Sunday Post: Hope…The First Step to Success
Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is HOPE. To hope is to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true. Hope is the first step to success. It’s important to take other steps to make sure what you hope for will actually happen.
Many years ago, I hoped to write a book for parents and teachers. That was the first step and, in 2011, I went to Chicago for a book event at Lollie’s, one of the stores that sells that book.
This year, I hope to have some of my picture books published.
But hoping for this is only the first step. There are other steps that must be taken if I want to succeed.
One of those other steps involves Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge. Last month I submitted a picture book query for a special critique from author Emma Walton Hamilton. This month, as a Golden Book member, I was able to submit a full picture book manuscript, The Boots of Dylan McGee, to agent Stephen Fraser.
Another step I’ve taken towards realizing my hope of having my picture books published is to take Emma Walton Hamilton’s online picture book writing course, Just Write for Kids. I’m only on lesson four out of eight…but I’ve learned lots already.
Entering contests and writing challenges is another important step in making this hope become reality. Last month I sent a children’s story to the Highlights Fiction Contest. In addition, I entered Nancy Hatch’s Writer’s Desk Contest with a poem about why and where and how I write.
The seven finalists were announced yesterday…and yes, I am one of them!!!!
For those of you who might not have seen it:
I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM
A writing space by any name does serve me well.
By lamplight or with sunlight streaming
Ideas flourish while I’m dreaming.
From mind to pen words quickly teeming
Pages fill with stories beaming.
In quiet or with children screaming
Cluttered desk or table gleaming
I’ve found my heaven…not to write would be my hell.
If you would like to vote, you can go here. All of the entries are great…I am honored to be among them.
As parents, we also have to instill hope in our children…and then offer them opportunities to realize those hopes. If you have the time, please watch this video of Jarrett Krosocska’s TED talk on ‘How a boy became an artist’…it is inspirational and educational and Jarrett is an amazing speaker!
http://pinterest.com/pin/470274386059243757/
How can a parent instill hope in a child?
- Be a good role model…be hopeful about your own life
- Encourage your child to try new things…go to museums, read books, etc.
- Provide support when your child fails…but please allow your child to fail
- Allow your child to pursue his or her talents and gifts
- Spend positive time with your child
My book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking, is a wonderful resource for parents and teachers that build self-esteem, develops better literacy skills and creates a life-long parent-child bond. Isn’t that what we all hope for our children? It’s a one-stop book that provides quick and easy activities. Grab a copy! Engage your child, encourage creative expression and, most of all, have fun together!
Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?
http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/
Related articles
- Why spend time creating? :: How a boy became an artist (fibrofeist.com)
- Super Bowl Sunday: Including the Kids with Snacks and Stories (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
- http://africatoalgarve.blogspot.pt/2013/02/hope.html
- http://monahoward.com/2013/02/03/sunday-post-challenge-hope/
- http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/sunday-post-hope-blooms/
- http://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/weekly-photo-challenge-unique-sunday-post-hope/
- http://chikawithyeneyes.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/665/
- http://cyclingrandma.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3362&action=edit
- http://wp.me/p1pus6-FF
- http://ilargia64.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/sunday-post-challenge-hope/
- http://drieskewrites.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/sunday-post-hope/
- http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/sunday-post-hope/
- http://wp.me/s1ZuYK-hope
- Paula: my take
- http://collinesblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/hope-fulfilled/
- http://artifactsandfictions.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/hope/
- http://reenareigns.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/gods-will-maybe/
Posted on February 3, 2013, in creative writing, Parenting Tips, Sunday Post: Hope and tagged 12 x 12 in 2013 Picture Book Writing Challenge, a unique children's boutique, Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Hedlund, Lollie's, Nancy Hatch at Spirit Lights the Way, Picture book, Show Me How! Build Your Child's Self-Esteem Through Reading, Sunday Post, The Writer's Desk Contest. Bookmark the permalink. 37 Comments.
You are definitely taking the right/write steps. Here’s hoping!
Thank you, Beth…I think many of us are really stepping out of our comfort zones to make this happen.:)
I wish you all the best in your endeavours. I would love to read here on this space that your stories will be published
You and me both, Colline…thanks for your encouragement and good wishes.:)
I love that photo of you with Show Me How!
Conceive it, Believe It, Achieve it.
Best of luck in the vote and with making ALL your dreams come true.
With you on my cheering committee, Nancy…it has to happen!!!
Love the ‘conceive it…believe it…achieve it’ 
Very inspiring post once again Vivian ,Thanks for sharing my friend
Glad to contribute, Jake.:)
“Hope is a thing with feathers…” and so, so important to all we do! Sounds like you are off to a great start, Vivian – good luck with everything! – I HOPE you will see much success this year
Thanks, Susanna…I get a lot of encouragement from you and the PPBF crew.:)
I’ll make sure I vote for you, Vivian! I love your poem and your writing space looks a lot like mine!
Well, Milka…that was the straightened up version…it’s a big dining room table…and you only saw a small part of it.:) Thanks for the vote…glad you liked the poem.:)
Thanks for the link to my blog
You are so very welcome! Thanks for stopping by here.:)
Such wonderful things happening for you, Vivian, because you didn’t just hope you acted. Congratulations. Wonderful photo of you and the tips for instilling hope for children are excellent.
I am truly blessed, Tracy…most of all with amazing people who surround me…many of whom are ‘virtually’ surrounding me through my blogging and all of my other social media. Thank you for always being there to encourage me.
I hope I return the favor.:)
Nice post. I liked ‘ How can a parent instill hope in a child?’ very much.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Indira. I always try to use every opportunity to add simple tips for parents. Parenting is such a difficult task…sometimes a little tip is all it takes to make things smoother and easier, for parent and child. Empowering parents to believe in themselves and have confidence in their parenting skills is very important I think.
Yes Vivian sometimes a its a small thing which we overlook . Thanks for sharing.
Hope doesn’t get things done, but it can motivate us to take action – I’m impressed with the different steps you are actively doing to realize your dream. Best of luck with that…and your entry in Nancy’s contest. Congrats on being one of the final 7! (I like the rhyming/rhythm of your entry.)
Thanks so much, Janna! I am a rhyming fool.:) I cleaned out some boxes with old papers and found two poems I wrote when I was 9 years old…I even loved to rhyme way back then. Honestly, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done in my life…but right now, I’m in a state of bliss…also a state of craziness sometimes with all that I am trying to accomplish and be involved in…but a state of bliss nonetheless.:)
Woohoo! Voted, Vivian! Wish you the very best!
Thank you so very much, Richa…I appreciate it. Hope you enjoyed reading the entries.:)
Hope is the little white bird with an amount of strength to lift us up when we are down.
Love your quote, Erik! I will remember that…you are so right.:)
Congratulations, Vivian, and you’re certainly working hard to turn your hopes into reality. I’m sure it’ll happen. Well done, you.
Thanks, Jo. I’m having so much fun that, even though it is a lot of work, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.:)
I am sure it will all come your way Vivian…because with all your hard work you deserve no less
Thanks, Jo! We are all working hard…and hopefully enjoying what we are doing.:)
What a lovely post Vivian! Hope can be such a powerful thing and I love your tips for helping kids get that.
Thank you, Coleen…for stopping by and for the lovely comment.:)
Vivian, congratulations on being a finalist in the contest! I voted for you.
It’s a good year for hope!
Thanks so much, Carrie. The challenge was fun…and got me to write in a different style from my picture book norm.:) And thanks for voting…there were amazing entries among the seven finalists.:)
Wonderful and you look great.
Hahaha! Thanks for the kind words, Eliz.:)
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