Time Flies

Wow, can hardly believe that May is almost over!  I have been juggling working full time, taking care of the family and squeezing in my writing.  Oh, and did I mention I am pet sitting too? 

I attended a wonderful conference sponsored by SCBWI in April - and took home lots of information.  Spent a lot of time revising, editing and researching.  I shoved my YA manuscript into a drawer and began to work on my picture book.  Will my manuscript ever be done?  Probably not ever be perfect, can always change one word, take one out and add another.  When will my manuscript actually be ready. Yesterday I took my picture book manuscript to a writer's revision intensive (also sponsored by SCBWI), and came away with a clearer vision of picture book writing:

1) Keep it Simple

2) Remember my Audience

3) WOW 'em with WORDS

I have a little bit of tweaking to do, I promise only a little, I will whitle my picture book down from 750 words to 500. Then off it goes to an editor who will love it!

 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Jennifer Bertman

In my quest to become a better writer I have stumbled across several helpful blogs. My newest is "From the Mixed-Up Files of Jennifer Bertman". Jennifer has tons of interviews with successful children's writers – she includes pictures of their work spaces, pets and inspirations. I enjoy reading about what other writers are going through, find out new children's books that inspire me not to mention Jennifer has a great sense of humor. How about reading this book to your children – "Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo". Like myself, Jennifer is also a member of SCBWI.  Thanks Jennifer!

11 Mistakes Beginning Children's Writers Make - The Writer Magazine

I recently attended a children's book writers conference hosted by SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).  I went into this conference feeling rather proud of myself.  Head held I high, I thought to myself, I am a writer.  I signed the registration sheet, recieved my packet of information, and sat down at one of the big tables, ready for action.  I soaked up the information presented by agents, editors and successful published authors.  I realized when they read my manuscript during the critique session that maybe, just maybe I have more work to do.  I left a little down hearted and not as optimistic as I had been when I entered.  I came home, chucked my entire manuscript.  The manuscrip I thought any publisher in their right mind should publish.  I realized I had a lot of work to do, it's not as easy as most people think!  Now, I find myself drafting and redrafting.    I have gone through almost an entire spiral pad trying to rethink my Easy Reader of not more than 2,000 words.  Not only do I have to make sure that I have a beginning, middle and end - I have to have a plot to capture an 8 year old!  I went on line to some of my favorite writing sites.  I found this great article at the Writer Magazine site:  11 Mistakes Beginning Children's Writers Make .  I went on line and re-read several of the on-line newsletters and advice pages at the Children's Book Insider and I searched the SCBWI website for more help and advice. 

What I have decided, is that I need to take the information and knowledge I have learned - USE IT!  I also need to stay connected with other writers, join critique group, read books like a writer, find books in my genre and read, read, read! Stay away from rhyming or poetry type books unless you're a poet, try to stay away from words that end in "ly".  For instance slowly could be replaced by dawdle.  Use an active voice not a passive voice -- action - action -action.  My head is spinning!  Or should it by my head is twisting around on my neck????