36. This book is about
______________________________
______________________________
_____________________________.
(But underneath that, it’s really
about
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________.
37. My book is about a figure
skater from a small-town
maple farm who earns a
scholarship to train with the
elite in Lake Placid & discovers
a world of mean girls on ice.
But underneath that, it’s really
about making a decision to
follow your own dreams
instead of the dreams that are
chosen for you.
38. My book is about a future
world where killer tornadoes
are widespread and four kids
at a science camp who are
trying to stop them but
discover a terrifying secret.
But underneath that, it’s really
about using your powers for
good.
39. This book is about
______________________________
______________________________
_____________________________.
(But underneath that, it’s really
about
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________.
48. More Ideas…
• Map the setting – note important
events
• Chapter by chapter timelines
• Plot charts with rising/falling action
• Outline (after writing) to identify
weak chapters
49. Big-Picture Story Chart -
What characters,
settings, objects, jokes,
themes, and threads are
important in your
project? Are they
woven consistently
throughout the text?
100. Student Critique Partners
• Trade papers with a partner
•Use highlighters to indicate the
following:
•Pink = Consider cutting this part.
•Green = I’m confused now.
•Orange = Use more vivid
details/precise language.
•Yellow = This part works really well!
•In the margin next to each color (or
on a Post-It note), write a note
explaining your highlighting and
101.
102.
103. REASON #4
“I did revise. Just
now. It’s not my fault
I’m a fast reviser.”
110. A Shrunken Manuscript
Strategy Courtesy of Darcy
Pattison
http://www.darcypattison.com
PINK = plot points
GREEN = crush
BLUE = Ruby
ORANGE = funny bits
with Ian
YELLOW = place for
the tree game
122. REAL REVISION:
Talking the Talk
and
Walking the
Walk
Kate Messner
All Write 2013
http://www.katemessner.com
Editor's Notes
Why I love revision – feeling like a competent writer.Drafting: vision in my head comes up against the reality of the writer I am today.“The book in my mind” poemRevision is what allows us to bring the book on the page closer to that dream-book
2008 I sent agent a manuscript - Her thoughts: love character, funny, but….seasonal?Eesh.“Does it really have to be about the Nutcracker? Could it be about a school play or something?”
REVISION IS ABOUT SEEING IDEAS IN A DIFFERENT WAY
Start with the starting over part – so that by the end of this two hour workshop you’ll like me again.
2008 I sent agent a manuscript - Her thoughts: love character, funny, but….seasonal?Eesh.“Does it really have to be about the Nutcracker? Could it be about a school play or something?”
So this sea monster walks into his therapist’s office….
Jo - In the early versions of Lessons From A Dead Girl, Leah doesn't die! The book leads up to Lainegettnig the courage to face her in the hospital. Obviously, it had a different title then. :-)
Jody Feldman wrote a book called “The Eleventh Level” personal mystery + story about secret society – agent asked her to strengthen the secret society part, but then the book was 80K – too long for this particular MG. Split it off – secret society book is this one – other book might be for another day.
Sarah Aronson changed a major character from a guy to a girl and rewrote – found that the story worked much better and allowed her to develop a main theme of the book.
Both this and courage has no color –started as picture books and grew into MG. And I think this is a great idea – that our books can grow into any number of things…
When you see this symbol…. Fire up your laptop or get your notebook ready.
When you see this symbol…. Fire up your laptop or get your notebook ready.
Linda calls this “the spine” - What is at the center of your work? Why does it even exist? Why does this story need to be told? Universal human truth – even in funny books.
Writing workshop at NESCBW a couple years ago - It was a poetry workshop with Kelly Fineman – but I used it to develop this MC’s father in EOTS. I can’t remember the original assignment – but this is what grew out of it and it was important for me and for Jaden’s dad. (By the way – you should feel free to do this, too – if you come up with something better during writing prompt, do your better thing and you can credit me when you give your workshop later on)
Three false starts – back to brainstorming/outlining every time.
Mystery organizer – crime in the middle – then elements – suspects, motives, clues, false clues, etc. You can make your own – just list important elements of your particular genre.
Class schedules – when would Claire & Natalie be together? How would they grow apart? Develop friendship troubles issue.
When you see this symbol…. Fire up your laptop or get your notebook ready.
General words & phrases are your enemy. Green shirt – there are a million kinds of green – new grass green, alligator pond green, pine woods green – and you’ll notice that my metaphors all come from nature because that’s the world I love best – a kid might describe his shirt as “cafeteria peas green” or “my mother’s emerald earrings green”Be surprising – the best descriptions describe us because we’ve never thought of it that way before – even though that’s the perfect word or phrase.
Ponytail – What would that stick look like to the girl on the right? Coming at her face like that? And then you can do sounds, smells…etc.
Smirk on her face – character inspiration for Sarah in WAKE UP MISSING.
Also went on twitter – other than blushing, what do you do when you’re embarrassed?
When you see this symbol…. Fire up your laptop or get your notebook ready.
Inspiration boards – don’t worry about people “stealing” your ideas. Really.
SUGAR AND ICE – Claire & the maple farm - Green – scenes on farm, salmon – lake placid – purple-competition – red – sabotage -
Titles change – a lot. Be ready for this and be at peace with it. Marketing dept. etc. Let them do their job. BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. – SWINGER OF BIRCHES – MAPLE GIRL, “THAT STUPID LEAF COLLECTION BOOK”
Known issues while working – starting place List after 1st read-through after completion
Why I love revision – feeling like a competent writer.Drafting: vision in my head comes up against the reality of the writer I am today.“The book in my mind” poemRevision is what allows us to bring the book on the page closer to that dream-book
