by Hope Lim
When I go outside, I often discover something inspiring, unusual, or humorous. It may be a new sprout, fresh and hopeful, a lonely leaf on a bed of grass, or a child begging for a stick stuck in a mud.
Some ideas stay with me long after I find them, demanding a dedicated space in my mind and on paper. This is the beginning of a long journey of writing a story. I have learned that my best ideas come from real life experiences and evolve over time and through countless revisions. The first idea is often a gateway from which I am guided into a place of discovery, aided by observation and reflection.
The idea for I AM A BIRD, my debut picture book with Candlewick, began when I encountered a stranger in a park. I thought her strange at first glance, but immediately recognized my perception was unfair and started to reflect on our innate fears and biases toward each other. Right then and there, I knew I had to write a story of exploring fear of the unknown or the unfamiliar.
In the beginning, my draft had heavy undertones, but over time, I AM A BIRD became a story about celebrating a kindred spirit that is found unexpectedly, all told from a child’s perspective. My daughter and her soaring spirit became an inspiration for the narrator of the story. Borrowing her voice and sticking to it definitely helped me step away from an adult’s voice and stay within a child’s frame of mind. Here is a photo of my daughter going to school, pretending she is a bird. She was 7 years old.
MY TREE, to be released in summer 2021 by Neal Porter Books, is my second book. It began as a reflection on an old tree in our backyard and its glorious changes through the four seasons. As I spent more time with it, however, the story became one about a Korean boy’s connection to an old tree in America that reminded him of his home. I drew inspiration from my personal experience as an immigrant, who has a strong sense of nostalgia and holds dear the memories of things past. But the journey with MY TREE wasn’t done until I realized it needed an uplifting element, which I added later by overhauling the ending completely. Despite the numerous edits and rewrites, the journey was worthwhile for I finally arrived at the story I hoped to tell.
The above is a screen shot of my computer. At first, MY TREE had a different working title.
This one shows MY TREE in its final stages and even after this, the story went through more revisions. Don’t let the reality that your stories must go through many, many revisions scare you. This is one of the surest ways for you to discover new ideas and experiment with many different possibilities for your story.
Finding an idea and turning it into a story can be a long, arduous journey, full of unexpected developments, challenges, and emotions. However, when you spend time with an idea, you are ushered into a place of discovery about yourself and your life. It may take years to find the right idea or inspiration to make your story work. But take your time and enjoy the process, extracting ideas from your unique life experiences until those ideas mature into special stories. In the end, you are rewarded with a story that ONLY you can write. Most of all, you have grown as a writer and a person.
Hope Lim is a children’s book author from South Korea and now lives in San Francisco with her family. She runs daily and uses this time to meditate on many things, including her story ideas.
Hope’s debut picture book, I AM A BIRD, will be published by Candlewick Press in January 2021, followed by MY TREE by Neal Porter Books/Holiday House in summer 2021, and MOMMY’S HOMETOWN by Candlewick in fall 2022. You can find Hope on Instagram @hopelim_sf, Twitter @hope_lim or hopelim.com.
Hope is giving away a picture book critique.
Enter one comment below to enter.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Good luck!
535 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 24, 2020 at 7:07 am
Linda Mitchell
Oh, my goodness. That screen shot is a story all in itself. Wow! Thank you for a peek at your process and the dedication and love you give each book.
January 24, 2020 at 7:10 am
Sarah Hetu-Radny
Great post, Hope Lim! It is so true (and sometimes sad and many times exciting!) that the first draft is often a gateway to something different. It took me a while to learn that and be able to let go. Thanks for sharing! I will not be able to go outside today but I will u se my drive to work (a LOOOOONG drive today… 1.5 hours one way) to think up story ideas that could lead to more story ideas. Congrats on your publications!!! Sarah
January 24, 2020 at 7:13 am
Lauren Barbieri
I loved hearing about this process of evolution—great post! Looking forward to seeing these stories out in the world.
January 24, 2020 at 7:15 am
VC
It’s amazing the changes a story goes through. Also good to see the importance of keeping past drafts and revisions.
January 24, 2020 at 7:18 am
Sara Fajardo
Loved the screenshot, so affirming as each of us works towards making our ideas sing.
January 24, 2020 at 7:18 am
Meli Glickman
So true; so true. Some of my best book ideas and storylines have come from wonderful walks out in nature. Many thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 7:26 am
Dee Knabb
Your photos capture the amount of work you put into each book. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 7:26 am
Colleen Dabney
This gives me hope to fly!
January 24, 2020 at 7:27 am
Andrea Mack
Hope, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! The photos are inspiration enough, but you also reminded me of how important it is to let stories evolve and change over time. I am really looking forward to reading your books!!
January 24, 2020 at 7:30 am
kiwijenny
Your advice to keep in a child’s voice is important. What an adorable little girl .cherish these flying days.
January 24, 2020 at 7:33 am
sareenmclay
Thank you, Lim. It is reassuring to read that it’s okay for a book to take a long time to cook and it’s worth letting your ideas stew.
Taking time to enjoy Nature is so valuable to me, today I can see a blackbird having a drink from my new little pond. What a joy.
I loved the photo of your daughter on the tag-a-long, we used to use one too and it was great fun!
Good luck with your books.
January 24, 2020 at 7:37 am
Bettie Boswell
Thank you for sharing the journey of how your story evolved through many revisions.
January 24, 2020 at 7:38 am
Joy
Congratulations on your upcoming books! I’m looking forward to reading them. I appreciate thr reminder that stories take time to discover. Man, I can be impatient!
January 24, 2020 at 7:39 am
kaleegwarjanski
Thanks for sharing your process! It always amazes me how many revisions we writers do.
January 24, 2020 at 7:40 am
Marianne Knowles
Your screenshots are reassuring me that no, I’m not overworking my manuscripts! And yes, I do sometimes get new and exciting ideas while revising. Congratulations on your three books and many more to come!
January 24, 2020 at 7:41 am
Marianne Knowles
Your screenshots are reassuring! Congratulations on your successes, and many more to come.
January 24, 2020 at 7:42 am
Jen Jarson
Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 7:42 am
Deb Sullivan
Hope – Your name is quite fitting as your post certainly gives plenty..thanks for sharing your experiences. So helpful to us all.
January 24, 2020 at 7:43 am
Louann Brown
Your screen shot is so telling. Thanks for your post Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 7:45 am
kirsticall
I love this, Hope! And I definitely have worked and re-worked many of my stories!
January 24, 2020 at 7:48 am
ranessadoucet
I can’t wait to read both of your stories! I love hearing how ideas come about. Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 7:52 am
Suzanne Lewis
What a beautiful post, Hope! I promise to take the time to let ideas simmer and bubble around and through my unique life experiences into a story that only I can tell.
January 24, 2020 at 7:52 am
Joan Longstaff
I loved the screenshot of the many version of your story – it made me realise that I’m not the only one to chip and chip and chip away at an idea. Thank you for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 8:06 am
tinamcho
Wow, Hope, that is awesome. Congrats on all these books! Your daughter is so cute. Thank you for sharing how you come to find ideas.
January 24, 2020 at 8:07 am
Sandhya Rose
This is an amazingly uplifting post. I really needed to read this right now. Your words give me hope and a spark not to give up. Thank you.
January 24, 2020 at 8:11 am
willowspring
I loved seeing all those drafts. I’m not alone! Other authors have as many different versions as I do! ☺️
January 24, 2020 at 8:12 am
Jennifer Blanck
The journey can be arduous! Thanks for sharing and validating.
January 24, 2020 at 8:14 am
tanyakonerman
Take your time and enjoy the process…great advice!
January 24, 2020 at 8:15 am
Aimee Isaac
Your screenshot is making me think I should save my revisions a bit more methodically!! My ideas don’t often change much from their original form but you’ve inspired me to work harder on morphing them!
January 24, 2020 at 8:19 am
Robin Jordan
Thank you, Hope, for sharing your inspirational post about…. inspiration. Seeing your dizzying list of drafts shows the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the finish line. Have a beautiful day!
January 24, 2020 at 8:19 am
Lauri Fortino
I often find ideas while taking walks in my neighborhood. The trick is to keep your eyes and mind open to the possibilities.
January 24, 2020 at 8:20 am
Cathy L. Murphy
Thank you for sharing how your stories developed over time. They sound fabulous, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 8:25 am
thecrowsmap
This is such great advice. I am a former special education teacher. People always comment, “You must have so much patience!” As writers we also need patience to let our ideas come into full fruition. Thanks, Hope.
Gail Hartman
January 24, 2020 at 8:29 am
jbbower
Thank you for your inspiring post Hope! Thinking about our own perceptions of people, places and things is indeed a good place to start for an idea. Looking inward is often better than outward!
January 24, 2020 at 8:30 am
rosecappelli
Loved the line “The first idea is often a gateway from which I am guided into a place of discovery, aided by observation and reflection.” Thank you for sharing your inspiration and congratulations on your upcoming books!
January 24, 2020 at 8:33 am
Laura Rackham
Great reminders to soak in the moments in front of us
January 24, 2020 at 8:36 am
M.R.
I agree that writing/re-writing can be a long process, but that makes it even sweeter when you get to “The End”! 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 8:37 am
michelemeleen
I so appreciate the screen sharing, it’s real honesty that we don’t always get to see! It really puts the work needed to get published in perspective. Thanks😁
January 24, 2020 at 8:38 am
Sarah Tobias
Thank you for sharing how you notice things in nature and bring them home to mingle and mix with your life experiences to create your stories. I am glad to see that my computer files have great company. Congratulations one all of your forthcoming books.
January 24, 2020 at 8:39 am
Kara Newhouse
Those screenshots are very instructive 😄
January 24, 2020 at 8:41 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
Seeing the many versions of your manuscripts made my day, Hope! So relatable. Thanks for your advice. I’m excited to check out your books.
January 24, 2020 at 8:42 am
asiqueira1307
I’m happy to hear that. My stories go through a lot of revisions too.
January 24, 2020 at 8:42 am
Jennifer Kay
It’s very encouraging to see that published picture book authors also need many, many revisions to polish a story. Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 8:48 am
Linda Hofke
Congratulations on your upcoming books!!
Revising a story until it is polished takes many drafts so I loved the screenshots of your many files. I’m curious. Some are labelled with the title and then the number draft (wehadplumtreebackyard23) and others had the date instead (mytreefinalmarch6). I usually write the draft number. Is there an advantage to listing the date instead.
January 25, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Hope Lim
HI, Linda, thanks for your kind words. As for your question, there is no clear advantage for me. The computer will always show dates when any edits are made. I chose to date the final versions of My Tree, because at that time, adding the date in the file name made it quicker when I wanted to look back.
January 24, 2020 at 8:48 am
Bru Benson
It’s great to see the rewrites, the many times you file, over and over. Instructive.
January 24, 2020 at 8:51 am
authoryvonafast
Thank you Hope for sharing how your stories have evolved from idea to story. I know Storystorm is about ideas but.. i feel i have plenty of ideas – it is the development and the many revisions that make them into stories. You say that so well: “The first idea is often a gateway from which I am guided into a place of discovery, aided by observation and reflection.” My stories go through many revisions too – that screenshot could be from my computer (only the title would be different).
January 24, 2020 at 8:53 am
fspoesy
Thanks for the great post, Hope. I especially love the screen shots of the seemingly never ending revisions. They are easier to accept when one understands they are part of the process. Great lesson.
January 24, 2020 at 8:54 am
Krista Maxwell
Great post. Thanks!
January 24, 2020 at 8:56 am
Virginia Manning
I’m looking forward to reading your books and revising my own! Thank you, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 8:56 am
Kathy Erskine
Congratulations on your books, Hope! I, too, have many many versions of a manuscript before eventually reaching the final. I love your screenshots!
January 24, 2020 at 8:57 am
Beth Charles
Wow, so many thoughts and ideas in this one post. Thanks so much for sharing your process. Instructive, informative, and encouraging!
January 24, 2020 at 8:58 am
Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon)
Thanks for sharing all your revisions. It can be hard to accept that it’s a process.
January 24, 2020 at 9:05 am
Kim Erickson
I loved seeing the screenshots. Lots of revision is what it takes!
January 24, 2020 at 9:05 am
Jane Heitman Healy
This whole post is absolutely beautiful. Seeing the screenshots of ms. revisions is so encouraging! So glad you found your story, Hope. I look forward to reading your books!
January 24, 2020 at 9:06 am
kimpfenn
Your revision screenshots are an inspiration on why we need to keep going. Thanks, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 9:07 am
Julie Reich
Your books sound wonderful and worth the long process. Thank you for sharing your experience (and screenshots)!
January 24, 2020 at 9:08 am
Kim Wilson
Thanks so much for sharing how your stories evolved. The WIP files on my computer look a lot like yours!
January 24, 2020 at 9:09 am
gayleckrause
Congrats on your books! Your screenshots are perfect examples of “persistence pays off!” 😉
January 24, 2020 at 9:14 am
Juliann Caveny
I look forward to reading your books. And o.m.g., I thought I kept drafts! I’m glad that works for you but I don’t know that my computer has that much space on the hard drive! (I’m impressed!) Outside is my jam. A good 85% of my WIPs are based (or at least started) outside. Thanks for sharing with us today.
January 24, 2020 at 9:15 am
me
Beautiful! Can’t wait to see your books out in the world!
January 24, 2020 at 9:15 am
Darlene Koppel
Thank you for sharing your story of persistence. Hearing this from a published children’s author always helps. Congratulations on your success.
January 24, 2020 at 9:17 am
Rachel
Enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 9:17 am
Zoraida Rivera
This process has been my discovery! Good to know my computer screen looks like yours. Thanks for sharing your process. Very inspiring! Much success with your books.
January 24, 2020 at 9:20 am
Jeanette Stampone
I have a story which I truly believe in but it got to my 12th draft and I gave up. After reading this post, I am doing to dig it out and go for draft 13! It’s been about a year since I touched it so I’ll be looking at it with fresh eyes. Thanks.
January 24, 2020 at 9:25 am
Becki Kidd
Thank you, Hope, for talking about your stories going through numerous revisions.
January 24, 2020 at 9:26 am
Laurie
I love that you showed how many revisions your book went through. It helped me validate my own writing process.
January 24, 2020 at 9:29 am
Terrie Hellard-Brown
I really needed to read this today. I was talking with my husband through a revision I’m working on now which is at least the twenties revision. I was tired and doubting whether the story was worth it. My husband and your post have helped me get excited about continuing to see what this story is meant to become.
Can’t wait to read your books. They sound wonderful!
January 24, 2020 at 9:29 am
Susan Drew
Thank you for showing us all your revisions before your book was ready. I’m working on right now that I was beginning to give up hope on. And I love the picture of your daughter. It reminds of long ago when my daughter used to ride behind her dad on the bike. Fond memories.
January 24, 2020 at 9:29 am
ofmariaantonia
I love the screenshot of all those revisions. I don’t think non-writers quite understand how many versions we go through!
January 24, 2020 at 9:30 am
Cathy Lentes
This was exactly the post I needed to read today, and the photos helped inspire me also.I often get discouraged when I can’t find the right language, when I can’t find the door into the story, and keep trying to squeeze myself in through cracks that appear. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience. Thank you for sharing your path with us!
January 24, 2020 at 9:34 am
Amy Houts
Your post showed the importance of voice. Your own unique voice is evident in your books. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
January 24, 2020 at 9:37 am
Kathy Halsey
Congrats on your debut, Hope, and MY TREE w/Neal Porter!!! Like you ,my writing takes time and many revisions. I so like this advice, “Don’t let the reality that your stories must go through many, many revisions scare you. This is one of the surest ways for you to discover new ideas and experiment with many different possibilities for your story.” Truth. Hope I win your critique. Ty.
January 24, 2020 at 9:37 am
sunwalker2013
How uplifting.to hear and see another’s journey, a mirror lovingly gazed upon.
January 24, 2020 at 9:39 am
Michele Ziemke
Thank you for sharing your many drafts! Sometimes the real story reveals itself in layers! After reading your blog, I’m taking time for a walk today!
Congrats on your debut books! I’ll be looking for them next year. ❤️
January 24, 2020 at 9:40 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Yes! I love seeing drafts as possibilities rather than failures!
January 24, 2020 at 9:40 am
Jessica Coupé
Thanks for the insight about patience!
January 24, 2020 at 9:41 am
Joan Swanson
It is nice to see all the revision. I thought I was the only one that had that many, thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 9:41 am
debbiearnn
Thanks for the encouragement to stick with an idea through the long haul as it grows and gets better over time.
January 24, 2020 at 9:43 am
Deb McGarvey
Thank you for this! The lengthy revision process is definitely something that I struggle with. This post is also a great reminder to get back into the habit of spending time outside, as I also think we’ll on the move.
January 24, 2020 at 9:44 am
beckylevine
Thanks for the reminder about all the time being worthwhile.
January 24, 2020 at 9:44 am
Sarah Wolfe
Thank you for sharing your process with us!
January 24, 2020 at 9:45 am
Susan Wroble
I loved that the experience of not staring led to the book. And seeing all the revisions was really helpful.
January 24, 2020 at 9:45 am
Melissa Stoller
Thanks for this post, Hope. And wow – those screenshots! I love your inspiration and look forward to your books!
January 24, 2020 at 9:46 am
bgonsar
Now that’s a revision list! Congrats on the upcoming books!
January 24, 2020 at 9:48 am
Lori Dubbin
Your post is a very helpful one. It gives hope and reassurance that my more than one hundred revisions will continue to guide me in the “write” direction.
January 24, 2020 at 9:50 am
Cynthia Way
I love this post, thank you. The screenshot of the revisions is perfect. I also have a ‘gestation’ period for my ideas. I agree wholeheartedly
January 24, 2020 at 9:51 am
Megan Whitaker
Love seeing the number of revisions! My student’s are always irritated when I hand work back to them and ask for them to fix some edits.
January 24, 2020 at 9:53 am
Mark Bentz
Thank you for posting Hope. Great to see your process, and all those revisions. Will look for your books, Congratulations.
January 24, 2020 at 9:55 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
That is a screenshot of persistence for sure! Congrats on the books Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 9:56 am
Linda Schueler
Wow! Seeing how many revisions your story went through really helped put things into perspective.
January 24, 2020 at 10:00 am
Mary Worley
What a lovely post. Thanks for pointing out the unexpected challenges and emotions that writing a story involves. We don’t see that discussed very often, but it’s definitely a part of the journey. Looking forward to your books.
January 24, 2020 at 10:00 am
Gregory E Bray
Thanks for the post.
January 24, 2020 at 10:01 am
Joanna Rowland
Love seeing how your ideas evolved over time.
January 24, 2020 at 10:01 am
stacey miller
I love seeing, all your ideas and the processes you go through. Thank you for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 10:02 am
Catherine
Congratulations on your books Hope!
I can’t believe how many documents you have for a story, do you rename after every revision?
January 24, 2020 at 10:02 am
Rebecca E. Hirsch
Terrific advice, and I loved those screenshots. Thanks for sharing your insights!
January 24, 2020 at 10:03 am
Jay
I love your revision process. Similar to mine! Thank you for your encouragement.
January 24, 2020 at 10:03 am
Susan Eyerman
Great advice for people like me who are in a hurry. Thank you.
January 24, 2020 at 10:05 am
Matt Forrest Esenwine
Indeed, time and a willingness to revise are both crucial ingredients in the writing process. Congratulations, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 10:07 am
Brittanny Handiboe
Glad I’m not the only one with ALL the edits haha. Almost every manuscript I write goes through at least four drastic changes. Thank you for the light at the end of the tunnel!
January 24, 2020 at 10:07 am
Jennifer Weisse
Thank you for sharing your process. Congratulations on your upcoming books, I look forward to reading them.
January 24, 2020 at 10:10 am
Priya Gopal
I’m getting it now. My first idea is just the start and from there on the journey can take you anywhere and many years before something comes to fruition. The problem is that I am impatient. I am more result-oriented than process-oriented and in writing that is the wrong approach.
January 24, 2020 at 10:10 am
BARBARA SENENMAN
Thank you! You’ve shown the importance of not rushing to send our manuscripts out too soon. Sometimes they need to marinate for their flavors to come through.
January 24, 2020 at 10:10 am
Krista Harrington
Thank you for showing us all the revisions your story took. That gives me a lot of encouragement:)
January 24, 2020 at 10:12 am
lmconnors
Congratulations on your debut books – your diligence and willingness to explore and expand your ideas paid off. Thank you for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 10:14 am
ptnozell
Thank you for persevering to share your ideas, and for the reminder that stories evolve from the initial spark to the final published picture book.
January 24, 2020 at 10:15 am
westindianmommy
Thank you for the encouraging post! Really drives home the need for us to take time to reflect on every word, thought, and feeling that we want to come through in our work…. no matter how many revisions we go through.
January 24, 2020 at 10:16 am
Jane Serpa
Thank you for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 10:20 am
Carole Calladine
Thank you for sharing your process, Hope. I will look for your stories that only you can write as a springboard for inspiration
January 24, 2020 at 10:21 am
Karin Larson
Thank you for the inspiring post. I enjoyed reading about your process. Congratulations on your books.
January 24, 2020 at 10:22 am
pathaap
I really enjoyed reading your post, Hope! And thanks for sharing your list of revisions!
January 24, 2020 at 10:23 am
Miki Conn
I love your statement , “The first idea is often a gateway from which I am guided into a place of discovery, aided by observation and reflection.” Its a good reminder about how stories can evolve.
January 24, 2020 at 10:24 am
debbeauchamp
Congratulations on your upcoming books! Thank you for the great post about how stories evolve.
January 24, 2020 at 10:25 am
writeknit
Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me that an idea is just the seed, many changes are needed to grow the flowers.
January 24, 2020 at 10:25 am
Aimee
Thank you for encouraging us to follow and idea if it sticks with us through many revisions until it has found the perfect story. Your stories sounds lovely! Congrats.
January 24, 2020 at 10:25 am
Dayne Sislen, Children's Book Illustrator
I love to read about other writer’s journey to publishing. I also keep all my revisions. It’s fun to go back and read some of the early versions. Thank you.
January 24, 2020 at 10:27 am
Glenda Roberson
Thanks for the post! So many revisions. . . I had no idea when I started this journey that my words would be transformed, over, and over—and over X 20 or 30 times! Final drafts sometimes bear little resemblance to the original, but the process is fun (sorta), challenging (oh lordy), and rewarding (so much!).
January 24, 2020 at 10:29 am
Daryl Gottier
Thank you for sharing your story and for reminding us about the importance of perseverance and revisions.
January 24, 2020 at 10:30 am
Michelle Ramirez
Thanks for sharing your process!
January 24, 2020 at 10:30 am
Kate Carroll
Thanks for sharing your journey. Your post awakens places and spaces that would otherwise go unnoticed!
January 24, 2020 at 10:31 am
Kim Larson
Congratulations on your books, Hope! It was fun reading about your process. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement to keep revising!
January 24, 2020 at 10:37 am
Writer on the run
Thank you for sharing your journey and your process! Helps to hear how other writers arrive at a finished book! Congratulations as well!
January 24, 2020 at 10:37 am
Kaylynn Johnsen
Thank you for sharing your process and reminding us not to fear our many revisions.
January 24, 2020 at 10:40 am
Nadia Salomon
Thank you Hope for being inspiring and helping us be ‘ok’ with multiple revisions! I loved this post on so many levels. It struck a chord. Congratulations on your debut and two other books! All your hard work is paying off! Best wishes.
January 24, 2020 at 10:40 am
MARIA BOSTIAN
Good morning, Hope. Thank you for the nice post and congratulations on your books. Thanks, also, for the screen shots. It was nice to see how another author revises and revises a story until it is right to tell.
January 24, 2020 at 10:41 am
Kate Thackray Edwards
Thanks SO much for the sneak peek at exactly how many revisions happen for one story! Such an eye opener!
January 24, 2020 at 10:43 am
Lisa Black
Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 10:43 am
colleenrkosinski
Thanks for sharing your process,
January 24, 2020 at 10:48 am
Gail Atherley
Your images of the revision docs on your computer are very reaffirming for me. I have a better grasp of the need to thoroughly understand the depth of my stories and characters. Congratulations on your upcoming books. Thank you!!
January 24, 2020 at 10:50 am
Joel Chalmers
Thanks Hope!
Appreciating the things around us and looking at them with the lens of our life experiences really does create ideas for our own story. Thank you for sharing the many drafts you went through for your stories and for the perspective to look at it as a challenge to create the story from our heart. Best of luck with you debut books and your writing to come.
January 24, 2020 at 10:51 am
Eileen Mayo
Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your process😊
January 24, 2020 at 10:54 am
Katie L. Carroll
These stories sound lovely…can’t wait to check them out.
January 24, 2020 at 10:58 am
Hélène Sabourin
Thank you for your encouraging words. You make it sound possible.
January 24, 2020 at 11:03 am
cantsing1
Oh, such wonderful hope that the elusive comes to you over time. I am a believer ; ) thnx.
January 24, 2020 at 11:04 am
8catpaws
A certain tree, a certain bird’s nest…The memories are coming back!
January 24, 2020 at 11:05 am
clairebobrow
Hope – so wonderful to see a post from you! The gnarled tree trunk in the first photo made me feel right at home 🙂 Thank you for this important reminder to take our time with stories and let them become what they need to be. I’m too often in a rush, but I’m going to take your message to heart. Congratulations on your forthcoming books. I can’t wait to read them!
January 24, 2020 at 11:10 am
Lori
Thank you for your post today. It felt so good to see that your story went through many, many revisions! I am looking forward to your books, they sound lovely.
January 24, 2020 at 11:11 am
Sara A
Lovely post, and the screenshots of your many drafts rings so true!
January 24, 2020 at 11:11 am
jenfierjasinski
Thanks for the encouragement to get outside and be unafraid of revision after revision. Congratulations on your debut!
January 24, 2020 at 11:13 am
Jessica Kulekjian
I love this post! Your process sounds very familiar to mine. Can’t wait to read your books! Congrats!
January 24, 2020 at 11:18 am
Polly Sena Renner
Yay for 3 new books coming out! Congrats Hope!!
January 24, 2020 at 11:24 am
Amy Harding
Oh my goodness! Seeing your revision list of documents on your computer makes me feel so much better! Thank you for sharing that!
January 24, 2020 at 11:25 am
TammyB
So inspiring! I love to hear where seeds of the story started – thank you for sharing and reminding us to pay attention
January 24, 2020 at 11:26 am
laurimacey
Love seeing your screen shots. I too have a million revisions of just about everything and it makes me a feel a little less crazy to see someone else who keeps all the many many drafts.
January 24, 2020 at 11:29 am
Karen Greenwald
I completely relate to all of the files and titles! Your post has already given me a great (hopefully!) idea! Thanks and congrats on your books!
January 24, 2020 at 11:29 am
Christine McDonnell
Seeing all the revisions is so helpful. I’m always in a rush to be finished and then realize there’s more work to be done.
January 24, 2020 at 11:33 am
saintamovin
Discovery…thank you😊
January 24, 2020 at 11:33 am
Janice Woods
The screenshots. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 11:34 am
Angie
Oh, THANK YOU for showing us your screen of file names! This is so helpful. On my older manuscripts I have willy nilly named the subsequent versions. And the folders are a MESS. Love this! Congratulations!
January 24, 2020 at 11:36 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
Your books sound wonderful and inspiring! Congratulations and thanks for the advice!
January 24, 2020 at 11:38 am
matthewlasley
It is the patience AND perseverance that we all need to remember.
My first book came out surprisingly quick. The followups are taking much longer. The ideas are simmering and I hope I’ll be ready when the break comes.
January 24, 2020 at 11:44 am
Daniele Arndt
I loved and needed to read “But take your time and enjoy the process, extracting ideas from your unique life experiences until those ideas mature into special stories. In the end, you are rewarded with a story that ONLY you can write. Most of all, you have grown as a writer and a person.” Thank you so much, Hope! Your name is perfect because you’ve given me hope!
January 24, 2020 at 11:44 am
Suzanne Alexander
Glad to know that I’m not the only one with many revisions to a story on my computer. Thanks for the encouragement, Hope.
January 24, 2020 at 11:44 am
aidantalkin
Love seeing all your revisions, both validating and inspiring. Just keep on.
January 24, 2020 at 11:45 am
Carrie Tillotson
Thanks for sharing your process from idea to book, Hope. Your books sound wonderful – I look forward to reading them!
January 24, 2020 at 11:45 am
Lori Sheroan
As a child, my tree was a weeping willow. I wished her “Good Morning” everyday on my way to school. Thank you for this post. I felt a sense of calm when reading your advice about spending time with an idea.
January 24, 2020 at 11:46 am
Maryna Doughty
The screenshots are SO encouraging to see. Thank you for sharing those with us! I tend to get discouraged when I have to keep revising my manuscripts, thinking I’ll never get a polished piece. But your screenshots give me hope!
January 24, 2020 at 11:46 am
Anne LeBlanc Gr 4/5 teacher (@AnneLeBlanc2)
This is amazing! I have a strong affinity for trees and I can see how to tie it into other things. I can’t wait to show my students the revisions on your story!
January 24, 2020 at 11:49 am
Mary Jane
Thank you for this post today. I am off to reorganize my files. I like the way you named yours. Brilliant idea!
January 24, 2020 at 11:51 am
Elizabeth Brown
Thank you, Hope for your post! I am looking forward to all your beautiful books!
January 24, 2020 at 11:55 am
SpeechVine
Thanks for the inspiration Hope.
January 24, 2020 at 11:57 am
annemweaver
Thank you for this inspiring post! Love the photo of your revision files, makes me feel better 😉
January 24, 2020 at 12:01 pm
Jolene Gutierrez
Thank you for this peek inside your creative process! I love seeing the various revision files.
January 24, 2020 at 12:01 pm
Sheri Dillard
Thank you for the inspiring post! And congratulations on your debut and all your new books! I’m looking forward to reading them! 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 12:04 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you, Hope, for sharing your thought process from conception to completion.
January 24, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Heather Rowley
Love this and thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 12:09 pm
June Sengpiehl
An important part of writing is the revision process. Beautiful post.
January 24, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Sherri Jones Rivers
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for reminding us that the process takes lots of time and work and revision. That made me feel so much better about all the changes I need to make in my manuscripts to get them to their proper finish line. Your books sound like they are full of heart!
January 24, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Pat
I love that screenshot! It’s a reminder that writing is a long but worthwhile process. I look forward to reading your stories!
January 24, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Traci VW
Love this post! Sooooo many revisions. That is heartening to see. This is a journey and an adventure. Thank you for sharing your process. Very inspirational!
January 24, 2020 at 12:19 pm
kyavorski
Thanks for the reminder that good things sometimes take time and that they are worth waiting for.
January 24, 2020 at 12:23 pm
pmmcnally
Thank you for this post Hope, and the reminder to take time and enjoy the process. Congratulations on your books, they sound wonderful!
January 24, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Carrie Williford (@carrietimes)
Congrats on your upcoming books! It’s so interesting how things change with revision – sometimes . you decide what you want to say and the the story decides it wants to say something else.
January 24, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Becky Ross Michael
Your book looks wonderful; thanks for these great ideas!
January 24, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thank you it is comforting to know others have over 20 versions of a story before they finally get it to where it is ready to submit.
January 24, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Linda KulpTrout
Revision is a huge part of finding the heart of a story. Thank you for this inspiring and informative post! I look forward to reading your books!
January 24, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Shirley
Wonderful post. I’m excited to read your books!
January 24, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth)
Thanks for sharing! I have an apple tree from my youth that has weaved its way into my writings.
January 24, 2020 at 12:36 pm
tina
Thanks Hope, you have great inspiration with you tree root photo alone.
And all of your versions of the story!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Best, Tina
January 24, 2020 at 12:39 pm
carolmunrojww
A gateway to a place of discovery. That’s a perfect description of the beginning of the process.
January 24, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Lisa Riddiough
Excellent post. Thank you, Hope. I love how one thing always leads to another in picture book writing. Congratulations on your forthcoming books.
January 24, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Cinzia V.
What a lovely post. Thank you for sharing your process – and the photos of all your drafts!
January 24, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Gabi Snyder
This post resonates with me. Starting with inspiration from real life experiences and developing/evolving from there works well for me, too. Thanks for the inspiration and peek into your process, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 12:47 pm
nrompella
Thanks for sharing your computer shot of your drafts. It’s helpful to see others’ number of drafts on picture books. 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Kelly A.
I’m so happy to see that I’m not an island in a see of 500 draft revision files 😉
January 24, 2020 at 12:50 pm
danielledufayet
Ideas really do need to percolate! Thanks for your inspiring post! Congrats too!
January 24, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Susan Macartney
A beautiful post – thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Nancy Furstinger
Nature is so inspiring! And those screenshots of revisions affirms that writing a children’s book is not “simple,” like many people assume.
January 24, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Bev Baird
It is so encouraging to see there is a light at the end of a long path of revisions. great post!
January 24, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Heidi M. Rogers (@heidimrogers)
This was so encouraging. Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Cortney Benvenuto
Great post! Thanks for sharing and congrats on your success!
January 24, 2020 at 1:01 pm
betlw
Ideas need to stew for a while in order to get the full flavor. There is also much inspiration in nature. We just have to get out there and look, listen, etc. Thanks for a thoughtful post.
January 24, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Rebecca
The revision process is so important and we do often want to rush it. Thanks for the reminder and a great post, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Thelia Hutchinson
Thank you Hope. My revisions are endless and I keep doubting my work. I enjoyed your words of wisdom and think positive.
January 24, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Brandy Lynne
I liked your specific examples and showing the changes (and many, many drafts!) of your own books.
January 24, 2020 at 1:20 pm
jenwritespbs
Great inspiration! I especially like where you said that it is through all the revisions that new ideas and possibilities for the story will be found.
January 24, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Amy Bradshaw
Thanks for showing us the reality of revision. Congratulations on your books! Can’t wait to read them!
January 24, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer
What a fun surprise to discover that my friend and critique partner is sharing her journey on Storystorm day 24! I have similar manuscript files that have taken from first draft to version 30 or higher. I love opening up the earliest version side-by-side with my most recent version to see how far I’ve come and how much the story has evolved. Hugs
January 24, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Cheryl Johnson
‘Don’t let the reality that your stories must go through many, many revisions scare you. This is one of the surest ways for you to discover new ideas and experiment with many different possibilities for your story.’
Spot on and a good reminder of the process that’s necessary.
January 24, 2020 at 1:33 pm
donnamorkreed
I love that you find ideas in nature. That is my favorite place. I feel the most relaxed there and my mind wanders all over when I spend time on my family farm in the Ozarks. Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 1:38 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Love seeing that there needs to be version after version…editing is powerful!
January 24, 2020 at 1:40 pm
susanzonca
I so appreciate your sharing screen shots that show the number of your revisions. The birthing of a story isn’t for the faint of heart!
January 24, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Janie Reinart
Hope congratulations on your book babies. I agree that best ideas are from real life experiences.❤️
January 24, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Rinda Beach
Thank you for sharing your process, for showing us that multiple drafts are a good thing. I pulled up an old idea for today’s thought. I’ll watch and wait to see if it’s meant to bloom or to wait a little longer in more computer.
January 24, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Riya
Wow Hope! That screenshot sure is something. Thank you for sharing your process with us.
January 24, 2020 at 1:48 pm
Lisa P
Thanks for sharing the screenshot of your revisions. An excellent reminder that it’s completely normal and beneficial to rework your story often! Can’t wait to check out your books!
January 24, 2020 at 1:48 pm
Sue Heavenrich
Revision is becoming my best friend…. always makes my story stronger. I can’t wait to read “I am a Bird”!
January 24, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Johnell DeWitt
Congrats, Hope! And what fun to hear this part of your writing story.
January 24, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Karen
It’s comforting to see how some stories undergo drastic changes from idea to book!
January 24, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Louise Aamodt
Congrats on your upcoming releases!
January 24, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Laurie Carmody
Wonderful! I really loved hearing about your journey, and how you create beautiful stories over the course of many revisions. Congratulations on your upcoming books!
January 24, 2020 at 1:57 pm
juliannahelt
Those sound like great pics! I can’t wait to read them!
January 24, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Susan Latta
Congratulations on your forthcoming books. And thanks for sharing your process!
January 24, 2020 at 2:00 pm
charlestrevino
From idea to story… Thank you for the encouragement and the process.
January 24, 2020 at 2:02 pm
vgraboski61gmailcom
I love your process. Thanks for sharing. Time to start reflecting more!
January 24, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Mita Martino
What a great reminder that writing a story is hard work. You have to be dedicated and diligent. Thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
Thanks for this encouraging post. Many of my stories have a long list of revisions and changes. You’ve shown me that I’m not alone with files bursting with revisions. Looking at the files as growth is perfect!
January 24, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Amy Cory
Thank you, Hope! I hope I never stop noticing interesting, curious things in the world around me. Your post reminds us that ideas can come from unexpected places. I can’t wait to read your books!
January 24, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Abby Wooldridge
Loved this post, Hope! I’ve just spent several hours revising a picture book, and it’s nowhere near being finished. I have several versions open in different tabs as I type this. Thank you for those encouraging screenshots. And congratulations on your books! 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Robin Wiesneth
That is an impressive revision history! A great reminder that important things – like books – take a lot of tinkering and a fair amount of time.
January 24, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Mary York
Hope, Thank you for sharing a look at all your revisions!! Made me feel right at home.
January 24, 2020 at 2:18 pm
donnacangelosi
What a fun surprise to see this post by my dear friend and critique partner! I loved reading about your inspiration and creative process and can’t wait to see your picture books!
January 24, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Jessica Swaim
I love knowing all this about your process, Hope. Your books sound wonderful and I admire how you celebrate what can be a long journey from inspiration to publication.
January 24, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Meredith Fraser
Thank you for your wonderful advice. I love your creative process.
January 24, 2020 at 2:37 pm
ruthwilson48
It’s encouraging to see all your story versions, and that it finally worked after so many tries!
January 24, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Sue Martin
From 1st draft to the 100th one, I go back and find wonderful sentences to put back in!
Congrats Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 2:38 pm
mrsgoodchoice
T%hank you Hope, for the great inspiration.
January 24, 2020 at 2:40 pm
Lisa Billa
Thanks, I enjoyed reading about how your ideas grew into books! Your post gave me hope for some still-evolving stories. I look forward to reading your books- congratulations!
January 24, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing
January 24, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Lynne Marie
I am over the moon excited to see a fellow Yellow Brick Road-er achieve such wonderful success. So very deserved! So happy to be on your path! Wishing you all the best. XOXO
January 24, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Cathy Ogren
I love how your stories evolve and all of the revisions it takes to create a wonderful story!
January 24, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Debra Daugherty
Thanks, Hope, for sharing your writing process. I love how your daughter inspired your voice.
January 24, 2020 at 2:47 pm
bluerabbit
Thanks for sharing your process.
January 24, 2020 at 2:47 pm
yangmommy
I can so relate to that screenshot! 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 2:49 pm
drawingablank6
Awesome post!
January 24, 2020 at 2:54 pm
debbiemoeller
Congratulations on your books!
January 24, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Jennifer Parker Raudenbush
Thanks for the inspiration!
January 24, 2020 at 3:05 pm
nancymillerbarton
Thank you. Hmmmmm. There are a number of nudges in here. Thank you for the thoughts and the pics. Perhaps I need to pull out something I’ve written a while ago, fresh eyes with time, rather than completely stressing to create new. A good nudge indeed.
January 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm
stiefelchana
Hooray Hope! So wonderful to see your process in action! Amazed by your persistence.
Xoxo
Chana
January 24, 2020 at 3:14 pm
storyfairy
Lol, I remember the story I wrote as a preteen that first taught me stories have to evolve. It focused on a gross and evil married couple, reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s “The Twits.”
January 24, 2020 at 3:24 pm
carmelamccainsimmons
Congratulations on your upcoming books! I look forward to reading them! Thank you for the wonderful look into your process. Taking our time and enjoying the process is great advice.
January 24, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Sue Reichard
I love reading about how each of us draws inspiration from so many differnet ways! Thanks for sharing one your stories!
January 24, 2020 at 3:26 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
It’s reassuring to see how many revisions you went through. I often feel bad about how long it takes me to get a story right.
January 24, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Sue Reichard
I loved to read about how we are inspired by so many different things. Thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 3:28 pm
Shirley Richey
Hope! Thank you for this most inspiring post, and thank you for being part of my writing journey. I cannot WAIT to own your books!
January 24, 2020 at 3:31 pm
writeremmcbride
Hope, I appreciated your photographs and your post, as well as your mention of the way you most frequently find inspiration. I had just finished a draft of a poem about one leaf alone on a pond I saw on my walk this morning! I look forward to seeing your books and certainly appreciate the way you shared your many drafts. Just tracking my various revisions is a whole other issue! Thank you so much!
January 24, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Heather Stigall
thanks for the inspirational post, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Lara Elliott
Thank you for the reminder to be open to revising the original premise in order to find what really works.
January 24, 2020 at 3:55 pm
kathrynjeanhagen
Hope, thank you for sharing the journey of your stories’ beginnings and evolutions. Congratulations on your debut book and your upcoming MY TREE!
January 24, 2020 at 3:57 pm
Jane Dippold
Thank you for your inspiring post and congratulations on your new books!
January 24, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Melanie Ellsworth
What a beautiful post, Hope! Thanks for sharing your journey in such a thoughtful, truthful way. I love the idea that we grow as people by taking these writing journeys.
January 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm
LaurenKerstein
Your books sound wonderful! I enjoyed your post so much, and especially loved your description of finding your narrator’s voice, and adding an uplifting element to your story. Thank you.
January 24, 2020 at 4:07 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
This was a well-timed inspirational post, Hope. This writing journey can be long and seemingly full of more bumps than beauty at times, making it easy to get discouraged. Thank you for reminding me to embrace the journey.
January 24, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Judy Sobanski
Thanks for sharing the journey of your books and how revision is key to getting to the story you want to tell!
January 24, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Angela Padron
My computer looks exactly the same! Thanks for sharing.
January 24, 2020 at 4:12 pm
mona861
You’re right, there’s so much out there. I just got inspiration for a story right here and now! Funny, because it’s a new story on an everyday outdoorsy thing. Thank you.
January 24, 2020 at 4:16 pm
JEN Garrett
So, I’m not the only one whose stories morph into new (and improved – I hope) manuscripts! Your screen shots encourage me.
January 24, 2020 at 4:19 pm
Sherry Smith
Hi Hope, Good luck with your book launch! Great reminder that story ideas are all around us.
January 24, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Debbie Lodato
Thank you for such an inspiring post.
Can’t wait to read you books. Congratulations to you. Your so right about the journey.😀
January 24, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Stacey Corrigan
Love your screenshots. Writing is such a journey. Thanks for sharing yours with us.
January 24, 2020 at 4:37 pm
kirstenpendreigh
Thank you Hope! A post that’s reassuring and inspiring! Congrats on your books!
January 24, 2020 at 4:38 pm
marshaelyn
Hope…Your post is refreshingly honest about the marathon revisions necessary for good storytelling. There are too many so-so books on the market that I sense were spit out and spun through the publishing mill. I applaud your passion (and energy) to revise over and over and over…until you’ve penned the best of stories and voice. I’m excited to look for your books and recommend them to our local library! Sending you inspiration and good wishes as you listen to life, discovering ideas along your “long, arduous journey” of storytelling…
January 24, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Maria Marshall
Great post Hope! It is inspiring to see how your stories have changed over time. Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Paula B Puckett
Thanks for sharing–admitting–to go through many, many, many revisions of your stories before you get to the final draft. I think too many times, I get stuck in that bog-mire of, “it’s gotta be perfect the first time around,” and although I work out of it, it’s always a nice feeling to see that someone else revises a lot, too. Good luck on your projects!
January 24, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Poupette Smith
Sometimes the missing piece appears like an epiphany, but alas oftentimes not. Thanks for the encouraging post, and glad to see I’m not the only one with so many drafts!
January 24, 2020 at 4:46 pm
denarose
Thanks for reminding us that writing a picture book (or anything) is a journey of discovery. It helped, reading how you realized that you had to find an upbeat yet truthful resolution. I also felt reassured, seeing the number of drafts, as anytime I write anything I end up having a zillion drafts! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement!
January 24, 2020 at 4:51 pm
suzannepoulterharris
Your screenshot is a testament to how hard we need to work to get from idea to published book. Giving stories time to mature is so important. Publishing is definitely not a sprint race. Congratulations on your book deals!
January 24, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Laura Jean Watters
The snapshot of the list of revisions is such a powerful visual. Please consider a future post that gives examples of what specific changes from (even a few) one revision to another. That would be very helpful to many of us I’m sure.
January 24, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Heather Gallagher
Yes, some stories seem to get revised forever!
January 24, 2020 at 5:05 pm
Teresa Robeson
I love that long list of revisions and the idea to think/write in your daughter’s voice!
January 24, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Jill Lambert (@LJillLambert)
Thank you, Hope, for the hope in your post. The journey involved in writing can be grueling, frustrating, yet joyful and fulfilling at the same time. I have many revisions stacking up, but each one gets me closer!
January 24, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Robin Perkins
Thank you for the look into your revision history!
January 24, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Mary Ann Blair
It is good to know I’m not the only one with so many revisions of the same story! Thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Your long revision folder made me smile. I can relate. And this post came at just the right time. I need to tackle a revision and now I’m inspired! Thank you and good luck with your upcoming books.
January 24, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Debra Kempf Shumaker
Love your post! Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Rebekah Lowell
Kudos to you and all your revisions! Can’t wait to read MY TREE!
January 24, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Virginia Rinkel
Really identify with your numerous revisions and how you found each one would bring you closer to what you really meant to say. Thank you – as I think I’m on about the 47th revision and changing my title also. You are inspiring. Thanks again.
January 24, 2020 at 5:59 pm
LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora)
Congratulations. Your story gives me so much hope for some of the ambitious stories I am telling and retelling and reworking and loving.
January 24, 2020 at 6:03 pm
stephaniewildman
Thank you for sharing your process, especially your drafts! 83 seems like a low number now.
January 24, 2020 at 6:03 pm
chardixon47
“. . . take your time and enjoy the process,. . .” Love this! Thank you Kim for sharing your journey in writing. I look forward to reading your books. Congratulations!
January 24, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
Congrats, Hope! Thanks for sharing your tips.
January 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Thank you so much for sharing and for your vulnerability.
January 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Thank you so much for sharing and for your vulnerability.
January 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Pamela Harrison
Thank you for sharing the the way you discovered your idea for I AM A BIRD and making it appeal to children. It’s so interesting how often you revised your manuscript for MY TREE. I can’t wait to read your books, Hope!
January 24, 2020 at 6:13 pm
Becky Woodall
Thank you for your lovely honest post. I’m often inspired by my daughter and the games she plays. ☺️
January 24, 2020 at 6:21 pm
shirley301
Thanks for your post. Good luck on the publication of your books.
January 24, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Judy Palermo
I love revising! Your books look lovely.
January 24, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Carolyn Bennett Fraiser
Wow – that is a lot of revisions! So often I fear that I’ll be losing something when I revise. But I’ve never been disappointed when I do. The story just keeps getting better and better! Here’s to revising more often!
January 24, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Deborah Foster
Oh my goodness! The list of revisions! Congrats on all of your hard work!
January 24, 2020 at 6:31 pm
Susan Twiggs
Hope, thanks for sharing your process. I too have a tree as a character in my story. He/ she just showed up and became a star.
January 24, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Michelle Kashinsky
I will definitely be reading MY TREE. Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 6:32 pm
authorlaurablog
I date my revisions and on the days when I have revised something more than once I list the date and the number beginning with 2. 1/24/2020
January 24, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Rebecca Herzog
I love seeing all of your many many revisions. It gives me hope and courage in the process!!
January 24, 2020 at 6:45 pm
Stephen S. Martin
revise revise revise. and when you are done, sit back for a day and rinse and repeat.
January 24, 2020 at 6:47 pm
Carrie Cook
Your books sound beautiful. I just followed you on Twitter so I can keep tabs on when they come out!
January 24, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Hollie Wolverton
Those screenshots make me so happy, as that is what my file folders look like! It is a process!
January 24, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Judith Snyder
I encountered bird tracks in the snow on my front porch this morning and knew I had to write that into my list, even before I read your post. Your ideas must be very powerful, if I can receive them through the ether. Great post. Thank you
January 24, 2020 at 7:30 pm
steveheron
“Finding an idea and turning it into a story can be a long, arduous journey, full of unexpected developments, challenges, and emotions.” Thanks for saying this – I can relate.
January 24, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Dea Lenihan
Thank you so much. The hidden message in here for me is patience. Thank you for this post. xo
January 24, 2020 at 7:42 pm
Marty Bellis
This was such an encouraging post. Thanks for the screenshots of your many revisions. It helps me feel I may yet get to the END if I just keep at it 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 7:49 pm
JillDanaBooks
Thank you for this lovely post! 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 7:55 pm
imagination4lf
Thank you, Hope. Congratulations on all of your forthcoming books. Very exciting!
January 24, 2020 at 8:09 pm
Becky Shillington
Thank you so much for this reminder, Hope. I have found that many of my manuscripts evolve into much more meaningful stories as time passes!
January 24, 2020 at 8:43 pm
Sara Matson
I love this: Finding an idea and turning it into a story can be a long, arduous journey, full of unexpected developments, challenges, and emotions. However, when you spend time with an idea, you are ushered into a place of discovery about yourself and your life. It may take years to find the right idea or inspiration to make your story work. But take your time and enjoy the process, extracting ideas from your unique life experiences until those ideas mature into special stories. In the end, you are rewarded with a story that ONLY you can write. Most of all, you have grown as a writer and a person.
Thanks for that encouragement. I put so much pressure on myself to work faster. I would love to see it more this way, allowing myself to take all the time I need with an idea and even enjoying that time spent. I’ve printed this paragraph out and will post it by my computer!
January 24, 2020 at 8:44 pm
orchardka
Thank you, Hope! Especially for sharing the photos of your many revisions. It gives me hope on a few of my own manuscripts!
January 24, 2020 at 8:48 pm
Kathi Morrison-Taylor
Thanks for this post! Sometimes writing is such an amazing process. It is good to remember and not be in too big a hurry.
January 24, 2020 at 9:05 pm
Erik Ammon
All those revisions! I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who gives every single different type of add on for each new save. I do wonder if you save every minor change, too. Thanks for sharing your story!
January 25, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Hope Lim
Thanks for your comments, Erik. I don’t save every revision, but the decision to save is more about how important a change is. Sometimes I am debating over a couple of words or a phrase, and I will save both versions. I have found that sometimes a single word can really make a significant impact on the feel of the story.
January 24, 2020 at 9:12 pm
Karen Lawler
Thank you for showing ALLLLL those revisions. I too have those, and it’s good to know that they can still become a REAL book. 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Franny G
Wow, I tend to give up after version 4 or 5! Now I realise I have so much further to go. Thank you, Hope.
January 24, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Lori Mozdzierz
Life is a simmering pot of ideas!
January 24, 2020 at 9:37 pm
ingridboydston
What I found most encouraging were the pics of your revisions. I have more than 50 on several of my stories. This make me feel like I could still be in the ballpark with a few of my ideas. Thank you!
January 24, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Janet Halfmann
Loved reading about the journeys to your books.
January 24, 2020 at 9:51 pm
cbcole
Carol Cole – Great post – especially not being afraid of multiple revisions. My latest story is up to it’s 23 revision.
January 24, 2020 at 9:58 pm
EmmieRWerner
Thank you. Gives me hope❤️
January 24, 2020 at 10:01 pm
Lisa Tolin
It’s so good to see that numerous revisions are normal. Sometimes I wonder if I’m overworking stories – maybe I’m underworking!
January 24, 2020 at 10:03 pm
cravevsworld
Dear Ms. Lim, Thank you for sharing your worthwhile trials and tribulations. Love the titles you come up to keep a draft going after you thought it was final. Your heartfelt post is much appreciated!
January 24, 2020 at 10:08 pm
deirdreprischmann
Your screenshots of all those versions really resonated- I do the same thing!
January 24, 2020 at 10:16 pm
Keila Dawson
Excellent advice to be patient because “extracting ideas from your unique life experiences until those ideas mature into special stories. In the end, you are rewarded with a story that ONLY you can write.” I can’t wait to read MY TREE.
January 24, 2020 at 10:24 pm
bookfish1
Wow Great post! Thanks for showing all your revisions
January 24, 2020 at 10:45 pm
Garnett Natasha
Borrowing your daughter’s voice is a smart way to distance yourself from adult language and tone and perspective. Thanks for that tip.
January 24, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Mary Warth
Thank you Hope. The example of all your hard work with revision is inspiring!
January 24, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Christine Pinto
Thanks for sharing your screenshots of all the versions! It’s a good reminder that everyone has to go through this.
January 24, 2020 at 10:58 pm
seschipper
Hope, thank you so much for the uplifting post! I think we need reminders such as the ones found here! Congratulations ….best wishes for continued success with your books!
Looking forward to reading them 🙂
January 24, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Penny Parker Klostermann
Thanks for showing your revisions and sharing a little about how your ideas evolve over time. Sometimes that part seems so slow, but I’ve learned how important it is to my process. It’s nice to hear that from someone else.
January 24, 2020 at 11:01 pm
Brinton Culp
Inspirational post on lots of levels! Thank you for sharing pure joy from your daughter, diligent work and persistence in those screen shots, and the amazing journey we can take as writers.
January 24, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Kristen Tipman
Thanks for your post. I enjoy the revison process and loved this line from your post: “It may take years to find the right idea or inspiration to make your story work.” So true!
January 24, 2020 at 11:05 pm
Marty lapointe-malchik
Okay, Hope, I won’t let the reality that my stories must go through many, many revisions scare me! Your screen shots were most helpful.Thank you for offering a critique as your giveaway. Thanks, Tara, for sending so many thought leaders our way through Storystorm 2020.
January 24, 2020 at 11:48 pm
Shirley fadden
Wow! Thank you for sharing, using evidence, that a story may require many revisions and for suggesting we embrace them.
January 24, 2020 at 11:06 pm
Chang H
Thanks so much for your inspirational post! It came at just the right time — when I needed the reminder to take things slowly and revise, revise, revise. Looking forward to reading your upcoming books!
January 24, 2020 at 11:16 pm
kelliejanebyrnes
Thanks for sharing your experiences and writing path. So interesting to hear how your upcoming books came to be, and the revisions they’ve gone through!
January 24, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Peggy Dobbs
Writing certainly takes patience and determination. Thank you for the inspiration!
January 24, 2020 at 11:43 pm
wyszguy
What a great post! Thanks for sharing your revision screen shots! 😛
January 24, 2020 at 11:52 pm
DaNeil Olson
Thank you for this fabulous post and the screen shot of your revisions.
January 25, 2020 at 12:11 am
saputnam
Great post, Hope!! Thank you for giving us a peek at your process of writing a story. I totally agree with you that, “The first idea is often a gateway from which I am guided into a place of discovery, aided by observation and reflection.” Yup, my stories always hang a left somewhere down the line… I usually have 3 – 4 manuscripts stewing away on the back burner… and when I revise them, or any of my stories, I date and save every revision so I can go back and reread certain parts if need be.
January 25, 2020 at 12:34 am
Katie Williams
I love the way this idea is framed…we all have ideas, but letting them evolve into something fun and unique takes patience and acceptance 😁
January 25, 2020 at 12:50 am
Natalie Lynn Tanner
HOPE: THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION to stick with our ideas, no matter how long it takes for the true story to unfold. And most especially, to ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!
January 25, 2020 at 1:26 am
writersideup
Hope, I have to say…the thing that impresses me most is your patience…your willingness to let it simmer. Simmering is GOOD! Thank you for a post that encourages slowing down and patience 🙂 And CONGRATS on your books!
January 25, 2020 at 1:42 am
Michele R
Hope, thank you for showing a record of all of your revisions. Sometimes I wonder if a story really needs more work, but clearly your process works for you! I find that very inspiring!! Congrats on your picture book success!!
January 25, 2020 at 2:06 am
Mary Ann Cortez
Both stories sound so lovely. Thank you for reminding us that a great idea can still change and evolve and morph into something different and beautiful
January 25, 2020 at 2:26 am
Marcia Berneger
I love revising! So many opportunities!
January 25, 2020 at 2:27 am
Rachel S. Hobbs Gunn
Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 2:34 am
Brenda May
Thank you for an inspirational post.
January 25, 2020 at 4:29 am
Ruthie
Thanks for showing that screenshot of revisions! Loved hearing your process.
January 25, 2020 at 4:31 am
superbernese
Thanks for posting your screenshot of revisions. Loved hearing about your process.
January 25, 2020 at 5:01 am
Leah
Loved seeing the screen of revisions
January 25, 2020 at 5:12 am
Joana Pastro
Hi Hope,
Thanks reminding us to spend time with our ideas. Your post made me wantvto go back to an old manuscript of mine. I can’t wait to read I AM BIRD.
January 25, 2020 at 6:51 am
Margaret Flint Suter
I listen to the voices around me be they human or bird or furious squirrels at the bird feeder. Your screenshot of your MANY revisions gives me HOPE! thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 7:32 am
David McMullin
Thank you Hope for the encouragement to keep revising and keep discovering.
January 25, 2020 at 8:18 am
Jen Bailey
Do not fear the revisions! Thanks 🙂
January 25, 2020 at 8:48 am
jenniemacdonald
Thank you, Hope Lim, for sharing your process and reminding me that at the heart of the best stories is striving for connection.
January 25, 2020 at 9:14 am
Mardi Edwards
Getting into nature and letting ideas catch me is a great tip.
January 25, 2020 at 9:17 am
Patricia Alcaro
Let my ideas evolve, thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 9:19 am
mginsberg10
Hope, thanks for your illuminating ideas!
January 25, 2020 at 9:28 am
Jennifer Phillips
I love seeing your screenshots of the number of revised versions. So on point. Thanks for a great post!
January 25, 2020 at 9:32 am
Kate Molde
Great advice!! Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 9:38 am
jimchaize1
Wonderful to read how your stories evolved, and to see how much work you put it. Thanks, Hope.
January 25, 2020 at 9:49 am
Lisa L Furness
Such a lovely thoughtful post today. I look forward to reading your books Hope!
January 25, 2020 at 10:07 am
Kelly Vavala
I really loved that you shared screen shots of your manuscript! Very inspirational post and I thank you so much for sharing! Congratulations on your books…They sound lovely! I wish you continued success!
January 25, 2020 at 10:23 am
Charlotte Offsay
Thank you for sharing your process!
January 25, 2020 at 10:27 am
Mark Ceilley
I liked hearing about your process. I can relate to it because some of my stories have been inspired by things I’ve observed outside. Example: someone chewing bubblegum, a tin can, etc.
Congratulations on your books !
Thank you for your post!
January 25, 2020 at 11:04 am
susan schade
“Do not fear revisions.” So very true. Thank you for sharing your experience with your book and your insight.
January 25, 2020 at 11:15 am
Jill Friestad-Tate
Thanks for showing us the many drafts of your story! My debut picture book had 23 different versions before it was published. Every draft got me closer to the final, wonderful version and improved my writing (and patience with the process!). Great post.
January 25, 2020 at 11:16 am
karammitchell
Hope! Yes! I’m horrible at waiting and that is what you’re asking me to do. I always need to hear it. Letting an idea/story marinate is so hard. Thanks for your post!
January 25, 2020 at 11:23 am
marykatesmithdespres
Thanks so much for this post, Hope! It’s super helpful to see someone else’s many draft files! And “borrowing” your daughter’s voice is such a lovely idea. I’ll be trying that!
January 25, 2020 at 11:24 am
KRISTINA COOPER CASTILLO
Thank you for sharing your process of evolution!
January 25, 2020 at 11:41 am
Joanne Roberts
Thanks for the peek into the long slow process…looks like in your case it’s finally beginning to bloom. Congratulations!
January 25, 2020 at 11:42 am
Arlene Schenker
Hope–I love the idea of discovering things about yourself while your story evolves. So not only do you get a great story in the end, but you’ve grown as a person. The screen shots really bring it home! Thank you so much for this post.
January 25, 2020 at 11:43 am
Juliana Lee
Funny how the simplest things can be inspirations for greater things! Congrats on your work!
January 25, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Darcee Freier
That’s a lot of revisions for one story—gives me hope! Thanks for sharing your journey.
January 25, 2020 at 12:29 pm
curryelizabeth
Such a good reminder of the long, sometimes arduous, process of creating a story. Thank you for the encouragement and congratulations!
January 25, 2020 at 1:03 pm
claireannette1
Your screenshot makes me feel much better about the many revisions of one of my manuscripts. Thank you for explaining so well that the process of turning an idea into a story can be a long journey.
January 25, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Kari Lavelle (@KariALavelle)
I’m slowly making friends with the revision process too! Thank you for your wonderful post!
January 25, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Helen Lysicatos
Hope, thank you sharing the screenshots of your revisions titles. It is comforting to know that great stories are not done is just a few drafts but as many are needed to get the story where needs.
January 25, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Julie Augensen-Rand
Congratulations on your upcoming books. And that tree at the beginning of this post, WOW! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing your process.
January 25, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Aimee Satterlee
How inspiring, Hope! Just looking at those screenshots gives me the encouragement to keep discovering where my manuscripts will take me. I am looking forward to your upcoming books!
January 25, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Jill M Proctor
Thank you, Hope, for sharing your perseverence and lovely stories I look forward to reading. Congrats!
January 25, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Rebecca Heller
Wow. All those drafts are inspiring (and intimidating!).
January 25, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Mary Lou Johnson
Revising is one thing. Keeping files organized is another. I love models. Thank you for your screenshots! Congratulations on your upcoming releases!!
January 25, 2020 at 3:48 pm
sjwmeade
I also loved the shared screenshots of your many revised versions. Thank you for this helpful post!
January 25, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Carolyn Currier
Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Liz Steinglass
That’s what my computer files look like also.
January 25, 2020 at 4:29 pm
Sarah Skolfield
I am so glad I’m not alone in the positive scroll sign on my computer files!
January 25, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Rachel Funez
Love the idea of meshing together different inspirations and letting a story grow and evolve.
January 25, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Dina Ticas
Thank you for the screenshots. I know have to consider how organizing my drafts will be most useful. Is there a benefit to using Google Docs over .doc?
January 25, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Laura
Yes to the suggestion to spend time with an idea. For me, ideas need to simmer and sit. Thank you for this post.
January 25, 2020 at 6:23 pm
McCourt Thomas
Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Susan Orton
Thank you for your reminder that meditation, in all its forms, can help us in the evolution of our stories. My best ideas come to me in meditation or when walking in nature. I can’t wait to read both of your books. Congratulations!
January 25, 2020 at 6:50 pm
tdjw
Can’t wait to read!
January 25, 2020 at 6:55 pm
aliciaminor
Good show Hope. I’ve always liked your stories way back on our defunct critique group Yellow Brick road days with Ms. Lisa J. Michaels. Excited that one of us or how many now made it to Storystorm. Ms. Lisa is proud of you and so are we. I wish you more in the future. God bless.
January 25, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Lori Alexander
Loved seeing all of your revisions. That dedication paid off–congrats!
January 25, 2020 at 7:13 pm
Rona Shirdan
Great post! Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 7:20 pm
melissamiles1
Congrats on the books, and thanks for sharing your insights with us. 🙂
January 25, 2020 at 7:24 pm
julielacombeauthor
Thank you for reminding us that getting a story from idea to published is an arduous one.
January 25, 2020 at 7:26 pm
thesheilster
Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your revision process and how you made your stories work. I can’t wait to read your books.
January 25, 2020 at 7:50 pm
eross
It’s so reassuring to be reminded that idea to published story can take a long time, but discovery and evolution are rewarded to those who stay the course. Thank you!
January 25, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Dear Hope,
This post is filled with inspiration and hope–as your name suggests to cherish a desire with anticipation. The photos of your screenshots are revealing. They show your dedication and perseverance.
I look forward to reading your three upcoming books: I AM BIRD, MY TREE, & MOMMY’S HOMETOWN.
Thank you, Hope.
Hugs,
Suzy
January 25, 2020 at 8:49 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Great post Hope!
January 25, 2020 at 10:51 pm
Stephanie Lau
Oh! What a great picture of your daughter!
January 25, 2020 at 11:50 pm
percyandcat
Hope, thank you for sharing your insights. I love the outdoors and all of nature, it does inspire and at times awakens us to new ideas. I find that sometimes the unknown is a bit daunting and we tend to shy away from it, yet it lures us to go inside ourselves and hopefully find a new and better perspective on things and others.
January 26, 2020 at 1:16 am
Naana
Thanks Hope, for showing us that taking an idea through to a story is not a hurried process. It is okay to make that many revisions as it evolves. Congratulations on your books!
January 26, 2020 at 2:31 am
rgstones
Gotta embrace revision and enjoy the process through all those drafts. Thanks for the post!
January 26, 2020 at 2:55 am
Stella Gardener
Congrats on your books coming out.
January 26, 2020 at 3:57 am
Amanda Malek-Ahmadi
Love the inspiration you draw from! Revise, revise, revise!!!!
January 26, 2020 at 4:47 am
rjtraxel
I love your persistence!
January 26, 2020 at 5:28 am
deniseaengle
Thank you for this post! Sometimes I forget that it’s important to enjoy the process!
January 26, 2020 at 8:06 am
jacquesartandbooks
Wow Hope, Your screenshots make me think of climbing a ladder (oooh story idea)
January 26, 2020 at 10:57 am
Freda Lewkowicz
Thank you for the valuable insights.
January 26, 2020 at 11:28 am
rimna
Thank you, Lim. Great advice.
January 26, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Nancy Ferguson
Thank you, Hope for the sage advice. Rewrites, revisions are daunting and frustrating. Your post makes them much more educational and may I say, fun?
January 26, 2020 at 1:17 pm
heatherbell37
Thanks for sharing the screenshots. It affirms so many things.I can’t wait to read your stories ❤
January 26, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Lynn Alpert
Thanks for sharing your process!
January 26, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman)
I get my ideas from nature and experiences too. I have many a story that has had numerous revisions.
January 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Jocelyn Rish
Ha, you’re much more organized with your revision naming system than I am. Mine gets so ridiculous, I need a code breaker to help me figure it out!
January 26, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Brenna Becker
All of those revisions! Thank you for the motivation.
January 26, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Samantha Altmann
Loved seeing the progression from initial idea to completion. All of the revisions are worth it in the end 🙂
January 26, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Lori Menning
Loved see your screenshot. I smiled at the Final with many dates after. I do that, too. Just when you think you’re done, something else comes up!
January 26, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Alice Fulgione
Yes, ideas are everywhere. Thanks for the post!
January 26, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Heather Kelso
Thank you for your post and inspiration, Hope. Congratulations on your books!
I revise my picture books for months, then let them sit and revise again. It is good to sit with an idea. Let the ideas, words, emotions percolate. Agree, this makes us better writers.
January 26, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Michelle Sumovich
Congratulations, Hope! I’m so excited to read your work!
January 26, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Joyce
I enjoyed hearing about the evolution of your ideas. Good to remember that they don’t have to stay as the original idea.
January 26, 2020 at 6:09 pm
Lydia Lukidis
I love this post! I totally understand the whole editing/rewriting process can be a long and arduous task. It can be frustrating, but it’s well worth it if you can stick the landing 🙂
January 26, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Midge Ballou Smith
Thank you, Hope! Enjoyed this!
January 26, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Stephanie Gibeault
Great post! Thank you for sharing the screen shot of your revisions. I found that so encouraging. Plus, I realized I need to revamp my document naming system!
January 26, 2020 at 7:34 pm
adavis6385
Congrats on your success and thank you for sharing your process. Glad to know I’m not the only one with oodles of revisions! We are all in it together!
January 26, 2020 at 8:12 pm
Angela De Groot
It’s definitely a long journey, but a fun one too. Thanks for sharing your revision process.
January 26, 2020 at 9:22 pm
angiecal76
Thanks for reminding me to enjoy the process and not rush an idea. And all the best to you as you launch three of your books soon!
January 26, 2020 at 9:40 pm
Della Ross Ferreri
I’m delighted to read about your journey! Congratulations on your success! I can’t wait to read your books, Hope!
-Della 🙂
January 26, 2020 at 9:47 pm
ryanrobertsauthor
I love how many “final” drafts you have. ha! I do that, too
January 26, 2020 at 10:51 pm
Karan Greene
Thanks for sharing!
January 26, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Kari Gonzalez
Wonderful post, thank you Hope!
January 27, 2020 at 12:27 am
tiffanydickinson
Wow, Hope. That screenshot of your revisions was sobering – but also inspiring. Thanks for the reality check!
January 27, 2020 at 12:48 am
Dee Leone
It’s very encouraging to learn not to give up no matter how many drafts it takes.
January 27, 2020 at 12:57 am
kmajor2013
Hope, your post struck a chord with me. Thanks for sharing your writing story! I too use running as a way to develop ideas and let them evolve.
January 27, 2020 at 1:15 am
Nina Nolan
Thank you for your encouraging post. And for the reminder that spending time with an idea teaches us about ourselves and helps us tell the story that only we can tell.
January 27, 2020 at 1:28 am
Terri Sabol
Thank you for sharing!
January 27, 2020 at 2:08 am
Mirka
Your post was such an inspiration. Thank you for showing all your drafts. It makes me feel better about my countless revisions.
January 27, 2020 at 2:14 am
Kaye Baillie
I loved the screenshot of drafts. Thanks, Hope!
January 27, 2020 at 6:47 am
Elle
Yes sometimes it’s really hard to keep editing that one story but it always ends up being better.
Thank you for the encouragement.
January 27, 2020 at 7:12 am
Diane Tulloch
I too often find my best ideas come from real life experiences. Thanks for sharing all the drafts you have done for My Tree. Very inspiring post. Thanks for sharing.
January 27, 2020 at 7:46 am
teacherwriteracker
Oh that computer screen feels familiar. It is so important to let each story evolve and some need more iterations than others.
January 27, 2020 at 9:26 am
Beth Gallagher
Love this inspiring post! I was so relieved to see your screenshot of the many revisions you had for My Tree! (I had thought that I was remedial for having so many revisions of a manuscript.) Thanks for such a fabulous post!
January 27, 2020 at 11:57 am
lanearnold
Yes! Yes! Yes!
January 27, 2020 at 11:58 am
anneiversonbellsouthnet
Thank you for sharing your post, Hope. It’s always most affirming to hear and see the number of revisions a manuscript goes through on its journey to final publication.
January 27, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Elizabeth W Saba
Thanks Hope! Looking forward to your books.
January 27, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Lauri Meyers
Hope , your number of drafts reminds me I have a few more revisions to do!
January 27, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Dawn M.
Thanks for sharing. Revision, revision, revision!
January 27, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
All those “FINAL” drafts made me smile. Thank you.
January 27, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Pamela Haskin
Thanks, Hope, for such great encouragement! Looking at your draft list gives me so much hope for my own work. It’s encouraging to know that even successful writers still struggle to get it right. Thanks so much for sharing your process with us.
January 27, 2020 at 2:34 pm
kirstenbockblog
All those drafts! You are right, though – we learn so much from one draft to another.
January 27, 2020 at 2:35 pm
nicolesalterbraun
Wow on all your revisions! I’m gonna bring out some of my rejected stories and rework them some more
January 27, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
So nice to know I’m not the only one with files upon files upon files of “Final” drafts! LOL. It is a journey, indeed! Thank you for your great post!
January 27, 2020 at 3:36 pm
Latasha Vernon
Thank you for teaching me to have patience on this journey. Plus I never thought about saving my work that way. Thanks!
January 27, 2020 at 4:07 pm
candicewolff
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your different drafts. This is something I can fully relate to and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. 😊
January 27, 2020 at 4:16 pm
Mary Jo Wagner
Revision is where the magic happens. (And some tears of frustration). 🙂
January 27, 2020 at 4:45 pm
Angie Isaacs
I recognize those many, many revisions!
January 27, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Kellie
I really loved how you explained the metamorphosis of your ideas. Thank you.
January 27, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
The visual of the number of drafts is so powerful. Thank you for sharing.
January 27, 2020 at 8:11 pm
LJ Laniewski
Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your writing journey. Over the years, I have seen so many of my ideas end up on the shelves, not written by me, but by someone else. I now realize, they weren’t “my” ideas and that when I have written my final draft, I will have a story that only I can tell.
January 27, 2020 at 8:48 pm
kathydoherty1
I look forward to reading your upcoming books. Thank you for the inspiring post.
January 28, 2020 at 12:18 am
DCSM
I love how you ruminate on an idea. I think the best stories come from the ideas that won’t leave us alone. Thanks for sharing your process.
January 28, 2020 at 1:17 am
Jilanne Hoffmann
As far as I’m concerned, magic happens in revision. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 28, 2020 at 2:12 am
Chelle Martin
It’s nice to see how your book changed through your many revisions. Good luck with it. Thanks for sharing.
January 28, 2020 at 8:36 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Holy crap that’s a lotta revisions. Those screenshots are really helpful though.
January 28, 2020 at 10:15 am
Kathy Cornell Berman
Thanks for sharing and reminding us that our best stories take time. It may take years to get there, but if we care enough, we will get there. Congratulations Hope on your upcoming books.
January 28, 2020 at 10:24 am
Amy Healey
I love this! Thanks!
January 28, 2020 at 11:05 am
Genevieve Petrillo
So happy to see I am not the only one who saves every draft. Even if I only change 3 letters of one word, I save it as a new file. Evolving is evolving, so…..
January 28, 2020 at 11:21 am
doreenrobinson
Your books sounds amazing – congratulations! I love how your ideas come from real life experiences (including your daughter) and how you shared screenshots of all your revised WIPS. Writing is revising and as you said, “a long, arduous journey.”
January 28, 2020 at 11:56 am
Anita Banks
Thank you for the incouraging post.
January 28, 2020 at 11:58 am
leahpsmoser
Thank you for this advice!
January 28, 2020 at 12:01 pm
storycatcherpublishing
Great post!
Donna L Martin
Story Catcher Publishing
January 28, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Rona Shirdan
Thank you!
January 28, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Jenn
Thank you for sharing the screenshots of your revision process – it’s a great reminder not to give up on an idea I love – it just may need a little (or a lot) of revising.
January 28, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Alicia Lopez
Thank you for the ideas! Congratulations on your upcoming book.
January 28, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Kristin Wauson
Thanks for sharing the screenshot of all you’re revisions. It’s a good reminder that you don’t have to nail it in your 1st, 2nd, or even 15th draft.
January 28, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Elizabeth Duncan
I like when you wrote the first idea is a gateway to your own unique story. Thanks.
January 28, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Linda Silvestri
Revising and tweaking are my favorite parts. That’s definitely where the magic happens. Thank you for your share. Inspiring and validating!
January 28, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Nicole Loos Miller
Seeing how many revisions you go through makes me feel so much better about my many saved drafts too! I love how you channeled your daughter’s voice to capture the best tone for your first book too. Thank you so much for sharing!
January 28, 2020 at 4:17 pm
Leigh Therriault
Thanks for the great reminder that a story can grow and evolve (many times!) with the proper amount of time and nurturing. 🌳
January 28, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Joyce
Thank you for this important reminder!
January 28, 2020 at 6:02 pm
megcason1
My computer folders look eerily similar!
January 28, 2020 at 6:09 pm
Nancy Riley
Many versions, revisions, titles. Someday, I hope to hold one of my stories in my hands! Thanks so much for your insights.
January 28, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Kimberly Marcus
Look forward to reading I Am A Bird! I loved seeing your revision photos! That was great because thats what mine look like too. 😅
January 28, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Judy Bryan
Congratulations on your books, Hope! I’m looking forward to reading them. Thank you so much for sharing that screenshot. My files look like that, too!
January 28, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Nadine Poper
Thank you for sharing your revision photos. I guess I am on the right track then with mine. Looking forward to reading your books!
January 29, 2020 at 3:02 am
Nancy Kotkin
The natural world is so very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story shaping process and I look forward to reading your books.
January 29, 2020 at 6:53 am
marziehaali
I’ve been putting off revisions after i do about 10, your post gave me a whole new sense of “perseverance is key”
January 29, 2020 at 9:58 am
Wendy Greenley
What a good reminder to let the stories evolve instead of pummeling them into a shape that doesn’t suit them. Congratulations on your two books!
January 29, 2020 at 11:02 am
Tracy Hora
Love your screenshot!! Thanks for sharing.
January 29, 2020 at 11:37 am
Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky
Hope, I loved your encouraging post. That evolution and development is how these stories come alive from the egg of an idea to a living tale. Thanks.
January 29, 2020 at 12:04 pm
dlapmandi
Thank you so much for showing how many drafts you had. It makes me and possibly some others feel normal about how many revisions are necessary to get the story right. Best of luck with both your books. Thanks for the post.
January 29, 2020 at 2:21 pm
alisongoldberg
I really appreciate this encouragement to let projects take the time they need. Thank you!
January 29, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Susie Sawyer
Thank you, Hope, for such a thoughtful post. I especially loved this: “…when you spend time with an idea, you are ushered into a place of discovery about yourself and your life.” Just beautiful. And congratulations on both of your books!
January 29, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Ashley Bankhead
Thank you for sharing this post. I like when you talked about sharing time with an idea. I like that.
January 29, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Lindsay Robinson
Thank you for sharing how many revisions you had to go through with MY TREE! It’s really encouraging!
January 29, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Shanah Salter
I can’t wait to read your books!
January 30, 2020 at 12:52 am
Gaby Lagos
I am very impressed with the many drafts a story could have, and also the importance of the revision as well. We all grow with biases, and they could help us to explore and reflect. Hope, thank you for being transparent with us, and share your process of writing, these knowledge will improve our lives too.
January 30, 2020 at 1:16 am
RaeMcDonald
Hi Amber, I came across something tonight while reading through back emails. I have been following StoryStorm2020 this year, but I haven’t been participating like in past years. I noticed this post which I thought might be fun to share on the topic of revision. Of particular note is the screenshot of the number of revisions this author made on a manuscript. I am not familiar with this author’s work, but her computer files sure look familiar….many many drafts are sometimes the back story of a story. This picture doesn’t show her dates, but sometimes it helps to let a manuscript “sit” in our brains for awhile before we go at it again. In any case, this is a fun website to pick up little advice or inspiration tidbits from. StoryStorm happens every January with the daily of challenge of new ideas and daily guest posts. Tara Lazar is the author and creator of the StoryStorm project. https://taralazar.com/2020/01/24/storystorm-2020-day-24/
Hope to talk soon, Rae McD
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January 30, 2020 at 9:43 am
Mary Zychowicz
First of all, I love your name! I can relate nostalgia and holding dear the memories from the past. Thank you for the visual reminder of how much it takes to take an idea you’re drawn to, and meditate on and write and revise to make it the story you want to tell. This is such an encouraging post. I all too quickly dismiss ideas that come into my head instead of doing what you did. I wonder how many ideas I dismissed that may have developed into something. You have given me food for thought. Thank you for your post and best wishes on your writing journey.
January 30, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Anne Appert
I have a ms written based on something in my childhood that I could never quite get right. 3 years later, going through ideas on my phone, I realized I could combine it with another childhood memory to make the plot work! Sometimes, it’s hard to let stories grow, but it’s worth it. Thank you for your post!
January 30, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Joannie Duris
Thank you, Hope, for giving us a peek at your process, and showing how your stories evolved from initial ideas to stories that spoke from the heart. Your screen shots certainly reinforced the importance of revision, no matter how many times it takes to get the story just right.
January 30, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Jennifer Hunt
Nature sprouts some great ideas! Thanks for sharing yours.
January 30, 2020 at 7:08 pm
Maria J Cuesta
I would love to read your story! Thanks for the post!
January 30, 2020 at 9:03 pm
Gabriele
Thanks so much for sharing your creative process. Congrats on your upcoming releases!
January 30, 2020 at 11:48 pm
Angela Padron
Congrats on your upcoming release and thank you for your post.
January 31, 2020 at 1:14 am
gabriellecardwell
Thank Hope! Loved seeing the screenshot of all those drafts!
January 31, 2020 at 1:27 am
Dani Duck
SO MANY DRAFTS! You are so smart Hope. I need to start numbering my illustrations and stories. Final final, final new, and finished are not descriptive enough!
January 31, 2020 at 2:54 am
Brenda Grant Lower
I love the connection to real life, the way ideas grow and change, and the screen shot of the revisions! Holy cow!
January 31, 2020 at 3:00 am
Sylvia Chen
Wow, thanks for the inside view of all the revisions, very encouraging!
January 31, 2020 at 5:13 am
sharongiltrow
Wow thank you for giving me some perspective on this writing process :-). It takes time and patience.
January 31, 2020 at 8:45 am
Michele Helsel
I can’t wait to read about The Tree. And I love the photos. Your daughter is adorable.
January 31, 2020 at 9:30 am
Janet Smart
Congratulations on your book! And I love editing! thanks for the post.
January 31, 2020 at 12:35 pm
topangamaria
Thank you for revealing revision is not a dirty word.
January 31, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Shawna JC Tenney
I love seeing all your drafts, and seeing how okay it is to have many many revisions!
January 31, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Lucy Staugler
Hope, I love that you showed us all your revision files. So genuine and honest! Thank you! Your daughter is a cutie!
January 31, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Megan
Love this!
January 31, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Brenda Whitehead
Haha, my files look similar–it’s good to know it’s just part of the process, and not to let the fact that I’m revising for the 20th time deter me from keeping on keeping on. Thanks for sharing!
January 31, 2020 at 7:40 pm
Lynn Pedersen
Thanks for sharing your process!
January 31, 2020 at 8:38 pm
kmshelley
Thanks for the great ideas on revision!
January 31, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Maureen Tai
Your tenacity and self belief are inspirational. Thank you for showing so honestly your writing journey: it reminds me that good writing takes time and that I should persevere with ideas, even if they morph into something completely different by the end. I love that you have taken elements from your immigrant experience into your stories, I too have left my home country and hold fond memories of my home that I’d love to infuse in my writing.
January 31, 2020 at 10:22 pm
KASteed
Thanks for your perspective on first drafts.
January 31, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Mindy Alyse Weiss
Thanks for this inspiring post! I’m off to jot down another Storystorm idea, thanks to this. 🙂
February 1, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Laurel Ranveig Abell
Wonderful post! I really NEEDED to hear: take your time and enjoy the process. I’ve sensed some of that joy seeping out and that’s why! I’m trying too hard to Get-er-done! Thank you!
February 1, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Rebecca Fleishman
Thanks for the inspiration and intimate look in to what it takes.
February 1, 2020 at 5:24 pm
sheriradford
I appreciated the reminder to stay within the child’s voice.
February 1, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Johanna
Can’t wait to read all of your books. It must feel a little surreal to have so many back to back coming out in the next couple years.
February 3, 2020 at 2:27 am
Susan Cabael
I feel like all the revisions we make in PB manuscripts begin to have a life of their own and create a twisty journey that morphs into a stronger and stronger story with each iteration.
February 3, 2020 at 5:43 pm
rhumba20
Thank you for reminding us of how ultimately rewarding this process can be:)
Anna Levin
February 3, 2020 at 6:13 pm
michelebacon
Thank you for sharing your process. (And those screen shots! I love our job.)
February 3, 2020 at 9:38 pm
sarahmdm
Revision! Luckily, it’s one of my favorite parts. Like rock polishing without the noisy machine!
February 4, 2020 at 10:37 am
Susanne Whitehouse
Good to see I’m not the only one with a million revisions on their computer for one story. Thank you!
February 5, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Lucretia Schafroth
Your post resonated strongly with me, Hope. I can’t wait to read I AM A BIRD! For many years, I have worked intermittently on a manuscript that’s also about the fear of the unknown/ unfamiliar and perceived differences. In my story, the characters’ realization that their prejudices toward a stranger mask their ability to see similarities helps them learn acceptance, which becomes the basis of forming a new friendship. I’m still tweaking and revising to find just the right tone. Thanks for the reminder that revision is an integral part of the writing process–and sometimes it takes a while!!
February 5, 2020 at 10:04 pm
CindyC
Your screenshots are so helpful. Thanks for sharing.
February 16, 2020 at 1:05 pm
dinatowbin
Thanks for sharing how nature inspires you with us.