These are notes from a writer’s conference. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.
“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” Shannon Hale
- Read 100 or more picture books published in last 2-3 yrs.
- Found 3 or more mentor text and typed out each one.
- Analyzed mentor text to see what’s working.
- Examined and revised in our own text: Main character, heart’s desire, problem, stakes, kid-appeal, hook resolution, satisfying ending, core emotions, and story structure.
- Create a storyboard as many times needed.
- Created a book dummy (as many time as needed (your simple illustrations
- Read each draft out lout
- Had others read it out loud (adults and children
- Played with points of view to determine the best narration
- Tired various tenses to determine best one
- Ask through each revision:
- Am I feeling the core emotion?
- How does the story relate to a child’s emotional world?
Trimming and Finessing:
Tine-tuning language through:
- Knowing desired word count.
- Trimming word count
- Choosing wondrous words.
A picture book is a partnership between words and mages. Pictures tell the large part of the story. Words (if included) tell the other part of the story. Words should not tell the full story.
Types of picture books:
- Board books: for youngest readers. Have cardboard pages to withstand wear and tear.
- Ages 0-3 are under 50 words, 8-24 pages.
- Ages 2-5 is under 200 words, 24-32 pages.
- Fiction picture books
- Ages 3-5 (sometimes 8) between 300-500 words, 32 pages
- Ages 7-10: under 1,000 words. 32 pages thought occasionally 25, 26, or 48
Nonfiction Picture Books:
- Ages 4-8, maybe up to 12
- 1500-2000 words including back matter.
- 32-48 pages and sometimes longer. Based do curriculum tie in.
Remove visual Descriptions:
- The text should not tell the whole story. Leave room for the illustrator to add to the story. The more you leave out, the more space you crate for the illustrator and the reader.
- Illustration notes: use sparingly. Only include if the information is essential to understand the story.
Trimming word count:
- Thomas Jefferson: never use two words when one word will do.
- Simplify your manuscript to create crisp, clutter free sentences.
- Does this _____ directly contribute to the plot? (Line, scene, character, setting action.) If it does – not move the story forward, cut it out.
