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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

PLEASE USE THE D WORD ~ by: Jackie Wellington

Growing up I wasn’t allowed to use the D word. Not that one. The other one. Yes, dummy. It always had such a negative connotation. I can still hear Momma's words echoing in my ear. “You say that again and I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap.” Well, that was years ago.
Today, saying the D word is encouraged, especially if you’re a picture book writer. For instance, less than a month ago, I was at the WOW Retreat in Helen, Georgia. In our round table group session, one of the writers looked at me and said, “You can read rhyme, right?” I said yes and she handed me her picture book manuscript.
Normally, I would have time to read the manuscript, establish a rhythm in my head, and recite the story like I was a rapper at a freestyle battle. But that was not an option; no dropping the mic and walking off the stage. I was to read it aloud, in front of an agent and three other writers, right then and there. At that moment,  I took a deep breath and read, only fumbling a few times. I did my best. Honestly!
When it was time to discuss the manuscript, the agent who was facilitating the round table referenced a section and said, “I didn’t get it.” At that time, the writer went in her bag, pulled out a dummy, and handed it to the agent. The agent inspected the dummy, flipping through the pages. Then the agent looked at the author and said, “Aah. I didn’t get that when it was read.” It was that moment I realized the importance of a dummy. It helps others to visualize your words, your sentences, your story.
The standard picture book dummy have thirty two pages.  A few pages left for the publisher to do their housecleaning. Try making a dummy. Start your story on page four or five. Cut your manuscript up and fit it on the pages. It sounds easy, but trust me, it isn't.
I have heard about writers making dummies as they write. I have met some who swore to a dummy’s effectiveness. Me, I have never made a dummy, and there are reasons for that. One, I cannot draw. Two, I cannot draw. Three, I cannot draw. 
For me, I could not conceptualize any other way to make a dummy without drawing. So I never attempted to make one. But I am always learning from other writers. This writer taught me you do not have to be an artist to make a dummy. She uses clip art or cut pictures from books, magazines, and the computer. Now I am fascinated.
One of the sessions, the lovely Denise Fleming taught the attendees how to make a dummy. I was so ecstatic to do so. When I got home, I took a twelve hundred word historical fiction manuscript and created a dummy. This process allowed me to cut three hundred and thirteen words from that manuscript. I know right? Unbelievable. WOW...That was all I could say.
So thanks to all those writers who inspire and encourage me to make dummies. Thanks for helping me visualize my words, my sentences, my story. 
To all of you, I am grateful! I am honored to join a group of writers who believe in dummies. And I am happy to join a group of writers who knows it is okay to use the D word. 
If you would like to learn how to make a picture book dummy, check out Shawna J.C. Tenney below or click here.  Google images of picture book dummies. I do not have permission to share them here; but there are plenty on the internet for you to browse.


Bibliography
Shaskan, Stephen. "32 Page Picture Book Dummy Template." Stephen Shaskan. N.p., 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 July 2015.

31 comments:

  1. Jackie, what an awesome post! I have also resisted putting my manuscripts into a "dummy," but I'm going to do it now thanks to your encouragement. And it was such a pleasure to finally meet you in person at WOW. You are truly a beautiful person inside and out!

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  2. Jackie, what an awesome post! I have also resisted putting my manuscripts into a "dummy," but I'm going to do it now thanks to your encouragement. And it was such a pleasure to finally meet you in person at WOW. You are truly a beautiful person inside and out!

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  3. I need to "D" more often, Jackie. It DOES make such a difference. Dawn Young had a great idea w/the clip art for us "non-artists."

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    1. I agree Kathy...I wish I could send my manuscripts to illustrators and let them dummy it for me...lol...wishing and hoping.

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  4. Jackie, this is a great, and helpful, and inspiring, post. (And now I must go work on a dummy . . .) Thank you!

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    1. Hope it will allow you cut those words...it really helps you to see which words are needed and NOT needed.

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  5. Dummies--what a smart idea! Thanks for sharing the tip about using clip art. And congrats on trimming a fourth of your manuscript--that isn't easy!

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    1. Thanks, Pat...I guess that is the purpose of conferences...to learn something new...this conference delivered.

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  6. Jackie -- what a great idea to use clip art! I can't draw but I CAN do that! And dummies can really help cut down your word count and help create enticing page turns -- you are one brilliant lady!

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    1. Thanks Linda...we should star a support group for those who cannot draw.

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  7. GREAT post! I sat down to make several dummy booklets, and found this up on GROG. Thanks! :)

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  8. great post, Jackie. I know I'm going to be making some dummies. Yes - that kind, with paper and pencil and maybe some tissue paper collage.

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    1. Are you an artist, Sue? Can you draw? Or are you only a writer? I am interested to know your thoughts.

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  9. I'm a huge fan of dummies, Jackie. They help so much with the pacing and word count, not to mention making sure that you have enough variety in your illustrations from page to page. Thanks for the terrific post!

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    1. I agree...it was truly the aha moment for me at the retreat.

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  10. Love this post Jackie! I just created my first "Magic Book" this summer - using plastic sleeves in a duotang - then taped my story on the pages. Can use it over and over. So much value in creating a dummy - learned right away that I had to write more!

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    1. I love that verbiage, Bev...."magic Book"...it feels like magic once I was able to see how it really works...I am loving the use of the dummy

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  11. I use the D word on my mss. I have cut word counts and added words-LOL Thank you for sharing the D word with us and leaving some links to learn more-hugs!!

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    1. Charlotte, I am honored to share the D word with you....I am so glad I learned how to do it....

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  12. WOW!Thank you so much, Jackie...you've brought home to me the fact that I really DO need to make dummies for all of my stories. I've done a few...but with your encouragement and call to action, I am going to make dummies for ALL, yes ALL of my finished manuscripts...starting right now...ready, set, go!!!!

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    1. Good for you, Vivian. It was the moment of looking at that agent's face. Her words resonated with me. I truly understand the meaning of a dummy.

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  13. Thanks Jackie. Great post about something that I should do, and just might start doing with every story I write. And, I'm confessing my "dummy" moment, Beverly Baird...I had to look up duo tang!!! I didn't know that's what they were called!

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  14. Great post Jackie! I was thrilled to be in your group. Dummies are amazing. I can't believe you were able to cut over three hundred words from your manuscript. Dummies always help me catch repeated words too - something about seeing the words in a new format that make the repeats stand out. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Dawn, you know I was talking about you, right? I love...love...love your dummies...You have inspired me to see my writing visually... Thanks for that.

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    2. I did :) It was such a pleasure to be in your group. I love your writing and I know that someday soon I'll be holding your work in my hands!

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  15. I enjoyed being in your group for a day and to see one of Dawn's dummies. So glad you were able to cut so many words. I'm ready to hold your books in my hands. You are a wonderful writer Jackie!

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    1. Yes, Dawn Dummies are fabulous...and she writes wonderful stories too...I can't wait to see them on the shelves.

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  16. Appreciations Jackie for one of the most useful articles I have ever enjoyed about picture book dummies. And how about a bit of applause for the author who had the dummy to pull out at the Georgia workshop? This shows how fabulous Kristen Fulton's WOW events are. And what a mighty fine teacher you are. I was fortunate to see/hear/participate in a Denise Fleming library presentation years ago & have followed her books ever since. She is most wonderful. As are you.

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  17. Picture Book Dummies are an excellent tool. As an educator, I encourage my students to select magazine pictures that support their writing while creating a book. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of creating dummies for the manuscripts that I write.

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