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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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ReFoReMo Day 28: Where to Go from Here?

3/28/2016

144 Comments

 
​Yipppeeee! You made it!  Does that mean it’s time to stop reading picture books? No way!  You still intend to write, don’t you?  We hope you will carry your newly established writing and research habits into your daily writing routine. ReFoReMo has given you the chance to dig deeper into mentor texts and improve your writing skills.  

As you continue your mentor text journey,  Goodreads is an incredible resource where you can find the newest releases, write your own reviews, and read books your friends recommend.  You’ll also find many incredible picture book recommendations through other sources, including School Library Journal Lists, Matthew Winner’s Let’s Get Busy Podcast, ICL’s Mentor Text Monday, and of course, there is always our ReFoReMo facebook group!
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Although the challenge month is coming to an end, our blog will continue year round! We'll continue to support you once a week with featured authors, “THINK QUICK” interviews, and a monthly challenge where we will continue to look at different elements of mentor texts. We also invite you to share revelations by submitting to our Revealing ReFoReMo series. Submission guidelines can be found HERE. We can’t wait to highlight your experience on the ReFoReMo blog!
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ReFoReMo is moving to a new blog home. (Yay for fewer technical glitches!) To celebrate the transition, there will be an extra prize opportunity open to EVERYONE, whether you are registered for ReFoReMo or not!  Look for more information and the Rafflecopter tomorrow.

For now, take note of all that you have accomplished during ReFoReMo.  How many
books did you read?  Did you reach your personal and ReFoReMo goals of reading consistently?  Did you discover new things about your own writing or writing in general?  Do you understand how to use mentor texts better?  Did you find a new outlook on a book that you previously did not like?  Tomorrow is a day of celebration!  We’d love for you to share your accomplishments in the comment section of tomorrow’s post.  You will be able to claim your winner’s badge at that time, as well.

Happy Reading and Researching,

Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call
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Carrie Charley Brown is the founder and co-coordinator of ReFoReMo, or Reading for Research Month blog & challenge. She eats, sleeps, and breathes picture books as a writer, professional critique mentor, and contributor on various blogs such as Writer's Rumpus and the Institute of Children's Literature. Carrie contributed as a 2014/2015 CYBILS fiction picture book panelist and donates a large part of her time to SCBWI North Texas as the Regional Advisor. She also produceskidlit videos and provides marketing services for authors and kidlit organizations. She has taught pre-k, kindergarten, first, and third grades. You can follow her writing journey right here on this site.

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Kirsti Call reads, critiques and revises every day.  She is a member of various critique groups, and blogs for Writer's Rumpus, Children's Book Academy, and the Institute of Children's Literature.  As the published author of The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall and a homeschool mom, Kirsti coaches revision for children ages 5-18.  Her school visits involve interactive writing, singing, and of course, reading for research! Kirsti contributed as a 2015 CYBILS YA Fiction panelist and is proud to be the 2016 ReFoReMo co-coordinator. You can follow her journey at www.kirsticall.com.

144 Comments
Sue Ganz-Schmitt link
3/28/2016 04:23:47 am

Technically the 28th here in Dubai - This has been an amazing course for me. For a while I have been meaning to get in a pull a stack of picture books with a goal of pouring through 100 of them and learning what works and what doesn't. This month I read 168 books. More than I have in the last ten years! So this was a big win for me. The groupings of the mentor texts taught me a lot about using sparse text, leaving room for illustrations to have their own narrative, the many different ways that strong character voice can be used even where there is sparse text. It gave me both a birds eye view top down, and a worm's eye view - grounding your story and character. This has been amazing!! Thank you so very much for all your heart and time in putting this incredible month of learning together!

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Sue Ganz-Schmitt link
3/28/2016 05:45:10 am

*get in to the library and pull... (correction)

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Kirsti Call
3/28/2016 09:57:58 am

Yay Sue! So thrilled that you have read and researched so many books!

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Karla Valenti
3/28/2016 05:37:53 am

This has been an incredibly eye-opening and inspiring course. I've had so many a-ha moments and written two new mss based on things I learned through these mentor texts. I've also become a much more analytical reader (in PBs and other texts) and learned a great deal about techniques that I didn't know. Thank you so much for all of your work on this!

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/28/2016 08:17:03 pm

So happy to hear your revelations here, Karla! Congrats!

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Annette Bay Pimentel link
3/28/2016 06:02:54 am

Thanks for a great month of picture books!

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Lisa Connors link
3/28/2016 06:34:39 am

It's been a great month of reading and learning. I've been introduced to new picture books and seen old ones with new perspectives. Thanks so much; I know this hasn't been an easy project to manage!

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Kathy Halsey
3/28/2016 07:06:29 am

New habits, new learnings, new things to bring to my writing. YAY for ReFoReMo!

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Kirstine Call
3/28/2016 09:58:20 am

Yipppeeeee!

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Terri Degezelle link
3/28/2016 07:09:07 am

Read, read, read write, writer write.

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Donna Cangelosi link
3/28/2016 07:14:07 am

Thank you for a month of inspiring posts and wonderful mentor texts!

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Linda Chavez
3/28/2016 07:17:43 am

I'm so grateful for the support I've received through this challenge! And the support continues! Wow!

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Linda Schueler
3/28/2016 07:21:21 am

I concentrated on the use of sparse text, and it was very eye opening. Thanks for another great year.

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Stephanie Gray
3/28/2016 07:40:49 am

So many wonderful resources out there. Now just to find enough time in the day!

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Manju Howard
3/28/2016 07:45:53 am

Happy read write day!

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Sara Gentry
3/28/2016 08:05:53 am

While I may not check out as many PBs on library trips as I did this month, I will make it a habit to grab 5-10 every time I go.

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Sharon Giltrow
3/28/2016 08:08:23 am

Thanks Carrie and Kirsti for this great challenge my new motto is to write great picture books, you need to read great picture books and I have certainly done that this month :-).

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Jess Townes link
3/28/2016 08:13:20 am

I'm excited to see your new site! That's an undertaking for sure.

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Rebecca Colby
3/28/2016 08:13:58 am

What an amazing month! Thanks for putting it together, ladies!

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Janet Smart link
3/28/2016 08:14:10 am

It's been a great month of learning!

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Mary Worley
3/28/2016 08:30:20 am

Thank you! I know it's a lot of work to pull this together, but it's so helpful. I like that the list of books is a mix of old and new. It reminds me to revisit books with a writer's eye from time to time.

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Linda Thomas
3/28/2016 08:38:52 am

Thank you for the list of other resources! And I'm so happy that the blog will continue to share words of wisdom too!

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Amy Murrell
3/28/2016 08:41:59 am

This list of resources is helpful. Thanks! - Amy

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Sharon Putnam
3/28/2016 08:43:10 am

This has been a great month of reading, writing and learning. I’m a little behind in my reading as my tiny town library did not have all the books on the Reading List, but I am slowly working my way through the others through Interlibrary Loan

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Linda Carpenter link
3/28/2016 08:47:48 am

Thank you for an excellent month of learning and reading. There are books stacked everywhere!!! I am very grateful in my journey to develop this skill that this wonderful resource is available.
Great job!

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Rita Lorraine Hubbard link
3/28/2016 08:57:46 am

Wow, time goes by so fast. Thanks for the time and effort it took to pull this all together and share with the community. We really appreciate you. :)

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Robin Currie link
3/28/2016 08:57:49 am

I read 155 books and that inspired me to 5 new manuscripts! What a month! (Plus Holy Week....) 1000 thanks for all the encouragement.

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Kirstine Call
3/28/2016 10:49:18 am

Wow! That's incredible! Woo hoo!

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Donna L Martin link
3/28/2016 08:58:42 am

I usually read about 400 picture books a year...220 just during the summer to my camp kids...but now after going through this course I will look at them a little bit differently. Thanks, Carrie, for all you do for the writing community!

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Traci Bold link
3/28/2016 09:04:47 am

Today is catch up in the form of posting my reviews on Goodreads and Twitter for all of the books I read the past week but didn't have time to review. so this will be fun to go over those books again. :)

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Rosie Pova
3/28/2016 09:14:50 am

Reading, learning and writing. ..there are no shortcuts ;) keep going everyone and thank you all for your hard work!

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Angela Turner
3/28/2016 09:23:59 am

This year's ReFoReMo was better than ever. Like someone else mentioned , it has got to be a LOT of work to put it on. For that I thank you. I hope you realize how much you are helping so many writers.

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Chana Stiefel link
3/28/2016 09:26:27 am

Thanks so much ladies! Hard to quantify how much I gain from ReFoReMo...it's incredible! Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication putting all this together!

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Juliana Lee link
3/28/2016 09:28:29 am

Another awesome year Carrie. Hope the new site works out better for you. I'm sure you'll be sending us instructions to sign up soon.

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Carrie Charley Brown
3/28/2016 08:18:38 pm

Thanks, Juliana! Instructions will be in tomorrow's post! :)

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Anita Jones link
3/28/2016 09:31:44 am

I really didn't have a clear idea when I joined this group, what I was going to discover. Through all the mentor texts and reading lists that were suggested to support each particiular theme....I discovered much more than I ever expected too! I made connections; I needed to make those connections..

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Debbie McCue
3/28/2016 09:40:51 am

Remarkable month! There has been so much to excite my imagination, challenge me, and encourage my writing. Thanks for all your hard work with this project.

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Marlene Rohr link
3/28/2016 09:44:44 am

I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to participate in this challenge. Thanks to Carrie and Kirstine for all you did to make this happen. Last night I shared Locomotive and Eight Days with my husband, since I am sure he has been questioning my sudden fascination with all these PB's around our house. He was also impressed and realized the importance of these books in particular to readers of any age.

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Joy Main
3/28/2016 09:49:51 am

Thank you for a great month. I've realised that the critical thing I'm missing is a really consistent voice, so I'm going to spend the next few weeks doing lots of exercises on developing voice and trying out different voices and points of view. Looking forward to it!

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Vicki Reinhardt
3/28/2016 09:54:13 am

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the great and wonderful book suggestions, tips, and inspiration! I love your positive and cheery personality, too. I can't believe how fast this went by! Thanks again!

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Kirstine Call
3/28/2016 11:11:35 am

You're Welcome!

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Amanda Sincavage
3/28/2016 10:08:00 am

In addition to reading many new to me books, I definitely changed my perspective on some from deeper research and reading aloud. I was finally able to make a revision breakthrough with one of my MS and my local librarians think I have impeccable taste in books! Success!

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Shelley Kinder
3/28/2016 10:08:44 am

Thanks so much for organizing ReFoReMo...it's been a great month! I'm always reading lots of picture books, but this challenge has shown me the value of taking notes, as well. It has also got me thinking a lot more about sparse text and also about the possibility of writing non-fiction some day.

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Lisa Morgan
3/28/2016 10:09:56 am

Thank you!!! I have learned so much and appreciate all of the thought that went into each post. What an amazing experience!

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Holly Samson Hall
3/28/2016 10:24:51 am

I have learned so much! This challenge will definitely be the start of more reading for research. Thank you!

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joanne sher link
3/28/2016 10:32:36 am

This has been FABULOUS! Learned a ton - and still learning! Thanks so veru much, ladies!

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Angie Quantrell
3/28/2016 10:32:40 am

Oh, so sad our month is almost over! But I am very glad that we will continue to learn each week and month. Yay! My Goodreads picture book total is at 190, though I know a few were previous to March. Still waiting to pick up the last stash from the library. TODAY. And I was disappointed that several of the suggested books on the list were not available to me through our library system. Considering giving them a a copy of my list...the highlighted one that shows which ones I've read (and not read due to lack of copies in the system - and ask them to add them). : Thanks so much for the great month!

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Sherry Howard link
3/28/2016 10:32:50 am

Celebrate is your word today, and I celebrate this generous community. It's great to know that the community continues forward, and doesn't end when the month does!

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debra daugherty
3/28/2016 10:37:16 am

Thanks, Carrie and Kirsti, for all your dedication and hard work. This month seems to have flown by! It's time to take what I've learned and write my next great PB.

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Bethany Roberts link
3/28/2016 10:50:34 am

This is such a great challenge. I definitely learned to dig deeper in using mentor texts, and look forward to the year-long monthly challenges!

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Mary Jo Wagner
3/28/2016 10:54:32 am

I managed to read 50 of the books so I still have many to go!! But what an education I have already received. Such a fabulous exercise and, yes, challenge! Thanks for the opportunity and the support Carrie and Kirsti!

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JEN link
3/28/2016 11:08:48 am

Wahoo! It's been a great month! I found that some of the books that weren't available last year are now in my library system! So I got to read them this year!

(Am I abusing that exclamation point again?) ;)

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Lori Dubbin
3/28/2016 11:09:34 am

Thank you for a month of mentor texts that pushed me to read deeper, write sharper, and revise smarter!

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Melissa Stoller link
3/28/2016 11:21:37 am

What a fabulous month! Excited to follow ReFoReMo on the new blog home and to continue my journey with the support of this wonderful group! Thank you!!

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Karen Brady link
3/28/2016 11:25:54 am

It's been a great month of reading and learning! As an illustrator just beginning to write, I was also pleasantly surprised to discover many insights into the illustration side of children books as well--some directly through the posts, others from studying the mentor texts themselves. Good stuff!

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Sue Heavenrich
3/28/2016 11:31:57 am

I love reading picture books - at least a couple a day - they're like vitamins. My favorite habit (developed over a couple years of ReFoReMo) is to grab a couple picture books and mug of cocoa and climb under the quilt for "bedtime" stories - and leave a stack for "wake up in the morning" reading with coffee.

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Marianne Kuzujanakis link
3/28/2016 11:32:03 am

While my PB-related writing was limited this month (too many other writing time conflicts), I so enjoyed this year's mentor posts and PB recommendations. Doing tons of reading!

Thanks to everyone involved!!

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Laura Purdie Salas link
3/28/2016 11:33:23 am

So lovely to immerse myself in pbs this month. Thank you, ReFoReMo team!

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Elizabeth Duncan link
3/28/2016 11:51:41 am

Thanks for an enlightening month!

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Charlotte Dixon
3/28/2016 12:02:00 pm

Carrie and Kirsti, this has been a great month for me. I've read and completed the tool template for each read. By doing this, I have discovered new ways to write my mss, to discard bad ideas, and to keep working on my weaknesses. Thank you both for a terrific month!

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Therese Nagi
3/28/2016 12:05:03 pm

Thanks to the ReFoReMo team for a productive month of reading picture books.

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Natalie Rompella link
3/28/2016 12:14:40 pm

This has been wonderful--thanks!

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Sheri Radovich
3/28/2016 12:15:43 pm

Thank you for exposing me to so many new titles and non-fiction choices. Even with today's post missing, I enjoyed the Facebook group as well.

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Angela De Groot
3/28/2016 12:16:28 pm

Charley and Kristi, and all the educators, thanks so much for putting this together - it's been fun and very helpful. Lots to digest and apply.

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Gabrielle Snyder link
3/28/2016 01:07:04 pm

Thanks, Carrie and Kirsti, for all your hard work pulling together this fantastic month of learning for us!

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Tracey Brown
3/28/2016 01:12:30 pm

This has been such a great month! I'm so happy that I joined this community - it allowed me the opportunity to look at picture books in a whole new way...a multitude of new ways, actually! Thank you!

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Andrea Mack link
3/28/2016 01:16:33 pm

Thank you so much for putting this together. So glad I found this!

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Mona Pease
3/28/2016 01:23:18 pm

Thanks again for all you've shared this month. I'm looking at every book with a critiquer's eye now!

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Linda Hofke
3/28/2016 01:45:37 pm

I read more books this month than I did all of last year!!!

Thank you.

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Heather Pierce Stigall link
3/28/2016 01:46:53 pm

I'm continuing with my good habits! I just picked up another new pile of books at the library this morning.

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Heidi Yates
3/28/2016 01:48:48 pm

Thank you for a wonderful month of research & reading Carrie and Kirsti. :)

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Susan Deo
3/28/2016 01:59:20 pm

It's been a great month of learning. Thanks so much for all the work and inspiration you put into ReFoReMo. Our librarians are happy they have most of the books and I gave them the link to the list so they can add those they don't have! I'm working my way through a few more I have on hold and have copied a few of my favorite texts that I don't own into word documents with page layout notes so I can study and study them. And, I got to share my faves with my granddaughter. Seeing her reaction to various ones was an education in itself!

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Susan Zonca
3/28/2016 02:03:42 pm

Thanks to our amazing library system I was able to enjoy reading almost all of the recommended books, plus additional ones recommended throughout our month. I was delighted to find some new favorites. I was challenged to open my mind to learn from ANY book, and I am thankful for all the wonderful posts to assist on the journey. Time for a writing retreat. :-)

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Darlene link
3/28/2016 02:04:20 pm

This was my first year of participation. I learned so much in the form of tips, reference mentor texts and advice from both published and aspiring writers. Thank you.

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Ali Bovis
3/28/2016 02:05:29 pm

Thanks so much for an amazing month of reading and learning!! Can't wait to see the new site!

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Mary Warth
3/28/2016 02:25:22 pm

Thanks so much for an amazing, supportive month!

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Anita Banks
3/28/2016 02:54:16 pm

WooHoo! another great month!

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Michele Manning
3/28/2016 03:00:48 pm

Thanks!

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Jennifer Cole Judd link
3/28/2016 03:06:54 pm

Wonderful work! And can't wait to see your new site! Hoping you gals get some R&R. I have loved reading all of the wonderful mentor texts this month!

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Lynn Davidson link
3/28/2016 03:12:07 pm

This has been an education for me that I didn't expect. I'm glad I decided to take on this challenge; although it set me back in other things it was worth it. I was able to get most of the recommended books from our library and hope in time they will have many of the ones not in their system right now. I read 85 and more books are on hold for me and coming in later. Thank you for refreshing my love of picture books.

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Suzy Leopold
3/28/2016 03:22:52 pm

The Second Annual ReFoReMo is coming to an end way too quickly. Thank you for all of your efforts, amazing posts and resources as you shared your love of reading and writing with all, Carrie, Kirsti, and Janie, too.

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Laura Renauld
3/28/2016 03:25:33 pm

ReFoReMo has been fabulous. Thank you, ladies!

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Jena Benton
3/28/2016 03:37:03 pm

Thank you so much for all you have done to help pull this together. It has been a wonderful experience!

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Judy Cooper link
3/28/2016 04:04:32 pm

ReFoReMo has expanded my "mental" world. Thank you.

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Kristi Veitenheimer link
3/28/2016 04:26:23 pm

ReFoReMe 2016 has been fabulous!

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Tanya Konerman link
3/28/2016 04:32:36 pm

Another great ReFoReMo! Thanks for putting together such a great lineup once again!

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Sydney O'Neill
3/28/2016 04:58:16 pm

Thank you, Carrie and Kristi, for all the work you put into this. It's been a great month for researching PBs.

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Mary Boehmer
3/28/2016 05:25:36 pm

Thank you for providing such an amazing opportunity to research, stretch my writing comfort zone, and read and share with so many new friends! This was new to me and now I don't want it to end!! Happy Reading!

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Trine
3/28/2016 05:31:53 pm

I have enjoyed every book, every post, every week balancing a stack of library books to my car, and especially my quiet "Trine Time" where I savored ReFoReMo 2016. Thanks to all of you!

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Katelyn Aronson
3/28/2016 05:33:34 pm

It's hard to keep up on the American book market living in Europe. Most of the time I feel extremely out of the loop. Thanks to ReFoReMo, I was able to catch up on a lot of recent, wonderful titles I'd been missing out on! Staying relevant to the current market/culture is crucial for writing something sellable. Grateful for this month-long exercise!

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Lynn Alpert link
3/28/2016 05:42:57 pm

Thanks for the great event! It's a great warm up to RhyPiBoMo!

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Jaclyn Kruzie link
3/28/2016 05:59:35 pm

Thank you for all your hard work! I have really enjoyed ReFoReMo and learned so much. I found inspiration for more stories and got to read a whole lot of picture books!

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Cathy Mealey
3/28/2016 06:09:28 pm

Happy read- write-think day!

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Celeste Gerard
3/28/2016 06:55:03 pm

This has been an eye opening learning experience for me. Thank you!

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Rachel Hamby link
3/28/2016 06:58:44 pm

Thanks! Look forward to meeting you in person at SCBWI con this summer, Carrie.

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Noelle McBride
3/28/2016 07:10:21 pm

This has been a fabulous month! I met all my goals, and some goals that I didn't realize I HAD! Thank you again for guiding, encouraging, and celebrating with us!

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Jilanne Hoffmann
3/28/2016 07:15:49 pm

So much reading and studying! It's been a whirl of time! Thanks to all the fantastic people who contributed posts!

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Susie Sawyer link
3/28/2016 07:20:31 pm

Thank you so much, Carrie and Kirsti!! This has been a fabulous experience and was just what I needed! I fell a little behind, but I'm planning to catch up tonight.

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Natalie Lynn Tanner
3/28/2016 07:27:38 pm

Carrie and Kristi: I TRULY appreciate the questions you always pose at the end of your posts. They really help me dig deeper within myself to see what I have learned, what I still need to learn, and where to go from here. THANK YOU for the "PULL" and INSPIRATION to keep researching and writing!!! It's SO WONDERFUL to know we're not alone in our efforts, but part of a supportive community of writers, illustrators, and researchers. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

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Lydia Lukidis link
3/28/2016 07:53:03 pm

I am so happy to have had this experience, and I feel privileged by the depth of thought and information. Thank-you!!!

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Brenda Huante
3/28/2016 08:00:09 pm

Thank you so much. It's been educational and lots of fun!

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Charlene Steadman
3/28/2016 08:54:51 pm

I will certainly recommend ReFoReMo to anyone who is working on writing!! Great information and opportunities to grow as writers.

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Beverly Marsh
3/28/2016 09:02:51 pm

Thanks for the links you included in today's post -- great resources!

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Denise Engle
3/28/2016 09:59:15 pm

I can't believe it! I did read over 100 mentor texts....fabulous and yummy books!!!

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Martin Segal link
3/28/2016 10:47:59 pm

Thank you for such an amazing and educational month! Good luck with the move to the new site!

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DeLeon
3/28/2016 10:57:57 pm

Thanks Carrie and Kirsti! This is just the beginning of my research journey. I have learned so much from reading the posts and the mentor texts of incredible authors. Now I must create a list of goals I want to achieve in my own writing and start digging for hidden treasures in books that will inspire and hopefully make me the author I want to be. I also learned that classifications are not limited to just a few themes. The possibilities are endless and we just have to keep digging and sorting ;-)

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Emily Johnsen
3/29/2016 12:03:48 am

Thank you so very much, Carrie and Kirsti!

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Lori Gravley link
3/29/2016 12:51:04 am

I had already committed to 1,000 picture books this year, but I added nearly 200 titles to my list this month. It was wonderful to be with a group of people who were reading and thinking about picture books. I wrote two PB drafts this month and I may well write another one before we're done. Thank you, Carrie and Kristi!

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Ashley Bankhead
3/29/2016 01:34:52 am

I have learned and read so much. Mentor texts are truly an amazing way to grow in this craft. Thanks for the challenge.

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Claire Noland link
3/29/2016 01:57:42 am

Great books, thoughtful posts, inspiration.. everything about ReFoReMo has been "just right!"

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Shelley Marshall
3/29/2016 03:53:13 am

What an awesome duo you two are. Thank you sincerely for the diligent and heartfelt efforts you have put into this experience. Imagine all the books that all the participants read in the last few weeks. Imagine all the meaningful learning occurring simultaneously around the world. Wowie Zowie, I'd say that's momentous and you orchestrated that. A huge thank you to the team of wonderful presenters with their concise words of wisdom with terrific book samples to accompany their topic. I loved this experience and have surely established a new PB reading habit. THANK YOU!

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Mike Karg link
3/29/2016 07:06:35 am

I love discovering classics I never knew existed!

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Lucky Jo Boscarino
3/29/2016 07:08:02 am

Done!

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Nancy Rimar
3/29/2016 07:49:00 am

Thanks, Carrie and Kirsti

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Virginia Law Manning link
3/29/2016 08:02:47 am

What a wonderful program! I loved the blog posts and suggested reading lists. This program got me hooked on Goodreads as well! I love that tool and haven't even explored all it's functions yet. Thank you, Carrie and Kirsti!

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Melanie Ellsworth
3/29/2016 08:31:38 am

I've read many of the books on the reading list with a focus on how text and illustrations complement each other. This month's work will help me cut back on my text and leave more breathing space for illustrations. Many thanks, Carrie and Kirsti, guest posters, and fellow participants!

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Christine Rodenbour
3/29/2016 09:35:25 am

An eye-opening month!

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Sue Poduska
3/29/2016 09:41:00 am

Thanks so much, ReFoReMo team!

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Joana Pastro
3/29/2016 10:03:13 am

I had so much fun I'll be checking out ReFoReMo 15 as soon as I can.
All your resource tips are noted! Thanks.

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Eleanor Rubin link
3/29/2016 10:55:42 am

Much to think about and much of great value. Thank you for a month of provocative thoughts and suggestions.

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Suzanne Poulter Harris
3/29/2016 11:55:52 am

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful list of mentor texts and helpful blogs. I'm still catching up from Spring break ... but enjoying every minute.

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maria gianferrari link
3/29/2016 11:58:14 am

Thanks for everything, Carrie & Kirsti!!

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Carol Cole link
3/29/2016 12:56:27 pm

I'm glad you're switching blogs because I never got this email yesterday. This has been a fantastic month. I've read over 100 picture books & learned some very valuable insights into current books as well as how to improve my own stories. Thank you & looking forward to this again next year.

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Lenne' Musarra
3/29/2016 02:46:46 pm

My PB total for the month is 106 with more on hold at the library to be picked up today. Yes, I'll keep going. I love walking down the aisles and letting titles, book covers and jackets, and authors speak to me, "Read Me". There's always a surprise inside. Book mentors inspire me to keep going on my own writing. Rereading books is essential. My writing needs more dice throwing: humor, play and frolicking. Thank you so much for ReFoReMo! It's been a wonderful month!

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Melissa Rutigliano
3/29/2016 02:48:29 pm

I've learned so much this month; basic writing criteria in PB, voice, structure, story arcs, how to make the reader care, how to use mentor texts, etc. etc. I'm so proud of all I've accomplished in only 28 days! Thanks to Reforemo.

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Myrna Foster
3/29/2016 02:58:34 pm

Thanks for putting this together again! It's fun (and eye-opening) to read a large number of PBs in a short amount of time. I just picked up another 19 from the library yesterday, so I'll be reading into next month as well.

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Lauri Meyers
3/29/2016 02:59:32 pm

Thank you Kirsti and Carrie for another fun and educational year!

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Val M
3/29/2016 04:00:18 pm

Thanks for all the information and books-to-read/re-read suggestions!

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Dina Ticas
3/29/2016 08:16:46 pm

How to put into words what this challenge has done for me?! It would take an multi page essay. ;) thank you all!

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Dina Ticas
3/29/2016 11:23:58 pm

Again, not sure if my comment went through because of spotty coverage but here goes...sorry if I repeat myself.

I can not thank you all enough for the experience. I could write a multipage essay on how incredibly rewarding this month has been. I've had many plates spinning (out of control perhaps), but it's been worth it. I have so many tools in my tool bag because of all that I learned by way of experts and more experienced writers. Thank you!

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Anna Forrester link
3/29/2016 11:51:34 pm

Thank you!

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Claire Noland link
3/30/2016 01:51:28 am

It has been so wonderful to read so many mentor texts. I actually typed up a number of them so that I could study them in more detail.

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Lotus Ivak
3/30/2016 07:01:49 am

Thank you thank you thank you SOOO much!

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Kimberly Marcus link
3/30/2016 08:09:15 am

Thanks for the additional resources. I'm a Goodreads member but have not utilized it fully so this will give me the push I need. Can't wait to see what's next! All the best!!

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L. Michelle Quraishi link
3/30/2016 10:05:10 am

Thank you so much for this wonderful month! A few library holds are still straggling in and will be little bursts of post-ReFoReMo goodness when they arrive.

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Karen Bell
3/30/2016 10:13:13 am

The research will continue! I am looking forward to following you through the coming year and participating again in 2017! I plan to go back to each of the posts and do some research on each of the contributors to learn more from their experiences and the work that they have done.

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Lauren Kerstein link
3/30/2016 10:41:18 am

Thank you for the Goodreads recommendations! I have truly enjoyed this month!

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sue twiggs
3/30/2016 02:40:23 pm

Wow! so much to integrate. I think I'll use April and May to let all I"ve learned sink in.thanks.

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Brook Gideon link
3/30/2016 06:06:14 pm

Thanks for the great links to find more books!

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Christie Allred link
3/30/2016 06:14:53 pm

I think ReFo went well despite all the tech difficulties. Way to go :)

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Ann Magee
3/30/2016 07:50:53 pm

I love searching out new picture books and reading and rereading them. The helpful websites you've provided will keep me going for sure!

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Kelly Rice Schmitt
3/30/2016 10:40:39 pm

I just returned 75 books to the library and I still have stacks left at home with my favorites. What a fabulous month of learning! I learned how to better think about mentor texts. It's so much more beyond rhyme, publisher or author studies. Thank you!

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Lisa Williams
3/30/2016 11:26:53 pm

Thanks for the reading resources!

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Kristen Browning
3/31/2016 11:25:13 am

I got behind early in the challenge and am catching up on the last day here (of the month, not of the challenge!) I will tally my books for the next post. I did end up liking some books more on the second reading. I definitely got a couple ideas of formats to try on current and future manuscripts. Thanks

Reply



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    Picture
    Illustration by Lori Nawyn

    ReFoReMo

    March 1-31
    The ReFoReMo Challenge, or Reading for Research Month Challenge, was developed to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching picture books.  Challenge registration opens February 15.  To find out more or to subscribe to the Reading for Research Blog for weekly posts year round, visit our new exclusive site at www.reforemo.com.

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    Carrie Charley Brown, Founder & Coordinator
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