1. I WON A CRITIQUE!!!
2. I have FIVE (and a half) picture book manuscripts that I’m totally mostly sorta happy with!
3. I’ve gleaned a ton of PB tips from Julie Hedlund and a slew of guest posters over at her blog!
4. I’ve found that I really can write a picture book draft in a day when it’s the last day of the month and I have to get it done in time to sign up for the monthly giveaway (see #1)!
5. Did I mention that I won that awesome critique from Debbie Diesen?
Ummmm…so it looks as if I’ve only made it halfway through the Top Ten List. But that’s okay. I’m only halfway through the 12 x 12 in ’12 challenge. When I finish the challenge in December, I’ll finish the Top Ten list, okay?
Besides, I’m a writer, y’all, not a freakin’ math genius.
P.S. You can zip over to Julie’s where a Halfway Blog Party’s going on all week. You’ll find a ton of bloggers with their own (possibly better than mine) reasons for doing the 12 x 12 in ’12!
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Congrats on the critique win! The 5.5 PB manuscripts deserves a cheer, too!
Aw, thanks, Suzanne. It’s the (sorta) manuscript that counts, right? 😉
LOL! You are so funny, Cathy! Congrats on the 5-1/2 PB ms and congrats on the critique. Looking forward to the rest of your top ten list. Happy halfway mark!
Thanks, Romelle, for the kind words! I’m sure I’ll come up with five more reasons by December. They may not be scathingly brilliant reasons, but…;-)
Can’t wait for the next 5 on the list – AND your next PB drafts! Thanks for being on board!
My pleasure, Julie! Having a blast!
I have to say I am really jealous that you won a critique from Debbie Diesen! Lucky you! I am happy for you. Any of us that are working toward this challenge realize all the work that each of our 12 x 12 buddies has put forth the last six months.
I look forward to the final 5 of your Top Ten!
I know–and she’s been SO nice! I’ll blog about the critique, though, if that’ll help you feel better. Maybe just a little bit? 😉
You’re are too funny Cathy! Congrats on winning a critique – that’s awesome!
I’m looking forward to reading your 5-10 reasons in December 🙂 Fun post!!!
Aw, thanks, Jennifer! I’m pretty stoked about that critique! And I’m looking forward to those reasons, too…;-)
Fun post! Love your funny headings on the side of your blog! Have u had your winning critique from Debbie yet?
Why, thanks, Tina–I spent an entire day coming up with those headings! 😉
Haven’t had the critique yet but yoiu can be sure I’ll share on the blog when I do!
Love the Top 10…err..top 5! Nice!
Good luck with your critique with Debbie Diesen!
Thanks, Eric! I’m a little math-dysfunctional but I’ll catch up later!
And that’s what I love so much about this creative bunch of 12×12’ers…each of these party posts is so different, reflecting the unique personality of its owner. 🙂
Congrats on the picture books written and the critique won. Best of luck and awesome writing for the second half of 2012!
Thanks, Vivian! I know exactly what you mean–I had a blast zipping around reading all the party posts! LOTS of creative 12 x 12’ers!
To be honest, I glean so much info as well as joy from reading comments on posts in general…I think it’s half the fun!
YEA! You have reached the half-way mark in 12x12in2012 PB Challenge and did you say something about winning an awesome critique? LOL! Congrats!
Oh, did I mention winning the critique? I don’t like to brag…;-)
(Thanks, Sheri!)
This needs to be a tattoo or a t-shirt or something – “I’m a writer, y’all, not a freakin’ math genius.” Or maybe a snarky version of a children’s picture book?! 🙂
Great work, Cathy! Congrats!
I vote for the T-shirt. Or maybe I’ll make a button for the blog. I’m always writing Top Ten Lists with 5 or 7 or 8…clearly I have a problem with numbers. 😉
(Thanks, Madeline!)
HA HA! Nice top ten list! 😉 I like your blog theme! 😉 😉
Thanks! I like squirrels, too. I’m not sure why…;-)
I love how you ended this post…leave us hanging and wanting more…lol…
Congrats on making it to the half way point…here’s to the next six months!
Thanks, Donna! I’m all about pulling those blog readers in–;-)
(And here’s to your next six mss, too!)
I agree– one of the best parts of this for me is that I realized it really doesn’t take THAT long for me to write a rough draft, as long as I have a solid idea. (And as long as it isn’t in rhyme, which takes me WAY longer.) Congrats on all your manuscripts!
Oy, rhyme! Just when you think you have it…you don’t have it. And yet, Carrie, how we love to write those rhymes!
Fantastic, funny post! And I’m all for a t-shirt or a button with that FANTASTIC saying on it, because it’s so true for me, as well “I’m a writer, y’all, not a freakin’ math genius!” That is perfect. So enjoyed your celebration of the Half-way Mark. Congratulations on your manuscripts and your critique! Yay you! Here’s to the next half of the year, may it be productive and inspirational!
Thanks so much, Beth! I’ve got my fingers crossed for a grand second half of the year! (Well, I have to uncross them to write, but you know what I mean.) 😉
I tried to leave this comment yesterday, but my laptop is still on vacation, apparently. Anyway, just wanted to tell you I’m really proud of you. Picture books are hard work and you’ve been doing an awesome job! Can’t wait to be able to buy one of your books and share them with the ones I love. 🙂
Aw, Deb. Now I’m gonna need a moment.
Okay, I’m good. And I can’t wait to be able to SELL one of those books! 😉
HA to being halfway finished with your top ten list…majorly clever:)
Congrats. How did your critique go?
Hi Cathy, congratulations on winning the critique!. Happy half way and good luck with the next six!
Way to go on the critique! And now you have all the other manuscripts to apply all you learned from that one! Keep going…
Congrats on winning the critique! I agree with your top 5! Happy Halfway! 🙂
I like number 4! Give it up for last-minute motivation! Wholehearted congrats at the halfway mark!
Congratulations on winning the critique! You have great reasons for enjoying the 12X12 (so far).
How wonderful that you won a critique! Maybe you can get a little more pumped up about it though. (just a suggestion) 😉
Yay! for your 5 1/2 manuscripts, which beats me by all of a half. Onward to the final six.
Congrats on the drafts and the critique. I wanted to comment before … the next six months fly by …. Happy writing. I’m enjoying your posts just not finding time to comment like I should. 🙂
So glad to have all y’all drop by–hope to get a blog visit in, soon as I get back from 4th vacay!
Cathy, congrats on 5.5….I was more like 5.12354…barely an idea one month, at midnight, as the clock chimed it’s fifth bell of twelve. Something about cows and amusement parks…just didn’t even make it to a draft. But I got 5 good ones…so I’m glad, and glad for you too.
I’ll be looking for the other 5 top tens…uhhhhh, does that compute?
Congratulations on winning the critique…that would keep me in the running, too! So glad you have kept up with us, and are learning new things from Julie’s posts. I’m thankful for the lot of you! Keep up the good work, Cathy…