Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Revealing ReFoReMo: Redux- Looking Back to Move Forward



This was my third year of meeting the ReFoReMo challenge, one that has changed for me every year. My debut year, I fretted about filling out forms and doing the challenge “correctly.” Last year I studied nonfiction texts and researched publishers. This year, ReFoReMo inspired me to write out of my comfort zone.


2015…I Was Green

Like most newbies, I was nervous about completing the challenge, finding mentor texts, and organizing my research. The question loomed…what am I supposed to do with this research anyway?  Here are my tips for neophytes:

  • If you can’t find specific texts, use other books by the author.
  • If you live in a remote area with limited library access, check Youtube for book trailers and read alouds with recording rights.
  • If you have ADD like I do, check the ReFoReMo research tools page for an easy-peasy graphic organizer that works for you.
  • If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel, ReFoReMo’s Facebook page includes a plethora of thematically organized files such as “Books in First Person,” “Texts with Bookish Themes.”

2016…A Leaner Machine

Ah, year two, and I knew much better what to do. I had my organizational tools from 2015 and customized the process to better fit my needs. In a serendipitous surprise, I noticed my reading log encompassed many Charlesbridge texts. I had a previously scheduled professional critique coming up with Charlesbridge editor Julie Bliven. Kismet!

This spurred me toward a serious study of biographies and narrative nonfiction covering 2012-2016. 


My story stack included these mentor texts:


I examined first and last lines, nonfiction structure, themes, language, and back matter for common elements that would inform my manuscript revision. I hoped to enhance my chances of making my biography a good fit for Charlesbridge.  My revision did garner some interest from Julie, and she complimented me on a strong, marketable topic and theme. ReFo fueled this successful step forward in my writing journey.

2017…Writing Queen

This year I read even more voraciously. I read books while eating breakfast; I consumed a steady diet of books that fed my desire to write. I binged on alphabet books, poetry, and classics like JAMBERRY. The urge to write new formats came from this year’s reading list. Several of my new drafts almost wrote themselves:

Reading made risky writing possible for me, and I can’t wait to see what happens during ReFoReMo 2018 in this great community that Carrie and Kirstine created for us all. We travel the “write” road together in a ReFoReMo world.

In another life, Kathy taught English and served as a K-12 school librarian. She writes humorous picture books, biographies, and stories that feature outlandish characters. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband Bob and silly Corgi, Wiley. You can check out her blog posts on the GROG blog and learn more about Kathy at http://www.kathyhalsey.com/.  

36 comments:

  1. Nice post.I like your writing style and language.I am a beginner in writing.I hope this will help me to write better.I found this blog articles are better than other blogs.Thank you so much for sharing this resources.

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    1. I am glad this helped you. Cheers to your writing.

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  2. Aha! I see you've gone from a green, leaner machine to a writing queen. Well done! Me? I can't decide whether I've gone from green to grizzled. Thanks for the tips, Kathy!

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    1. Not the case. YOU and I walk together on this writing path, Jilanne. We are "ever green." LOL

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  3. Great post, Kathy! How neat you were able to track these 3 years of Reforemo. I hope you hear good things about your new manuscripts!

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    1. Tina, thank you for stopping by! That one ms is being pesky.

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  4. Thanks Kathy! It was interesting and encouraging to see your progress as a ReFoReMo participant over the last 3 years. I was a newbie this year and I look forward to years to come. Thanks for the posts and resources!

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  5. Hi Elizabeth. You, too, will find you own personal way to use ReFo every year. Glad you are here with us!

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  6. Great post, Kathy! ReFoReMo can be so daunting! Until I realized it was about the journey, learning along the way, and pulling out those nuggets that would best move my writing forward, I felt almost paralyzed, too. You've inspired me to look at what I've accomplished through this process & how it can propel my writing even further in the years ahead.

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    1. Patricia, the stacks look intense, but we dive in and learn so much, especially w/friends like you along for the ride. Hugs. Write on!

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  7. Hi, Kathy! Thanks for sharing your reading/research/writing journey. I connect with many of the picture books Charlesbridge has published too.

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    1. HI, Manju. The are one of my very favorite publishers! some day, I envision being there.

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  8. Hello Critique Partber😊 Love that you always share your knowledge with us as we move on down that writing road❤️

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    1. Hi, dear CP. We make the journey lighter together. Ty, Janie.

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  9. Wonderful post, Kathy! Thanks for sharing your ReFoReMo journeys, what you learned, how you pushed yourself to advance, and the ways you continue to grow. Each one of us, no matter where we are on our writing road, can glean a nugget..or two...or three from your post.

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    1. Wow, TY, Anne. I like being in such a great learning community!

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  10. Hey Kathy, this is a really fun post. I enjoyed following along on your journey. Thanks.

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    1. Wow, I am glad if I made you smile. We keep reading and writing the ReFo way!

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  11. Thanks for sharing your journey and all the lessons learned, Kathy. ReFoReMo taught me the benefits of reading as a research tool as well as to never be done with my tbr pile. ;)

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    1. Joana, thank you for reading this post and joining me on our reading/writing adventure.

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  12. Thanks for a great post, Kathy! I love learning from what you learned!

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    1. I appreciate the opportunity to be here, thanks to you and Carrie. TY.

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  13. Thank you, Kathy. These are wonderful examples of how to make these mentor texts work for us.

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    1. Hey, David, we are stronger writers together! I appreciate you reading and commenting.

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  14. Inspiring post, Kathy! You've kept me on my toes this past year as we both journeyed down the writing path as friends and critique partners. May those mentor texts keep our Mojo flowing :)

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    1. That's right, Charlotte, 'cuz we are DA MOJO WOMEN. I am glad you helped me w/making this a stronger piece of writing.

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  15. Thanks for sharing your journey and growth with us, Kathy! ReFoReMo is about catering a research habit to suit personal writing needs and also seeing books through many perspectives to learn in new ways. This business is so subjective, but it is because of people like you that are willing to share that makes it all more understandable. Thanks again!

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    1. Carrie, this was a great opportunity! This community cares and shares. TY, again.

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  16. Lovely to learn about your ReFoReMo journey Kathy. Here's to moving forward together!

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  17. TY, Keila. Here's to our writing! Ohio writers rock!

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  18. Nice to see your growth over the three years. Way to go! ReFoReMo is a wonderful tool for us, isn't it? Oh, now I'm already dreaming of next year!

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    1. Angie, we learn from each other. TY for the comments.

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  19. Your showing your writing progress is encouraging. It's the small steps and effort that move us along. Inspiring!

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    1. If I inspired you or anyone, I'm thrilled. It is a journey of small steps before the big leap, right, Cassie?

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  20. Loved reading your post, Kathy! You are a writing Queen!! And I agree--love Charlesbridge's books!! Good luck to you!

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    1. Maria, you are always so encouraging to us pre-pub folks. TY for reading this.

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