To Be or Not To Be

 

By Gloria Reichert

Show. Don’t tell.

Writers often hear this excellent advice, but following it poses some challenges. Authors can heed this advice to some degree by choosing to use active verbs instead of passive forms of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, etc).

Active verbs make our writing more descriptive and concise. They enliven it with concrete details. They make it more readable, and they help appeal to the senses. Active verbs move our scenes forward. A well-chosen active verb can eliminate the need for an adverb.

For example, one could write the following sentence using the passive verb “was.”

Robby’s room was messy.

This sentence summarizes the situation. Or one could use active verbs to show how Robby’s room looked.

Robby’s red T-shirt draped the chair by his desk. Socks of various colors tried to escape from the open dresser drawer. Potato chips crumbs littered the floor and formed a trail to the Legos scattered underneath the window. Rumpled sheets and blankets covered the unmade bed. An empty milk glass stood on the nightstand surrounded by chocolate chip cookie crumbs. 

Using active verbs creates a more vivid picture of Robby’s room and also gives some insight into his character traits.

Or consider the following sentence which tells us about Suzie using a passive verb.

Suzie was happy.

Using active verbs shows the reader her happiness and add more emotional intensity to the scene.

Suzie’s face glowed with a radiant smile. Her eyes sparkled. She hummed a lively tune as she skipped down the sidewalk. A small burst of laughter escaped at the sight of two puppies playing in the neighbor’s yard.

Now try your hand at changing these telling sentences into showing ones by using active verbs.

Bobby was lonely.

Ann was surprised.
Gwen was nervous.

Whether or not to use an active or passive verb depends on the writer’s intended purpose. Active verbs emphasize the person or object performing the action. Passive verbs emphasize the person or object receiving the action.

So if you want stronger writing that packs more punch, read over one of your manuscripts and 

highlight every passive verb. Then go back though 

the manuscript and replace each passive verb 

with an active one. 

Bet you will be pleased with the results.

Show. Don’t tell. Accomplished!

Ten Memorable Quotes to Inspire Your Writing

by Gloria Reichert 

 Did you ever have one of those writing days?                                            

                                         

                                            Tired?                                    

 Struggling with writer’s block?                        

     Feeling impostor’s syndrome? 

At times like these, when we need inspiration, reading quotes from other writers who have been where we are - staring at a blank page – can help us find the courage to begin. Their quotes show us that many great authors probably have shared our feelings and also reveal how they feel about the craft of writing. In the hope that reading their quotes will encourage us to put pen to paper, here are ten of my favorite quotes to empower your writing.   

 

                                               

 

1. “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” William Wordsworth 

2. “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” Benjamin Franklin 

3. “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” Margaret Atwood 

4. “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” Martin Luther 

5. “Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.” Jane Yolen 

6. “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build sandcastles.” Shannon Hale 

7. “All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world.” 

E. B. White 

8. “The idea is to write so that people hear it, and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.” Maya Angelou 

9. “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they will take you.” Beatrix Potter 

10. “You fail only if you stop writing.” Ray Bradbury

  

Writing is a challenge. 

It takes time and effort to craft the stories that will impact children’s lives in positive ways. To be prepared for those gloomy writing days, start your own list of author quotes. Keep an on-going list in a journal or notebook. Post one on or near your writing area and change them periodically. They could spur your creativity, energize your thinking, and get you back to writing!

TIPS TO TICKLE THEIR FUNNY BONES

 

                           By

                  Gloria Reichert

At a recent conference, a presenter reminded us that one way to make our picture books stand out in a crowded market is to use humor. But how do I do that? If you, like me, are not naturally funny, writing humor is HARD! Wanting to improve my humor writing skills led to some research. So whether you wish to write a totally hilarious book or just insert a small amount of humor into your story, here are some helpful hints.

1. Immerse yourself in all things “funny.” Read the most current funny picture books. Watch comedy and funny movies on TV. Read kids’ joke books.

2. Research humor theory by reading books and watching webinars on the topic of what makes people laugh.

3. Most picture books are concept driven, so develop a funny concept that appeals to kids. Remember that current funny picture books tend to be edgier and sometimes irreverent, so thinking outside the box can lead to much humor.

4. The characters do NOT need to be kids. Some of the latest funny books have dragons, crayons, and even a mutant potato as main characters. So let your imagination go crazy!

5. Be willing to take some risks with your story structure. Many humorous books do not follow the traditional “Rule of Three.” The Day the Crayons Quit is told via letters. The Book with No Pictures makes the reader the main character. Some books are even interactive.

6. Use situational humor by putting your characters in funny, unusual settings and create some funny scenes as they interact with their environment and other characters.

7. You must include the element of surprise. This is vital. The reader must be surprised. Humor happens when one’s expectations are violated, so set up a normal expectation for the reader and then misdirect things so the expectation is not met.

8. Page turns can lead to surprises, so use then thoughtfully.

9.  Ramp up the humor with puns and jokes that relate to your topic. Include recurring jokes and word play. Dialogue can sometimes enhance the humor, as in Tammi Sauer’s Me Want Pet!  Cave Boy tries to convince his parents he needs a pet and uses short, snappy “cave language” throughout.

10. Incorporate figurative language – alliteration, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, exaggeration, and rhyme. Keep a thesaurus close by and check out Rhyme Zone online.

11. Use inherently funny words. Bungalow, pantaloons, bamboozle, kerfuffle, and catawampus are sure to elicit some chuckles. Just hearing the word “underwear” makes kids laugh. A great resource is the book Absurd Words by Tara Lazar.

12. Lastly, craft a funny ending – hopefully with a twist – and tie it back to the beginning of the story somehow.

All of this seems easier said than done, but if we start small, try a few tips, and see how our sense of humor can fit in, we will be progressing and growing in our ability to write humorous picture books which will help kids in many ways.  

 

WHO ARE THE SIX PENS?

 

Who we are? Then and now?

This is Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton and I thought you all might enjoy a little back story on the members of Six Pens.

When did you first get the itch to be a writer?

Laurie: I got hooked on writing in fifth grade. In ninth grade I had a very encouraging teacher, but it wasn’t until I became a kindergarten teacher that I decided to try my hand at writing.

What I didn’t do initially was my homework. I assumed that because I read multiple stories to my
children daily that I would automatically be able to write. So, my first story had two main characters, two main points of view, and the plot was meager at best.

What I learned was I needed to go back and educate myself. I attended classes, workshops, conferences and read every how-to book I could get my hands on. Probably the best three resources for my education were: attending a Highlights Writer’s Conference, initiated by Kent Brown, joining The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and reading every How To Write For Children book available.

As a result of attending events I found the networking, the encouragement, the critiques, the speakers, the rejections all worked together for my eventual success. It took me a total of 12 years of stumbling, educating myself, participating in critiques, classes, and conferences, submitting, and receiving piles of rejections before I finally accomplished my first published book, Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On, Pelican Publishing, 1994. Since then I have had 62 titles published in the trade, craft, educational, Christian, and work-for-hire markets.

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers?

Laurie: 1. My best advice is to educate yourself. Read, read, read!

2. Attend every conference, workshop, library speaker, in your genre that you can afford to participate in.

3.Allow your work to be critiqued. Do not defend your work. Listen. Then incorporate what rings true to you.

4. Be tenacious. Do not give up when you receive a bad critique, or another rejection. Listen, learn and keep moving forward. The people who make it in the field do not give up.

Best part of being an author?

Laurie: When I see a child listening to or reading one of my books.

Worst part of being an author?

Laurie: Having books go out of print.

http://www.laurieknowlton.com/

Gloria G. Adams

When did you first get the itch to be a writer?

Gloria: As a kid, I always had my nose in a book. The local library was practically my second home and authors were my heroes. I dreamed about becoming a writer when I grew up and even majored in English in college. But I was steered away from writing as a career and ended up eventually becoming a children’s librarian.

I loved my library career! But I never lost my dream of becoming a writer. I made up a lot of my own stories for story hour and, as I read picture books to my preschoolers, hoped that someday a librarian would be reading books in story hour that were written by me.

I was fortunate to have my dream come true! But getting there was a long journey. I remember thinking that it would be easy to write picture books since I had read so many over the years as a librarian. Boy, was I wrong!

 I had a lot of learning to do. I took writing courses, read books on writing, joined SCBWI and was fortunate to find not one, but two critique groups with amazing authors. One of them started as a mentoring group led by prolific author, Laurie Knowlton, from whom I have learned so much. And of course, I wrote and rewrote and…well, I’m still learning, taking webinars, reading articles, and writing and rewriting. I’ve found that the writing community is all about sharing, teaching, and encouraging.

I have a great agent and have been published traditionally as well as independently through my self-publishing company, Slanted Ink. I also started a critique editing company with a partner, author Jean Daigneau, called Two-4-One Kid Critiques.

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers? 

Gloria: Learn all you can, not just about writing, but about the publishing business. Join writing/critique groups and professional associations. Read the kinds of books you want to write and practice, practice, practice.

Best part of being an author? 

Gloria: Seeing my books on the shelf at the library where I used to work, finding out that one of my books helped my great nephew with his reading, and finally being able to say, “I’m an author.”

Worst part of being an author?

The frustration of having editors want your book, but then the book getting turned down by the acquisition department.

https://two4onekidcritiques.wixsite.com/mysite

https://www.gloriagadams.com/  and  https://www.slantedink.com/

  

Lisa Amstutz

When did you first get the itch to be a writer?

Lisa: I always loved to read and kept a journal intermittently as a kid, but never thought about writing until I was in my 20s. Then I proceeded to read every book in three local libraries about writing. However, it took me 10 years to work up the courage to submit something for publication. Once I finally started, I wrote for magazines and the local newspaper for several years before venturing into books. In 2009, I discovered the world of children’s writing and haven’t looked back! 

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers?

Lisa: Don’t let fears and insecurities keep you from your dreams. Do your homework – go to the library, take classes if you can, and look for resources online to help you learn the craft of writing and understand how the market works. And don’t give up – the first stories you write may never sell, but each one will teach you something. Writing is a journey, not a sprint. 

Best part of being an author?

Lisa: Connecting with readers is definitely the best part!

Worst part of being an author?

Lisa: Rejections. But they are just part of the process for a working writer.

https://www.lisaamstutz.com/

Kate Carroll

When did you first get the itch to be a writer? 

Kate:  I can’t say exactly when I wanted to BE a writer, but it was always my favorite subject, next to reading. I pursued a career in elementary education and found myself writing supplemental stories for my struggling second grade readers and penning plays for my class to perform. I didn’t think of it as writing, but more of way for my students to succeed at learning.
One fall, I needed cce credits, so, I randomly took an online class on creative writing.  That was the first time I realized writing was more than a solo activity. The professor encouraged us to share homework, support each other and join professional organizations like SCBWI. Which is what I did, and which is where I met my fabulous fellow pens. 
That first SCBWI conference caught me swimming in water way over my head. But I didn’t care, I was hooked. Slowly, I began to understand the challenges of writing for children. In fact, my first ever critique was a disaster. I think the editor was as stunned and didn’t have much to say except to tell me that most of my story was missing!  Shaken but undaunted, I kept diving into the deep to learn the lessons of plot, character development, climax, theme.  I never stopped believing that I could produce some publishable work. 
Five years later, I sold to Cricket Magazine, followed by Highlights and Faces Magazines, I picked up credits and the courage to keep going, to keep studying the craft, to keep tapping into the world around me and to lean on my kid lit crew. Even as an agented writer, my work ethic remains the same. My picture book hopes loom large… stay tuned for that big news!

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers?

Kate: Study the craft. Whether you want to write picture books, middle grade or YA, learn everything you can about the genre. Read books, dissect them and repeat. 
Develop a community – even if it is only one fellow writer. Be brave. Have a thick skin. It will help your manuscript in ways you can't imagine.
Be patient! Success rarely happens overnight.

Best part of being an author? 

Kate: I love that my writing can be an unforgettable part of a child’s life.

Worst part of being an author?

Kate: Not having the time to write when I get an idea brewing in my head.

https://ktcarroll.com

 

Lana Wayne Koehler

When did you first get the itch to be a writer?

 Lana: I always remember writing but never thought about doing it professionally until I wanted to share a particular story that I had written. I attended a writer’s group at my community library and read my story. I got what I now know was a kind reception and from there, caught the bug to improve.

I began to hang out with other writers and listen to their stories of encouragement and defeat and
realized that I knew nothing about the craft that I wanted to pursue.

From there, I joined writer’s groups and local organizations like SBWI. I began to attend classes and conferences and met many others who had a thirst for learning more about writing. I had finally found my people!

I went to a Highlights retreat in Honesdale, PA, and began to really work at my craft. There, I met editors, agents, and fellow writers and learned how to hone the craft I was starting to understand.

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers?

Lana: Read what you want to write. See what others have done with your genre. Research your subject matter. Become an expert in every story you want to write.

Best part of being an author?

Lana: Sharing what I have learned by writing what people want to read and meeting those readers! I once asked a little boy what his favorite animal was from my book about allergies and he said, “The rabbit.” My book didn’t have a rabbit in it. I found, after close inspection, my illustrator had included a rabbit on the cover. Always trust your readers opinions!

Worst part of being an author?

Lana: Putting time into a project and not finding an editor who was interested. It can be hard to remain optimistic and persistent in the face of rejection.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01C21HZRU/about

Gloria Reichert

When did you first get the itch to be a writer?

Gloria Reichert: I am not sure I can precisely pinpoint when I realized I wanted to write. It seemed to evolve. In high school, I had to write a theme every week for four years, and during college, as an education major, I was always writing something. My last quarter I had 14 papers to write! Writing was a part of my life. My desire to write for children became apparent during my teaching career. Using picture books as part of my teaching made me realize and appreciate the value of this genre. I came to regard them as little books with big ideas. I remember stating to my students that one of my goals was to write picture books. I still have a thank you note written by one of my students at the end of the year. In the note, she wishes me good luck in writing picture books.

Once I left teaching, my first step in my quest to write for children was to contact the local library to see what direction they could give me. They suggested I contact the wonderful Laurie Knowlton. (Actually, I remembered her, since she had taught a workshop I attended as a teacher.) When I spoke to Laurie all those years ago, she advised me to join The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and to educate myself by reading books on the craft of writing. I took her advice and participated in workshops of all kinds and did all I could to hone my talents. Educating myself as a writer continues to this day.

What advice do you have for people wanting to become writers?

Gloria Reichert: Those who wish to become writers should educate themselves and find a critique group. It is also important to keep reading, not only books in the genre in which they wish to write but also current adult writing. Never give up. Be persistent. There is not one published author who ever gave up.

I also think it is important not to compare yourself to other authors. All of our roads to being published are different. Our uniqueness will eventually make our work stand out.

Best part of being an author?

Gloria Reichert: I appreciate having fun when creating, wordsmithing, and challenging myself to make my manuscripts better. I also appreciate knowing that my words have the potential to change a child’s life for the better in some way. As I have participated in workshops, conferences, classes. and critiques, I’ve met many other authors and illustrators who are among the kindest, nicest, people in the world.

Worst part of being an author?

Gloria Reichert: To me, rejections and all the time it takes to hear from editors are among the worst parts of being an author.

https://www.gloriareichert.com/