The Series Series, Part 6: Tracking Plot Details
When it comes to maintaining continuity of plot details in a series, it can be helpful to create a scene chart or a storyboard for each story as well as for the overall series itself. Some novelists use index cards or Post-it notes to build a storyboard, because they allow for manipulation of the sequence [...]
The Series Series, Part 5: Tracking Settings
In the last post, we looked at building, developing and maintaining the continuity of characters within a series. Now let’s look at the same thing with respect to setting. The key to creating an evocative setting – whether real or fantasy – is to incorporate the senses. Many writers describe only what can be seen [...]
The Series Series, Part 4: Continuity
Despite scrupulous editing, some of the most successful series of all time feature notable inconsistencies. For example, in Eragon, book one of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, the character of Murtagh has brown hair – but in Eldest and Brisingr, he has black hair. J.K. Rowling is the first to admit to the many discrepancies in [...]
The Series Series, Part 3: What Constitutes a Series?
There are many different ways to categorize a series. One common way is as a set of stories that feature the same character(s) in different circumstances. Each book offers a new adventure, a new plot, a new problem to solve, but the characters – or at least the main protagonist(s) – remain the same. Series [...]
The Series Series, Part 2: Starting a Series
It took us thirteen drafts to figure out the best way to start the Very Fairy Princess series: with a “day in the life of…” establishing story. Once we had introduced the character and her world, other story ideas seemed to flow more easily. The first book in the Dumpy the Dump Truck tells the story of [...]
The Series Series, Part 1: Planning a Series
I’ve been on a series of deadlines and taking a bit of a break from blogging, but as I promised last week, I’m picking it up again with a series of posts about… writing a series. My mother and I have developed three series to date: The Dumpy the Dump Truck picture book series; the [...]
Blog-hopping
I’ve been taking a break from blogging for the past month in order to focus on writing and editing deadlines, as well as other professional obligations… but I’m proud to have popped up on one or two other people’s blogs this month in interviews! Please check out Julie Hedlund’s Blog where I am proud to [...]
Embracing My Inner Princess
The first thing I said when my husband and I learned we were expecting a daughter was, “OK, but we’re not doing the pink princess thing.” Famous last words. Hope was born seemingly hard-wired to be the girliest girl in the world – she wouldn’t even wear pants until 1st grade. Her passion extended to [...]
Announcing the Very Fairy Princess App!
I’m excited to announce that our new Very Fairy Princess app is now live! The Very Sparkly Wand feature invites young princes and princesses to choose from three colors and sounds in order to create their own wand and add a little sparkle to anything with just a flick of the iPhone or iPad. With [...]
Anthropomorphism – More Than Humans in Fur Coats
We’ve been discussing anthropomorphism this week in my graduate children’s lit class. Anthropomorphism – or the giving of human characteristics to animals, plants, machines, natural phenomena or objects – can serve to broaden an audience base, especially with picture books. A book about a duck or a pig can appeal to children of all genders, cultures [...]
