Greetings;
My job as a line editor for our Cape Cod Children’s Writers one-day workshops is time-consuming but so gratifying. A few weeks before each workshop, the clients forward ten pages of their best work for review by each of several instructors, versed in different aspects of the writing process. I can understand how sending forth one’s work without benefit of “being there” to explain the how and why of one’s reasoning takes courage but it is an essential step in the learning process. When a finished manuscript is sent to an editor in the hope of having it traditionally published, the author also cannot be there. The writing, itself, must be able to convey accurate emotions for specific scenes and time-lines, and the dialogue must “show” the speakers’ characters without using telling statements. In essence, that first step directly connects to the last.
In case someone hasn’t had the chance to read Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine series, I’d like to suggest her books as a must read in learning how to successfully write for children TODAY. Some of my former instructors insisted a sentence should not begin with “But,” while others taught there should also be a comma after “but.” Those rules no longer apply. Like other authors, I’m sure Sara learned the basics of writing, but once those initial, important lessons had been learned her writing became her voice. She knows how to set words down in a concise manner to make a statement without always needing a grammatically correct sentence. Notice these examples from her book, Clementine’s Letter.
I said NO. It has to be a real name. (No quotes there.)
So I sat up and listened to him, even though it was just “Raise your hand if you’re absent” and “Who’s got milk money?” stuff. (Another word I was taught to use sparingly, if at all, was “just” but it has begun to creep into newer children’s books. So will I use it now? If it makes the right point, I just might.
Other statements: But right after that, it got interesting. Which I tried once.
The point I’m making is that one must learn the basics of writing BEFORE understanding HOW to use words to present an individual’s voice. Read some of this year’s published children’s books to see what is being accepted, and how the wording is set down to present the best effect. The local librarian and the staff at Eight Cousins in Falmouth center can guide you to the newest books.
In nurses’ training, the instructor spent two hours showing us how to make a bed, and it took us two hours to follow her example. By the time we’d learned well enough to work the wards, the same task had become so ingrained it took only ten minutes. All basic learning takes extra time but it’s worth the effort because perseverance is the key to success in any business. Ask Sara if you’re lucky enough to meet her. Until next time, read some new children’s books this summer and be well. Linda

“Write what you know” we are always hearing. But you can also write what you don’t know – with a bit of sleuthing. Research is an important part of children’s writings. It’s an important part of making your book accurate and believable. It can add color and detail to an otherwise average story. How did kids dress in the 1940′s? What is it really like on a playground today? If I want to have a kid jousting on a bicycle with a bathroom plunger, just how much do you need to know about medieval jousting? Or about a kid rock climbing to overcome a fear of heights? Or his fear of the dark by going spelunking with a science class?

The first site most people look at today is the internet. Be specific in your search. For the cave story, go to the National Speleological Society or interview a spelunker. Safety information can be found at Safekids.com or the American Red Cross site. Check experts in the field on line. They may disagree, but that may make interesting dialogue or color. Another way is by finding group discussion lists by going to http.//groups.yaoo.com and type on “medieval” or “civil war” or “space aliens.”

Interview experts, people who are professionals or hobbyists in your field. Look for experts through organizations and on their on line sites. Keep an “expert file” for future reference. I keep a recipe box of people I’ve met or read about with pertinent information to which I can refer later. Or store it on the data base. Or you may want to travel to the Salem (MA) Museum for witchcraft, or the Galveston TX, museum to reasearch the 1900 hurricane.

Get personal information. For a medieval joust, visit a medieval fair. Observe, photograph take notes on what is going on here. Listen to the way actors speak while in their roles.

And don’t forget your local library The research librarian is a wealth of knowledge and can point you in a different direction than you thought. Check out the computer catalog, where it lists related subjects. Read nonfiction books, reference materials, specialized periodical. Look at old magazines and newspapers. Many are on digital or microfilm.
The more believable your story can be made through research, the more believable it will be to your readers.

Enjoy the sleuthing!

Creatively,
Christina