Monday, June 13, 2016

Picture Book Writing


I attended workshops over the weekend about writing picture books for children.

Marc Harshman - He is West Virginia's poet laureate and a picture book writer. And, he is a very nice person! Click here for his amazon page. Though I notice that there are a few books missing that he has written, including two of his latest, Mountain Christmas and One Big Family.

 Marc Harshman

Anna Egan Smucker - She is another West Virginia author who writes picture books. Click here for her Amazon page.

Ashley Teets - An illustrator from West Virginia. Click here for books on Amazon that she has illustrated.


One of Ashley's suggestions was to write with a lot of verbs.
We also did a drawing exercise where we closed our eyes and, with a crayon, made a doodle on a page. Open your eyes. Look at the picture from all angles. Draw a picture from your doodle. It just may be an inspiration for a new manuscript.

I drew a picture of a tortoise in a hurry. His head was stretched way out and he was really getting down the road. I see a picture book here. Harry, the Tortoise in a Hurry.  :o)

Anna, who always writes her first drafts in pencil, says to think in pictures.
Leave a space or draw a line when you think there will be a page turn.
Make sure enough happens in your story.
Try different ways to tell your story.


All of her books, except one, were sent out to publishers without using an agent!

I took the advantage of seeing these authors and got a few of my books autographed by them.


What am I going to do now?

I am going to go over my picture books - again.
I am going to make sure that my words (500 or less) provide enough opportunities for the illustrator to do his or her job.
And I am going to make sure there is enough going on in my story.

Hope you enjoyed my post.
Now get out your pencil and paper and write - or doodle.

Do you have any suggestions on writing picture books?




15 comments:

  1. Sounds like an awesome workshop. Thanks for sharing our thoughts. I need to go over my PB manuscripts too.

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    1. Hi, Rosi. It was nice and good to meet friends again.

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  2. Janet, it sounds as though everyone had a good time at the conference. I had my high school reunion or I'd have been there. Was hoping you would win something. I look forward to what you create next. Like the tortoise idea. Take care.

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    1. Hi, Barbara. I missed you. I did get an honorable mention.

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  3. I love going to conferences because they are so inspiring. I am glad you were able to meet so many people in the picture book world and that you learned so much. Thanks for sharing and happy writing. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. Thanks, Jess. We all need a little inspiration every now and then. It keeps us going.

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  4. This sounds like a awesome writing workshop. I'm glad you met those authors and WVA Poet Laureate Marc Harshman. I'll be sure to check out his website. Good luck with your writing and publishing.

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. Wishing you the best in your writing, too.

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  5. Hi Janet, thanks for visiting my website. I have had so much trouble with blogger/google/google+ that I just gave up. Plus the fact that I am moving house with a disabled husband and trying to complete a 7th novel. Yes, the problems with publishers.... I have self published quite successfully but far too much hard work and need a publisher to do the publicity. So I am taking a Masters Degree in Creative Writing, having the B.A. already, in the hope of reaching my goal. Keep learning, keep writing, you'll get there x

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    1. Hi Carole. Good to hear from you again. Sounds like you are very busy. Good luck in getting your masters degree.

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  6. I just wanted to stop by your blog and read again your wonderful postings. I hope you are having a great summer with a lot of writing and getting work published.

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  7. I hope you are having a great summer and getting a lot of writing done and publishing your work.

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Thank you for your comments. I love comments!