Go With the Flow

First drafts percolate in my head for weeks, 

beckoning to be released. 

When I finally sit at the computer, 

they gush out like a broken water main, 

flooding the pages. 

Voice automatically surfaces through the words.

--Gayle C. Krause

PATCHWORK WORDS: STRONGER STORY

Pretty Pirate!

We’ve all heard about how we should polish our manuscripts until they shine. Are they made of silver? And it has been said that editors are seeking the precious gem, so we should revise our manuscripts until they sparkle.

I’d like to propose an analogy of my own, “patchwork words.”

Since I’m also a quilter, as well as an author, this makes sense to me. Maybe it will be an easy way for you to revise to make your story stronger.

Your story is finished. You’ve read it and reread it a million times. Friends and critique partners have read it and given comment. You fixed the sagging middle, tied the loose ends, and cut out the unnecessary words. Now, it’s ready to submit to agents or editors.

Right?         Wrong!

I’m suggesting one last exercise before you hit the send button or seal that manila envelope. This is where the “patchwork words” come in.

VERBS:

1. Take the first and last page of each chapter.
2. Highlight the verbs you have used.
3. List them separately on a different page.
4. Use a thesaurus to find a stronger verb. (This may not always happen if you already have a strong verb)
5. Replace the weak verb and continue down the list.

ie:  original phrase – pushed forcefully against the wall.

      new phrase – slammed against the wall

      original phrase – cut deep into his shoulder

      new phrase – pierced his shoulder

     

DESCRIPTORS

1.     Repeat step one above.

2.     Highlight adjectives and adverbs with a different color from above exercise.

3.     Where you have two adjectives, cut one.

4.     Where you had adverbs, your new stronger verb should eliminate the need for the tricky adverb.

ie:  original phrase - cold, blue eyes stared

      new phrase – icy eyes stared

      original phrase – the long, twisted, cobblestone road

      new phrase – the winding road

SIMILES/METAPHORS

1.     Repeat step one above.

2.     Check for your analogies. Are they cliché? If so, change them to something more original. (The first thing you think of is usually the first thing ever other writer thinks of, so stretch your imagination to come up with something more original.)

3.     Don’t overuse analogies. (No more than one on each page, it that)

Pint-Sized Pirate!

Now go back and reread your manuscript. The new words you slipped in there should make a difference. You can tell when you get to the “patched” area because it should sound stronger.

Patchwork your way to perfection! J

A Dozen Simple Tips for Writing Strong Novels

Writing Novels

1.   Make a plot outline.

2.   Kick off your novel with a bang to hook your readers right away. (First page)

3.   Stay focused to move your story forward.

4.   Keep flashbacks to a minimum.

5.   Quickly accelerate story to a level of action

6.   Don’t underestimate your reader. No need to explain everything. Let your story tell itself. Show, Don’t tell. 

7.   Let your characters speak through believable dialogue.

8.  Include sounds, smells, visual details, and things only your main character can see.

9.   Create characters the reader cares about. The reader needs to identify with your main character. 

10. The main character needs to develop over the course of the book.  Don’t forget your villains need to be interesting, too!

11.   Keep the intensity rising. Then sustain a high pitch, before leveling off.  Gradually come down at the climax. 

12.   Endings should be emotionally satisfying.

Eastern PA SCBWI Festival of Books

CORRECTION! CHANGE OF VENUE!!!


The Book Festival will take place on the same day, at the same time, but will be held at:


Doylestown Bookshop
16 S Main St.
Doylestown, PA 18901


See you there!

The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society of Children’s 

Book Writers &  Illustrators

       presents

      A Festival of Children’s Books

       on Thursday, July 28, 2011

      2:30 – 5:30 PM

In the Pearl S. Buck room at the Doylestown Branch of the Bucks County Library

Please come and meet our region’s most wonderful author’s and illustrators.

I'll be there. So will ROCK STAR SANTA. Looking forward to seeing you.

Winner of the Fractured Mother Goose Poetry Contest is Announced

Mother Goose has been giving her spectacles a real work out reading and rereading these “old rhymes in new skins.” She even let Goosey read some. Goosey was not a fan of The Wise Lamb and I could understand why.

I would like to personally thank everyone who participated in the “New Mother Goose Rhyming Competition.”

From a scrambled “Humpty” to a lying “Bo-Peep” to Rhymeland’s own “Sweeney,” the entries were very clever.

The winner may contact me through my website for their rhyming picture book critique. Just click on the link in the upper right hand corner of my blog. That will take you to my website where you will find my email address.

Thanks again, everyone everyone. These contests are always a bunch of fun and they help stimulate your creativity.

And the winner is………..

A KING’S MAN TELLS WHAT HAPPENED TO HUMPTY DUMPTY


By Stephanie Shaw

Congratulations, Stephanie. J

NJSCBWI - A New Take on Silver and Gold

Making New Writer Friends and Reconnecting with Old Ones


Last week I had the best time at the NJSCBWI Conference despite a few family setbacks. (An emergency room visit in the middle of the night) But that's another story.

I was thrilled to meet and chat with some of my POET'S GARAGE members. I had met Stella and Diana before, but this was my first time meeting Laura.

I also ran into my old friend, Patti, who by the way had been my very first roommate at the POCONO SCBWI conference years ago. Since then I have published a picture book and she has obtained an MFA from Vermont.

I spent some time with Nancy, Allison, Kristin, Christina, Mary, Elena, Edward, Ammi, Eileen, and Alvina.

New friends made, included my awesome YA peer critique group, Suzy, Susie, Marcy, Christine and Nicole.

Aside from writer friends I also made new friends with editors and agents. So now I'm busy revising away in hopes that next year I'll be one of the agented authors attending.

Go to a writer's conference. It builds your self-esteem, gets you excited about your work and stimulates your creativity, not to mention your appetite, friendships and life in general. :)

NEW POETRY CONTEST AT THE STORYTELLER’S SCROLL

Don't forget, you rhymers out there. Mother Goose is expecting some "new" takes on her "old" rhymes.

Contest starts today!

Good Luck!