Sunday night I attended the pre-conference networking dinner for #SCBWISyd Conference 2016. Boy, did I have a lot of networking to do. I was one of a great team of Roving Reporters as well as being New Member Coordinator for SCBWI Sydney. So if I came across anyone standing alone looking lost I went up to them, introduced myself and had a chat. If friends walked by I would grab them and introduce the newbie to them. It was fun. It was exhausting. But luckily I am a sociable person so this was the perfect role for me.
I had booked two editor consultations from different publishing houses. The feedback I received from both editors about two different manuscripts was invaluable. Fresh eyes on your work is so important. Especailly from experts in the children’s book industry. I could not wait to get home and rework my stories.
Masterclass
On the final day, there was a choice of two masterclasses and I have to admit, I always feel torn as to which one to attend. This time I chose the class for illustrators with the uber talented Sarah Davis. I love learning new tips on how to illustrate.
Twitter
I tweeted quite a lot about the event and you can check out my Twitter feed here: @RamonaofJersey
I also bought books written by two friends that have recently been published. I am lucky enough to have Penny Morrison as a critique buddy and Elizabeth Kasmer I met at the CYA Conference in 2015.
But the best thing about the conference really is the great writing community you become a part of. Here I am on the right of the photo with new and old writer and illustrator friends:
Thank you to Penny Morrison for inviting me to be part of the ‘Writing Processes Blog Tour.’
Penny is the author of the Hey! series and is currently having her debut picture book illustrated (to be published by Walker Books Au). How exciting is that!
Have a look at Penny’s postfor the ‘Writing Processes Tour.
So here are the following questions to explain my processes:
Works in progress
What am I working on?
Everything at the moment, which feels a bit hectic. But I am working for 3 deadlines/closing dates which are happening in the following week:
I have to submit manuscripts for appraisals at this years SCBWI Conference
submit a manuscript to CYA Conference Writing Competition
submit a manuscript to KBR Unpublished Picture Book Award Competition
Actually, the first one is the only job I have to do, but the second two are what I need to do to help me develop into a more satisfying and successful writer. Entering competitions helps you work towards deadlines. Some offer feedback sheets which are invaluable and help you to spot strengths and weaknesses in your own work.
So, what am I working on?
3 chapter books/ middle grade novels
1 rhyming picture book manuscript ( I know, rumour has it that they are not easy to sell to publishers, unless the ryhme is perfect – I intend to make it perfect 😉
How does my work differ from others of it’s genre?
I learnt a new word last year – scatalogical. I submitted a manuscript to an American Literary Agency for Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 Writing Challenge (write 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months). The agent replied to me with a very nice rejection letter explaing that ‘scatalogical’ humour was not her thing.
I don’t know why but many of my manuscripts seem to contain scatalogical humour in some shape or form including: cow pats, bird poo, super-glue poo. Maybe that’s how it differs.
I also have two manuscripts which have a connection to the island I was born on – Jersey, Channel Islands.
Why do I write what I do?
I have often read blogs that say don’t write to trends, write about what you know or enjoy.
Well, I know about Jersey, living on a tiny island and Jersey cows.
But I’m not an expert on a great variety of poos – although I have stood in dog poo (which isn’t lucky) and bird poo has landed on me (but that’s ok because it’s lucky.)
I love history and therefore I have two manuscripts that are historical. Both are based around real events. One is a picture book which made my daughter cry. She thought it was a horrible story as the father wasn’t going to make it back in time for his daughter’s birthday. (She threw the manuscript on the floor!)
The other one is a middle grade novel which is so exciting to write but difficult too. It is based in 50BC and as I wasn’t around then it is quite hard to make sure I am including details that would have existed then, eg: food, transport, tradition, clothes (or lack of – Gauls had been known to fight naked!), family life, rules, etc…
How does my writing process work?
In the past I have entered Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Ideas Month). Or I have seen something in the news or in the newspaper, on Facebook or something my kids have done – and Bingo! It has given me an idea.
I then go through the following quick checklist:
WHO is the main character?
WHAT is the problem/ inciting event?
WHERE is this happening?
WHEN is it happening?
I write the first draft. Spell check it. Read it out loud into my voice memo onto my iphone (this is especially useful for my rhymimg text)
I have recently come across this devise to help you hear your work: http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.php
I also get my 8 year old daughter to read out the manuscript aloud.
Then I meet up with my brilliant critique group and they give me valuable feedback on the good and the bad. And I rewrite, rewrite and rewrite until the writing feels polished and every word is needed. This can sometimes be hard to judge.
And now to introduce next week’s blogger;
Rob Harding
Rob Harding
Rob Harding is a voice-over artist, TV presenter and kids author. You have probably heard Rob’s voice before – perhaps on the radio or TV for Coke or Optus or perhaps one of those ads where he shouts at you about a Massive Clearance Sale. He appears on the BBC’s pre-school channel CBeebies, where he gets to dress up as a gnome and speak in a pirate accent, although usually not at the same time.
Rob has also written several critically acclaimed children’s books. At this stage, none of these books have actually been published, so the critical acclaim only comes from Rob’s kids. His wife thinks they’re OK. His dog thinks they stink. (Which actually isn’t such a bad thing because she used to eat her own poopy.)
