Planning for 2008

I’m planning to take off blogging until January 3. It’s family time and I hope a time for me to plan for next year.

I’ve been blogging now for about a year and in that time, I’ve had about 50,000 visits to the sites, first on livejournal and now on my own domain. That’s pretty incredible. But I hope that next year will be even more fun.

2008 Topics

• Series.
  January–30 Days to a Stronger Character.
  A series on writing with scenes
  A series on prewriting strategies
• When I asked people to vote, the second most requested thing was writing that first draft. Mostly what I talk about is revision; but I’m thinking about this request. As I’ve focused on revision, I’ve learned a lot about what goes wrong in a first draft and what that process looks like. You’re making me think and that’s good.

2008 Extras

• Plus, I’m planning at least two ways to bring more people into the site:
  More revision stories from you. I’m planning to post a list of questions about your revision process to help people write a guest posting. I learn so much by hearing how others revise and hope to feature more of this.
• Another great way to get people involved is______________. Well, I’m not ready to explain it yet. But it’s going to be fun.

2008 Books about Writing

• Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise (Mims House), by Darcy Pattison
  At last, the Novel Revision Retreat Workbook will be in a bookstore near you. Well, just a click away on Amazon, anyway. Scheduled for an April release, you’ll hear lots more about this in January.
• Paper Lightning: Prewriting Activities to Spark Creativity and Help Students Write Better (Cottonwood Press), by Darcy Pattison.
  For about 20 years, I’ve done teacher professional development and this book distills those sessions into easy, fun, simple activities to get students writing better. Also scheduled for an April release, you’ll hear lots more about this as the spring progresses.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Organizations

• Children’s Book Council
  The CBC sponsors Children’s Book Week and Children’s Poetry Week. They have an online listing of member publishers and how to contact them.
• Society of Children’s Bookwriters and Illustrators
  The SCBWI is the professional organization for those writing and illustrating for kids. Look for the link to regional chapters to see what is happening in your area.

Publications

• Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market –current year
  This annual market guide lists publishers, names of editors, contact information, needs, etc. for book and magazine publishers. The book is published in late fall, so be sure to get the updated version.
• Literary Marketplace–current year.
  The LMP is a telephone directory of all phases of publishing. This expensive book is often available as a reference book at libraries, or through interlibrary loan.
• Horn Book Magazine
  The Horn Book Magazine offers articles about children’s literature, including full-text of acceptance speeches for major awards such as the Newbery and Caldecott. Articles cover a wide variety of topics and reviews of major new books is a good way to keep up to date on this rapidly changing field.

Classes

• Online classes
  Anastasia Suen
  Children’s book author, Anastasia Suen has several online classes and I’ve heard good thing about them.
• Summer workshops
  Check Shaw Guides for summer workshops in your area.

Interesting Websites

• The Purple Crayon, maintained by Harold Underdown, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books. His website has great up to date information on the industry including a page which keeps track of which editors are moving where.
• Children’s Book Publishing News by Nathaniel Meyer
• Publisher’s Marketplace has a free Daily Lunch email that keeps you up-to-date on publishing news. For a fee, you can receive the Deluxe Lunch, which includes more articles and more in-depth coverage.

Libraries

Library Cards are Gold!

• Picturebooks. If you want to write picturebooks, read 100 picturebooks that have been published within the last 5 years. Really. 100. Or 200. I try to take a month and do this once a year, at least. You need to know what current books are like.
• Novels, Easy Readers, Nonfiction. If you want to write a novel or easy reader or non-fiction, try to read as many as you can. Try to read at least the award winning books from last year. Current books–not classics–will tell you a lot about today’s market.
• This website provides links to many of the award winning children’s book lists

There are many more resources available–this is just a starting point.

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Frosty The Snowman

Coming in January, 2008: 30 days to a Stronger Character
See below to subscribe to the RSS feed.

Read about the history of this song.
Oh, what a great 3-D snowman cake pan!

Santa’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Rudolph’s Top 5 Writing Tips

1. Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
   With a corncob pipe and a button nose
   And two eyes made out of coal.
   Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
   He was made of snow
   
   Extended character descriptions. Don’t be afraid to take time to describe the main character. One the continuum of character descriptions, this one is longer than you’ll find in most children’s picturebooks. But it works because this is a character story.

2. but the children
   Know how he came to life one day.
   There must have been some magic in that
   Old silk hat they found.
   For when they placed it on his head
   He began to dance around.

   Point of view. Notice the point of view here. The attention is squarely on Frosty, not on the children who found the old silk hat. When you write a story for kids, you don’t always have to put the child as the main character.

3. O, Frosty the snowman
   Was alive as he could be,
   And the children say he could laugh
   And play just the same as you and me.
   Thumpetty thump thump,
   Thumpety thump thump,
   Look at Frosty go.
   Thumpetty thump thump,
   Thumpety thump thump,
   Over the hills of snow.

   Language play. This section doesn’t add much to the plot, it’s just pure language play. But this is perfect for the younger audiences, who know that playing around with language is half the fun of reading a story or singing a song. Great onomatopoeia.

4. Frosty the snowman knew
   The sun was hot that day,
   So he said, “Let’s run and
   We’ll have some fun
   Now before I melt away.”

   Conflict. Every good story needs conflict. And the character’s attitude in the face, well, in the face of certain death, is evident. It’s an attitude of taking joy where you find it and facing the future with courage.

5. Down to the village,
   With a broomstick in his hand,
   Running here and there all
   Around the square saying,
   Catch me if you can.
   He led them down the streets of town
   Right to the traffic cop.
   And he only paused a moment when
   He heard him holler “Stop!”
   For Frosty the snow man
   Had to hurry on his way,

   
   Development of the conflict. The traffic cop provides an extra bump of conflict that adds to the story’s development. For picturebooks, it doesn’t have to be much; in fact, it can’t be huge, or you’re writing a novel. This is perfect, just the introduction of an authority figure who yells, “Stop!” but can’t really do anything to stop the breakneck speed of Frosty’s life.

6. But he waved goodbye saying,
   “Don’t you cry,
   I’ll be back again some day.”
   Thumpetty thump thump,
   Thumpety thump thump,
   Look at Frosty go.
   Thumpetty thump thump,
   Thumpety thump thump,
   Over the hills of snow.

   Hope. Children’s stories may end in tragedy, but the best offer a spot of hope. Notice also the nice repetition of the language play that sends the story off with a nice echo.

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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, with a little help from UTube

Santa’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Rudolph’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Frosty’s Top 6 Writing Tips

1. Unique characters. Give characters a tag, a physical or emotional something that makes them stand out from the crowd. That red nose, in the context of a reindeer herd, is absolutely astoundnig.

   Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
   had a very shiny nose.
   And if you ever saw him,
   you would even say it glows.

Rudolph, the Musical, Act I

2. Conflict. The conflict here is the usual playground teasing and bullying of someone who is different. It’s a classic theme because we can all identify with it on some level. Don’t’ be afraid of classic themes; just use them in unique ways.

   Also, pile on the conflict. The other reindeer do three things to Rudolph, each an escalation: laugh, call him names, exclude him from games.

   All of the other reindeer
   used to laugh and call him names.
   They never let poor Rudolph
   join in any reindeer games.

   “I’m All Alone” from Monty Python’s Spamalot

Rudollph the Musical, Act II


3. Turning point. After the set up and the conflict, comes the turning point. The crisis here is that Santa must deliver the toys to the children around the world, but the weather isn’t cooperating.

   Then one foggy Christmas Eve

4. The unusual characteristic becomes a blessing. Again, this is a cliched way of handling a conflict and crisis, but it still works. The very thing that sets the character apart, that makes him/her different and weak, is also the very thing that makes the hero able to save the day. Of course, this means we are matching up conflict and resolution, too. Santa also functions as a sort of mentor here, one who is able to recognize the unique qualities of Rudolph for what they are.

   Santa came to say:
   “Rudolph with your nose so bright,
   won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

   Rudolph the Musical, Act III

5. Rejoice. It’s not just the climax here, but also the concept of a celebration of successfully completing a quest. Give characters a moment to celebrate. This often comes after a big battle, or a big effort to overcome something.

   Then all the reindeer loved him
   as they shouted out with glee,
   Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
   you’ll go down in history!

   And, of course, Gene Autry, singing Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer
   

   Think the story is still a little slight for todays’ market? Here’s why.

Santa’s Top 5 Writing Tips

Just got an e-newsletter from the North Pole and Santa had these writing tips posted for the young-at-heart who are writing novels this year. Stay tuned: Santa promised to send me Rudolph’s writing tips tomorrow.

Santa’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Rudolph’s Top 5 Writing Tips
Frosty’s Top 6 Writing Tips

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

• Oh! You better watch out,
  You better not cry,
  You better not pout,

  1. Instant Conflict. The characters are crying and pouting. Make sure your story has instant conflict.

• I’m telling you why:
  Santa Claus is coming to town!

  2. Plots. A Stranger comes to town. It is said that there are only two plots in the world. A character leaves home, or a stranger comes to town. This time it’s promised that the stranger will bring happiness and joy. But will he?

• He’s making a list,
  He’s checking it twice,
  He’s gonna find out
  who’s naughty or nice.
  Santa Claus is coming to town!

  3. Character Motivations. Are you checking your character’s motivations? You should know who is naughty or nice and especially why. No character should be totally one or the other. Soften villains and round out main characters by giving them a flaw.

• He sees you when you’re sleeping,
  He knows when you’re awake.
  He knows when you’ve been bad or good,
  So be good for goodness sake!

  4. Know your characters. You should know your character’s feelings, actions, morals. When s/he is admonished to be good, what would s/he do?

• So…You better watch out,
  You better not cry
  You better not pout,
  I’m telling you why.
  Santa Claus is coming to town.

  5. Endings. Make sure the story’s ending resolves the conflict you set up. Here, the song doesn’t resolve the conflict, so we have an unsettled feeling. Well, that’s probably OK. Christmas morning will tell the real tale. And it’s OK to leave the reader wanting a little bit more, as long as you resolve the inner conflict and leave the reader with hope.

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Throw away the English teacher’s outline (ETO) and try a shorter outline that is more appropriate to fiction.

Outline Structure

Jon Franklin, in his book, Writing for Story, proposes a different type of outline. Though he’s talking about non-fiction, he’s writing stories and his outline works well for fiction because he’s using scenes to develop his story. Franklin suggests that one reason the ETO is wrong for fiction is that it begins with the main point. Fiction, though, should build to climaxes and the fiction outline should reflect this.

ETO:
I.
A
B
C

Fiction Outlines:

A
B
C
I.

Franklin throws in a few other things though that makes his outline even better for fiction. The outline is always paired statements of conflict and resolution, with a series of complications in between.

Conflict:
Complication 1
Complication 2
Complication 3
Resolution

Outline Content

That’s the structure. But what goes in it? Three word statements.
The first word is the character (or situation) who is taking the main action of the scene. The second word is an action verb. The third word is the person (or thing desired) receiving the action, the direct object.

Conflict: Joe desires money
Resolution: Joe receives money

Some ways the three words go wrong:

• Not including the main character: Depression hits the U.S.
• Not using an action verb: Joe is broke.
• Not matching up the conflict and resolution: Joe desires money/Joe gets a nice job.

Franklin says that the best outlines actually feel a bit fuzzy, because they are focused on the inner conflict.

Conflict: Joe desires respect
Complication: Boss fires Joe
Complication: Joe studies accounting
Complication: Joe attempts job
Resolution: Son respects Joe

This works because the compression of the outline statements forces the writer to focus; also, because it uses active verbs, it’s easy to translate into scenes. And finally, it builds to the climax scene where the son respects his father, even when it’s still uncertain if the job will work out.

Of course, read Franklin for a more detailed and extensive explanation, including a way to interlock conflict/resolutions across a longer story. I use this outlining technique for first drafts, revisions, to check up on how focused a story is, etc.

Having just done NaNoWriMo, Dori Butler muses about first drafts and her process of writing.

Sara Holmes writes about time and writers.

What songs does Janni Simner listen to while on revisions?

Chynna encourages writers (especially women) to stop their self-sabotage.

Wow! Book covers that pop.

You’ve revised. You’ve submitted. Still no sales. Now what?

Consider your marketing

1. Target your submissions better. What? You only submitted to one editor? Today–not tomorrow–send the mss to at least three more editors. Study the market and target at least ten more. When the mss comes back from one, send it out the next day to the next one on your list.
2. Study the market. Maybe your stories are just off target for the market! Go to the bookstore and buy ten books to read that are similar to what you write. Make sure the copyright on the books is within the last two years; you want up-to-date examples of what is selling. Are there books that especially appeal? Who published them? Can you find out who edited them?
3. Study your rejection slips. Have all your rejections been form rejections? Did you get any personal responses at all? Any letters that said, I can’t buy it in this shape, but should you consider doing this or that, I’ll look again?

   If you received ANY encouragement or feedback, consider revising and resubmitting. If you’re not sure that the letter was an encouragement to resubmit, then ask. Either call or email the editor and ask point blank, “If I do this revision, would you like to see it again?” If the answer is yes, then you’re off for another round of revisions.

   If all your rejections were form rejections, you’ll have to decide: submit to ten more places, or revise.

4. Look for an agent. Are you just bad at marketing? Maybe it’s time to consider submitting to an agent.

Consider your story

5. Cool it off. Put it in a file drawer. Maybe the story needs a cooling off period, so you can return with a fresh eye. Or maybe you just need to live and learn for a season before returning to it. Putting something aside for a while isn’t failure. You learned from revising this mss and just need to move on.
6. Cannibalize. Are there really great parts of this novel that would fit into the current WIP? If you do this, recognize that the first novel was just a great first draft for the one you’re working on now.
7. Reread your story. You’re a little bit older and wiser than when you finished it. Does it still hold up, or do you notice things to revise? Are there places that please you immensely? Can you imagine your audience reading and enjoying the story? Write a review of the book. From that review, what do you think you should do next?
8. Cry your heart out. Read Art and Fear and cry. Then buck up and write something new that will Wow the editors.
9. Revise. Revise that manuscript. Again.
10. Revise Again. If all else fails, eat mints. Or chocolates. Your choice. THEN, revise again. Until it’s right.

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Jennifer at The Arts, Words, Life Blog has tagged me for a meme that requires me to tell 7 things about myself, then tag 7 others.

Thanks, Jennifer!

Rules of the Meme:

1) Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself.
3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4) Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Things About Me

1) I’m a very private person, so this is hard to do.

2) I never wear nail polish.

3) I love my new comfort bike.

4) I love to wear lapel pins and hate that they are so hard to find this year.

5) Our family has hosted six exchange high school students from Estonia, Poland, France, Venezuela, Finland and Mongolia. We’ve gone to weddings in Poland and Estonia, but had to miss the Venezuela wedding.

6) I am married to a former accordion player. (I meant to put a picture here, but I forgot the cords to download from my digital camera.)

7) I had a busy year. This year, I’ve done Friday Ideas and written eight picturebooks; given a wedding; survived my DH’s total hip replacement surgery; floated the Grand Canyon; spent a week exploring the beaches of Hawaii; started this blog; spoken all over the state and several places around the country; received the 2007 Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for my work in children’s literature; submitted many manuscript; received many rejections; and, I’m currently working on a major revision of a novel.

Tag, you’re it! And thanks for commenting on this blog in the past!

Rebecca Talley
Jean Reidy
Candie Moonshower
Janni Simner
Alan Gratz
Dori Butler
Kaelyn Porter

Calling all successful NaNoWriMo writers.
You’ve written your first novel. You’re facing your first revisions. Where do you start?

1. Read Self Editing for the Fiction Writer by Renni Browne and Dave King.
2. Revise everything that you can think of based on that book.
3. Attitude toward revision: After you’ve done that, do NOT think you are done. That’s the worst mistake new writers make. High school and college English have probably taught you that you write once, then clean it up and send it off. That might be fine for school, where you’re just working for a grade. But publication raises the stakes immensely. To bring a book to market, a publisher often invests upwards from $25,000 in each book. This is a competitive business and the standards of school work are NOT the standards of the professional publishing world.
   For example, the large publishing houses often receive 25,000 manuscripts a years, out of which they publish 50; of those, only 1 or 2 are from new authors. The odds are stacked against you. If you only revise once, it’s practically a given that you’ll be collecting rejection slips. Plan to revise until it is perfect.
4. Join professional organizations. For children’s writing, join the Society of Children’s Bookwriters and Illustrators. For mystery writing, join the Mystery Writers of America. There’s the Romance Writers of America, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and the Literary Guild, just to name a few of the major one. The reason to join is to find a local group of writers who might have a critique group you can join. Attend conferences where you can meet and listen to editors. In short, move toward schmoozing with professionals in any format available to your in your area.
   
5. Finally, poke around here. Start with these popular series of posts.
   • Psychology of Revision
   • Novel Diagnosis Series
   • 30 Days to a Stronger Novel

   Any other tips for First Time Revisers?

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