Five Fab Tips for Picture Book Writing

If writing a picture book is something you'd like to try then take a look at the following tips which will hopefully help you on your way.

 

One:

As you write try to think visually. Attempt to ensure every page can be illustrated with a different scene or picture. This will allow the illustrator to 'play' with your words and create a book that is visually pleasing as well as exciting to read.

Two:

Break your story down into sections and ensure you have a strong start, middle and end. If your character doesn't go on a journey (physical or emotional) why will the reader want to turn to the next page?

Three:

A picture book is a mixture of words and images. So you don't have to include great chunks of description. If it's important your character looks a certain way or they are carrying something then add notes for the illustrator. As the saying goes a picture can say a thousand words. So let the pictures tell half the story whilst your words tell the other half. 

Four:

Picture books are written to be read out aloud. So when it comes to editing do just this. Stand up and read your words out. Then edit as needed.

Five:

If you want to get your book published remember publishers want to sell worldwide. So you have to think globally. For example in my first picture book (A Book For Bramble) I'd mentioned Guy Fawkes Night. Now every child in the UK knows what this celebration is but children from other parts of the world will not. I therefore had to find an alternate celebration. So thinking globally will make your book more viable to a publisher.

I hope these tips have helped. Now find some paper and a pen and get writing!  

I also write for: Electric Authors, The Hedgehog Shed and The Picture Book Den

P.S.
I have three new distance learning courses commencing in September via Women On Writing:

How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published

Five Picture Books In Five Weeks - Advanced Course

How To Write A Hobby Based How To Book 

Using Your Observations To Improve Your Writing

A few months ago I decided to treat myself to a book. So I popped along to the local book shop. Yes a book shop, they do still exist. I scrutinised the shelves and finally chose Your Creative Writing Masterclass by Jurgen Wolff.

As I read I marked sections with small slips of paper. By the time I'd finished reading there were a large number of such pieces of paper - a sign of a good book. In chapter 24 - It's in the details the author posed two questions:

Have you appealed to a variety of senses, described not only what things look like but also how they sound, smell and taste?

Have you selected details beyond the obvious?

These two questions urged me into action. I decided to start writing an observation diary. Basically I decided to record something 'beyond the obvious' every day. Here are just a few of my observations:

A steep hill, covered in old gnarled trees. At the base of the hill is a newly ploughed field. Almost motionless in the air, on the boundary line of wood and field a bird of prey searches for a meal. So still it looks as though an artist has added it with a quick flick of his brush.     

Four small birds (LBJ's - little brown jobs) sitting in a tree. Two of them produce long warbling chirps the other two quickly follow with short sharp chirps. They repeat themselves and I'm reminded of some boy band singing a repetitive pop song.

Humans wrapped against the cold, heads down and hands firmly shoved in pockets. Whilst canine companions ignore the damp and the cold. They eagerly sniff fence, grass and base of tree searching for the messages left for them.  

Now I know the above isn't my best work. However if I'd not forced myself to notice and make a note these observations would have been lost. In the short time I've been writing my diary I've already had two new picture book story ideas. I also have a growing library of observations that hopefully one day I can use to add a little depth to my writing.

So if you're a writer I'd like to offer the above as a tip. Perhaps your own observations will allow you to include in your writing 'details beyond the obvious.'

Blatant plug for my distance writing courses that start 6th July 2013:

How To Write A Picture Book And Get Published

Write 5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks - Advanced Course

How To Write A Hobby-Based How To Book 

Using Twitter to Improve Your Writing

There is an old saying that states, 'practice makes perfect.' I'm a great believer in this and feel it's also true with writing. But practice doesn't have to be boring. This practice time can be used to have fun with your writing and hopefully inspire a few new ideas.

So here is a challenge for you. Next time you have ten minutes free choose a fairy tale and become one of the characters. Create a series of tweets that tell that characters side of the story.

Note:

A tweet is a message using just 140 characters, including the spaces.

To demonstrate what I mean here is my retelling of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' from the point of view of the troll. If you've never read the story then follow this link:  

Woken this morning by a small goat trying to cross my bridge without paying a toll #angrytroll

This morning caught a second goat trying to sneak across my bridge without paying toll. Can't believe how rude goats can be. #angrytroll

Discovered a third goat attempting to cross bridge without paying toll. He even head butted me! #angrytroll

How do these goats expect me to stay in business? No toll, no bridge, no way to cross river to eat delicious grass! #angrytroll

Reluctant sale of bridge, been in family for generations. License to charge toll. High daily foot fall. #angrytroll #businessforsale  

Note: using a hash tag before a term allows other Twitter users to find your tweets by using the same term.

I'm hoping you can see how you can have fun with a well-known story, make it your own and practice your craft. This process may not lead to a published book but it does give you the opportunity to exercise your writing muscle in a fun and you never know a productive way.

So go on give it a go, it's fun!

I have the following online classes with WOW starting in March 2014:

How To Write A Children's Picture Book And Get Published (beginners)

5 Picture Books In 5 Weeks (advanced)

How To Write A Hobby-based How To Book   

My Writing Space

As you can see my writing space is fairly business like.  I've seen images of other authors writing spaces and they're filled with things that mean something to them, inspire them etc. 

The only item I could say fills that category is a credit card sized picture of a hedgehog (I'm known for my love of these prickly creatures) and a little mouse (just twigged my first book was about a hedgehog and a mouse). As you can see on the front are the words "lots of times in lots of ways..." and on the reverse are the words "friends mean more than words can say." 

It was given to me by a friend years ago, who is five days younger than I am. I've been so lucky, she's always been there. We shared our entire school life even sitting next to one another during story time in our infants class. Although we now live a three hour drive from one another we're still in contact. But that's it, everything else is connected to my craft of writing. So the shelves are filled with reference books, books on writing and loads of note pads filled with scribbled ideas. 

However I don't occupy this space alone. When I am sitting at my desk working on a new magazine feature or book I'm often tapping to the sound of a snoring dog. And as you can see Tasha does like to get comfortable.   

The Next Big Thing

I would like to thank Savita Kalhan for inviting me to take part in this series of blog posts where authors share what stories they are working on. If you'd like to discover Savita's 'Next Big Thing' then please click on this link.
  


What is the working title of your book?

Magic of Light


Where did the idea come from for the book?

From the shared love with my late father of the entire process of black and white photography and how old photographs can link generations.


What genre does your book fall under?

Steam Punk - think the new Sherlock Holmes films or Hugo where the world is filled with clockwork gadgets and things run on steam.


Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Sam (the lead) I'd nominate Jude Wright who currently plays Marcus Elliot in the TV show 'Spy.' I'm not sure on the second boy character but the lead female (mother and grandmother to the two boys) would have to be Julie Walters.


What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Sam is catapulted back in time, giving him the chance to save the life of his father and the grandmother he has just lost in his time.   


Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I'm looking for an agent at the moment so would love this to be traditionally published.



How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I'll be honest I really can't remember the first draft was started in August 2005 as part of a creative writing I was studying. It sat for many years on my computer until I rediscovered it and started a total rewrite which has so far taken me three months.
  


What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

• The Orphan of Hugo Cabret by Brian Seiznick
• The Juniper Chronicles - The Secret of The Red Spot by Leonardo Ramirez
• The Steampunk Detective by Darrell Pit

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I'm not sure about the original idea as it was so long ago. However I decided to send the manuscript to a professional proof-reading/editor and she highlighted some issues. At the time I was reading a steam punk novel. It occurred to me if I re-wrote in this genre the story might just have a chance of working. 


What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

This is my first novel for older children so I'm just keeping fingers crossed that a child who enjoys the steam punk genre may just take a chance on my work. 


If you would like to discover what other authors are working on then why not check out:
Children's author Sanda Ann Horn's website by clicking on this link  

Where I Found Inspiration For My Writing

Normally I exam mark over the summer period however this summer I worked for a language school and helped run a student residence, something I've never done before. The building was just weeks old and had a large number of teething problems including lifts not working, the basement flooding due to heavy rain, toilets mysteriously flushing etc. etc. Although the hours could be long and some of the issues frustrated me the experience has fuelled my imagination. I have so many new ideas I just don't know where to start.

Idea one: A picture book story about packing a case that came to me as I packed my bag (I had to stay on site at least three nights a week).  

Idea two: Another picture book idea which popped into my head whilst I took the picture on the right showing members of staff saying goodbye to another. 

Idea three: Yet another picture book idea which is based on a conversation I had with another member of staff. This one I've already written and sent off to my editor, so fingers crossed.

Idea four: An idea for a non-fiction title which was prompted by a chat with another member of staff. The exciting this is I already have an editor wanting to see the synopsis and it will mean I'll be writing with a co-writer for the first time.

Idea five: With each passing day more ridiculous things happened and I found myself madly scribbling things down in the note book I carry everywhere with me. Now I feel I have enough material for a mad-cap sit-com. I've never written one before but I now have the urge to give it a go.

So next time you're stuck for an idea go and give something new a go. Work outside your comfort zone. Meet new people. You never know it may fuel your imagination as mine has been. Now I'm off to work on the story for idea two.  

Unashamed plug for my latest children's writing course starting 6th October 2012

As Cool As A Cucumber

Whilst I was working on my book The Greatest Guide to Green Living (available as an eBook and a physical book) I collected the best hints and tips for reducing, recycling and reusing as I could find. I also found uses for everyday items for example I discovered baking soda and vinegar are great items to help you clean your home and help cut down on the use of cleaning chemicals.

I am still an avid collector of such useful tips and thankfully family and friends still send them to me. I recently recieived an email from a friend containing tips for alternate uses for the humble cucumber. Although I've only tested the results for tips one and five (both of which worked for me) I still wanted to share them with you. So here are five of the most useful tips she sent me:

One:
Fed up with your bathroom mirror misting up each time you enjoy a hot bath or shower? Then cut yourself a slice of cucumber (or use the end you would normally put into the composter), rub over the mirrors surface then buff with a soft cloth or tissue. It should cut down on the this annoying little problem.

Two:
Do you love your garden but hate to use chemicals to wage war on those bugs and slugs that are eating your plants? If you place a few slices of cucumber in an aluminium tin those little critters will move next door. Apparently the chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium and this reaction gives off a revolting scent humans can't smell but garden pests can.

Three:
Rather than reach for the shoe polish reach for a cucumber. Cut a slice of cucumber and rub over your shoes for a quick shine that also repels water. Obviously this does not work on suede or similar textured surfaces and doing a small test patch first is always advisable when trying something new.

Four:
That squeaky door hinge driving you crazy? Rub the offending hinge with a slice of cucumber and the problem should be solved.

Five:
Sinks and taps in need of a shine? Again reach for that cucumber. Slice, rub then buff with a soft cloth or tissue and your taps and sinks will regain some of their lustre.

As I've already said I've only had a chance to try tips one and five and found they worked for me. If you decide to try any of the above please note I take no responsibility for the results.

However if you try any please let me know the results (good or bad), so I can update this post.