Don’t Play it Safe in Picture Books

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.” And a similar notion holds true in picture book writing. We need a payoff in every page turn and often that payoff comes from an elevation of surprise or humor or emotion or trouble.

In a picture book story, the payoffs build if the story builds in some dramatic or emotional way – for example, if the picture book situation grows more and more outrageous or our main character gets into deeper and deeper trouble. But as writers, we have a tendency to play it safe in our stories.

Maybe it’s because when we take risks, the story starts feeling illogical in our adult minds. But we need to trust the fluid mind of a child to fill in that logic.

Maybe it’s because the story feels good as it is and we want kids to feel good. Well apart from bedtime books and concept books for the very young, we don’t want to put our reader/listeners to sleep either.

Maybe it’s because of our own writer’s fear of taking our main character to a point of no return. I have this trouble myself. I often ask, “If I keep raising the stakes, how will I get my character out of the trouble I’ve created?” Well, no one said this job was easy.

Let that be your challenge. Rocket your story to the highest level of hilarity, trouble or emotion. Take some risks with your writing. Your readers will be safely buckled in for a wild ride they’re sure to enjoy.

Posted & filed under Picture Book Peeks, The Writing Process, Tools for the Taking.

I Love Picture Books – Peek Week #10 – February 14th!

 It’s a Valentine’s Day Picture Book Peek Week
Free 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 or after February 14th will not be considered.

I’ll throw all titles into a hat and pick 1 for critique.
Keep in mind:

* Manuscripts must be 1000 words or less.

* I accept only fiction.

* Level of detail in the critique will vary based on my impression of the caliber of the writing.

* Please understand that I’m not an editor and will not be providing line-editing of your work. My critique will be comprised of suggestions for improving your manuscript. So please send me your most polished piece.

* The critique winner must e-mail me his/her manuscript as a Word attachment within 72 hours of the announcement . Manuscripts will be kept completely confidential. When I receive the manuscript, I’ll let the author know when they can expect my critique.

* As with any art form, likes and dislikes are entirely subjective. Please understand that my critiques are only one reader’s/writer’s opinion. It’s always wise to seek feedback from a few different readers. If my ideas resonate with you, they’re yours to use. If you disagree, I encourage you to compare my comments with those of other readers. But in the end, it’s your book. Stay true to your vision.

I look forward to reading your work.

Jean

“Jean’s critique played a direct role in getting me an agent. What more can I say? She’s an invaluable resource for kidlit writers.”
Tara Lazar, author of THE MONSTORE coming soon from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster 2013


Posted & filed under Pay it Forward Fridays, Picture Book Peeks, Tools for the Taking.

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 as I rewrite, relocate and restructure the chapters.

In some of my novels I title the chapters, but I hadn’t planned to in this one. Yet, for purposes of this exercise I thought it would further help me identify scenes more easily later on.

I’m realizing that when I’m forced to write a pithy title for each of my chapters, I’m creating a sound bite for a mini-story with a built in climax, cliff hanger and sequel. If I’m unable to focus the chapter title, it’s usually because my chapter strays too much from it’s purpose. If I can’t imagine a title, it’s perhaps because my chapter has no point or perhaps my scene has no internal climax. And finally, if my title is as dry as the description, perhaps the scene has no hook. When the title comes easily, I’m finding the scene has strength on its own.

I may keep the titles in the novel. I may not. But for now the exercise of titling is pointing me to chapters that need further work.

Give it a try!

Posted & filed under The Writing Process, Tools for the Taking.

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 nugget of wisdom for teens, I thought about what speed mentoring might look like for writers. As I mull over what I might consider my best writing sound bite, I’m wondering what yours would be.

So take a look at this “Minute Mentoring” video, then post your best snippet of writing advice in the comments below.

Posted & filed under School Visits, The Writing Process, Tools for the Taking.

MOCKINGBIRD and “Showing” Emotion

So I pulled MOCKINGBIRD from the shelf because I’d been aware but not completely in touch with the praise it’s received. I hadn’t read the reviews. I didn’t even know what it was about. I just knew that people – a lot of people – thought it was good – really good.

But I’m not always swept away by books that have other readers swooning. This time I was.

Kaitlin our MC – who admits to failing at “emotion” and is struggling with “finesse,” stuffed-animaled me into a deep aching and longing and she did it with such finesse, I only felt and felt deeply.

I was never told to feel. Because after all, that’s not what Kaitlin does. She repels being told what to feel and how she should feel and how others feel. And it’s her emotional vacuum juxtaposed with her family tragedy, her new friendships, her father’s anguish – and those surprising glimpses of her heart that took my heart to a place it’s never been before in a book.

This book took my heart and twisted it out of my chest and chewed it up and spat it out. And that’s a good thing. Because I think feeling is a gift – whether overly sensitive or insensitive or somewhere in between. I’m in awe of Erskine who took me there with only character, low action and unadorned dialog. And it proved to me that emotion is the heart of a truly great story.

Amazingly, Erskine took me there via a first person who was allowed only her dispassionate observations, conversations and actions. The story is a brilliant lesson in “show don’t tell.” Erskine so gets us to feel without telling us how to feel.

Have you read the book? How does Erskine do it? What other books have finessed you on an emotional journey with a delicate hand and high impact?

Posted & filed under Great Reads, The Writing Process.

Books Change Lives: LitWorld Holiday Book Drive


Just one book can change a life. Imagine what a difference that one book would make if it were put in the hands of a little girl or boy who had never before held a picture book, let alone had one for their very own.

You can make that possible through LitWorld’s annual Holiday Book Drive (Dec 1 to Dec 31.

LitWorld is a non-profit organization that advocates for global literacy. LitWorld believes stories are life-changing and sharing stories will create connections that have the power to change the world.

LitWorld works closely with teachers all over Liberia, providing professional development around reading and writing. We also provide schools with much needed books, supplies and school materials. Currently the ratio of children to books is 75:1. Our dream is to change that to 1:1!

The International Book Bank is an organization that has been delivering free books and educational materials to developing countries since 1987, with the goal of increasing literacy and advancing education.

As you may know, thousands of people were killed in Liberia’s 16-year civil war, leaving the nation in economic ruin. Many places are still without electricity and running water. Unemployment and illiteracy continue to be endemic. The country is attempting to rebuild and recover from this long and arduous war. A large part of this effort is rebuilding the educational system. In order for that to be successful they need an increased supply of books and materials.

Though Sierra Leone is well known for its diamond industry, it was ranked as the poorest country in the world in 1998. The dispute over the control of the diamond mines erupted in an 11-year civil war, which began in 1991 and ended in 2002. Sierra Leone faces the intense challenges of reconstruction, with poverty and unemployment leading the major issues. The Civil War deconstructed 1,270 schools, leaving 67% of children in 2001 without an education. Today, two thirds of the adult population in Sierra Leone are illiterate.

The book drive is simple. Donate children’s picture books, sending or bringing them to one of three drop-off points in New York. LitWorld, in partnership with The International Book Bank, will fill a 20ft container with the books (around 3,000 are needed) and ship them to Liberia and Sierra Leone. There, the books will be put straight into the hands of children (see picture above of LitWorld Ambassador Kimmie Weeks reading aloud from book donations). Some of these children will never have seen a picture book before; the majority are used to sharing what they do have: one book is shared among 75 children, on average.

WHERE TO MAIL OR BRING BOOKS – find out here!

CONNECT WITH LITWORLD!

litworld.org

facebook.com/litworld

twitter.com/litworldsays

Posted & filed under News to Use, Pay it Forward Fridays.

Perfect School Visits


I recently got back from two school visits in San Antonio, Texas. I spent Friday morning at Keystone School and the afternoon at St. Anthony School, just blocks away. Four presentations and a full day’s worth of activities later, I headed back to Denver tired but sad it was over. I found out, on this rewarding trip, that what makes for a perfect school visit has very little to do with me

So what made the visits so special?

1. Passionate, prepared librarians and teachers – who love kids, love reading and love to get kids excited about reading. Who create t-shirts and illustrated books with their classes, not to honor me the author, but to honor the books and find joyful connections to the words on the page. Who hold literary costume parades in which you’ll see the likes of Allie Finkle, Bunnicula or Miss Frizzle. Who make kids rabid for reading, book boosters as spirited as any Texas high school football fans. Who enthusiastically welcome everything an author offers – from teacher’s guides to bookmarks.

2. Great kids – from the tiny sweetheart who’s won 3 – you heard me 3 – regional writing competitions to the 4th grade certified whoopee cushion operator to the young graphic novelist, who was slightly embarrassed to tell me he likes to write “books like comics” and was so proud to hear that his work was part of a hip new genre.

3. Awesome support staff – like the tech teachers who made sure that my Power Point was loaded and ready to go and that the screen was perfectly placed. Or the custodial crew who mopped the cafeteria floor and stowed the cafeteria tables pronto so that the shared space was ready when my audience scampered in shortly after lunch.

4. Parents who care – who arranged a lovely meet and greet continental breakfast on the beautiful front porch – allowing me to meet the kids and their parents as they were dropped off at school. Who penned thoughtful personalizations that I added to my autographs – making their purchased books extra special. Who understand the importance of books in the lives of kids.

So today I’m sending my most heartfelt thank yous to Jeanette Vilagi at the Keystone School and Laurie Packard at St. Anthony School for putting together that perfect visit.

What do you think makes for a great author visit? Let’s chat about it.

Posted & filed under School Visits, Stops and Sightings.

When You Read This …


I just finished reading WHEN YOU REACH ME – winner of the 2010 John Newbery Medal and wow! I’m not always the biggest fan of story-within-a-story books, but by weaving bits of A WRINKLE IN TIME into the 1979 setting, Rebecca Stead hints at elements of time-travel without the book slipping fully into science fiction or fantasy. I truly loved this book. And while I didn’t see the ending coming – and I’m usually very good at predicting endings – it didn’t throw me either. It provided a completely satisfying surprise.

Posted & filed under Great Reads.

The Wheels on This Bus …

Ha ha ha. For some strange age-induced, hard-drive-overload, blocked-childhood reason, it never occurred to me that the title of my latest picture book is the repeating stanza of the song I sang to my kids endlessly. YIKES! Bus

Here’s the PM announcement:

Author of TOO PURPLEY! and TOO PICKLEY! Jean Reidy’s ALL THROUGH THE TOWN, with WHO IS DRIVING? illustrator Leo Timmers illustrating, giving a child’s-eye-view of community with a soothing rhythmic verse, again to Michelle Nagler at Bloomsbury Children’s, by Erin Murphy of Erin Murphy Literary Agency (world).

I’m so excited to be working with Michelle again. And while I know you’re all crazy busy – especially you NANOWRIMONITES – I’d love for you to check out the illustrator Leo Timmers at http://www.leotimmers.com/. Oh man, his driving critters crack me up.

So happy to be celebrating this latest sale with all of you!! Group Hug2

Jean

Posted & filed under Marketing Minutes, News to Use, Thoughts from my Books.