Navigating Your First Picture Book Writing Journey, Part 2

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Cara J. Stevens, editing, picture books, writing, writing tips

by Cara J. Stevens

Part 2: 7 Self-editing checkpoints to take your manuscript from first draft to ready for submission

**Note: This is the second in a two-part series. To read part one, click here.**

My first post covered storytelling basics to get you to a solid first draft. Once your manuscript is complete, however, it’s far from finished!

Here are seven checkpoints to guide you once you’re ready to edit.

Navigating Your First Picture Book Writing Journey

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Cara J. Stevens, editing, first draft, picture books, writing, writing tips

by Cara J. Stevens

Part 1: From idea to first draft

The first time I submitted a manuscript, it was rejected within 24 hours. “This story is more instructional than engaging,” the editor said, and went on to suggest that it would make a great article. I was dismayed and confused. I thought I had written a story that hit all the notes of a good picture book. I wondered where I had gone wrong.

I reached out to a colleague who used to be a children’s book agent. “Your main character has no agency,” he pointed out. “If your main character has a problem and someone else solves it, then he’s not really your main character.” My mind was sufficiently blown. As soon as he said it, I saw it so clearly! After a lifetime of reading and exploring picture books, how could I have missed that?

The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – Episode 3

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authors, editing, middle grade, publishing, reality TV, TV writing, Twist My Charm, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Toni with the Fiji crew – field producing Under One Roof

Welcome back to our third and final “episode”! In my earlier articles, I shared how the wild and wonderful world of reality TV can help authors improve their stories, but now it’s time to face two of the toughest challenges of all: editing, and accepting notes.

The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – For Real!

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editing, kidlit, plot, reality TV, SCBWI members, structure, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Reality TV might be a guilty pleasure for many, but believe it or not, there are storytelling secrets in those wild, dramatic, and silly shows that can truly improve your writing. How do I know? 

Well, I had two middle grade novels published by Random House while I worked as an Executive Producer on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! And after working for almost 30 (gulp) years in the business, I have seen how the rules of reality TV can punch up a story in need. Hopefully, the things I’ve learned can help you too.

When the Writing (or Drawing) Gets Tough: How to Plow Through the Block

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authors, editing, illustrating, illustrator tips, illustrators, writing, writing tips

You may have heard about writer’s block, or have gotten stuck mid-way through a story or a sketch. Maybe you’ve redrawn the same scene multiple times only to have to throw away the paper after you’ve erased right through it. These times can be tough, and it’s hard to pick up that pencil and keep going. But that’s what you’ve got to do.

Ask an Editor: Revision and Voice

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author voice, character voice, editing, revision grid, voice

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – My grammar and mechanics skills helped me get good grades in school but they often cause me trouble when I’m revising fiction. How do I keep from editing the voice out of my manuscript?

—Jade, Los Angeles

What to Take on Your Writer’s Journey #3: Be Ready to Nix Your Darlings

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authors, Cheryl Klein, editing, kidlit, revision, Rieko Mendez, Sandy Asher, SCBWI members, Writers Day

by Rieko Mendez

Editor’s Note: This is the third and final installment on What to Take on Your Writer’s Journey. 

Now that you are prioritizing feedback with your community of writers and hopefully scratching the surface on — if not digging to the core of — answering the question “why must you write this book?” from my earlier articles, let’s talk about the most important step in being a writer: revisions, many revisions.

Sara Schonfeld on Making the Most of Rejection

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Alice Walker, Ally Malinenko, Beatrix Potter, Cristina Fernandez, editing, Ghost Girl, rabbits, Rejection, Sara Schonfeld, Writers Day, Writers Day 2021

Jumping from journalism to editing, Sara Schonfeld never strayed far from children’s stories. She joined Katherine Tegen Books in 2019 and has recently taken on the role of Associate Editor for the imprint. Her list includes everything from picture books to young adult novels from authors such as Alice Walker, Cristina Fernandez, and Ally Malinenko (author of the forthcoming Ghost Girl).

A rabbit lover and fan of anything Marvel, this “Bunny Boss” is looking for stories that are uplifting and affirming, showing the power of relationships, identity, and self for young readers.

Sara will be sharing insights on rejection letters and how to make the most of them in her presentation during SCBWI-L.A.’s Writers Day 2021. She has given us a preview of some of those tips here on Kite Tales, but you can still register for the event here to get the full scoop.

From Written to Spoken Word—Part Two: Writing for Audio

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Alex Gino, Amy Rubinate, Anna Meriano, Audiobooks, editing, Ideal Audiobooks, Megan McDonald, Mosaic Audio, narration, Patricia Hruby Powell, Tara Dairman, writing

by Amy Rubinate

Photo Credit: Ron Butler and Erin Bennett

Audiobooks are an increasingly important part of the literary marketplace, and there is a high likelihood that every book will become an audiobook sooner or later. In light of this shift in the market, authors may wonder if they need to keep the audio version in mind when writing, and adjust their writing style to accommodate this medium. I would suggest that the answer is yes, even if the changes are subtle or few. But let’s start with the easiest adjustment: using audiobook techniques to your advantage as part of the writing process.

Harold Underdown on Revising with an Editor’s Eye

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Complete Idiots Guide to Publishing Children's Books, editing, Eileen Robinson, Harold Underdown, Highlights Foundation, Kid's Book Revision, process, publishing, revising, revision grid, The Purple Crayon, WD2020, writing

Harold Underdown is an independent editor and publishing consultant, with over 30 years of experience in children’s publishing. He’s the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Children’s Book Publishing and has worked as an in-house editor for Macmillan, Orchard, and Charlesbridge. The collegiate atmosphere of publishing is what drew him to editing and developed his passion for helping writers bring out their vision.

He will be sharing his expertise at Writers Day on March 28 and leading a pre-conference revision workshop for those lucky enough to have grabbed a spot. (You can sign up for the waitlist here.) He’s also been generous enough to share some tips with us at Kite Tales.