SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board

Writer's Room => Picture Books (PB) => Topic started by: DebbieOhi on August 07, 2010, 08:33 PM

Title: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: DebbieOhi on August 07, 2010, 08:33 PM

Recently came back from the SCBWI conference in L.A., which was amazing. Loved Jon Scieszka's talk, and posted my "takeaways" on my blog
( http://www.inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2010/8/4/2010-scbwi-la-takeaways-jon-scieszka.html ) but here's the text, for those interested:

Some takeaways from Jon Sciezka's keynote talk, "Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes":

- Look up the top 100 books listed by School Library Journal and read them.

- Don't do what someone else does. Do what YOU connect with.

- Read bad books, which can be educational.

- Read children's trade publications and kidlit blogs.

- Most picture book manuscripts by new writers can be improved by cutting length by half.

- Don't try to follow the market.

- Read everything in your field that you possible can: library, bookstore.

- Learn and read in prep but once you start to actually WRITE, then forget about trying to follow every rule and industry blog, and just focus on WRITING.

- In retrospect, Jon is glad that his early submissions got rejected.

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: PJV on August 07, 2010, 10:39 PM

Welcome to the Blue Boards, Debbie!

 :grouphug2  :hahaha

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: angela on August 08, 2010, 04:44 AM

can't wait to read more of your blog!

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Ma
Post by: Abracabarbara on August 08, 2010, 04:46 AM

"Don't do what someone else does. Do what YOU connect with."

"Learn and read in prep but once you start to actually WRITE, then forget about trying to follow every rule and industry blog, and just focus on WRITING."


Hi, thx and welcome, Debbie. (And Jon, of course.)

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: JennaWren on August 08, 2010, 07:55 AM

Debbie, I LOVE your blog!  Welcome to the blueboards!

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: DebbieOhi on August 08, 2010, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. :-)

I had an account on the Blue Boards ages ago but didn't read/post much, so I think my account got deleted.

So many of my writer friends (esp. those in MiG Writers and the Torkidlit group) have raved about the Blue Boards that I figure it's time I start reading/posting here more regularly!

Debbie

Title: Re: From SCBWI-LA-Jon Scieszka: Tales Of A Picture Book Writer: Do's, Don'ts, Maybes
Post by: Sudo Nimm on August 09, 2010, 02:12 AM

Thanks for sharing your takeaways, Debbie.  And welcome back to the Blueboards!  By the way, huge congrats to you on having your portfolio recognized during the "Showcase."  Too cool!  :wow