Posted by: Katie B | April 27, 2012

What Makes a Good Children’s Book?

Cypress at the Black Swamp

Cypress at the Black Swamp

As I previously mentioned, Alvina Ling spoke at this year’s VCFA writing retreat.  At the conference, she shared a list of the “Attributes That Make A Good Children’s Book” (in her opinion).  Alvina writes about a lot of these ideas on her own blog, so I don’t believe I’m revealing proprietary information.  It’s such good advice, I can’t help but to share.

  1. Child or child surrogate (animal) is hero / heroine.
  2. Author uses engaging, lively language with distinctive dialogue.
  3. Author is not condescending, cloying, and is careful about using stereotypes.
  4. Characters seem real, complex, and dimensional and show growth.
  5. Author / Artist creates a completely believable and interesting world for its characters to inhabit.
  6. Uses economy of language and coherent structure.
  7. Includes details that appeal to a child’s sensibilities.
  8. Story has clever twists and / or connections that make the reader say, “A-ha!”
  9. Isn’t overly predictable (although for some picture books, predictability can work).
  10. Makes a point without being overly didactic or preachy.
  11. Illustrations (if applicable) expand in some way on the words of the story.
  12. Story / art is compelling and makes you want to turn the page to see what happens.
  13. Has a clear climax, point of tension that is resolved in a satisfying way.
  14. Author takes you on a journey; opens up new world and ideas to the reader.
  15. Story moves and / or entertains you; makes you laugh, cry, and / or think.  This satisfying feeling should linger with the reader after the book is over.
  16. On repeated readings the book offers fresh revelations or details that may not have been caught the first time through.
  17. Story gives enjoyment to the child and the inner child.
  18. Author is not afraid to be daring and takes risks, such as being willing to portray  unlikable characters or fantastical situations, take on controversial subjects, etc.
  19. Author has a clear, fresh, and interesting point of view on his / her subject.
  20. Be particularly careful about following a current trend; ideally should have some lasting value.

Happy Writing!

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Posted by: Katie B | April 26, 2012

Rutger’s Annual Writers Conference Now Open for Applications!

Rutgers University hosts an annual ’Council on Children’s Literature’ (RUCCL) every October.  I attended RUCCL in 2010 and felt it was a worthwhile event.  For my wrap up on the 2010 event, click here.  Funny enough, I found myself in this picture from their website (I’m front-left, in the blue short-sleeved sweater):

RUCCL 2010

The application for the 2012 conference is now available online.  Some information is still forthcoming, such as who this year’s mentors will be.  No doubt they’ll be an impressive collection from the top agencies and houses in the business.  What’s different about this event is that writers have to apply with a sample of their work and be accepted to attend.  As a result, you find the writers attending RUCCL to be more seasoned than at other conferences.  The other positive is the length of time you get to spend with a one-on-one mentor.  At 45 minutes, it’s significantly longer than at any other event.

Here are the key dates:

RUCCL 2012 Conference:  October 13, 2012

Application Deadline:  July 2, 2012

For all the RUCCL conference details, check out their website:  http://www.ruccl.org/One-on-One_Plus_Conference.html

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Posted by: Katie B | April 24, 2012

Spring Break Reading

Passing Time

Spring break flew by, sadly.  One of the main factors: I had an engaging book list that sucked away time faster than a black hole.  So I pass my recommendations on to you.  If you’re looking for a way to fill the freezing, sleeting, rainy April nights, take a peek at these:

Books I Like A Lot:

Speak by Laura Halse Anderson.  Young Adult.  About time I read this one, and if you haven’t read it, about time you read it, too.  Haunting.  Gripping.  Amazing.  Can’t believe it was her first book.  Sigh.  Some people just have talent.

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler.  Young Adult.  This book took me completely by surprise.  Rocked my world a little, to be honest.  The structure of the novel took a little getting used to.  It’s different, to be sure.  But hang in there.  The originality in the story telling, the point of view, the artistry, it all comes together to make a unforgettable story.

The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson.  Adult Fiction.  This was a well-written, easy read that had some hauntingly familiar themes.  For me at least.  Perhaps you can relate as well.

Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry.  Middle Grade.  I wish I’d discovered this series when I was in elementary school.  The story telling, the subject matter, the characterization: they check all the right boxes for me.  I’d recommend this book to any middle grade reader.

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel.  Middle Grade.  This book really falls into the easy / early reader category.  But it was so darn funny, anyone could read it.  Not everyday that a middle grade novel makes a middle-aged author laugh out loud.  What a fun read.

A Visit From the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan.  Adult Fiction.  I read, reviewed, and liked Jennifer Egan’s The Keep last year.  With this novel, she expands on her signature story-telling style.  Each section weaves a different character, point of view, and perspective so smoothly, she makes it seem easy.  When it’s anything but.  No wonder the book won The Pulitzer.

Books I Enjoyed (but could put down to go to sleep):

The Sisters Club: Cloudy With a Chance of Boys by Megan McDonald.  Middle Grade.  I thought the idea of the sisters club, with different sections of the book being narrated by different sisters, was a lot of fun.  The subject matter is subjective, though.  If you like books about boys and first kisses, then this is for you.

Books I’m Glad I Tried (but wouldn’t read again):

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli.  Middle Grade.  Well written tale that spins the lives of several dysfunctional families together.  I had the odd sense of deja-vu as I read it…as if I’d read something a lot like it a long time ago…

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Posted by: Katie B | April 21, 2012

Meet Susan Carlton at the Boston University Barnes & Noble!

One of my critique partners from the VCFA conference, Susan Carlton, is holding a book reading on 4/26 at the Barnes & Noble at Boston University for her new book, Love and Haight.  The book, which is her second, came out the weekend we were at the conference.  Very exciting!

As the title might suggest, it’s 1971 and 17-year-old Chloe is on her way to San Francisco with her best friend MJ.

Ellen Wittlinger sums up the novel as follows: “Caught between ‘An Old-Fashioned Love Song’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Chloe’s trying to figure out her own morality in the midst of Haight-Ashbury, ground zero for trippy hippies in 1971.  Carlton’s novel is lyrical, honest and moving.”

What a thrill!  Way to go Susan.  If you live in the area, and think you might be able to swing by, grab a cup of coffee and join her!

Date:  Thursday, 4/26/12

Time:  7:00pm

Location:  Barnes & Noble, Boston University (660 Beacon Street, Boston)

For more details, you can view this flyer:

Love and Haight by Susan Carlton

Or visit her website:

http://www.susancarlton.com/love-haight.php

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Posted by: Katie B | March 27, 2012

VCFA Novel Writing Retreat: A Great Experience

If you’re looking for a good writing retreat for young adult and middle grade authors, I strongly suggest the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) novel-writing retreat.  They offer two tracks for attending authors: the critique track and the writing track.  Both tracks attend lectures given by the guest speakers and join in the nighttime activities.  The difference:  the critique track attendees get the opportunity to have their work professionally critiqued by the quest speakers.  They also participate in a small critique group of peers, swapping up to 10 pages of a work in progress.

I participated in the critique track, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.  There wasn’t a lot of down time for writing (which may have been a result of my lack of discipline), but I didn’t miss the writing time.  Reason being:  the opportunity to swap ideas and work out novel crimps with advanced writers was priceless.  What a great community of authors.  Not to mention the critiques given by the guest lecturers:  Holly Black, Alvina Ling, and Coe Booth.  I’ve blogged about them in other pages, but I can’t stress enough how valuable they were.

Lastly, the generosity of the organizers, Sarah Aronson and Cindy Faughnan, can’t be overstated.  Depending on which guest lecturers they get in the future, I’d definitely attend again.

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Posted by: Katie B | March 22, 2012

Secondary Characters: The Big Reveal by Coe Booth

Secondary characters.  Our novels all have them.  We throw them in for various reasons.  But until I heard Coe Booth give a speech on “The Secondary Character Assessment” at the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) writing retreat, I never gave them enough consideration.  It’s my main character, her struggle and arch that drives my book, right?  Wrong.  A secondary character can make or break your novel.  They are what affects your main character, shaping your book,  transforming it from a one-dimensional story into a rich tale.  Too often, we don’t give the secondary character enough credit, and they become a stereotype.

Assuming in a children’s book that secondary characters are most often the siblings or parents, her point:  Families are systems with roles and rules.  They don’t change unless something forces them.  Leaving a secondary character underdeveloped is a lost opportunity for your story.  They are most often the catalyst for change.

Think I’m being a little dramatic?  Ask yourself the following questions about your secondary characters.  Get to know them better.  See how these answers would lead you to edit elements of your current piece.  I guarantee you’re going to make changes.  And you’ll have the same, oh…right, moment I did.

  1. Who are your secondary characters?
  2. What drives them?
  3. What does the home look like of the secondary characters (in most cases, the family itself)?  The neighborhood?  Picture it from the outside, and then what it looks like when you walk inside.
  4. What does your secondary character do for fun?  What’s the worst thing that’s happened to them?  What’s their biggest secret?
  5. What is the best time your secondary character has ever had with the main character?
  6. What is their biggest problem in life until now?
  7. How do the main and secondary characters talk to one another?
  8. What are the rules of the family or the relationship?  What role does each person play?
  9. One little change can upset the balance of the family or relationship – what is it?

Alvina Ling’s tweet / picture of Coe sitting with Holly Black after they gave their speeches: https://twitter.com/#!/planetalvina/status/181422551216570369/photo/1

Happy writing!

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Posted by: Katie B | March 21, 2012

Alvina Ling Shares a Great Editing Tip

Alvina Ling, Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, was a guest lecturer and offered one-on-one critiques at this past weekend’s Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) writing retreat.  Not only is she incredibly kind, putting the most-nervous of writers (insert self) at ease, she’s approachable and immensely helpful.  (Too many adverbs in that last sentence, I know.  But how else to effuse my genuine thanks?)

In her speech “Exploring the Narrative Voice and Structure”, she offered one great take-away which I’ll share with you:  the effect of structure on the viability of your novel.  She used examples from her own portfolio where reworking the structure of the novel impacted its success.  It wasn’t something I had considered before in my editing process.  If you find yourself stuck with a sagging middle or flat arch, another tool available to fix issues is structure.

Examples? I hope I’m not revealing industry secrets here, but…In the middle grade novel, Bird in a Box (which I’ve read, loved, and reviewed on my Book Review page), the author had originally written the book with four point of views. Three kids POVs and one adult.  In the end, the adult POV was removed.  A structure change that impacted how the story was told.  Obviously it was a good change, as I never missed the fourth POV.  In the middle grade novel, The Candymakers (which I’ve also read – fun for a kid), the author had originally written the book in a linear fashion.  The final version is completely divergent.  It includes the same story told four times by four different POVs.  Each version layers secrets and plot reveals omitted from the previous storyteller.  Fascinating.  Again, structure change is what developed the uniqueness of the tale.

So I offer her bit of wisdom to you.  Don’t forget to analyze the structure of your novel as you’re considering ways to edit and improve it.  Happy writing!

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