Novel revision doesn’t seem quite so formidable when it’s tackled one issue at a time, one character at a time, one chapter at a time. So today I pulled one problem chapter out of my binder – a mere four pages, versus the whole 185-page heap – and worked on that. Sometimes you have to… Read more »
… and the main character comes to a realization of what he/she must do to move forward. It’s called the epiphany. In movies we have all the special effects and scenery in the world to keep them interesting. The main character might be on a mountaintop thinking. Or off in a canoe. Or swinging on… Read more »
Sometimes the freshest eyes are those of readers who don’t also write. And without minds muddied by picture book writing rules or market madness, Average Mike (nicknamed after my husband who sometimes fills this role) readers can offer a quick, clear assessment of where your story works or doesn’t. With just one read under their… Read more »
If you’re a picture book writer, during Picture Book Month inspiration abounds via challenges like Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo. But at some point you have to actually write the books. How about one per month? I learn volumes about the art of picture book writing every time I sit down to write a new picture book…. Read more »
For anyone who is a follower of my blog, I’d like to redirect you to one of my favorite blogs:BIBLIO LINKS The sole purpose of school librarian and children’s author, Natalie Dias Lorenzi’s Biblio Links is to match kids with books they might likely love and teachers to books they can use in the classroom…. Read more »
Every once in a while, one of my editors throws me a bone. Not just any old bone, but a big beautiful “our kids’ list needs a book about ‘community’” hambone. When that happens, all other Milk-Bones – I mean, ideas, are pushed aside and I chase after that hambone idea with the gusto of… Read more »
WriteOnCon begins today. If you’re a kidlit writer, editors, agents, and authors are lined up to help YOU! From the WriteOnCon website: WriteOnCon is a FREE Online Children’s Writers Conference (rated MC-18, for Main Characters under 18 only) created by writers, for writers. Attendees don’t need to take time off work, travel, or spend a… Read more »
Think about your favorite picture books. Lyrical text. Gorgeous or whimsical art. Endings that make you smile, sigh or shriek with delight. And something else – satisfaction. A satisfaction that makes you want to read them again and again and again. But a brilliant rhythm won’t guarantee satisfaction. Nor will page after page of laugh-out-loud… Read more »
Your story sings when your secondary character (SC) is on the scene. Your plot comes alive when your SC is around.Your readers beg to see more of your SC. Uh oh! SCs create conflict, throw out obstacles and cause trouble. Or they may offer loving support, friendship and wisdom. They poke at our main characters… Read more »
“Novels offer us not just a map of the human mind but a way to understand how the individual human mind interacts with the world outside.” For your Friday enjoyment and thought. How has technology changed plot and theme? How can we have “distance and delay” in a story when we are so connected.? Chime… Read more »
