Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Finding Voice


from Grandma's Gloves, ill. Julia Denos
Deliciously spoiled by a conference weekend studded with children's book stars,

I give you my gleanings on
Finding Your Voice. 


Tips for Artists and Writers from Candlewick Press' 
Art Resource Coordinator Anne Moore: 

Finding your voice 
starts with questions.

  • What do you love? 
  • What moves you?
  • What captures your imagination?
  • What do you have to offer?

  • Use your passions as your springboard.
  • Follow the paths that bring you joy.  

Anne Moore highlighted books
that echoed the theme of the writer's journey:

The Dot, The North Star, and Ish by Peter H. Reynolds   
Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds
The Dot, Peter H. Reynolds

   
Snook Alone - Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering 

Grandma's Gloves - Cecil Castellucci, illustrated by Julia Denos 
(who got her start interning at Candlewick Press) 


 On Dialogue and Voice
from NY Times best-selling author Lin Oliver :

ill. Jesse Joshua Watson

  • Become ardent listeners
  • Eavesdrop
  • Study how real people speak
  • Analyze speech patterns
  • Avoid "Shoe Leather" (redundancy, boring text)
  • Dialogue needs a reason to be in your story
  • Dialogue should propel a story forward




Editor Tim Travaglini: 

  • Write what you d*** well please without worrying about getting published.
  • Hone your craft.
  • Do everything you can to excel as a writer.


Stay tuned for more writing tips next week!
     

3 comments:

Kjersten said...

I especially like the questions and suggestions from Anne Moore. "Follow the paths that bring you joy," seems like good advice all around in life.

Faith Pray said...

Yes, Kjersten! I am trying to remember that one when making daily choices. You would have enjoyed Anne. She is a very gracious woman with a lot of design wisdom. I was a puppy lapping it all up.

Ruthie Redden said...

Me to, i love that advice
"Use your passions as your springboard" and "Follow the paths that bring you joy" I am trying daily to remember these things so i stop making bad decisions lol x

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