By Carrie Charley Brown
When I am stuck on a manuscript, or just trying to find the best way to tell the story, sometimes I rewrite my story from many different points of view and compare the versions. Is this a lot of work? Yes. Can it strengthen and transform my writing? Yes. And it can work for you, too.
Just like a single line of dialogue, first person point-of-view examines your character’s authenticity under a microscope. Only this time, every line is treated like dialogue. I challenge you to study some of the first-person texts listed below. As you examine them, can you figure out the age of the main character? Is it consistent all the way through to the end? Do you notice areas where it steps outside the age boundaries?
Some of these same texts were recommended during ReFoReMo. But now, it's time to reread them and focus in on the first person point of view.
When I am stuck on a manuscript, or just trying to find the best way to tell the story, sometimes I rewrite my story from many different points of view and compare the versions. Is this a lot of work? Yes. Can it strengthen and transform my writing? Yes. And it can work for you, too.
Just like a single line of dialogue, first person point-of-view examines your character’s authenticity under a microscope. Only this time, every line is treated like dialogue. I challenge you to study some of the first-person texts listed below. As you examine them, can you figure out the age of the main character? Is it consistent all the way through to the end? Do you notice areas where it steps outside the age boundaries?
Some of these same texts were recommended during ReFoReMo. But now, it's time to reread them and focus in on the first person point of view.
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In addition to reading this month, I’d like to add a writing component to your challenge. After reading several first person mentor texts, I challenge you to either transform one of your manuscripts to first person, polish an existing one, or write from scratch. Keep the youngest picture book audience in mind as you write. What would a four-year old actually say? How would they act? What choices would they make?
First Person Texts
The following recommendations are recent publications. It is true that you can learn from first-person mentor texts of any age. However, part of the Reading for Research philosophy is that we utilize newer texts to connect to the current market and what is selling.
First Person Texts
The following recommendations are recent publications. It is true that you can learn from first-person mentor texts of any age. However, part of the Reading for Research philosophy is that we utilize newer texts to connect to the current market and what is selling.
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(For more information, click on each book cover.)
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream by Kristy Dempsey & Floyd Cooper, 2014
The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall, 2014
A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, 2014
Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, 2015
I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein 2014
My Blue is Happy by Jessica Young 2013
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream by Kristy Dempsey & Floyd Cooper, 2014
The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall, 2014
A Boy and A Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, 2014
Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, 2015
I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein 2014
My Blue is Happy by Jessica Young 2013
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What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada 2014
Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian 2013
The Sky Painter Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist by Margarita Engle, 2015
Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan, 2014
I Hatched! Jill Esbaum, 2014
Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo, 2014
Do you have more recent first person examples? Feel free to list them below, along with your progress.
Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian 2013
The Sky Painter Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist by Margarita Engle, 2015
Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan, 2014
I Hatched! Jill Esbaum, 2014
Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo, 2014
Do you have more recent first person examples? Feel free to list them below, along with your progress.
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