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Picture Books (PB) / Re: Category-defying books
« Last post by Debbie Vilardi on January 04, 2023, 06:36 PM »Hi Meena. I love your message.
You
re right that the word count is high unless you're writing nonfiction for middle grade. But don't think of it as taking your book apart. Think of it as chiseling down to the necessary core like a sculptor so the parts shine even more strongly. Cut anything that the pictures show. Also, think of the age of your reader. For your message to work, they have to follow and comprehend. We can get so caught up in the sound of language that we lose the beauty in the simple elegance of fewer words and the sense that we must reach and audience that isn't ourselves.
If you haven't had your work critiqued, you can post up to 1000 words here: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=121.0. I promise to comment. You can also seek critique partners here: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=127.0
Sometimes it takes another pair of eyes to help us see what our work can be. Good luck.
You
re right that the word count is high unless you're writing nonfiction for middle grade. But don't think of it as taking your book apart. Think of it as chiseling down to the necessary core like a sculptor so the parts shine even more strongly. Cut anything that the pictures show. Also, think of the age of your reader. For your message to work, they have to follow and comprehend. We can get so caught up in the sound of language that we lose the beauty in the simple elegance of fewer words and the sense that we must reach and audience that isn't ourselves.
If you haven't had your work critiqued, you can post up to 1000 words here: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=121.0. I promise to comment. You can also seek critique partners here: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=127.0
Sometimes it takes another pair of eyes to help us see what our work can be. Good luck.
