg and have to say you are lucky to be working with her! This post is replete with hope. Thanks for sharing.
November 25, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Wendy–I do feel lucky indeed! And you’re lucky that you were able to meet her in person.
Happy Writing/Drawing!
November 25, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Dorothy Wiese
It sounds strange that other people’s failure can be inspiring, but your comments are very encouraging that success can be achieved through hard work. Thanks.
November 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Sue Rankin
Thank you for what may be the very best recipe I’ll get this Thanksgiving week!
November 25, 2013 at 4:48 pm
June Smalls
As someone who likes to eat the cookie before its been in the oven I have trouble being patient. Thank you for showing specifics on how long it can take to see our ideas become reality.
November 25, 2013 at 5:37 pm
cat jones
Thanks for a helpful post. I have an oft rejected text which I just can’t give up on. Tomorrow I’m going to try it with a different location and see what happens…
November 25, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Laura L. Madsen
Thank you Maria. I love new recipes! I won’t file this one away with the others though… my recipe drawer is a bit like a black hole. 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Myrna Foster
Thanks for the helpful tips!
November 25, 2013 at 6:24 pm
RadSheri
I am doing it right, and I thought I should just keep trying or give it a few more years before giving up completely. Thanks for the ideas to restructure and change main characters. I enjoyed your article.
November 25, 2013 at 6:34 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
What wonderful success stories, the kind that make me want to keep on keepin’ on. Thanks for the post.
November 25, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Brenda Harris
Thank you for the critique offer. I hope I win! 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 7:42 pm
writeforapples
Thank you, Maria. 🙂 Great post.
November 25, 2013 at 8:00 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
So fun! So true! 😀
November 25, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Jacqueline Pearce
Nice-looking dog and inspiring post, thanks! (I may need to rethink my coyote haiku story!)
November 26, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Thanks, Jacqueline. I always tell Becca that she’s the best and the most beautiful dog in the universe.
And go for that coyote haiku story!
November 25, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Love this! I’m a firm believer in failure because that means you’re DOING. 🙂
November 25, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Leslee Anne Hewson
Very inspiring, thanks. Great tips.
November 26, 2013 at 12:30 am
Perfecting Motherhood
Thanks for sharing your experience! It really shows that persistence pays.
November 26, 2013 at 1:56 am
Lynn Anne Carol
I enjoyed knowing the long road some of your manuscripts took. Being a kitchen dweller myself, we say, “keep stirring, keep stirring, keep stirring.”
Thanks,
Lynn
November 26, 2013 at 3:00 am
Dani Duck
Oh gosh, I’ve had so much failure in my life. I’m ready to start winning myself. The thing is: If I hadn’t had my failures then I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I needed to have those failures to be great. I’m glad you are telling people that it’s okay to have these… actually it’s great to have them. They make you a better person!
November 26, 2013 at 6:33 am
Deb Dunn
Thanks for the kick in the pants! I write an hour before a full day of work every day. Now if someone would write a book on how to earn a decent income while working on my writing 10 hours a day, I’d buy it!
November 26, 2013 at 8:30 am
Carolyn Cory Scoppettone
Thanks for the healthy helping of inspiration!
November 26, 2013 at 9:39 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thank you Maria for your insightful recipe and for sharing your journey.
Good luck.
November 26, 2013 at 11:38 am
gail maki wilson
You sure have a lot happening at once. Congratulations! I better get cooking. I have some old recipes to revive and some new ones to try!
November 26, 2013 at 11:53 am
Amanda Smith
Maria, this is my favorite PiBoIdMo post ever! Thank you for showing us persistence pays. I am so happy for you for your successes! Congratulations!
November 26, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Lindsay Bonilla
Yes! I couldn’t agree more! The best way to fail is not to try at all. Sometimes the failures lead us to our greatest ideas. Thanks for the inspiration that ideas that we may have had for a long time can still come to fruition!
November 26, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Quinn Cole
I love the Edison quote. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time,” said Thomas Edison. He tested over 1600 (or 2 -3,000 depending who you ask) different materials to use as a light bulb filament. I suppose I can keep trying a few dozen times. 🙂
November 26, 2013 at 3:18 pm
angelapenadahle
My favorite: “Take a break and procrastinate.” LOL. It is at times like this that I find all the juicy ideas, while I’m busy living.
November 26, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Jenifer McNamara
Beyond failure is What’s Cooking! Enjoyed your post, and it’s nice what you offered.
November 26, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Shirley
Thanks for the great advice. I recall the old adage, If at first you don’t succeed…
November 26, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Kjersten Hayes
Learning how to cope with failure is indeed one of the key ingredients to success. Thanks for the great post!
November 26, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Jodie Parachini
What a great post. Makes me want to pull all those rejected manuscripts out of the drawer and start again.
November 26, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Janet Halfmann
Happy to hear that as long as I think a manuscript has potential, I shouldn’t give up on it. Revise and persist!
November 26, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Kelly Parker
It’s good to know that just because something isn’t successful the first time around, you can’t pull that MS out years later and have it turn into something amazing! Great post!
November 26, 2013 at 6:44 pm
keepingthemeinmommy
I love the idea of just sitting down and telling myself, “Just write a sh***y first draft.” It totally takes the pressure off and will give me permission to just write!
November 26, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Holly Bliss
great advice!
November 26, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Debra
I have failed more than I have succeeded, but I have succeeded. I fully embrace Maria’s philosophy.
November 26, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Jenny Blum
What a warm, positive, informative and inspiring blog about being prepared to fail and the need to keep on trying.
November 26, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Jacqueline
Remembering that some of those rejected stories might someday succeed in another form definitely helps. It’s happened to me a few times.
November 26, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Jane R Cooper
Love the “recipe” for success. Great concept…useful tips and suggestions!
November 27, 2013 at 12:07 am
blanchebaxter
Maria, thank you for sharing. This is such a great recipe! One that I will remember!
November 27, 2013 at 1:45 am
Iris Diamond
Have fun failing. What a great idea 🙂
November 27, 2013 at 11:28 am
mochamusing
This was very encouraging. It makes me want to go back and look at old drafts. Thank you. Thank you.
November 27, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Sally Matheny
I would love a PB critique! This post struck a heart chord. I’ve had a PB manuscript that has been revised more times than I can count. Editors’ comments are positive but everyone wants a little something more at the end. So do I but I’m having a hard time nailing it down. It’s been filed away to marinate for some time now. Thanks for the encouraging article!
November 27, 2013 at 3:08 pm
shiela fuller
This post spoke to me and gave me inspiration. I go to sleep at night to the sound of coyotes howling and I too, love birds of prey. It’s all about perseverance.
November 27, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Congratuations on your upcoming books. And thanks for the inspiration!
November 27, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Marcy P.
What a great and encouraging post. I love this, “The only way we can truly fail is by not writing.” It’s soooo true! And I love your stories of early manuscripts that years (and revisions) later sold. It inspires me to keep on with the stories that I love but just haven’t found their home yet. I DO keep messing with them, trying to improve them… so thank you! This is freeing.
November 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Rene Aube
Thanks! I needed this, too! Feeling a bit like a failure after a rejection from a kids magazine…even though it was a nice rejection…and a really yucky first draft…well, you’ve girded me up a bit and I DO appreciate that! 🙂
November 27, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Jennifer Voigt Kaplan
Thanks for the encouraging post! I especially appreciated your honest descriptions about your roundabout way to publications.
November 27, 2013 at 9:38 pm
laura516
I have so many ideas now for trying old manuscripts with a new angle. Thanks!
November 28, 2013 at 8:45 am
Betsy Devany
Congratulations on your new book! I loved this post, the recipe. Thanks for your honesty and encouragement!
November 28, 2013 at 10:57 am
Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
Embracing failure is a difficult thing to get my head around, but thank you for the suggestions and encouragement to keep going.
November 28, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Lacey Gunter
I wish our culture embraced failure as a process more. I think we would be more apt to try again. Thanks for sharing.
November 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm
littledbl
This is a keeper post! Thanks for the recipe.
November 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Ann Treacy
I would live a picture book critique too!
Love the idea of jumping in and failing, inspiring post!
November 29, 2013 at 5:57 am
Tracey Jackson
Terrific recipe idea – thanks! It was so encouraging and made me realise that even my first draft of my first pb that I wrote in 2009 and still keep revising may still come to something one day. I will especially use your kneading and folding in ideas for my others manuscripts that are currently marinating. Thanks again, Maria.
November 29, 2013 at 11:43 am
topangamaria
ACROSTICS? New word to look up!
November 29, 2013 at 3:23 pm
The World Is My Cuttlefish
This was a tremendous post. Seeing the many iterations your work has gone through is like being backstage in the make-up room: transformations occur. Thank you, Maria.
December 1, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Cuttlefish are such cool creatures–is there a cuttlefish PB on your idea list?
November 29, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Mary Flynn
Thank you for reminding me that its ok to fail and to keep trying
November 29, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Priya Gopal
wow, thank you for sharing your journey, you got some stamina build. Will remember that it might take years to get something published after rewrites and rewrites and rewrites
November 29, 2013 at 6:05 pm
patientdreamer
Patience! that’s a key! Thanks for a great post.
Diane Tulloch
November 29, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Lana
Thank you for your great ideas and tips! It is always nice to be reminded that failure is part of the process and success can follow.
November 29, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Denise Bowman
It is a good reminder that failure is part of the process, not a reason to quit. Thanks!
November 29, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Jennifer Neher
Thank you so much for this post! Great advice and great to see your creativity and persistence pay off!
November 30, 2013 at 12:47 am
angiekarcher
Really good info! Thx for your post!
November 30, 2013 at 7:50 am
agsawan
I really needed this today. thanks
November 30, 2013 at 8:16 am
Jennifer Ali
Procrastination is always tempting! Thanks for the tips.
November 30, 2013 at 10:49 am
alwaysbedancing
I gave my first write up to a friend to read and she sent it back with a great first try…now start all over again! Yikes! But I realized she was right, it had no direction. Since then I have made that one draft into about 3 different ideas more focused….I had to lick my wound for a few weeks but new angles and a clearer mind has brought me back full of energy!
November 30, 2013 at 12:40 pm
mellin4333
It’s so heartening to hear, that after all those years, a ‘failing’ idea still has a chance to become something truly special! Thanks for the boost of hope! 🙂
November 30, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Micah Clarke
Great advice! Cheers!
November 30, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Amy Smith
One of my favorite posts this month. Thank you for your honesty and encouragement, Maria!
November 30, 2013 at 2:20 pm
City Sights for Kids
I love all of your ideas for changing up a manuscript. I am really great at letting it sit or procrastinating (taken up experimenting with cooking/baking). I am going to use your other suggestions as writing exercises that hopefully help me break through some blocks. Thank you Maria. – Amanda Sincavage
November 30, 2013 at 3:07 pm
heatherpreusser
My German-scientist husband and I just moved to Berlin, and this was just the inspirational post I needed. Thank you for sprinkling it with so many personal — and hopeful — anecdotes.
December 1, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Maria Gianferrari
That’s great, Heather! Where in Berlin? We lived there from May 2004-July 2005. It’s such a fun and vibrant city with a wonderful arts community and great museums. What I miss most are the bakeries and flower shops on nearly every corner. And I love that Berliners take their dogs everywhere–in stores, on buses & subways. Just watch out for the Haufen!
December 1, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Maria Gianferrari
I forgot to add that we lived in Wilmersdorf.
November 30, 2013 at 3:52 pm
carolmunrojww
GOLD! I often think I need to revamp old mss, but when I look at them, I’m just not sure what to do. This post will help me when I revisit them. So thankful to you, Maria.
November 30, 2013 at 9:05 pm
vijikc
Thank you! I will revisit all my rejected pieces and try again!
November 30, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Amelia Shearer
The one thing I hate more than failure, and do MUCH less often, is cooking! And yet I find myself reading your ‘recipe’ post after a Thanksgiving holiday spent cooking pies and applesauce and biscuits for the sake of my three year old’s holiday experience, and the analogy hits me in a way it wouldn’t have before. Thanks for the insights and tips!
November 30, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Thanks for your inspiring post. I especially like the thought of mincing previous PiBoIdMo ideas together to make something new. I’ve minced a few ideas from the same year as I brainstormed a first draft, but didn’t think to look back at my ideas from previous PiBoIdMo years to see if I can add a new gem to them that could launch them from my idea file to my draft file.
November 30, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Tracey M. Cox
Maria,
Thank you. One of my books was with Sleeping Bear Press for 1 1/2 years, went to 2 acquisition meetings, and finally got… REJECTED! I tweaked it and sent it out… rejection… tweak, sit, sent, and finally FINALLY my book was accepted. This past January I got to hold it in my hands!
Determination and not giving up and redoing will pay off!
December 1, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Maria Gianferrari
Wow! That’s great, Tracey! Congratulations!
November 30, 2013 at 10:01 pm
cheryllovestoread
I love to write AND cook. Great post for me!
November 30, 2013 at 11:33 pm
laurenhk
Thank you for your encouragement and your honesty. It was very helpful to read about your process and the many years and re-writes through which you went for your manuscripts and ideas.
December 1, 2013 at 1:27 am
Colleen Jensen
Fab – U – Lous!!
December 1, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Angie Jones
Awesome!
December 1, 2013 at 6:45 pm
SevenAcreSky
Maria, this is such a encouraging post. Your cooking illustrations were right on for the processes of revision often ignored: abandoning the recipe, throwing in new ingredients, exploring what if methods. Thanks!
December 1, 2013 at 10:18 pm
DianeKHower
Great post Maria. Failure and recreating actually helps our brains to continue to grow. Thanks.
December 3, 2013 at 12:35 am
Laurie J. Edwards
Love how you re-vision your ideas.
December 5, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Caroline
Oh, this post gives me such inspiration and hope. I have a couple of manuscripts that actually still LOVE (despite the fact that I go through the “I’m such a terrible writer” phases with each of them), but I’ve gotten stuck on one issue or another with them. Thanks for these ideas on how to view them differently. And congrats on all your upcoming books!
November 24, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Rebecca
Thank you for the encouragement!
Never give up, right? 🙂
November 26, 2014 at 8:24 am
aliciaminor
What works for you will work for us one day. Each day brings us inspiration. Thanks for sharing.