Tips on Craft, Critiques, & Agent 101 by Kathy Halsey

I sprang into March with many recent webinars, meet-ups, and SCBWI events and I'm sharing them with GROG readers today. Here's to springing forward and new growth for us all!

Taking Writing to the Next Level

YA writer Emery Lord, author of OPEN ROAD SUMMER and THE START OF ME AND YOU, shared her thoughts at a recent Central Ohio SCBWI meet-up. More about Emery here.

1. That old adage, "show not tell" can be broken, especially in longer works. A writer should think WHEN to show and WHEN to tell.  Think - what's the intention of doing so purposefully.

2. When creating character depth, imagine your main character's parents and family. They are the central part of a child's identity, even in YA. 

3. Create/free associate a vocabulary list of your main character that includes his/her set of references. Emery's example: if your protagonist is religious the list might include "holy," "communion,"  "dove," "olive branch." Pull from this list for analogies, metaphors,  figurative language to set the tone of the book.

Being a Good Critique Partner

In a recent KidLIt College webinar with Heather Alexander, Pippin Properties, the emphasis was on big picture issues. Avoid line edits. Heather shared house renovation analogies. Don't change the "wallpaper," when the "blueprint" is lacking. 

1. Look at character arc for growth/change in character, flat characters, characters to whom kids will relate.

2. Motivation is the motor of the story. Can you find the core emotion that moves your character forward? Drill down and keep asking "WHY?"

3. The narrative arc is impossible to untangle from from character. All stories must have exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and a resolution. In a critique, all these elements need to be examined.

Photo by Juliana Lee

Agent 101- Vicky Selvaggio

Vicky Selvaggio, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, pulled back the curtain on how she acquires clients to a packed house in Columbus, via Central Ohio SCBWI.

1. Know your communication style/needs and that of your perspective agent. Vicky emphasizes that this partnership IS a relationship.

2. Vicky says her job is to push, encourage, support her clients. Clients have a job, too. Read voraciously in your genre, make connections with editors at conference and pass that info on to your agent. Be open-minded with revisions.

3. Both agents and client should keep submission logs. SCBWI, THE BOOK has a great template in the back. You should know where your work is, who has it, and eventually receive feedback on your work. 

4. Realize that good agents put their current clients' needs first (red flag if they don't), so response to your query may take more time than you'd like.

Hope you've found a few tips that puts the spring back in your step. If you'd like to share a tip from a recent webinar/class/event you've taken recently, add it to the comments section. SPRING FORWARD!

Sandwich Day! ~Suzy Leopold

May I serve you?

Today is Sandwich Day!

You may just want to grab a breakfast sandwich while you read this post. Or maybe it is lunchtime and you want to bite into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Suppertime? No problem. Sandwiches are good choices for a supper meal, too.

English history states that John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Montagu spent many hours gambling in London, England. In 1792, Montagu created a way to remain at the gambling table for long periods of time without stepping away to eat a meal. John Montagu placed meat between two pieces of bread and enjoyed his sandwich while continuing to wager his bets.  

Are you hungry?

Why am I talking about the 4th Earl of Sandwich and making you hungry for a yummy sandwich? 

Perhaps you have heard of the sandwich approach. It is a common method and an excellent way to share feedback for many purposes. The sandwich method is an approach that states a negative statement in between two positive comments.  

Homemade bread

The two slices of bread represent a strength, something noted as positive. Cheese, lettuce and a slice of tomato, the ingredients inside the sandwich, depict an area for improvement.

Soup and Sandwich

Belonging to a critique group is a very important part of the writing process. Good critiques offer support to the a writer’s manuscript by giving and taking. 

Giving a Critique

The sandwich method is used by writers to share a critique by offering encouragement, constructive criticism, and suggestions for improvement with a manuscript. 

Begin by stating something positive about the manuscript. Always begin a critique by noting something that you like. Point out what is working in the manuscript. Next, offer two points for areas of improvement. Make suggestions, while being polite and respectful. Be specific. Keep the critique friendly. The writer accepts or rejects any criticism. Follow with another strength and a positive comment of what you like about the manuscript. Sandwich the feedback with praise.

Thus you have a sandwich. Two pieces of yummy bread depicting what is positive in the manuscript. The sandwich fixins’ will need just a little bit more; some more work and more revisions.

Receiving a Critique

Listen without interrupting or defending your writing. Don’t just hear; listen carefully. Listening to the positive comments or the two pieces of bread is always encouraging. You may feel that your manuscript is polished and ready for submission because you have put forth so much time and effort revising it and then revising some more. However, it likely needs some improvement. Receiving criticism can be tough. You may have thought the luncheon meat, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes of the sandwich were already tasty. After the critique is complete, the writer can now ask questions. Perhaps a clarification is needed or even additional information.

After listening to the critique, let your manuscript sit for a day or even a week before thinking about making some changes. Time for the real work to begin. Remember the suggestions for improvement are to support your writing and to make it the best it can be. The critique is not about criticizing you as a person. Listen and learn. The more you listen, rewrite, and see improvements in your writing, the easier it is to accept criticism from critique partners. 

A critique group or partner should be someone you trust and someone who can support you in preparing a manuscript that is ready to submit. 

A Critiqued Manuscript

Soon you will have a sandwich. Your hard work will come together into a delicious sandwich. Not just any sandwich. It will be a scrumptious manuscript made with fresh bread and sandwich fixins’ of your choice. It will be the best sandwich ever and you will know it is time to submit. It will be so tasty!

A Veggie Sandwich

My sandwich of choice is two pieces of crusty sourdough bread cheese, garden lettuce and arugula, homegrown tomatoes and dill pickles. Oh, and just a squirt of mustard, please.

What is your favorite sandwich?