So often, as I critique picture book manuscripts, I’m drawn into a story that has a fabulous premise which as carried out is “nice.” But “nice” is usually not good enough for a picture book to be competitive in today’s market. In novel writing we talk about “raising the stakes” or “tension on every page.”… Read more »
Tools for the Taking
I Love Picture Books – Peek Week #10 – February 14th!
It’s a Valentine’s Day Picture Book Peek WeekFree critique of a selected picture book manuscript It begins February 14th! Here’s how it works: Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in the comment section of this blog post anytime (midnight to midnight Mountain Time) on February 14th. Titles submitted before… Read more »
Examine Your Scene Arcs with Chapter Titles
I’m currently revising my latest middle grade novel and going through the exercise of dropping the chapters into a spreadsheet with columns labeled for chapter numbers, chapter description, setting, and a column for each major character where I place an “x” if the character appears in the chapter. This helps me find scenes more easily… Read more »
Pay it Forward Friday: Minute Mentoring for Writers
Today I’m participating in a Speed Mentoring program at a local high school. I’m one of 30 mentors giving kids my best 3 minutes of advice, rotating through five groups of 10 kids each. So essentially I’ll be imparting “wisdom” on 50 kids. Wow! Talk about the weight of responsibility. But as I honed that… Read more »
Picture Book Peek: Critique and Copies for a Cause!!!
Bridget Zinn’s family and friends are stepping up again with another auction to help Bridget in her battle with cancer. My Thanksgiving Picture Book Peek Week will be a part of this auction. I’ll be donating one fiction picture book (up to 1000 words) manuscript critique as well as signed copies of TOO PURPLEY! and… Read more »
Pay it Forward Friday: Getting Over Your Perspective
I got a chance to share one of my favorite writing exercises on My Word Playground. If you haven’t visited Lynne Marie’s blog yet, check it out. It’s full of thoughtful prompts, exercises and general advice for children’s writers. While our lives and experiences provide inspiration for a playground full of stories, our perspective can… Read more »
It’s never too late for TOO PICKLEY!
Thanks to all who attended the TOO PICKLEY! PARTY!!But if you missed it OR you just want to keep on partying, the fun continues. Request autographed bookplates. Explore fun activities at home or school with the free TOO PICKLEY! TEACHER’S GUIDE. Solve the TOO PICKLEY! WORD SEARCH PUZZLE. Watch the wacky TOO PICKLEY! VIDEO featuring… Read more »
Next PB Peek and a Gift to my PB Writer Friends
Just when I thought life couldn’t get crazier, June hit like a Volkswagen of clowns. But not to worry. The end of July and beginning of August will bring not only my TOO PICKLEY! Party but also my next Picture Book Peek Week – a free critique contest for my fellow picture books writers. I… Read more »
Hail to the Hashtag!
I’ve been Twittering for a while. But as for it’s features, efficiencies and value, I’ve been sold on it slowly. TweetDeck satisfied my CPA column craving, allowing me to categorize and organize those I follow into a tidy format. That tool alone boosted my Twitter presence considerably. But hashtags were always a bit of a… Read more »
Just because the party’s over …
Even though the TOO PURPLEY! ONLINE LAUNCH PARTY ended a couple of weeks ago, you can still find plenty of freebies on my website at www.jeanreidy.com Free downloadable Teacher’s/Activities Guide which includes lots of activities for parents and kids too. Free introductory Skype visits. Free autographed bookplates, bookmarks and coloring pages. Free Picture Book Peeks… Read more »
My Books
