What is your book about? It’s probably the most asked question – second only to “Where can I buy it?” – of writers. But how often do your take your answer seriously? Can you sum up your story before the elevator door slams in your face? We hear a lot about pitches and one-sentence summaries… Read more »
The Writing Process
Is it November Yet? Prewriting for National Novel Writing Month
This past month, when I had three other writing projects going, a new story idea sprang to life. Not only that, it roared and flailed and gnashed until it forced me to jot down ideas – which I did, in submission, in a notebook. These scenes, bits of dialog, and possible themes continue to flow… Read more »
Totally Awesome Takeaways from Mary Kole’s Beginnings Workshop
Literary agent, Mary Kole, who specializes in children’s literature at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, recently completed her 5-part Novel Beginnings Workshop. Her thoughtful critiques of 5 submitted novel openers are brimming with tips on writing beginnings that hook your readers. Stop by her blog to read these detailed critiques AND to have a look… Read more »
Revising Beyond the Critique
Last week I brought a new picture book manuscript to my critique group. They loved it (YIPPEE!) with the exception of one minor detail – the opening line. Unanimously it “didn’t work” for them which is critique-speak for “we hated it and we didn’t know how to fix it.” My mission: Rewrite the opening line…. Read more »
Points From PB Peeks: What Happens Right Before Your Ending?
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned Allyn Johnston’s and Marla Frazee’s wise words about picture book endings. Yes, endings should disarm us. They must have a touch of mystery, a touch of magic and space for the reader to fill in or ponder. But let me offer this: Equally as important is what… Read more »
Writing Book Review: Second Sight
Second Sight: An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adultsby Cheryl B. Klein Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Asterisk Books (March 9, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0615420826 When I received the request to support Scholastic (Arthur A. Levine Books) editor, Cheryl Klein, in her endeavor to publish this book, I… Read more »
Writing the *Breakdown* Novel
I’m getting ready to read Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need in yet another attempt to understand novel structure. Then I’ll add it to my library of books that has had me trudging along The Hero’s Journey, climbing Freytag’s Triangle, breaking out in hives with my breakout novel, squeezing seven… Read more »
Writing Book Review: Between the Lines by Jessica Page Morrell
Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing by Jessica Page Morrell Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Writers Digest Books (April 25, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 158297392X Buy it here! I didn’t remember the subtitle of Jessica Page Morrell’s book until I looked at the cover again to write this review. I was ready… Read more »
The Necessary Work of Downtime
How many of you meditate? Take a daily walk? Go for a run without your iPod? If no downtime is built into your day, you may consider it too much of a luxury in an already over-scheduled life. But, in fact, practices like meditation or quiet walks are a necessary part of your writing work… Read more »
Write When You Least Expect It
I do very few things well under pressure. So when I sit down to work on a book, especially a novel, I usually make sure I’ve set aside a large block of time, giving myself a chance to get back into the story, set up achievable goals for words on the page and then actually… Read more »