WRITERLY WISDOM

WRITERLY WISDOM: Marsha Diane Arnold

Donna L

 

character.jpg

 

Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers.  When I was rereading Marsha’s post today, I considered leaving out the first couple of paragraphs because it referred to an event from five years ago, but I decided to leave it in because it helped tie everything together into a very lovely post…

 

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CHARACTERS – THEY’RE ALL AROUND US
by Marsha Diane Arnold

 
Last week, Donna emailed me a sweet reminder that my promised blog post on character-driven picture books was close to overdue. To my horror, my reminder had fallen off my calendar! Things do fall off calendars you know, even if the calendar is an Apple iCal, maybe especially if it’s an Apple iCal. Donna kindly rearranged things to give me more time, but I felt very ditzy, a little like Lucille Ball. Most folks don’t see me as a Lucille Ball type; only my husband knows the truth.

As my new deadline approached, I realized this week is my busiest in a long time. A dark blogging despair came over me. But as I hurry-scurried, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel…because characters are all around us.

Take that faint resemblance between my sometimes zany self and Lucille Ball. Lucille Ball was one of the funniest comediennes of all time as well as a pin-up model and a studio executive, when that just didn’t happen for women. A truly unique character. Check out some I Love Lucy clips and you might get ideas for funny characters and situations. At the least they’ll put you in a good mood for more writing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQVH_MVN8mI

I didn’t get to my blog on Thursday either. From 9 AM to 8 PM I was in the neighboring county, keeping appointments and doing errands. I stopped by my husband’s retail store to talk to him about a few matters, only for 10 or 15 minutes. What did I find? Characters surrounding me!

There was Marilyn, owner of the bicycle shop next door. She’s founder and director of a group that recycles old bicycles (pun intended) and organizes mountain bike outings for disadvantaged kids…http://www.tripsforkids.org/our-story/

There was Liz, whose father had been a customer of my husband’s for over 15 years. My husband shared that Liz’s father was a gentleman, in the old sense of the word – a man who gives respect to others and so receives it back. He’d smile a big smile every time anyone entered the room. My husband says you may not remember what people say to you, but you will always remember how they make you feel. Liz’s father made everyone feel special.

And most memorable of all was Mr. Kaufman, 96 years old, standing tall with a head of white hair and sharp as a whip. Mr. Kaufman had worked for ABC as an on-air personality and producer for many years. He assisted in getting Nat King Cole his first record deal. And he was a glider pilot in WW II.

All these folks came into my life and left again in under 15 minutes!

But I might not have heard any of their stories if it wasn’t for my husband. Whenever anyone comes into his store, he asks them about themselves. He wants to know their story. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have met these fine folks. Indeed, this was 96-year-old Mr. Kaufman’s first visit to my husband’s store. We had a lovely conversation, because my husband started it.

Editors praise writers whose characters are relatable to kids. But remember that if your character is interesting, if he/she makes you curious, then you’re touching one of man’s deepest and strongest traits: curiosity and interest about another person. After all, what you really want is for your reader to be curious about your character.

Yes, there were stories waiting in my husband’s store. Character-driven stories. Stories to make a child curious. A story about a kid who takes a trip into the mountains on a bicycle. A story of a character who respects you and makes you feel special. A story of a hang glider pilot from WW II. A story of a man who always asks, “What’s your story?”

 
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Marsha Diane Arnold is a multi-award winning children’s author. She’s originally from Kansas and so like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz that you wouldn’t believe it. Her book The Bravest of Us All, which centers around a storm cellar, tells only part of the story. She now lives in the California countryside with her husband, two cats, deer, fox, owls, wild turkeys, and many more fabulous creatures, including the ones in her imagination.

The media has called Marsha a “born storyteller.” After writing an award-winning column for 10 years, her first book, the multi-award winning Heart of a Tiger was published in 1995. You can learn about all her picture books, her ebook, her Prancing Dancing Lily app. and more at www.marshadianearnold.com. Her other books include The Bravest of Us All, The Chicken Salad Club, The Pumpkin Runner, and Roar of a Snore.

You can find her Writing Character-Driven Picture Book course at http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-character-driven-stories.html

WRITERLY WISDOM: Monica Kulling

Donna L

 

talk

 
Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is about writing dialogue in such a way that readers are drawn into the story…

 

Talk To Me!
by Monica Kulling

 

“I write description in longhand because that’s hardest for me and you’re closer to the paper when you work by hand, but I use the typewriter for dialogue because people speak like a typewriter works.”
— Ernest Hemingway

Writing story dialogue sounds like it ought to be easy, right? After all, conversation surrounds us, all day long. We might think we know everything there is to know about putting words into a character’s mouth, but it’s helpful to keep in mind a few tips in order to add that extra sparkle.

Story dialogue needs to be doing many things at once, which can sometimes be a challenge to pull off. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind. Conveniently, these all happen to begin with the letter “D.”

Distinguish characters:

 

Each of your characters must have a distinct way of speaking not only so that the reader can tell each one apart, but also so that the character’s personality can be revealed as the narrative unfolds. Each character has something that is most important to him or her and this is revealed in well-crafted dialogue.

Determine emotion:

 

Write your dialogue so that the reader knows exactly what your characters are feeling and what’s important to them. Good story dialogue pays attention to the flow and of the words. Dialogue that expresses the sadness felt by a character is markedly different from dialogue that expresses exuberance.

Drive the story forward:

 

Dialogue should be purposeful. It should set the scene, give insight into characterization, advance action, and foreshadow events around the corner. Do not use dialogue simply to convey information. It must move the narrative forward. Writers listen with hearts and minds to their characters’ interactions, and this becomes the backbone of any story we are writing.

Dynamic:

 

Your dialogue ought to sound like an actual conversation, but with the boring bits removed!

Delightful:

 

Write dialogue that not only accomplishes all the above but is also full of life and fun to read. This is possible by giving each character his or her own particular way of expression—his or her own dialogue notes, if you will. Like the color of a character’s hair, the way each character speaks, the idioms he or she uses, reveals something about your characters that description alone can’t cover.

I am by no means an expert on this subject but I have always enjoyed listening to and reading good dialogue. To get a better feel for this element of writing, go to the theatre and see lots of plays. A beautifully written play uses dialogue efficiently, majestically, and impressively. The ring of the words can be heard in your head long after the curtain falls.

 

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Monica Kulling is the author of numerous books for children. Her most recent books are Mary Anning’s Curiosity, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon, and Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father, illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. She is also the author of On Our Way to Oyster Bay: Mother Jones and Her March for Children’s Rights, illustrated by Felicita Sala. Monica’s books have been nominated for many awards, including the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian children’s nonfiction. Other picture books include the popular Great Ideas series; Happy Birthday, Alice Babette; Grant and Tillie Go Walking; and The Tweedles Go Electric. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto.

WRITERLY WISDOM: Sarah Frances Hardy

Donna L

 
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CREATING CHARACTER

by Sarah Frances Hardy

 
Because I’m an illustrator, I think visually and my characters usually start out as a doodle or drawing. The main character for my debut picture book started out like this:

 

girl

 

After I drew this little girl, I immediately wanted to know her story. Why the black dress? Why the pointy shoes? Why the sass? So I started asking questions. Lots and lots of questions … I asked things like:

-Where does she go when she’s sad?
-What is on the nightstand next to her bed?
-Does she have a sister?
-What does she love most in the world? Hate?
-Does she have a pet?
-What does her lunchbox look like?
-Has she ever had stitches?
– …….??????

The more questions I asked about my character, the more I started getting to know her. And the more I started to get to know her, the easier it was to create a story around her because I knew exactly how to push her buttons.

And that is what you have to do as a picture book writer: you have to create an adorable, interesting character and then you have to mess up her world. And if you know what she loves the most and hates the most, then you know exactly how to create conflict for your character. So spending lots of time brainstorming and fine-tuning exactly who this person is is an important first step.

Now if you’re not an illustrator, no worries! You can still use a visual cue as a jumping off point to create a character. Simply flip through children’s catalogs, hang out in the park, drive your child’s carpool and tune in.

Notice things like the little girl in the perfect white sundress and white sandals who refuses to climb on the jungle gym. Is she worried about getting dirty? Why? Did her grandmother make her dress? Is her grandmother sick? Wouldn’t it be terrible if someone splashed her with mud? If she tore her dress? Maybe she got hurt the last time she was on the jungle gym? Or maybe someone teased her because they saw her panties?

 

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Ask! Ask! Ask!!

Stare at the picture you drew or selected from a magazine, and dig deep. Imagine the characters’ lives and their motivations. Ask real live children questions like “Why did you decide to wear a cape today?” “Does anything live under your bed?” “Do you often keep a family of lizards in your back pack?”

And don’t be afraid to ask tons of questions because the more questions you ask, the weirder they get, and the more interesting your character will be.

And interesting characters make for interesting stories!

 

sarah

 

With a juris doctorate cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in fine art from Davidson College, and subsequent studies at Parsons School of Design in New York and Paris, Sarah Frances Hardy (www.sfhardy.com) took an early retirement from practicing law to paint and write full time.

Sarah Frances’s paintings are characterized by vivid colors and expressive brushstrokes. She has exhibited her work in galleries throughout the Southeast as well as at a gallery in Soho. Her corporate clients include Steve Wynn who purchased several of Sarah Frances’s paintings for the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Most recently, Sarah Frances has redirected her creative juices towards writing and illustrating books for children–picture books as well as middle grade and young adult novels.

Her first book PUZZLED BY PINK which she both wrote and illustrated was published in April of 2012 by Viking Children’s Books. It’s a story of two sisters who couldn’t be more different.

Her next book PAINT ME! about a girl who begins the day painting a portrait of her dog and ends up painting everything she comes across . . . was published by Sky Pony Press in May of 2014.

Her newest release DRESS ME! was published in May of 2015 by Sky Pony Press. It is about a little girl who dresses up in lots of different costumes trying out lots of different careers. In the end, she decides to just be herself.

 

WRITERLY WISDOM: Corey Rosen Schwartz

Donna L

 

goldi

 

Rhyme and Meter, GOLDI ROCKS Style!
By Corey Rosen Schwartz

 

There are a lot of resources on the internet for people who want to write in rhyme. But… I’ve never seen a post that steers you toward one type over another. In my opinion, not all meters are created equal. Some are definitely better for picture books than others.

Let’s compare a few.

 

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Mama Bear’s Stanzas

I said, “Sit down,

It’s time to eat.

Please come and try

your cream of wheat.

But Baby said,

We’d better not.

We’ll burn out tongues.

It’s way too hot!”

 

too short

 
The problem with this meter is…. The distance between rhyming words is too SHORT.
i SAID sit DOWN. (2)

it’s TIME to EAT (2)

please COME and TRY (2)

your CREAM of WHEAT (2)

There are two stressed beats per line, which means four stressed beats (or 8 syllables) between rhymes

When this goes on for a while, it starts to feel very sing-songy. Also, since you only have eight syllables between rhymes, it tends to lead to forced rhymes. The rhymes are coming too often, which makes it difficult to tell the story you want to tell. The rhymes end up driving the story.

I see this in a LOT of manuscripts.
papa_bear

 

Papa Bear’s Stanza

 

Mama Bear made porridge and she called out “Time to eat.”

I yawned and rubbed my eyes and then I got up off the couch

It smelled so good. My favorite kind- delicious cream of wheat

But it was hot. I burned my tongue. I jumped and hollered, “Ouch!”

 

 

too long

 
The problem here is… the distance between the rhymes is too LONG.

MAma BEAR made PORridge AND she CALLED out, “TIME to EAT” (7)

i YAWNED and RUBBED my EYES and THEN i GOT up OFF the COUCH (7)

it SMELLED so GOOD. my FAV’rite KIND- deLICious CREAM of WHEAT (7)

but IT was HOT. i BURNED my TONGUE. i JUMPED and HOLLered, “OUCH!” (7)

There are seven stressed beats per line which means 14 stressed beats (or 28 syllables) between rhymes. The rhymes are so far apart, the reader can completely lose the thread. It kind of defeats the point of writing in rhyme, which is to help kids predict what is coming.

 

baby_bear

 
Baby Bear’s Stanza

Mama Bear made cream of wheat

But I am not a fool

I saw the pot was scorching hot

And warned them, “Let it cool!”

Baby Bear’s stanza is just right. It’s neither too short nor too long.

MAma BEAR made CREAM of WHEAT (4)

but I am NOT a FOOL.(3)

i SAW the POT was SCORCHing HOT (4)

and WARNED them, “LET it COOL!” (3)

 

just right

 

It also has another feature that I really recommend. It does NOT have the same number of stressed beats in every line! When the meter has the same number of stressed beats in every line, it can start to feel monotonous (Think GREEN EGGS AND HAM)

Remember, when you are writing in rhyme, you want to make the rhyme scheme and meter work FOR you, not AGAINST you. Don’t choose a crazy ABAB rhyme scheme like Papa Bear did. It’s much too difficult and all the extra work it requires doesn’t really provide any pay off to the reader. Did anyone even notice that the first and third lines in Papa’s stanza rhymed? For me, getting in an internal rhyme has a much greater pay off.

Work with a meter like Baby Bear’s and you will have seven stressed beats (or 14 syllables) between rhymes. This gives you ample opportunity to tell your story without being constrained by the rhymes. It will allow your picture book to turn out “Just right!”

 

corey

 

After publication of her first picture book, Hop! Plop!, Corey longed to write a fractured fairy tale. But coming up with a clever twist wasn’t easy.

Then one day, when her son was three, someone asked him if he spoke Spanish. His answer was, “No, but I speak a little karate.”

Instantly, the idea hit her…the three little pigs could go to ninja school! KIYA!

Corey has no true Ninja training, but she can sure kick but in Scrabble. She lives with three Knuckleheads in Warren, New Jersey. 

Corey is the author of HOP! PLOP! (Walker, 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam, 2012) GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Putnam, 2014) and NINJA RED RIDING HOOD (Putnam, 2014) are just some of her books.  You can learn more about Corey and her books at www.coreyrosenschwartz.com

WRITERLY WISDOM: Russ Cox

Donna L

 

kids.jpg

 
Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is from another friend…children’s author and illustrator, Russ Cox, whose whimsical artwork inspires me every day…

 

Generating ideas: Thinking like a child
By Russ Cox

 

“If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!” ? J.M. Barrie

When Donna contacted me about writing an article on thinking like a child, I was excited to tackle this subject matter. Having reached the mid-century mark, it has been a long time since I was an actual kid in the physical sense. But if you ask my wife she will tell you I never grew up. She reminds me of this almost every day.

So what is it to be an adult and still think like a child? I believe to work in the children’s market, especially books, not only do you have to think like a child, but in many ways you need to act like one. No, not in the “I did not get my way so I would throw a tantrum or hold my breath until I pass out” way, although I have tried that with my wife and she will just step over me. To be child-like, one must still enjoy doing kid things.

Here are some things that I try to do to keep that inner kid active:

 

Don’t be perfect or afraid to fail –

 

A child does not worry about being perfect. Not every circle or square is exactly right. To exaggerate things is to see them in a new perspective. A different viewpoint can lead you down an undiscovered road, full of new ideas. Try to see things that are not there or do not make sense in the adult world. Look at drawings done by children. They show an eclectic mix of characters and scenarios that would make even Freud scratch his head, in a good way. Where would Picasso be if he created his paintings in a more traditional style?

 

Pretend –

 

The only time adults really let loose and pretend seems to be on Halloween or at a costume party. Why not dig out a mask or tennis racket and pretend you are a monster playing the guitar in a rock band. I would make a banjo reference but not many of us would imagine playing the banjo with a mask on. Reenact the “worm” scene from Animal House. The alcohol is optional.

 

Be silly, let loose –

 

Okay with this one, it is confession time. I have different voices for our four cats. Yes, I have become that crazy cat person. My wife is as well by proxy. Doing silly voices for the cats has lead to story and illustration ideas. Just stepping outside of adulthood for a brief moment and letting loose, feels good and gives you a good belly laugh. My daughter and I came up with this silly dance that we do whenever we are in bad moods. You cannot help but laugh at us. It is pure silliness. I can show you sometime if we ever run into each other.

 

Try something new –

 

I think as adults we get so stuck in our ways and routines it is hard to break out of that rut. Kids are always up to doing something they haven’t done before. It is the freshness of a new discovery that keeps them exploring new adventures. So do something different. Go into a music store, pick up an instrument that you have no idea how to play, and attempt to play it. Strum, blow, bang, crash, etc.! Yes, you could clear the store and create a ruckus but you could be an undiscovered Mozart or Jimi Hendrix.

 

Play –

 

As adults, especially creative ones, we must keep the want to “play” alive and healthy. We need to loose the self-control restraint that ones with age. I still enjoy going to toy stores and playing with the toys, watching cartoons, running amok at amusement parks and playgrounds, flying kites, and chasing my wife around with a water pistol. And yes, I do squirt her!

 

Practice –

 

Practice? How does one practice being a kid? If you apply or try a few the ideas above, your inner kid will come flooding back. Maybe to the chagrin of your partner or family but the payoff in the end will be worth it.
As we become adults, we tend to loose that creative free spirit. With jobs, families, and various responsibilities, a seriousness enters our lives, pushing out the inner child. Keeping that child alive is the key to not only success, but to lots of laughs and a happy, creative life.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

 

Russ

 
Russ Cox was raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the back woods of Tennessee. Without much in the way of modern conveniences, like a television set or running water, he spent his time drawing and whittling away the hours. After dismantling his grandfather’s lawn mower engine, and without a clue on how to get it back together, he soon realized that he did not have an automotive bone in his body so he kept drawing. After graduating from art school, with a portfolio in his hand, he ventured into the world of design and illustration. He opened his own studio, Smiling Otis Studio, where he presently specializes in illustration for children. When not drawing, running amok in the snow, or training their four cats to sing Bohemian Rhapsody, Russ enjoys some quiet time, working on his picture book stories. He also enjoys playing the banjo but his wife would prefer him to play the triangle or build a sound proof room.

 
Website: http://smilingotis.com
Blog: http://www.smilingotis.com/blog-1
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/SmilingOtisStudio

WRITERLY WISDOM: Vivian Kirkfield

Donna L

 

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Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is from my good friend and children’s author, Vivian Kirkfield, as she talks about points of view…

 

 

Picture Books: A Child’s POV

By Vivian Kirkfield

 

 

“Read me one more story, please?”

Just about every parent has heard this plaintive cry. Young children love to listen to picture book stories. They enjoy cuddling close to daddy on a comfy couch or leaning back on mommy’s lap as they help to turn the dog-eared pages of a beloved book.

 

Why should we read picture books to young children?

 

  •         We read with them for entertainment and enjoyment. Their messages can help young children deal with many of the challenges they encounter. Reading with young children engages them in the world between the pages. Children are able to relate the events in the book to their own experiences. Studies show that children who are read to at an early age are more successful in school.

 

Which books should a parent read? A parent can:

 

  •        Consult children’s librarians
  •        Check out reviews on Amazon and other book review sites
  •       Ask for recommendations from teachers and friends
  •       Encourage the child to make some choices.

 

What makes great picture book? Whether it is a quiet bedtime book or a rollicking pirate adventure…a great picture book should have:

 

  •        Captivating illustrations
  •        Simple text
  •        Story that a child can relate to
  •        Emotional response

As picture book writers, we need to keep those four factors in mind. But picture books are not the only types of books for young kids. Here is a list of the different types of book formats and what you can expect to find in each.

  •       Board books – for infants to toddlers, hard board pages usually plasticized for sturdiness, simple pictures, minimal text, these days many popular picture books have been redone as board books, but they used to be mostly concept books (numbers, colors, ABC’s).
  •        Picture books – for preschoolers to 4th grade…although ages 3-5 is considered the ‘sweet spot’, designed to be read to/with the child, 32 pages, balance between text and pictures, but recently more pictures than text,1000 word max…but recently 500 words or less are preferred, art tells much of the story, child or child-like hero is at center of story, fiction or non-fiction or concept book, example: Where The Wild Things Are.
  •        Easy-reader or level reader – 6-8 year old, illustrations on every page, usually broken into chapters, shorter sentences and repetition, 2-5 sentences per page, aim is for the child to read it himself, example: Amelia Bedelia
  •        Early Chapter Books – 7-11 year old, 45-60 pages, broken into chapters, each chapter is broken into 3-4 pages, illustrations are small, usually black and white and only on every few pages, 2-4 sentences per paragraph, each chapter ends so they want to turn the page, example: Ramona.
  •        Middle Grade Novels (MG) – 8-12 year old, 100-150 pages, minimal illustrations, invites the child to bring his own imagination to the story, example: series books such as Chronicles of Narnia.
  •       Young Adult Novels (YA) – 12 years old and up, 100-400 pages, complex plots, themes relevant to problems of teenagers today, sophisticated topics, mature vocabulary, example: Twilight Series, Hunger Games.

As writers of children’s books, it will be helpful to remember these parameters.

I think that writing for children is the best job in the world! As Jorge Luis Borges said, “I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.” We hold in our hands the ability to create beautiful stories that will entertain, educate and elevate the young children of tomorrow.

 

Vivian Kirkfield is a mom, an educator and an author who is passionate about picture books, enjoys hiking and fly-fishing with her husband, loves reading, crafting and cooking with kids during school and library programs and shares tips and tactics for building self-esteem and literacy in her parenting workshops. To learn more about her mission to help every child become a reader and a lover of books.

VIVIAN’S  BOOKS:

PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House, February 12, 2019) illus by Jill Weber

FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK (PomegranateKids, March 15, 2019) illus by Mirka Hokkanen

SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books, May 1, 2019) illus by Chris Ewald

MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (Little Bee Books, Spring 2020) illus by Alleanna Harris

FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fall 2020) illus by Gilbert Ford

 

WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna L Martin

Donna L

proff.png

 

Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is a little gift from me as I explain why writers should consider joining a professional writing group…

 

Three Reasons To Join A Professional Writing Organization
By Donna L Martin

 

 
New writers have so much to figure out. Otherwise, authors have covered so many of those topics since this series began in January of this year. Now it’s time to consider joining a professional writer’s group if you don’t already belong to one. While writing can be a solitary endeavor, the writing life itself doesn’t have to be. Professional groups devoted to writing can certainly boost the confidence of a beginner writer while providing networking opportunities to the established one. Take your time when considering which professional writing organization to join and remember there are three good reasons to associate with a particular group…

 

CONNECTIONS

 

 
There is a comfortable feeling being part of a group where members understand how driven you are to write. Chat rooms, critique groups, and question forums all give new writers a chance to dip a toe in the writing community and create new friendships which can last a lifetime. Agents and publishers are also members of some of these same groups and what better way to get to know them than through an industry-related organization? Those kind of connections are priceless and can sometimes lead to future successes.

 

KNOWLEDGE

 

 
A professional writing organization will usually have tons of articles available for it’s members on many different topics. Everything from how to write character-driven stories and developing proper tension to how to create a strong query letter will be waiting for the novice writer to discover. Conferences, workshops, and contests will be listed if available and sometimes there are even online bookstores promoting member books. Professional writing organizations offer the foundation for any writer to continually improve their creative skills.

 

CLOUT

 

Everywhere you look there will be obstacles in your writing career. Competition to become a published author is fierce and a great support group will not only celebrate your successes, no matter how small, they will also be there to ease the sting of all the bumps and bruises you will collect along that path to publication. But even more important than the fellowship, becoming a member of a writing organization adds clout to your query letter. Joining groups like the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse, or other professional writing organizations show agents and publishers you are serious about your craft and your career. If you invest in your own writing future then it’s possible they will too.
As an added bonus, I have included 25 of the literally hundreds of possible writing groups where you can become a member. Look around, ask questions, find the one that is right for you, and join the fun!

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

 

 
Academy of American Poets (www.poets.org)
American Independent Writers (www.americanindependantwriters.org)
American Society of Journalists & Authors (www.asja.org)
The Authors Guild, Inc (www.authorsguild.org)
Canadian Authors Association (www.canauthors.org)
Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators & Performers (www.canscaip.org)
Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse (www.cbiclubhouse.com)
Education Writers Association (www.ewa.org)
Fellowship of Australian Writers (writers.asn.au)
The International Women’s Writing Guild (www.iwwg.com)
Kidlitosphere Central (www.kidlitosphere.org)
National Association of Independent Writers & Editors (www.naiwe.com)
National Association of Women Writers (www.naww.org)
National League of American Pen Women (www.americanpenwomen.org)
National Writers Association (www.nationalwriters.com)
National Writers Union (www.nwu.org)
Poetry Society of America (www.poetrysociety.org)
Poets & Writers Inc (www.pw.org)
Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network (www.spawn.org)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (www.scbwi.org)
Teachers & Writers Collaborative (www.twc.org)
Willamette Writers Group (www.willamettewriters.com)
Writers Guild of America-East (www.wgaeast.org)
Writers Guild of America-West (www.wga.org)
Writers Union of Canada (www.writersunion.ca)

 

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donna

 

International best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, LUNADAR: Homeward Bound (a YA fantasy), is now available in ebook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers.

WRITERLY WISDOM: Janee Trasler

Donna L

journal.jpg

 

Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is from children’s book author, Janee Trasler, on how to be able to tailor make a critique group…

 

Tailor-made Critique Groups
by Janee Trasler

 

Like Jim Averbeck, I count myself lucky to be a member of an excellent critique group. But don’t be fooled; it is by no means dumb luck. What I have is a tailor-made, suits-me-to-a-T critique group.

Unlike Jim, I was not lucky enough to find my perfect group on my first try. I had to shop around a bit before I knew exactly what I liked and needed in a critique group.

Once I had the answers, I just needed to ask the questions.

 

Who did I want in my group?

 

Some critique groups are made up of members who are at varying levels in their writing education and careers. This can work out really well. It gives the newer writers access to the more seasoned writers’ experience and gives the seasoned writers the chance to see how far they’ve come and to give a little back.
Other groups are made up of members who are all at a similar level, whether that be a total newbie, almost published, or published. This type allows the members to grow together and offers an equal level of confidence across the board.

I knew I wanted a group of writers at a similar level, so I chose to ask people who were all represented by the same literary agency but by different agents. I figured this would keep it all in-house and make the sharing of information easier. At the same time, we would avoid any hurt feelings if an agent spent more time with one writer than another.

 

What did I want my group to be about?

 

I’ve been in groups that have writers from board books to YA, and I’ve been in groups that stick to one genre. Both have merit and it is strictly a matter of personal taste.

I know I am not equipped to comment on novels (and you can only say, “Yup, I like it.” so often before your critique group also realizes how little you know about writing novels), so I opted to ask writers who write picture books/board books.

 

Where would we meet?

 

 
In-person groups allow for more socialization. You can bring along a book you’ve found, break bread, and just get to hang with other writers.

Online groups, which allow you to critique at your own convenience, give you the opportunity to really study a submission before you comment. They are easier to fit into a busy schedule and don’t require geographical closeness to the other members.

I’m an online type of gal. I like to read a manuscript several times before I comment, and I like to get feedback in writing. It makes revising much easier for me.

 

How big?

 

Just how many members should you invite? This is an important question because it dictates how much time you devote to critiques.

I prefer a smaller group, so I invited three other people.

Once all had been invited and inducted (Oh, you don’t even want to know about the initiation ritual we all had to go through. Let’s just same some of us look better in lampshades than others.), we still had a few logistical questions to answer:

 

When would we meet and submit work?

 

This is heavily influenced by whether you meet in-person or online.

I’ve been in critique groups where members just submitted whenever they had something, and I’ve been in groups run like a military boot camp. It’s up to you how often you meet or submit work, but I’ve found having a set schedule helps me get work done.

As a group, we chose to have a designated member submit work on the first four Tuesdays of each month. (I’m Third Tuesday Girl.) The other three members have until the following Tuesday to send comments.

Life gets in the way sometimes, and we’ve been known to swap a Tuesday here or there. We also try to remain flexible as to what you can submit. If we don’t have a complete draft ready, we can submit what we have and ask for brainstorming help. I’ve also been known to sneak in two board books instead of one picture book.

 

How would we submit and critique work?

 

This is one area where I feel online groups have the advantage over in-person. It’s so much easier to read and comment on manuscripts online.

We send our work in MS Word format in my group and use the comments feature to put our feedback right in the document.

After all these tough questions where answered, we found ourselves right back to “Who?”
Who are we?

We are:

Kim Norman (www.kimnormanbooks.com)
Tammi Sauer ( www.tammisauer.com)

Janee Trasler (www.trasler.com)

Jessica Young (www.jessicayoungbooks.wordpress.com).
We are the PBJeebies, and since we joined forces seven and a half years ago, we have collectively sold numerous books.

My critique group suits me to a T. It ought to; it was tailor-made.

 

Janee Trasler.jpg

Janee Trasler is the author-illustrator of eight books for kids, including the board book series for HarperCollins, BEDTIME FOR CHICKIES.

Website: www.trasler.com
Blogs: www.trasler.typepad.com
Email: [email protected]

WRITERLY WISDOM: Jim Averbeck

Donna L

Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s guest blogger is the award-winning children’s book author, Jim Averbeck, who shows us how to create a successful critique group.

 

The 5 Cs of a Successful Critique Group
By Jim Averbeck

 

I am a very lucky writer. With some friends, I founded a critique group, the Revisionaries, in 1998 and that group is still going strong. When we started we were all unpublished and just learning the craft. Now everyone in the group is multi-published by prestigious houses. I’ve lost track of the awards, honors, stars, and  contracts we have under our collective belt. And I marvel at the longevity of the group. So, how did we manage to stick around long enough to find success? I give  you the 5 Cs of an accomplished critique group.

 

Communicate:

 

One of the most important things my group did was to make it clear from the beginning that we had high expectations of anyone who joined. Members were expected to pursue their writing education by signing up for classes, attending conferences, and reading extensively, both craft books and current and classic bestsellers. We expected people to come to the meetings, whether they had work or not. We expected participation and cooperation as we all strove to find our voice and our place in the industry.

 

Commit:

 

Once we found people who met our expectations, we very explicitly made them commit to the hard work ahead of us. There were no formal rituals- no killing of chickens or drinking of blood – but we did have a very formal meeting where we outlined our goals, both those of the group and our individual goals. We made this a yearly custom. Each year around Christmas we set aside our stories and reimagine what we want to do with our work and our creative lives. We commit to following through (and talk about how we did the previous year.) This might sound a bit grim, but we float our goals on a sea of wine and good food, so it’s really something to which we look forward.

 

Create:

 

This is the fun part. The part all writers and illustrators live for: the spark of ideas, the bringing together of words and sentences (or lines and colors for our illustrators). And, of course, the sharing of what we made.

Critique:

 

This may sound like a no-brainer. Of course your critique in a critique group. But I have been surprised to hear many stories of crit groups that become mutual admiration societies, or moan and groan sessions, or just fun parties. Sure it is important to support each other and to listen to each other vent on issues in the industry. But ultimately you are there to help each other improve your work. It’s time to put on your big boy (or girl) pants, grow a thick skin, and listen to what people are telling you. You’ll find that each person has something at which they specialize. This one is great at finding just the right word. That one is superb at pinning down the emotional heart of your story. Another knows every punctuation rule in the book. Learn to listen. You needn’t take all the advice given, but you should consider it all.

 

Celebrate:

 

This is the other fun part. When someone sells a book, or wins an award, or gets a starred review, take the time to celebrate. Buy a cake. Do a dance. Have a party. And most importantly – pop open the champagne.

Because that is the sixth “C” of a successful critique group.

Champagne.

Cheers!

 

jim

 

Jim Averbeck works, plays, and evades the law in the San Francisco Bay Area. Between dodging the falling bodies of vertiginous blondes, crouching to avoid killer birds, and taking quick and fearful showers behind a triple-locked bathroom door, he writes and illustrates for children. His first book, In a Blue Room, was a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book. His popular books, Except If and Oh No, Little Dragon! feature charming protagonists with long pointy teeth. His book The Market Bowl was a JLG Premiere Selection. A Hitch at the Fairmont, his first novel, was released Summer 2014 from Simon and Schuster. Spy agencies can find Jim online at www.jimaverbeck.com.

 

WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna L Martin

Donna L

Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week I share some free writer resources I’ve come across over the years…

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The Virtual Bookcase
By Donna L Martin

 

If your home office bookcase looks anything like mine, it is crammed with all kinds of books on the craft of writing. We can never have too many books on how to improve our writing. But sometimes we want to brush up on our writing skills and we’re nowhere near home. That’s where trusty little ebooks step in to make sure we aren’t missing our opportunities to grow as a writer. Below are just a few of the many FREE ebooks about writing I’ve come across over the years that are now stored on my virtual bookcase…just waiting for me to come by, select one, and curl up with my Kindle in a comfy chair for a little ME time.

Have you discovered your own FREE ebook favorites on the craft of writing I might have overlooked? Let us know about them in the comments…
Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse…www.cbiclubhouse.com…11 Steps To Writing Your First Children’s Book (enter your email address on right of screen to receive ebook link in email)
Steve Barancik…www.best-childrens-books.com…How To Write A Children’s Book (http://www.best-childrens-books.com/how-to-write-a-childrens-book.html)
Joanna Penn…www.thecreativepenn.com…Author 2.0 Blueprint (click on the button on top of screen)
Book Baby…www.bookbaby.com…The How-To Guide For Writers (http://www.bookbaby.com/free-publishing-guides)
SEO Discovery…www.seodiscovery.org…Free SEO Course…(http://www.seodiscovery.org/free-seo-course#axzz2Z3eOmACB)
Julie Hedlund… www.juliehedlund.com…Free Submissions Guide (enter your email address on right of screen to receive ebook link in email)
Working Writer’s Club…www.workingwritersclub.com…How To Become A Writer: Make Money Writing NOW (enter your email address on right of screen to receive ebook link in email)
Write To Done…www.writetodone.com…The Nearly Ultimate Guide To Better Writing (enter your email address on right of screen to receive ebook link in email)
Simone Haplan…www.picturebookpeople.com…Write A Dynamic Picture Book: 10 Keys To Success (enter your email address on left of screen to receive ebook link in email)
Freelance Writing…www.freelancewriting.com…Online Writing Jobs For Freelance Writers… (http://www.freelancewriting.com/ebooks/ebook-online-writing-jobs-for-freelance-writers.php) **You have to sign up for a free account to access free ebook**
Freelance Writing…www.freelancewriting.com…How To Write Fiction Stories With Substance (http://www.freelancewriting.com/ebooks/ebook-how-to-write-fiction-stories-with-substance.php) **You have to sign up for a free account to access free ebook**
Freelance Writing…www.freelancewriting.com…How To Plan A Home Office That Works (http://www.freelancewriting.com/ebooks/book-how-to-plan-a-home-office-that-works.php) **You have to sign up for a free account to access free ebook**
Freelance Writing…www.freelancewriting.com…How To Use Art And Imagery In Your Writing… (http://www.freelancewriting.com/ebooks/ebook-artistic-freelance-writing.php) **You have to sign up for a free account to access free ebook**
Jane Friedman…www.janefriedman.com…How To Publish An Ebook… (http://janefriedman.com/2013/04/21/how-to-publish-an-ebook) **This isn’t exactly an “ebook”, but it is an extensive resource guide on how to MAKE an ebook**

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donna

 

International best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, LUNADAR: Homeward Bound (a YA fantasy), ebook edition, is now available from Amazon, with the print edition coming October 15, 2018.