Category: Revealing ReFoReMo

Revealing ReFoReMo with Author Jodi McKay

1/26/2016

Our ReFoReMo Sharing Buzz Contest is still going strong for one more week! If the ReFoReMo Challenge or blog has contributed to your growth as a writer, we hope you'll lend a hand and spread the excitement. As a thank you, you may enter the drawings listed in the post.

Today's guest knows a lot about lending a hand. Jodi McKay was an active participant during ReFoReMo 2015 and continued her research all year long. In addition, she was a sharing queen when it came to spreading the love for ReFoReMo. Thank you, Jodi, and thanks for sharing your experience with us today, too.

By Jodi McKay

When it comes to writing, I would consider myself a bit of a pantser. If I am struck with an idea then I go and write it all out, but there are times when I get stuck or I want to tell a story in a certain way and I need more than what my brain can provide. Through the encouragement of the enormously beneficial ReFoReMo 2015 challenge, I now understand how to use mentor texts to inspire ideas or help me build a better book. As an added bonus it also promotes exercise! No, I don’t do jumping jacks or sit-ups, I run… to my son’s room.

Am I struggling with an opening? Run! Grab, Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Dan Santat. This is the perfect mentor text for understanding how to set up a story.

Not quite getting a good story arc? Run! Grab, Elwood Bigfoot by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Ah yes, this is a perfect example of a solid story structure with a nice build up of tension using the rule of three and it has a lovely resolution, plus there are BIRDIES!

Uh oh, page turns aren’t turning out right. Run! Grab, Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman. Wow, this mentor text shows how to create a good amount of anticipation that certainly makes me want to turn the pages. By now I’m out of breath, but not only have I gotten in a great work out, I have used the brilliance of my fellow authors to help guide me in creating a story that is perhaps good enough for our kids.

The ReFoReMo challenge has set me up for success in a way that I hadn’t thought of and I am grateful for the mental (and physical) exercises that mentor texts provide. Big thanks to Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call for helping me on my writing journey! I can’t wait to learn more during ReFoReMo 2016!

Thanks so much for sharing, Jodi! Any workout involving picture books is my kind of workout!

The Sharing Buzz Contest is a picture book workout with giveaway potential! Don't forget to check it out HERE!

If you would also like to share your ReFoReMo experience, we welcome you to review our submission policy for the Revealing ReFoReMo series.

Jodi McKay lives with her husband and seven-year old son in the state that’s shaped like a mitten. She writes quirky, humorous picture books by day and by night she sleeps. Jodi is lucky enough to be represented by Linda Epstein of The Jennifer DeChiara Literary agency. You can find out more about her on her website, www.JodiMcKayBooks.com, or maybe follow her on Twitter- @jlmckay1 and FaceBook.

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Revealing ReFoReMo: Carrie Charley Brown Examines QU-aracters

8/4/2015

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Memorable characters may be evil or fun or quirky. They could be sweet or different or unique. If you could have any performance role, who would you choose? Alice in Wonderland? I’ll pass. Give me The Mad Hatter. Harry Potter? No thanks. I’ll take Bellatrix Lestrange. When auditioning for theatrical roles as a child, I didn’t necessarily want the lead role- just the most fun. Oklahoma- I couldn’t decide whether Aunt Eller or Ado Annie was the most fun. I ended up with Aunt Eller. I didn’t want to play little orphan Annie, but instead, the tough flawed role of Pepper. Who stands out to you and what does this say about your writing?

I’m drawn to the quirky, flawed side. Aren’t we all? Just a little bit? It brings entertainment. And a picture book is one huge opportunity to entertain. Funny…with all of the amazing posts from our 2015 ReFoReMo challenge, we didn’t have one specifically written for characters. (Although, Susanna Leonard Hill did touch on this important topic in HER POST.)

So, let’s dig in! Right here, right now.

“Qu-aracters” with a Capital Quirk

A big round of applause for Cat from HERE COMES THE EASTER CAT!

Cat= Grumpy, jealous, a little bit devious= funny

In Cat's first book (Easter Cat), he is motivated to take action against the Easter Bunny and ends up [PARTIAL SPOLIER ALERT] transforming with a compassionate action by the end.

And Cat's quirkiness is catching, as he continues to be featured in new books.

On your feet for Mojo from BIG BAD BUBBLE!

Mojo= Paranoid, fearful, excitable, over-reactive= silly

Mojo is convinced that bubbles will attack all of the creatures of La La Land and ends up finding out that bubbles are harmless…but [SPOILER ALERT] butterflies are something else.

Mojo’s transformation is what I like to call…he learned something, but then worried himself into a tizzy again. Hilarious!

(And Adam Rubin leaves a "quirky stamp" on his other books, too.)

Standing ovation for CRANKENSTEIN!

Crankenstein= Complainer, moody, unpredictable= amusing, playful

Crankenstein is an ordinary boy until unfavorable events transform him to a breaking point…but [SPOILER ALERT] a similar friend is enough to bring a good mood.
Quaracters are catching, huh?

Recipe for Quirky Characters
Acquire generous helpings of unfavorable moods.
Mix in a unbelievable mission. [Examples: Payback Easter Bunny, spread disastrous news…]
Blend with funny, silly, or exaggerated actions.
Bake until transformation occurs.
Throw in a surprise ending.

Which characters have left an impression on you? Do you prefer quirky over sweet and innocent? Which performance role would you love to play? Why? Share your analysis below, then head over to Carrie On… Together to catch insider info on Mighty Media Press.

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Revealing ReFoReMo: Michael Karg Searches for a Name

7/7/2015

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by Michael Karg

As an avid picture book reader, I'm always looking for more suggestions for great books. But, beyond a mere list of recommendations, my favorite part of ReFoReMo was learning why that book or group of books has a lasting emotional impact on the reader.

I study picture books for pacing and plotting and language, but when I dig deeper I find something more profound. Philosophical nuggets and little worldview jewels shine through the voice of any main character. The writer mines the identity of the protagonist in their own experiences and shows that vision in brilliant little packages. When the character’s name is perfect, like Corduroy, that story resonates through generations. The name Corduroy sounds like a little boy’s name, despite its original usage. The word is a dactyl, so it has a contemplative cadence. And, it evokes the unfussy wash-and-wear garment of a playful child. Perfect. The name and identity are iconic and inseparable.

How do we find the perfect, iconic name? I look to picture books with a main character who undergoes this very search for identity:

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: This young girl think her name is “absolutely perfect” until the mean girls in her class suggest otherwise. Victoria attempts to reduce her name to an impractical set of characters and cleave it from who she is. Chrysanthemum finds validation in a teacher who is absolutely perfect at handling the problem. (Rule-breaker alert! The main character does not solve the problem, but it is still a winner.)

A Lion Named Shirley Williamson by Bernard Waber: A miscommunication gives a lioness special status with her unusual name. Did she become so winsome because of her name or was it fate? Like Chrysanthemum, there are three jealous lions who want to quash her singular personality, but “Bongo” she is not.

The Cat With Seven Names by Tony Johnston and Christine Davenier: When a cat goes missing, he discovers six more identities and relationships with caregivers until he is found and we know his “real” name. Or, does he have seven “real” names, each of which are intertwined with the seven different relationships? (Do each of us have seven or more names depending on whom we’re talking to?)

Beekle by Dan Santat: Beekle sets off to find his name, his identity, his “real child”. Dan Santat has called this book “a love letter to his son”, to capture the search for a paternal bond yet to be made. When Alice speaks Beekle’s name, the journey is complete.

Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and Ed Young: The meaning of the cat’s name is “hard to explain” and so our hero wanders far to discover his identity. The simple yet beautiful haiku and collage reveal the protagonist’s soul to himself and to us, step by step.

Your characters have names. When you learn who they are, you will learn their names as well.

Michael Karg is a picture book writer, feline veterinarian, entrepreneur, tinkerer, woodland gardener and full-time dreamer. He lives with his wife, three kids and four cats in a cohousing community in Maryland. His parents didn’t give him a middle name, but he found it anyway – Wolfgang.

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Revealing ReFoReMo: Romelle Broas Researches Methodically

6/2/2015

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by Romelle Broas

I have to admit I've never really understood how to use mentor texts until the ReFoReMo challenge. I used to just read a book, take mental notes of the books I love, and put it in my special stack for inspiration. That's where it ended. I had a stack of books staring me in the face saying, "now what?"

The author-educators who guest-blogged during the ReFoReMo event helped me understand HOW to use picture books as mentor texts. They were all fabulous, but below are some of the posts that stood out to me:

Tara Lazar- Tara discussed the importance of hooking a reader with COVER, TITLE, SUBJECT MATTER, and PLOT TWISTS. By asking myself, "What draws me to a book?" I can pinpoint what makes it so attractive and engaging.

Marcie Colleen- Marcie shared books that inspired MOOD, STYLE, THEME, and PLOT ARC while creating her upcoming stories. Now, when I find a book I love, I draft a story that carries out the same style and tone to help me develop the skill.

Susanna Leonard Hill- Susanna helped me to look at elements of picture books at a deeper level. Sure, many of the books have them, but which one makes a book stand out and why? Susanna's post inspired me to write down specifics and look for examples in the text that support the lovely LANGUAGE, lovable CHARACTER, or satisfying ENDING.

Mentor texts give me an idea on how to enhance my picture book writing. It's one thing to know what I need in my story; it's another to know HOW to do it.

Throughout the ReFoReMo challenge, I collected questions from the ReFoReMo author-educators and formed some of my own to help me with my research. As a result, I created my own worksheet that I fill out whenever I find a picture book I LOVE.

Some people like to read mentor texts and let them absorb organically. I'm more technical, and need to analyze books in writing to help me process it better.

Going through my questions and writing them out as an exercise was an epiphany for me. By citing specific examples from the book like what makes me want to read the book over again or what made me fall in love with the character was a revelation. Mentor texts finally make sense to me.

With the information I gathered, I am now able to write my stories with purpose and direction. I am excited about my revisions and turning my ordinary manuscripts into something extraordinary!

I hope my worksheet inspires you, too. Feel free to revise it according to your preference. Happy researching!

THANK YOU Carrie Charley Brown and ReFoReMo participants!

Thank YOU, Romelle! Your worksheet is GREAT!

mentor_text_evaluation_sheet(1).pdf
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Romelle Broas is a dental hygienist by day, writer by night, and mother all the time. She is the author of several eBooks. Her latest release, RUNNING BOY, is published by MeeGeenius. Romelle also writes nonfiction under the name of Romelle Guittap. Her writing has been featured in FACES, Boys' Quest, Stories for Children, and Skipping Stone. You can find her blogging about her journey to becoming a picture book writer and meandering around in the kidlit community.

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Revealing ReFoReMo: Jen Garrett Explores the Evolution of Picture Books

4/7/2015

33 Comments

Over 400 people followed the first annual Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) journey in March. Participants discovered how mentor texts and research methods could enhance their picture book writing experience. The goal of the ReFoReMo Blog is to continue supporting your journey with picture books as mentor texts. We will strive to follow this schedule until next February when ReFoReMo kicks into gear again:

1st Tuesday- Revealing ReFoReMo, Featured Participant
2nd Tuesday- Featured Author-Educators (2)
3rd Tuesday- Writing Challenge Check-In, Monthly PB Recommendations + Ask Carrie
4th Thursday- Ask Carrie Answers, plus bonus picture book links

And now...Revealing ReFoReMo!

by Jen Garrett

ReFoReMo encouraged us to become better writers through reading picture books. We learned great insights from countless blog posters and commenters on how to glean techniques on structure, plot, character, voice, and page turns (plus a boatload more!)

Today, (now that it’s over), I want to play Guest Poster and give you one thing that really struck me as I researched.

Noting Publishing Trends

Picture Books have evolved as publishing trends and readership tastes have changed. Here are some examples:

2nd Person POV

THEN (1985):
Please Try to Remember the First of Octember

Versus

NOW (2014):
How to Babysit a Grandpa or Grandma

These three books are told in 2nd person POV, and they each have a character illustrating the “you,” but they have a subtle significant difference. The narrator in Dr. Seuss’s book seems to be an adult - or at least someone outside of the book - while in the books by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish, the narrator seems to be talking directly to the reader, not the character. This demonstrates a trend to engage the reader more in picture books today.

Word Choice

THEN (1996):
The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash

Versus

NOW (2012):
Dragons Love Tacos

I’ve heard a rumor that word count is trending down. That’s why I was surprised to find that Dragons Love Tacos has a HIGHER word count than The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash. How can that be? Jimmy’s Boa seems so much longer. The reason, I think, is word choice. In today’s books, sentence structure tends to be simpler and there are less “filler’ words allowed. Also, illustrations in past books do enhance the story, but today they seem to carry more of the main story weight. Books today tend to invite the young listener to interact with the story more as it is read aloud.

Fairytale Retellings

THEN (2009):
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Versus

NOW (2013):
The Three Ninja Pigs

Fun twists on old fairytales is not new by any stretch of the imagination, but what has changed is the characterization. Even when the main characters are grownups (how else can you spend years learning to be a ninja?), they tend to look and act more youthful in fairytale retellings of today.

Nonfiction Biographies

THEN (1979):
The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur

Versus

NOW (2012):
Those Rebels, John and Tom

In addition to language, word choice, and illustration differences, these two books demonstrate a shift in how nonfiction biographies are told. Biographies today tend to be less plot-driven, and more character driven. Rather than telling how the character recognizes and solves the problem, picture books today tell how the character developed to be just the right person for the problem.

Thank you to all the ReFoReMo bloggers who introduced me to the NOW books of this post (plus tons more).

Thank you for sharing your revelations, Jen!

Did YOU participate in ReFoReMo? Perhaps you found a particular research method helpful or made significant discoveries? YOU are also eligible to submit an article for the Revealing ReFoReMo series. Submission guidelines are posted here.

JEN Garrett writes for, about, and around children all day. But sometimes she finds time to do the dishes at her home in Northern California. She also finds time to participate in SCBWI, facilitate The Writers Bloc at her local library, query agents, and read mountains of books. How? We don’t know.

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Revealing ReFoReMo with Author Jodi McKay

Revealing ReFoReMo: Carrie Charley Brown Examines QU-aracters

Revealing ReFoReMo: Michael Karg Searches for a Name

Revealing ReFoReMo: Romelle Broas Researches Methodically

Revealing ReFoReMo: Jen Garrett Explores the Evolution of Picture Books

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