Tips for Beginning Writers ~Suzy Leopold

Please note: 
While the title indicates beginning writers, I consider these Tips for All Writers. Even if you feel you are a writer who has moved beyond the beginning stages, I encourage you to continue to read. 

Perhaps you are a published author. Please proceed. Hopefully, you will feel affirmed in what you know as a writer and/or be reminded of what works for you, while reading this blog post. 

For the beginning writer, I do hope you will discover some new ideas to further your interest in writing.

1. Say it out loud: "I am a writer."

When can you start calling yourself a writer?
     Now.
          Right now.
Don't be shy. 
     Doing so makes it real.

A writer can be unpublished, prepublished or published.

Look in the mirror and say, "I am a writer."
Say it again until you believe it.

"When can you start calling 

yourself a writer?

Now."

~Chuck Sambuchino

2. Read, read, read.

• Read in the genre that you write.
• Read across genres, including books for children and adults.
• Read newspapers and magazines.
• Read poetry.
• Read recently published books at the library and bookstore.
• Linda Sue Park, a Newbery Medal winning author, encourages aspiring children's authors to read at least five hundred books in the genre and age group that you desire to write.

Reading numerous books helps define what a good story is to you and from there you will write the stories you like to read.

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), creates a list of worthy and notable books. 

Click on the link ALSC Notable Children's Books for more information.

Every time you read a book that you like, study it further. Analyze it. Study the techniques the writer used. Ask questions:

• What do you like about this story or article?
• How did the author hook you as a reader?
• Figure out what works with the beginning and the ending of the story.
• Analyze the word count.
• How did the author use the right word in the right place?
• Think about character development---How are the characters authentic with their action and dialogue?

3. Write, write, write.

• Practice, Write, Revise and Repeat.
• Most writers feel that writing every day is best. However, you need to cultivate a process that works for you. Create a writing and revision process that helps you do your best work.
• Set a timer. Begin writing for 10 to 30 minutes. Over time, you will build your writing stamina to write for longer periods of time.
• Perseverance + Discipline + Time = A Story
• Do write in your voice with your individual strengths and uniqueness. 
• Get everything out of your head and onto paper or in a word document.

4. Keep a writing journal.

• Write down favorite quotes and words of wisdom.
• Doodle and draw characters, settings, and book cover ideas. You don't have to be artistic---stick figures work to give you a better layout that includes page turns.
• Jot down both positive and negative thoughts, along with your ups and downs during your writing journey.
• Brainstorm lists of words.
• Keep your ideas and inspiration inside your journal.
• Create a checklist of goals.
• Write an outline for a book idea.
• Record highlights of information you learned to a conference, workshop, and/or webinar.

Create a journal filled with information you can refer as a resource to refer to. In time, look back at your journal entries. I'm certain you will note how you have grown as a writer.

5. Reach out to writers.

• If you aren't already a member, become a member of SCBWI.
• Participate in writing challenges, Facebook groups and discussions, critique groups---in-person and online.
• Discuss the process of writing with trusted friends. Together through encouragement, critique partners should give you courage to be daring, to make mistakes and learn and grow.

I picked these flowers for YOU from my garden.

Every one has a story to tell. Know why you want to share this story. Why does it matter? Why is it important for it to be told? 

Be brave. Believe.

Clip, Clip Here: Pruning Your Word Count by Kathy Halsey

[Disclaimer: All GROG posts this week come to you while many of us are at the WOW Retreat. Read with caution! LOL]
Hum along with me as I sing from the Wizard of Oz, "Clip, clip here, clip, clip there. We give the roughest claws that certain savoir faire in the merry old land of Oz." A makeover feels wonderful, doesn't it? Hair trimmed, nails clipped, manuscript tightened. Yes, even our work needs trimming, especially if we write picture books. Lately I've been called the queen of "slash and burn."I don't mind owning that title. Let me tell you my tricks of the trade.

Trade Secrets

• Look for "orphans." Linda Sue Park shared this secret last year at the LA SCBWI annual conference. Skim your text for paragraphs that only have a few words hanging out alone on a line. Re-read that 'graph and cut it until there's a nice chunk of text w/no "hangers-on."
• Think carefully about monikers. Main characters with middle names or titles can spell trouble for word count, and they are tiresome to read aloud, too. Here are a few examples from my work or other critique partners: Lil' Boogie, John Jr., Gracie Mae. If you must use a complicated name, use it once and then shorten it through the rest of the story.
• Tag lines can be slashed in dialogue. Once a conversation ensues, you really may not need the "said Kate," or "exclaimed Evan." Trust your reader to know who your characters are by their distinctive voices. 
• Scan and cut prepositional phrases. Instead of saying, "the mouth of the river," try "the river's mouth."
• Modify the modifier. If you must use an adjective or adverb, just use one. 
• Print your manuscript and peruse it for repeated phrases that add nothing. We all have those repeated lines that can be slashed. Usually these are transitional words such as "next," "now, "then." If there's a page turn, it serves as a physical reminder of time, so slash away.
• Dummies! Not calling anybody out here, just know that I don't always create a picture book dummy, but when I do, I usually cut a ton of words.
• Pare verbs. I'm prone to stringing verbs together in my first drafts. So I watch for constructions like "I went to see a movie," and whittle it to "I saw a movie." 
• Chunks of text - How a draft looks on a page is important. I look for what I call "dense" paragraphs which are huge chunks of text. I reread these to see if I can thin them out. 

Ah, feel better? You look marvelous with that new trim and so does your lean, mean manuscript.

Sunny Reflections of SCBWI LA 2014 ~ by Kathy Halsey and Patricia Toht

Our first convention! From our initial meeting and talking with roomies late into the night, to the closing keynote speech of Judy Blume, what a wonderful time it was.

To sum it up:
•  over 1200 writers and illustrators from 19 countries + US
•  93 editors, agents and other industry professionals
•  12 inspiring keynote speeches
•  86 instructional breakout sessions
•   4 informational panels, and
•   1 rocking party to celebrate Tomie dePaola's 80th birthday

Happy times at the Night in Old Italy gala

Below is a sampling of our favorite memories and bits of advice.

Patricia: In the Editors' Panel, over half of the editors said the most important element in a manuscript was VOICE. Mary Lee Donovan said, "Voice is something you bring to a manuscript automatically. If you're writing authentically, you're writing in your voice."
Another interesting point from Allyn Johnston (Beach Lane Books) was the importance of matching the right book with the right editor. She told of having passed on SOPHIE'S SQUASH, Pat Zeitlow Miller's charming and award-winning picture book. To paraphrase, she said that it didn't connect strongly with her; had she taken it on, it might not have become the terrific book that it is.

Kathy: And speaking of SOPHIE'S SQUASH, Pat Zeitlow Miller WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME (sorry, quite excited by that) during Linda Sue Park's keynote, reviewing her award speech over and over. I wouldn't have recognized her, but as my eyes traveled the page she perused, I spied her name. I wrote her a quick note and told her to relax, that my grandson Tobin loved "the squash" and after all, we were her writing peeps. She smiled and put the speech down. What did I learn? Even famous folks have feelings of anxiety, even Golden Kite winners! 

Patricia: How much do I love Megan McDonald? A lot. I went to her two breakouts plus her keynote! She offered some wonderful tips about CHARACTER. Here are a trio --
Take time to come up with a great name.
Make sure that, if you write a character of the opposite gender, you get feedback from the opposite gender. 
Give your character a secret or a fault, for that is where the reader finds empathy with your character.

Kathy: A revising trick Linda Sue Park gave us was to WRITE A SECTION OF YOUR MS IN CAPS. IT IS SO AGGRAVATING TO READ, YOU WILL SURELY SLASH YOUR WORD COUNT. Also, I ran into her at the pool...one of many chance encounters with famous folk this past weekend.

Yes, Tim Federle and Kathy Halsey in a selfie that Tim took of us.

One of the most genuine, truly nice authors I met was Tim Federle, MG author of BETTER NATE THAN EVER and FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, NATE fame. He was on the phone w/his mom when I gasped out, "Tim Federle." He cut the chat w/mom short; proceeded to chat with lil' ol' me. When he found we had a mutual friend, Brandi Stewart of Changing Hands, he snapped this selfie of us & posted to Facebook. Tim's session, 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Debut Novelist, was equal parts comedy routine and good advice. He gave permission to post this widely.
One terrific tip, which I already practice, is sending handwritten thank you notes to people in the business. BTW, his character Nate discusses the concept in FIVE, SIX, SEVEN NATE, pp. 66-67: "But Libby says I should be sending handwritten notes to anyone who's nice to me! As an example: The guardian will not get a handwritten note. Bernie the First will..."  

Patty: Good news for picture book authors! Several speakers referred to our current period of time as a "second Golden Age of Picture Books." But they also cautioned that the competition is fierce, so we must work to make our writing and/or art stand out. In her market report, Deborah Halverson reported that today's PBs are dominated by those aimed at a younger market, short in length, and very often character-based.

Kathy: I have reams of copious notes from the conference, but a few direct quotes from some of the standout keynoters/speakers bear repeating --

Meg Rosoff: "Kids are desperate to understand the inside of their own heads."

Justin Chanda's Picture Book Philosophy: "It is theatre."

Stephen Chbosky: "There is no such thing as 'writers' block.' You are editing too early." 

Paraphrasing Linda Sue Park: Words have become one of our cheapest currencies, so it is even more important that the words we write for kids are special.

Patricia: And a few of my favorite quotes, too --

Andrea Welch: "Don't let your submissions feel like you're throwing spaghetti at a wall. Target your agents and publishers!"

Cynthia Kadohata: "The more your research is absorbed, the more powerful your writing will become."

Judy Blume: "Determination is as important as talent."

And these last words of the conference from Lin Oliver: "It's a difficult road we've chosen. Better to go down that road, hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm, than alone."

Kathy and Patricia celebrate being children's writers
from the balcony in somewhat sunny LA.