Oz Kids Writer
http://blog.ozkidswriter.com
Oz Kids Writer
Writing Tips From Margaret Wild
Last month I got to fulfill one of my writing dreams.
Margaret Wild is like the Meryl Streep of picture book writing and
to get the opportunity to meet her and learn from her was just
amazing to me.
If you truly want to be a picture book writer here's a few of her
books that you simply must read.
pick up any Margaret Wild book and see if you don't change your mind.
Tips from the Expert
Margaret also worked as a publisher for many years. She said books are often
rejected for one of the following reasons.
to go to one of her courses. Take it. You won't be disappointed.
Margaret Wild is like the Meryl Streep of picture book writing and
to get the opportunity to meet her and learn from her was just
amazing to me.
If you truly want to be a picture book writer here's a few of her
books that you simply must read.
- Old Pig - I defy anyone not to cry while reading this book.
- The Very Best of Friends - Ditto
- Remember Me - A beautiful book about alzheimers.
- Fox - A disturbing but important book.
- Woolvs in the sittee - For older readers. Ahead of its time.
- Let the Celebrations Begin - A holocaust story that shows humanity at its best.
- Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa
- Chatterbox
- Little Humpty
- Pocket Dogs
- Kiss Kiss
pick up any Margaret Wild book and see if you don't change your mind.
Tips from the Expert
- Enrol in a creative poetry course.
- Carry a notebook everywhere.
- Be observant. Look and listen to get ideas.
- Take the time to think about your story before you write it.
- Write and rewrite and rewrite.
- Let publishers know if it's a multiple submission. If you are honest they won't mind.
- A picture book only has room for one strong idea.
- The first few sentences have to answer Who? Why? Where? When? How?
- Provide scope for the illustrator with action and movement.
- Use humour
- Create an ending that is probable, convincing and satisfying
- Don't be critical when writing your first draft but be very critical when you finish it.
- Cut and cut and cut and cut.
Margaret also worked as a publisher for many years. She said books are often
rejected for one of the following reasons.
- The story is too slight
- It's too wordy
- Too familiar
- They already have a book about that
- The ending is unsatisfactory
- It doesn't engage the reader
- It doesn't make you laugh
- There is no reason for its being
to go to one of her courses. Take it. You won't be disappointed.
Writing Articles
So, I sold my first article to an educational website a few weeks ago.
Besides being out of my mind exciting this was a real learning experience
for me as I'd never attempted to write non-fiction before.
The editor was very generous and gave me the following tips:
*A bibliography should be alphabetized and set out in the following style;
Surname, First Name. Title. Location: Publisher, Date
*Wikipedia should not be referred to as a source as it considered by many
publishers to be unreliable.
*The first paragraph must 'hook' the reader by stating a quote or
statistic, asking a question or presenting an interesting fact.
*The final paragraph should tie in with the first paragraph.
I was so grateful for her tips and I made sure I followed
her advice while writing my 2nd article, which I emailed today.
Fingers crossed she likes his one too.
I hope you find these tips as useful as I did.
OKW
Only Joking!
How many kids writers does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one.
She'll have a flash of inspiration.
Feverishly write down a plan of action.
Gather together a motley crew of characters to implement her plan.
Gently coax her characters to follow her ideas then shake her head in despair as they run around doing whatever they want.
Decide to take control and change the light bulb herself.
Be unhappy with what she's done. Take the light bulb out and put it in a different way.
Still be unhappy. Try a different kind of light bulb.
Wonder who the heck is ever going to enjoy thus light bulb anyway?
Change it again and again until exhaustion sets in and she just can't bear to look at it anymore.
Ask someone else what they think of her light bulb. Is it sufficiently bright? Does it sparkle?
Lose heart when told they think it's in a bit crooked.
Throw the light bulb in a drawer swearing never to look at it again.
Pull it out 2 weeks later decide it's a work of art and send it out to be shared with the world.
Think fondly of her light bulb on its journey of discovery but wonder why she's still sitting at home in the dark.
It's not all about me!
So, if you've managed to find my little corner of the web I'd like to reward you for your trouble.
I headed off to the Sydney Writer's Festival in May and my, the wonders of information that I discovered.
Here's some pearls of wisdom from Erica Wagner, publisher at Allen & Unwin.
Before sending off your manuscript, ask yourself these questions;
*What is the hook?
*What is it about?
*Is it funny? Inspiring? The best of its kind?
*Does it have emotional intensity?
*Who is the intended audience?
*Who would you give this book to as a present?
*Who will buy it?
*Is it for boys? Girls? Both?
*Does it have adult appeal?
The publisher will also take into consideration
*Who is the author?
*Will they be a great presenter?
*How promotable are they?
*Is it a talented first time author?
*Is it an established author that they have wanted to work with?
*How much effort will be involved in publishing this book?
*What publicity will it require?
*What is it likely to sell in the first year?
*Does it have ingredient X?
Hope you find something there you can use.
Bye for now,
OKW
Welcome to Oz Kids Writer
Hi and welcome to my blog.
Are you an unpublished children's writer who's dreaming of the day when a publisher
finally says "YES!"
Do you spend hours writing and rewriting, editing and tweaking your precious
manuscript while wondering if this time it will be accepted, win the writing comp or
even just get better?
Maybe you jump out of bed in the middle of the night to frantically scratch down that
perfect sentence then grasp your notepad in the morning and despair when you find
you've written a bunch of gobbledegook.
Or create your best work as you fall asleep, saying "I must write that down in the morning" only to find that in the morning your head is empty and it's totally gone.
If this sounds like you then come and join me and we'll suffer through together.
We'll cheer on the victories and console each other through the rejections.
And we might even become published authors along the way.
Are you an unpublished children's writer who's dreaming of the day when a publisher
finally says "YES!"
Do you spend hours writing and rewriting, editing and tweaking your precious
manuscript while wondering if this time it will be accepted, win the writing comp or
even just get better?
Maybe you jump out of bed in the middle of the night to frantically scratch down that
perfect sentence then grasp your notepad in the morning and despair when you find
you've written a bunch of gobbledegook.
Or create your best work as you fall asleep, saying "I must write that down in the morning" only to find that in the morning your head is empty and it's totally gone.
If this sounds like you then come and join me and we'll suffer through together.
We'll cheer on the victories and console each other through the rejections.
And we might even become published authors along the way.