In the writing world we often say there are two kinds of plotters—outliners, who work from a carefully planned story map, and "pansters", who "fly by the seat of their pants," meaning they simply begin writing and see where the story leads. Which approach is better?...
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One of the most common issues I see when reviewing picture book manuscripts is this: a story that’s pleasant, charming, or even...
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Many writers assume that depth comes from complexity—that richer stories require more plot, more explanation, more moving parts. But picture books teach us...
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Picture books are often thought of as "simple." Short sentences. Only so many pages. A quick read. But anyone who has ever tried...
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Dialogue in picture books does a lot of heavy lifting. Good dialogue: - Reveals character - Builds tension - Moves the plot forward - Delivers conflict -...
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Let’s start with a confession. For years, I used “voice” and “tone” interchangeably. And the truth is, in casual conversation, many writers do....
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There’s a particular magic to picture books that still thrills me—even after years of writing, editing, and teaching them: In roughly 32 pages...
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Finding the right literary agent for your work can feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack. With so...
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My friend Peter H. Reynolds once gave me a great image for cultivating ideas. He said he had "story radar"...
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Some writers love outlines, others feel boxed in by them. Mind mapping offers a third option—especially useful in the early stages of picture...
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