[aaron-riser Posts: 9 Status: Offline I love to write]

I'm new to PB writing (actually professional writing in general) and I'm writing short, one day, character adventures in rhyme.  What I'd  like to know is are there guidelines (or leanings) for writing these shorts (action) in a past, present or future tense.  I can write in either tense, but I need to know if there are industry preferences, since I'm learning from the ground up.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Congrats, Aaron! Many picture books work great in past tense, but some flow better in present tense. The best thing you can do is write it, revise...then get feedback on it from those who know rhyme well. We have a great online critique section on the Blueboard: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?board=121.0

Our awesome moderator, Debbie Vilardi, also created a helpful Rhyme Primer: https://www.scbwi.org/boards/index.php?topic=72674.0

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Here's a great free resource for rhyme: https://www.reneelatulippe.com/peek-critique-2/

I've heard raves about the Lyrical Language Lab the same author runs--there's 3 levels/prices offered depending on self-study or lots of interaction with the class and teacher: https://www.reneelatulippe.com/lyrical-language-lab/

Storyteller Academy also has several great classes focused on rhyme...and I know they have lessons inside some of the longer workshops geared toward rhyme (I took one with Carter Higgens that was incredible): https://www.storytelleracademy.com/course-catalog

If you're looking for motivation to come up with at least 30 picture book ideas in January month, check out Storystorm with Tara Lazar. It's incredible! It helps me come up with ideas for an entire year of writing at least 12 new picture books--and you can win prizes, too: https://taralazar.com/2022/12/23/storystorm-2023-registration/

I've been a part of 12x12PB and love it--registration opens in January: https://www.12x12challenge.com/

And if you'd like motivation to write a new picture book at the same time as others each month, I run the PBParty New Draft Challenge and Critique Train. The next one is January 19 - 21. You write a new picture book during the challenge, then hop on the Critique Train Google doc to receive a critique from the person above you and give one to the person below you. https://mindyalyseweiss.com/pbparty-new-draft-challenge-critique-train-faq/

[JodyJS Posts: 1,316 Status: Offline Who you gonna call? EMERGENCY KITTENS! WWW]

Hi Aaron,

I think that most, though not all, PBs are written in past tense. Maybe try it both ways and see which you like better. Also, if you're brand new to writing for children, go to your local library and read 100 PBs published within the last five years. That will give you a sense of topics, tenses, and treatments (structures).

Good luck!

Jody

[aaron-riser Posts: 9 Status: Offline I love to write]

Thanks for the advice. I've dabbled in writing lyrics for musician friends and now I'm learning how to marry the principles I learned there to PB writing.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,999 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Past tense is more conventional, but the truth is you have to do what each particular story needs. The story is everything.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,448 Status: Offline WWW]

Also, if you're brand new to writing for children, go to your local library and read 100 PBs published within the last five years. That will give you a sense of topics, tenses, and treatments (structures).

Jody said exactly what I was going to say. Read, read, read recently published picture books. In fact, do a study: Count how many are in first, second, or third person. Count how many are in present tense, in past tense. Type up the ones that you think are done particularly well. It will be the best education you can find on the current picture book market.

I've been writing picture books for over a decade (and have three published) and I still check them out from the library every week. Right now I have about 30 checked out. And I still type up ones I love. I probably have over 300 typed up picture books.