tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post2695854773851686413..comments2024-03-28T02:36:55.037-04:00Comments on Brooklyn Arden: Intimations and PromulgationsCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05972029478350879112noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-60373818841412292662007-06-04T15:22:00.000-04:002007-06-04T15:22:00.000-04:00One of the best editor talks I've seen in years wa...One of the best editor talks I've seen in years was one in which the speaker read favorite passages from her novels and picture books she'd edited, giving line-by-line reactions as she went. The brilliant thing about it was seeing the broad generalizations we've all heard a thousand times about character, plot, etc. applied to very particular pieces of text. It cured the generalizations of their banality. It let her make all the basic points but she made them down at the level where work is actually made: word by word, page turn by page turn. Loved her. Loved her double for starting her talk by saying that she wasn't going to talk about marketing or market trends until the last ten minutes...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-45844115750960076522007-05-06T12:51:00.000-04:002007-05-06T12:51:00.000-04:00I attended the OC SCBWI Agents Day yesterday and a...I attended the OC SCBWI Agents Day yesterday and all the agents talked about the need for books with a unique voice. <BR/><BR/>So I place my vote with Lois and say go for "Voice and Characterizations" <BR/><BR/>Another tip was that a good beginning to a story is like throwing open a door to a party. Is it more interesting if the evening is just begun or if things are in full swing with fights starting to break out?<BR/><BR/>I wish I had a private jet so I could go to a place with the word "Paperie" in the title. (drifts off into longing)<BR/><BR/><BR/>MarilynThetoymakershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405265800595978197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-40953244561388587902007-05-05T21:24:00.000-04:002007-05-05T21:24:00.000-04:00For a talk about characterization -maybe share som...For a talk about characterization -maybe share some examples of good numbers of characters for different age levels and how the author/illustrator/editor team made it work. Some books have a cast of thousands and it just *works* while others fizzle with a few. (And maybe a new recipe for seven-layer cookies to go with it for this conference topic!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-1334586980834688142007-05-05T18:59:00.000-04:002007-05-05T18:59:00.000-04:00In case you need to brush up on some of the advanc...In case you need to brush up on some of the advanced strategies of RPS, I thought I'd share <A HREF="http://www.worldrps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=33" REL="nofollow">this link</A> from the World RPS site. <BR/><BR/>I favor the Fistful of Dollars strategy, and abhor the Bureaucrat. But that's just me.... Perhaps we can meme this through the kidlitopshere? "What RPS strategy is your blog?" Anyone?Greg Pincushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449684160718426340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-85321250946394749062007-05-04T22:45:00.000-04:002007-05-04T22:45:00.000-04:00Since you asked, I'd like to hear your thoughts on...Since you asked, I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to analyze literature. Most of us are Big Time readers, but how do we evaluate what we read so that we can learn the craft better?JenFWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04426266278784991887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-2812819782523653082007-05-04T18:09:00.000-04:002007-05-04T18:09:00.000-04:00Oh! Now I know what I forgot to write last night -...Oh! Now I know what I forgot to write last night -- I've answered all of the March and April SQUIDs, at long last, and look forward to being back on a regular once-a-month schedule in future.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05972029478350879112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-47865921550841350782007-05-04T17:39:00.000-04:002007-05-04T17:39:00.000-04:00Wonderful! We met in Kansas City last year, and I...Wonderful! We met in Kansas City last year, and I will be at this conference as well. <BR/><BR/>Characterization and voice are fabulous topics--I'd love to hear your thoughts--and with your stellar delivery...I can't wait! I heard Peter Jacobi speak on voice a couple of years ago where he likened it to music. My takeaway was this: If Elvis and Madonna and Pavarotti and Lyle Lovett all stood in front of you and sang the same exact song, you could close your eyes and know whose version was whose, because they all have a distinct style, pitch, tone, resonance. <BR/><BR/>As writers we could all tell the same exact story, but the ones that rise to the top are the ones that have style, pitch, tone, and that resonate with the reader.<BR/><BR/>I thought this was a brilliant comparison, because good writing is much like making music. Anyway...<BR/><BR/>I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on whatever the topic. :)thatgirlygirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16659470686027268957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-35464138873097500182007-05-04T13:52:00.000-04:002007-05-04T13:52:00.000-04:00Hmmm...I'm a little jaded so submissions seems ove...Hmmm...I'm a little jaded so submissions seems overdone for me. How about emotional resonance? I often feel that many writers miss the significance of achieving it and power it brings to their work. It's what sets great writing apart from merely good. I also think that you can fix little plot issues, but you stand or fall on voice and emotional resonance.<BR/>just a thought....<BR/>sAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-24230386034048328772007-05-04T11:42:00.000-04:002007-05-04T11:42:00.000-04:00I think voice is a good subject. Maybe it is somet...I think voice is a good subject. Maybe it is something you have to find on your own, but what it is and how you can find it are still interesting and helpful things to know.<BR/><BR/>Characterization is always a good subject, especially for those of us still struggling with it. I sent a submission to you several months ago, and you responded that it had good characterization and snappy writing. I'll let you in on a little secret -- I paid a professional to line edit it for me. She's the one who showed me how to add little tidbits to make the characters come alive. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-68414361347093027592007-05-04T08:06:00.000-04:002007-05-04T08:06:00.000-04:00Here's a new game:McVitie, Stroopwafel, Granny Smi...Here's a new game:<BR/><BR/>McVitie, Stroopwafel, Granny Smith. Who would win?lizzy_lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12440553174754279495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-35152858149108740442007-05-04T02:32:00.000-04:002007-05-04T02:32:00.000-04:00Loved the rock paper siz thing!Most of us know so ...Loved the rock paper siz thing!<BR/><BR/>Most of us know so much about submissions. It's always good to hear about general info and what you think works or doesn't. But-Craft is always the winner. One of our local authors Juanita Havill, does a picture book workshop and she talks about the history of the picture book. Which I found not only to be fascinating but also a comprehensive way to understand the picture book form. Seeing where things come from in order to see where they are going makes things seem more real and clear. I've not seen this done with novels (yet), but I don't see why it wouldn't be fabulous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-24203741999762162022007-05-04T01:44:00.000-04:002007-05-04T01:44:00.000-04:00How about approaching character from Thomas McCorm...How about approaching character from Thomas McCormack's perspective (ie, how it is inseparable from plot)? The Fiction Editor is probably the most dense book I've read on writing--I even had to take notes to make sure I was getting it--but I think if you work that way, you eliminate a host of writing problems, including the "sagging middle."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com