Tag Archives: Writing craft

What I Saw and How I Learned (At Springmingle!)

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So, remember a post or two back when I asked about SCBWI?

Several people commented about the SCBWI conferences and the value thereof. And this is the post in which I’ll share my very own personal observations and such about the conference I just attended. To wit, Springmingle ’10, sponsored by Southern Breeze.  (You know, that sounds awfully impressive. And I’m not gonna lie. Springmingle ’10 kinda was.)

From keynote speaker and prolific author, Jane Yolen, I learned that the truth about children’s publishing may not always be rainbows and puppy dogs, but it’s worth enduring. I found that she (thankfully) has a great sense of humor (see Cathy-on-a-Stick’s latest adventure). And I’ll keep her wonderful comment from my First Page critique for a rainy, rejection day. (Okay, you might as well know that I’ve written her comment down and it’s posted over my computer. Because c’mon,  it’s Jane Yolen.) I put one of Jane’s recently released books on my “To Buy List”: My Father Knows the Names of Things because when Jane read it, I got a little flekempt.

From Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Arthur A. Levine Books, I learned alot about revising and character development.  And I also learned that when speakers give handouts,  I remember more. Here’s a revision technique straight from the handout that’s helpful for any writer: Cut as many adverbs, telling uses of the word “feel” or “felt,” and non-“said” dialogue tags as you possibly can. “I felt like I learned something there,” I whined pitifully.

Josh Adams, agent, from Adams Literary Agency, filled us in on the agent side of children’s publishing, sharing lots of agent secrets. I learned that yeah, you need an agent. And that yeah, it’s not easy.  I could share those tips ’cause they’re not so secret.

From my manuscript critique, I learned that Jessica Alexander (from Peachtree Publishers) made a most excellent point about my main character.  I also learned that  a major rewrite is now in my immediate future.

From Meredith Mundy, senior editor at Sterling Publishers, I learned that when you (and by you, I really mean me) win the opportunity to sit next to someone (and by someone, I mean Meredith)  in the children’s writing business, you can’t get any luckier (and by luckier, I mean Meredith was gracious and generous and put up with a lot from, um, me) than Meredith Mundy. Oh, and I also learned from Meredith that Sterling is always looking for humor. (Wheee!)

And finally, I learned that you really can’t beat  SCBWI for writer value. Not to mention that whole “making new friends” value.

Finding Writing Snacks (A Site That’s a Treat!)

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Honestly? I find writing snacks all the time. Under the couch, in the pencil holder, around the keyboard. But those aren’t exactly the kind of writing snacks anyone but me might enjoy.

Writing Snacks, the website, was created by Dana Cleveland Konop and Melissa Thomas-Dubois, who happened to have an awful lot of good writing stuff hanging about that they wanted to share. So, we get to chomp on their writing treats!

This month’s treats include an interview with Jo S. Kittinger, a children’s author who manages to accomplish a whole lot, writing-wise. You’ll want to read what she has to say if you’re wondering how to get motivated.

There are several regular features as well at Writing Snacks…you’ll find grammar lessons, writing craft info, the business end of writing stuff, and monthly tips and tidbits provided by guest writers.

Now, who could December’s guest writer be? If you said Cathy C. Hall, you’re most likely a very astute, not to mention scathingly brilliant, individual, one I’m sure who would take advantage of blogging tips and tidbits right here.

And if you didn’t guess Cathy C. Hall, then you need to hang about here more often! (And hanging about Writing Snacks wouldn’t hurt, either!)