ReFoReMo Day 12: Alayne Kay Christian Reflects on Bridging the Gap from Reading to Writing

3/12/2016

By Alayne Kay Christian

Thanks to Carrie and Kirsti for inviting me to participate in ReFoReMo 2016 as faculty. This event leaves the kid lit writing community with valuable go-to resources all year round, and I am honored to be a part of it.

When analyzing mentor texts or your own work, it’s important to look deeper than the surface.

There are many ways to engage readers. Here are four questions that will help:

What expectations do opening sentences create in your mind?
What words, images, or punctuation techniques entice you to turn each page?
What are the unanswered questions that urge you to continue reading?
Does the ending fulfill your expectations by answering all your questions and tying up

loose ends? If so, how?

Alayne is giving away one scholarship for her brand new course: Art of Arc; How to Analyze Your Picture Book Manuscript! This course will help your story sing! Thanks Alayne! To be eligible, you must be a fully registered participant, comment on this post, read daily, and keep records of your progress.

Alayne Kay Christian is the award-winning author of Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa, a life coach, and teacher of Art of Arc: How to Analyze Your Picture Book Manuscript (deepen your understanding of picture books written with a classic arc).

411 Comments

Rebecca Colby

3/12/2016 03:38:27 am

Definitely very important questions to ask! Thanks for the post, Alayne, and for your generous prize!

Alayne Kay Christian link

3/12/2016 08:04:58 am

I is my pleasure, Rebecca.

Donna L Martin link

3/12/2016 06:31:26 am

Who knew there was so much to learn about writing a "little ol' picture book"? ;-) Thanks Alayne for giving us another way to learn about the art of arc...

Alayne Kay Christian link

3/12/2016 08:07:01 am

You are very welcome, Donna.

Andrea Mack link

3/12/2016 06:53:25 am

Thanks for your helpful questions, Alayne! Your course is so useful!! Great value for anyone interested in writing picture books, whether beginner or more experienced.

Alayne Kay Christian link

3/12/2016 08:09:14 am

You're welcome, Andrea. I'm so happy that the Art of Arc course is helping you as a writer. That's why I created it. Yay!

Melissa Rutigliano

3/12/2016 06:55:54 am

I just took a screen shot of these questions and will have them saved to my phone for constant reference. These are simple questions that honestly are wonderful to have as valuable base reminders for your writing. This is very helpful-each question is extremely important to the text.
I'm at the point of analyzing my MS for every little detail before submission, so I've been looking at punctuation, page turning effect, etc. I'm going to read it again now, each time after asking myself one of the above questions. I think this will be very helpful.

Alayne Kay Christian link

3/12/2016 08:11:19 am

That's the way to do it, Melissa! Thank you for sharing how you plan to put the questions to good use. I'm thrilled they will help you in analyzing your manuscripts.

Sue Poduska

3/12/2016 07:09:40 am

Thanks for this. Great questions to keep in mind. Every time.

Alayne Kay Christian link

3/12/2016 08:12:14 am

You're welcome, Sue.

carole calladine link

3/12/2016 07:13:19 am

Thank you for these clarifying questions. Another excellent writing tool.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:19:23 am

You're welcome, Carole. I'm happy these questions will be in your toolbox.

Tanya Konerman link

3/12/2016 07:14:19 am

Great questions...I especially like the one about studying the punctuation!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:20:19 am

Thanks, Tanya. When you start looking, you'll find lots of page-turner tricks.

Karla Valenti

3/12/2016 07:39:32 am

Excellent questions that really compel us to dig deeper and discover what gives certain stories that very important emotional resonance. Thank you!

Cathy Breisacher

3/12/2016 07:43:26 am

Great questions to always keep in mind. I need to make it a point to address these points each and every time. Thank you.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:21:37 am

Thanks Cathy, I think you'll find considering the questions will make a difference in your stories.

Melissa Stoller link

3/12/2016 07:45:16 am

Thanks for these tips ... especially about looking deeper at your own manuscripts when analyzing them for publication readiness!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:22:08 am

My pleasure, Melissa

Manju Howard

3/12/2016 07:48:12 am

Thanks for sharing! I agree that PB studying structure is key to building my own stories.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:22:39 am

You're welcome, Manju

Linda Chavez

3/12/2016 07:48:39 am

Thanks for this important reminder about story craft. Asking these questions will help me analyze my manuscript.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:23:24 am

I'm happy the questions will be helpful, Linda.

Linda Schueler

3/12/2016 07:54:56 am

Thanks, those are some great questions!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:24:04 am

You're welcome, Linda.

Kathy Halsey

3/12/2016 08:05:22 am

Alayne, you helped me answer these questions the very 1st time you critiqued my work. You are very insightful and helpful. TY.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:24:46 am

Thank you for your kind words and support, Kathy!

Tina Cho link

3/12/2016 08:09:18 am

Those are very deep questions, Alayne! Thanks for making me ponder my stories.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:26:02 am

I know you're an experienced writer, Tina. I love that the questions are making you ponder!

Amy Murrell

3/12/2016 08:13:17 am

Thanks, Alayne. These are helpful questions to keep in mind.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:26:38 am

You're welcome, Amy.

Kirstine Call

3/12/2016 08:31:17 am

I adore these questions, Alayne! And I'm definitely going to apply them to my WIP's!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:27:59 am

Thanks for letting me know you'll be applying the questions to your WIPs, Kirsti. And thanks for inviting me to join the ReFoReMo team.

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/12/2016 08:38:59 am

I wonder what books seem to you to do these things particularly well?

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:50:20 am

I encourage you to explore, Annette. I think you'll have fun. However, to get you started I will list a few from my extensive list that I provide in my course Art of Arc. WHEN BLUE MET EGG by Lindsay Ward. NUGGET AND FANG by Tammi Sauer (Tammi is great at this, so all her books would be good to look at). GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS by Corey Rosen Schwartz. SOPHIE'S SQUASH by Pat Zietlow Miller. THE MONSTORE by Tara Lazar. OLIVER'S GRUMBLES by Yvonne Mes. Enjoy!

Shelley Kinder

3/12/2016 11:06:20 am

Thanks for the book list, Alayne! I've read a couple and will check out the others soon :)

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/13/2016 11:38:09 am

Thank you so much Alayne. It's exciting to have great books references.

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/13/2016 11:39:53 am

Thank you Annette for asking your question, I believe it benefited a lot of us.

Lisa Morgan

3/12/2016 08:39:43 am

Wow Alayne!! Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Those four questions are gold in my bucket. I can't wait to read over my manuscripts today and keep those four questions in mind. What a great way to spend a Saturday!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:29:20 am

Thanks, Lisa. "Gold in your bucket." That makes my heart smile.

Sharon Putnam

3/12/2016 08:54:44 am

Thank you for sharing your 4 questions to building a better story/picture book. Especially, “What words, images, or punctuation techniques entice you to turn each page?”

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:30:03 am

You are very welcome, Sharon.

Sheri Radovich

3/12/2016 08:54:47 am

Thanks for this helpful group of questions. I need to go back to my manuscripts and apply each of these to the drafts I have.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:31:22 am

I'm happy that the questions might shed some light on possible areas of improvements in your drafts, Sheri.

Ellen Leventhal

3/12/2016 09:09:51 am

I love those four questions. I think you hit the nail on the head, Alayne! But of course you did! You are amazing. Thanks for sharing. And Carrie and Kirsti, thanks for your generosity too!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:32:00 am

Thank your for your kind words, Ellen.

joanne sher link

3/12/2016 09:14:01 am

Fabulous questions! These absolutely need to be in plain sight as I work. Pondering how i will do that - and I WILL. Thanks so much!!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:32:57 am

Thanks, Joanne. I love that you are hatching a plan for these questions ;-)

Mary Boehmer

3/12/2016 09:15:24 am

Thank you for sharing with us! As a beginner to the wide world of publishing your suggestions, four questions to consider and amazing wisdom will be so valuable each and every day! Thank you, thank you! Happy Reading:)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:18:21 am

You are very welcome, Mary. I'm so pleased to know the questions will help you.

Pamela Courtney

3/12/2016 09:26:00 am

My critique group is in the process of defining group/individual goals. Helping each other deliver our best writing. Since saying this outloud, a few tools have just been gifted to us. This is just such gift. What a blessing to have these questions as reference points in our critique sessions, but most of all in our writing. These are the perfect questions to use when reading pb mss. Learning to analyze pb's in this way will certainly expand our ability to write and read with a better understanding. As if this post wasn't enough, your gift to ReFoRe is quite generous. THANK YOU.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:57:27 am

So glad the questions will not only be helping you Pamela but your whole crit group - that's wonderful. Thank you for sharing. The following link will take you to a post I did for ReviMo. At the bottom of the post, you will find a link to a free checklist that will likely be a great help to your group. http://megmillerwrites.blogspot.com/2016/01/revimo-day-6-with-alayne-kay-christian.html

Pamela Courtney

3/13/2016 12:00:44 pm

Thank you so much. We'll be delving into these questions for the next few weeks in our Google Hangouts. Thank you so much.

Lori Gravley link

3/12/2016 09:28:41 am

Great questions. I'm adding them to my analysis list for mentor texts and my self-evlaution questions. Thank you.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:58:13 am

Yay! So glad to know my questions will be on your list, Lori.

Christine Rodenbour

3/12/2016 09:33:09 am

Great list of things to be asking myself as I'm reading mentor texts, thank you. And great prize!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:58:42 am

My pleasure, Christine.

maria gianferrari link

3/12/2016 09:33:11 am

Great questions to frame our reading! Thanks, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 09:59:14 am

You're welcome, Maria.

Joana Pastro

3/12/2016 09:40:32 am

Those questions seem to cover it all. I'll be placing them on my corkboard for easy reference. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 10:00:19 am

It makes me happy to know the questions are going on your corkboard, Joana. Thank you for sharing.

Juliana Lee link

3/12/2016 09:43:42 am

These are wonderful questions! When I taught second grade, one of the strategies I tried to instill in readers was to ask questions as you read. It's no wonder asking questions is a useful strategy for writing as well. Thank you for bringing that to the forefront this morning!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 10:01:01 am

You are very welcome, Juliana.

Julie J Burchstead

3/12/2016 09:47:07 am

Thanks for giving me a fresh eye for looking at my new stack of books!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 10:01:44 am

Hmmm, sounds like perfect timing. Enjoy those books and your fresh eyes, Julie!

Sherry Howard link

3/12/2016 09:53:49 am

These questions make me think from a different perspective and are especially helpful if a PB doesn't follow the typical story arc. I've saved to my file PB Tips. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 10:03:41 am

It's good to know the questions have prompted some new thinking for you, Sherry. Thank you for sharing.

Lisa Connors link

3/12/2016 10:04:15 am

Great questions for readers and writers! Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:38:32 pm

You are welcome.

Martin Segal link

3/12/2016 10:06:39 am

Thank you, Alayne! Great reminder to keep the reader's expectations and questions top of mind! Thank you for your generosity!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:38:54 pm

My pleasure.

Heidi Yates

3/12/2016 10:09:43 am

Thanks for sharing these thoughtful questions Alayne! :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:39:20 pm

You're welcome.

Marlene Rohr link

3/12/2016 10:14:19 am

These are great questions to help guide the reading of the mentor texts. Thank Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:39:43 pm

I'm glad you like the questions, Marlene.

Nancy Ramsey

3/12/2016 10:15:33 am

Important questions! Thank you, Alayne!

Lucky Jo Boscarino

3/12/2016 10:16:15 am

These are certainly essential questions, but the entire process seems so much heavier now. Feeling a little discouraged today.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:46:51 pm

Anything I ever offer fellow writers is meant to inspire and encourage. I"m sorry that you are feeling discouraged Lucky Jo. I hope once you've had time to spend with picture books discovering the wonder of picture book writing that you will find the process lighter and more joyful. Finding the answers to these questions can be adventure, if you let it. No matter what guidelines people offer, it is important to write from the heart and enjoy the process. I hope you will find yourself in that place very soon. I don't mean to be preachy here - my intention is to be supportive and encouraging - I hope that's how it has come across.

Deborah Allmand

3/12/2016 10:25:24 am

Alayne, I thank you for the questions because we can use them in a variety of ways: plotting, studying mentor texts, and reviewing others manuscripts. Wonderful prize! Thank you for your post!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:48:17 pm

You are absolutely correct, Deborah! I'm so glad you are finding the magic in this type of reflection and exploration. Thank you so much for sharing.

Denise Benavides

3/12/2016 10:27:06 am

4 thought provoking questions - I like that. Thanks

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:48:46 pm

You are welcome. And thanks!

Anita Jones link

3/12/2016 10:31:49 am

Thanks Alayne for all the wonderful suggestions. I wrote down all your four questions so I can always look at them when I finish a manuscript....it's definately where I'm having problems!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:49:52 pm

Yay! I hope the questions help you find some answers to those problems, Anita. I appreciate you sharing how you will put them to good use.

Noelle McBride

3/12/2016 10:43:45 am

Thank you! These questions will be helpful to our critique group as we hone in on the details!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:50:31 pm

Great, Noelle. I love that you will be passing the questions on to your critique group.

Lynn Davidson link

3/12/2016 10:51:07 am

Thank you, Alayne, for those helpful questions. I'm writing them down to keep in my writing rooms.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:50:56 pm

You are very welcome, Lynn.

Lori Dubbin

3/12/2016 10:53:44 am

Thank you, Alayne, for this very helpful post. I'm spending the morning "bridging the gap." Mentor texts and your questions are a bridge to a connection, even to a revelation!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:51:57 pm

Oooo, I love revelations! Thanks for sharing, Lori. Keep enjoying that bridge.

Karen Brady link

3/12/2016 11:01:53 am

Wonderful questions to help us peek behind the curtain and see how a successful story is constructed--a strong opening, compelling forward motion, and a satisfying ending! Invaluable tips! Thank you, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:52:41 pm

You've got that right, Karen. My pleasure.

Janie Reinart

3/12/2016 11:26:14 am

Alayne, Never thought of punctuation techniques for page turns! Thank you for the great insight and the generous prize.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:53:29 pm

You're welcome Janie. And I'm so happy the questions gave you some new thoughts on page-turns.

Shelley Kinder

3/12/2016 11:30:11 am

Thank you, Alayne, for some great questions to ask. Also, thank you for your generous prize donation!!! I checked out the link you posted in a comment above and printed out your "List of questions for Edits, Polishing, and Critiques." This will be a valuable resource that I expect to use a LOT :) Thanks again!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:54:38 pm

It's my pleasure, Shelley. It makes me happy to know you will be using these questions and my checklist in the future.

Kristi Veitenheimer link

3/12/2016 11:55:43 am

Thank you, Alayne, for these guiding questions. I purchased your course last month and am looking forward to finally being able to dig in this week!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:56:03 pm

Yay! I'm excited that you will be starting Art of Arc this week, Kristi. I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress.

Alan Elliott link

3/12/2016 12:04:30 pm

I love page turners with some enticement on a page to encourage the reader to turn pages... what's next?

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:56:39 pm

I love them, too, Alan. They make reading fun!

Beverly Marsh

3/12/2016 12:21:16 pm

Posting your wonderful questions near my laptop for daily writing reminders--- great advice!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:57:49 pm

I'm excited to know that you plan to use these questions as you study mentor texts, write, and polish your manuscripts, Beverly. Thanks for sharing.

Maria Marshall

3/12/2016 12:33:50 pm

Thank you Alan for a great resource of questions to use in evaluating my MS and mentor texts.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 05:58:17 pm

You are very welcome, Maria.

Sherri Jones Rivers link

3/12/2016 12:40:38 pm

Alayne, I think we "met" during an online class. These are great questions to ponder as I am revising a new biography. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:01:48 pm

We did the Lyrical Language Lab together Sherri. And I critiqued Speed and Spring. I'm glad you'll be pondering the questions while you revise your biography.

Michele Manning

3/12/2016 12:41:42 pm

Thanks for the great questions to ask of every PB manuscript!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:02:20 pm

You're welcome, Michele

JEN link

3/12/2016 12:42:02 pm

This list of questions should go in my ReFoReMo notebook! Thanks for helping me think deeper.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:02:47 pm

Thinking deeper - yay!

Dee Leone link

3/12/2016 12:44:17 pm

Thank you, Alayne. Those are all great questions to consider when writing picture books.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:03:08 pm

You are welcome, Dee

AJ Irving link

3/12/2016 12:49:37 pm

Great questions! Thank you, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:03:27 pm

My pleasure, AJ.

debra daugherty

3/12/2016 12:51:23 pm

Thanks Alayne. Great questions. I find my opening sentence to be the hardest one to write, or the one that never satisfies me.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:05:07 pm

I believe that is something you and many other writers might have in common, Debra. The great news is you have that awareness, so there is nowhere to go but up from there.

Therese Nagi

3/12/2016 01:04:59 pm

Alayne thanks for providing specific guidelines to look for when reading mentor texts. It will help me with my pb manuscripts.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:05:58 pm

I'm happy the questions will be helpful for you Therese, now and in the future. Thanks for sharing.

Gabrielle Snyder link

3/12/2016 01:12:32 pm

Thanks, Alayne, for these fantastic questions to keep in mind as we draft and revise. I find it's easy to get off track and checking that my ending matches the expectations I set at the beginning will help check that problem. And thanks for the generous prize!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/12/2016 06:07:12 pm

I'm happy to know that the questions will help you stay on track Gabrielle.

Charlotte Dixon

3/12/2016 01:21:51 pm

Thank you, Alayne, for sharing those questions to ask to bridge the gap between reading and writing.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:34:12 am

You're welcome, Charlotte.

Katelyn Aronson

3/12/2016 01:23:58 pm

Working on a new manuscript this month and I will definitely be keeping these great questions in mind. Thanks very much, Alayne (what a lovely name by the way) !

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:35:43 am

So glad you think the questions will be helpful, Katelyn. And thank you on the name compliment!

Bev Baird

3/12/2016 01:48:57 pm

Thanks Alayne. These questions really provide a great framework to look deeply at picture books.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:36:39 am

You're welcome, Bev. I'm happy to know the questions have provided some framework for you.

Joy Main

3/12/2016 01:51:55 pm

Thank you Alayne. At this point in ReFoReMo it feels like I'm starting to drown in PB's, so these four incisive questions will help to keep the focus.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:38:26 am

I hear ya, Joy. Having something specific to focus on can sometimes be a lifesaver.

Jaclyn Kruzie link

3/12/2016 02:51:40 pm

great questions! Thank you Alayne :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:38:47 am

My pleasure, Jaclyn.

Cathy Ballou Mealey

3/12/2016 02:53:45 pm

Super questions to pose Alayne!

I like to write a few sample sentences on an index card and carry it in my pocket for a day or two while I test out my opening on a new ms.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:39:27 am

That's a great idea, Cathy. Thank you for sharing.

Lenne' Musarra

3/12/2016 02:55:18 pm

Thank you for the helping us look deeper at mentoring PB texts by posing the 4 questions. Opening sentences often evoke curiosity for me. Words, images and punctuation are huge factors in keeping the pages turning. The unanswered questions that keep me reading are often about wanting to see character growth, changes in attitude or circumstances or resolution of chaos. Endings that impact me most are completely unexpected. Each PB is a welcomed friend. Thank you

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:41:19 am

It sounds like you really make great connections when you read picture books, Lenne. That's great. Isn't it wonderful to have those welcomed friends around?

Vicki Reinhardt

3/12/2016 03:09:19 pm

Great questions! I especially like: "What are the unanswered questions that urge you to continue reading?"

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:42:56 am

Thanks Vicki. It sounds like that particular question rang a bell for you. If so, I'm glad.

Stephanie Gray

3/12/2016 03:24:11 pm

Great questions. Thank you.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:43:34 am

You're welcome Stephanie

debbie mccue

3/12/2016 03:32:01 pm

Good questions to ask in analyzing picture book mentor texts. Thanks for listing them. I will definitely use them when editing my own work as well. Thanks for the thoughtful post.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:44:03 am

You are very welcome, Debbie.

Helen Dening link

3/12/2016 03:32:34 pm

Thanks for the questions, Alayne. They'll be a terrific evaluating resource.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:44:40 am

You're welcome, Helen. Thanks for letting me know you plan to use the questions in the future.

Marianne Kuzujanakis link

3/12/2016 03:57:09 pm

Love these questions. Thanks Alayne!
As I re-interpret these as a single question...
Was the PB mentor text both compelling and ultimately satisfying? [Why or why not?]

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:49:17 am

For experienced picture book writers, that is an excellent way to view the group of questions as a single question. Thanks for sharing, Marianne. Those who are new to picture book writing might not be able to answer the question "why or why not" at the deeper level that the individual questions are meant to lead them.

Angie Quantrell

3/12/2016 04:44:08 pm

Those are great questions to consider when looking at picture books. Thank you for sharing with us!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:49:39 am

You're welcome, Angie

Sara Gentry

3/12/2016 05:03:30 pm

Thank you, Alayne. I am fairly new to the idea of mentor texts, and I appreciate learning the types of questions to ask when reading through them.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:51:25 am

Thank you for sharing this, Sara. That is my intention to help those who are new to PB writing (and some who have been at it for a while) find ways to look deeper into the writing process. I'm thrilled that it is helping you do that.

Laura Renauld

3/12/2016 05:03:47 pm

I'm inspired to look at the page turns in my stack of books today. Great advice!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:52:02 am

Yay! I hope you made lots of discoveries, Laura.

Robin Currie link

3/12/2016 05:05:12 pm

I love "What expectations does the opening sentence create in your mind?" Great question!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:52:56 am

I'm so happy your found something in that question that you connect with, Robin. Thanks for sharing.

Marilyn Garcia

3/12/2016 05:41:20 pm

Hi, Alayne! Those questions certainly are a great way to begin thinking about mentor texts. These are the questions that I am also using as I dig through my own manuscripts, looking for keepers or even just ones that have the potential to become keepers. Thank you for sharing your hard-earned knowledge of picture books. :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:54:14 am

I'm thrilled that you are putting the questions to good use, Marilyn. It is my pleasure to share as much as I can with fellow writers.

Bethany Roberts link

3/12/2016 05:49:49 pm

Great questions for analyzing both mentor texts and our own writing. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:54:40 am

You're welcome, Bethany.

darlene koppel link

3/12/2016 06:15:20 pm

Fantastic questions! Thanks so much!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:54:59 am

My pleasure, Darlene.

Sharon Giltrow

3/12/2016 06:23:02 pm

Thanks Alayne for the great questions especially the first one very important.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:55:45 am

Thanks for letting me know that you connected with the first question, Sharon. Much appreciated.

christie allred link

3/12/2016 06:45:50 pm

Thank you for the helpful questions. :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:56:08 am

You're welcome, Christie.

Natalie Lynn Tanner

3/12/2016 07:05:59 pm

Hi Kay!: Although your post is short, it sure is SWEET! Your questions truly penetrated my mind. I am writing them down on an index card and posting them where I can see them on a daily basis. THANK YOU for the inspiration to better my writing!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:57:18 am

I appreciate you sharing this, Natalie. I love that you will use the questions to better your writing.

Sue Heavenrich

3/12/2016 07:06:45 pm

Great points to note, Alayne! Definitely going to tape them over my desk to remind myself of things to think about in mentor texts - and my own writing.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:58:25 am

It makes me happy to know that you will be using the questions, Sue. Thank you for letting me know!

Linda Thomas

3/12/2016 07:41:45 pm

Alayne, thank you for this great tool to assess our picture books! I plan to use these questions as I study mentor texts, and then again on my own manuscripts.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 11:59:02 am

Yay! I'm glad to know the questions are going in your toolbox, Linda.

Trine

3/12/2016 07:58:09 pm

Excellent questions, simply put. I will use them to analyze mentor texts and can easily transfer them to evaluate my own work.Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:00:02 pm

Yes! That is my intention. Let those questions be multipurpose. Go Trine!

mary warth

3/12/2016 08:21:45 pm

Thanks for the great questions. They provide much needed focus as I tackle my stacks of books!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:00:47 pm

I'm happy to know that the questions will help you focus, Mary. Thank you for sharing.

Jena Benton

3/12/2016 08:41:45 pm

I never thought of opening sentences as expectations before. Good questions!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:04:21 pm

I'm happy to learn that you connected with that question, Jena. I believe that means your opening sentences will be getting a facelift ;-)

Janet Smart link

3/12/2016 08:46:38 pm

Great post and great prize! Thanks. And, yes, punctuation can make a big difference. Little changes = big results!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:05:04 pm

For sure!

Lindsay Hanson Metcalf

3/12/2016 09:15:44 pm

Great questions to keep in mind with every story. Thank you, Alayne, for the reminder and the prize!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:05:30 pm

It is my pleasure, Lindsay.

Traci Bold link

3/12/2016 09:28:38 pm

Alayne, thank you for sharing four questions to ask while we read out mentor texts or our own books. Definitely makes a difference in seeing a different perspective in books.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:06:00 pm

You are very welcome, Traci.

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/12/2016 09:37:16 pm

Thanks for these great questions!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:06:40 pm

You're welcome, Rita.

Ann Magee

3/12/2016 09:40:03 pm

Thanks, Alayne, for this useful checklist of questions. I'll definitely refer to it as I read PBs and write my own PBs. :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:07:16 pm

I'm glad to know you will be using the questions, Ann.

dfrybarger

3/12/2016 09:42:23 pm

Thanks for the thoughtful questions. They will definitely help both my reading and writing of children's books!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:08:21 pm

I'm happy you will put the questions to good use.

Susan Deo

3/12/2016 10:00:21 pm

Alayne: Thank you so much for the thought-provoking questions. I plan to keep them handy whenever revising my picture book manuscripts. Already see them in action in some of the books we are reading (and thanks for your list of books that answer these well!)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:09:57 pm

Go Susan! That's the way to study the craft. I'm glad to know you will keep the questions handy for future use.

Megan Taraszkiewicz

3/12/2016 10:14:35 pm

Great questions. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:10:20 pm

You're welcome, Megan.

Terri DeGezelle link

3/12/2016 10:16:35 pm

These four questions are questions I have read and study before but it is always help to be remind how important they are while birthing a picture book. The opening line, the page turners and loose strings with a satisfying ending. I get those bases covered I am on my way to having a winning book on my hands! Alayne, thank you for helping out along the process.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:12:16 pm

You're welcome, Terri. Happy birthing ;-) I can't wait to hear about that winning book when it comes out.

Susan Zonca

3/12/2016 11:13:27 pm

Great reminder of questions to ask as we read.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:12:39 pm

Thanks, Susan.

DeLeon

3/12/2016 11:27:05 pm

Great questions to add to my ongoing checklist: creating a great picture book!! Thank you, Alayne. Sweet :-)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:13:28 pm

Glad to know the questions are going on your list!

Ashley Bankhead

3/12/2016 11:58:10 pm

Thank you for sharing these questions with us!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:13:48 pm

My pleasure, Ashley.

Emily J

3/13/2016 12:08:04 am

Hello Alayne,
I love all the helpful advice in this post...and in your blog as well.
Thanks so much!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:14:30 pm

That makes me smile, Emily. Thanks for sharing and for following my blog!

Bruna De Luca

3/13/2016 12:09:50 am

Fab questions. I'll have to print them out and keep them.with my revision process checklist. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:15:29 pm

I'm glad to know the questions will be hanging out with your revision process checklist, Bruna. Thanks for sharing.

Jennifer Cole Judd link

3/13/2016 12:16:07 am

This is perfect, Alayne. What excellent questions! These will be incredibly helpful for homing in on finer details that I tend to overlook when analyzing stories. Thank you so much! Copying and pasting, even as I type (don't ask me how I manage to do that--one of my secret super powers...;)).

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:16:42 pm

I envy your secret super powers, Jennifer ;-) I'm happy the questions have sparked something for you. Thanks for sharing.

Angela Turner

3/13/2016 12:27:02 am

Thanks for this great list. i would like to use them with my mentor texts and see how others "answered" them as well as checking my own stories.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:17:17 pm

That sounds like an excellent plan, Angela.

Keila Dawson link

3/13/2016 12:29:02 am

Excellent questions to use with my critique group too! Thanks Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:17:59 pm

Thanks, Keila. It's good to know you will be sharing the questions with your crit group.

Anne Young

3/13/2016 06:20:26 am

These are great questions to bear in mind when I'm reading and writing. Thanks, Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:18:19 pm

You're welcome, Anne.

Mona

3/13/2016 07:58:44 am

Thanks for the questions, Alayne. A good guide to help us each found our own answers in our stories. Thanks again!!!!!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:18:43 pm

My pleasure, Mona.

MD Knabb

3/13/2016 08:01:03 am

Wonderful questions, Alayne. Another process for mentor texts I will use. Thanks

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:19:21 pm

Thank you for letting me know you plan to use the questions as you study the craft.

Lotus Ivak

3/13/2016 08:11:16 am

Hi Alayne, What a great list of questions to think about! Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:19:44 pm

You're welcome, Lotus.

Denise Engle

3/13/2016 08:50:00 am

So grateful to add these questions to my resources as I prepare a new manuscript!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:20:25 pm

It's wonderful to know that the questions will be part of your resources, Denise. Thanks for sharing.

Carrie Pearson link

3/13/2016 08:50:17 am

"Unanswered questions..." That's my nugget for today!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:21:07 pm

Ooo, a nugget. I like that I have offered a nugget - that sound valuable to me. Thanks, Carrie!

Valerie McPherson link

3/13/2016 08:51:13 am

Good nudges. I've got to go right back and read my last one ; )

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:21:45 pm

I hope you made some interesting or inspiring discoveries, Valerie.

Caroline Webster link

3/13/2016 09:05:44 am

I often think of punctuation techniques with regards to poetry, but hadn't considered the strong role they play in picture books as well. I love the question about unanswered questions, too. Really gives something to hold on to in the writing process, and especially in the revisioning process. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:22:46 pm

I'm glad the questions caused you to reflect on some new possibilities, Caroline. Thanks you for sharing.

Nancy Rimar

3/13/2016 09:13:27 am

A great tool for analyzing text - thanks Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:23:12 pm

You're welcome, Nancy.

Angela De Groot

3/13/2016 09:55:29 am

4 great questions! Having the tools PLUS knowing how to use them is how we elevate our craft. Thanks.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:23:40 pm

Absolutely, Angela.

Maria Johnson

3/13/2016 10:11:16 am

Great questions. Great giveaway.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:24:47 pm

It is my pleasure, Maria.

Brenda Huante

3/13/2016 10:32:17 am

This is a lot to think about. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:26:40 pm

I appreciate that you plan to do some thinking based on the questions I offered. Just focus on one question at a time, and you'll be to that last question before you know it.

Monique Wakefield

3/13/2016 10:37:31 am

Great advice! Learning so much. Thank you Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:27:24 pm

I'm so happy you are learning lots, Monique. That's what we want for you. Thanks for sharing.

Natalie Rompella link

3/13/2016 10:41:48 am

Love the questions--especially the punctuation one. Hadn't thought of that.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:28:16 pm

I'm glad to know that the questions brought a new discovery your way, Natalie. Thanks for sharing.

Karla Valenti

3/13/2016 10:48:14 am

These are excellent questions that really help us identify what gives certain texts emotional resonance. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:28:54 pm

You bet, Karla. Good observation!

Samantha Altmann

3/13/2016 10:50:56 am

Thank you Alayne! I often find myself "stuck" when revising a manuscript, but now I feel like I have some direction!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:30:07 pm

It does my heart good to know that the questions are giving you some direction and hopefully will help you to be less stuck when revising. Thanks for sharing, Samantha.

Linda Carpenter link

3/13/2016 11:00:35 am

Many thanks for the great post and great questions!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:30:35 pm

It is my pleasure, Linda.

Cheryl Kim

3/13/2016 11:05:31 am

Great questions! Thank you for taking the time to share them with us, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:31:05 pm

You are very welcome, Cheryl.

Rachel Hamby link

3/13/2016 11:34:55 am

Great questions! I will be sitting down with them and my manuscript this week.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:31:57 pm

Enjoy the exploration, Rachel.

Annelouise Mahoney link

3/13/2016 11:43:41 am

Alayne, your post is wonderful. Thank you for sharing the questions we need to be asking ourselves to help focus the story and dig a little deeper. This is fantastic, thank you.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:32:54 pm

I'm so glad that you like the questions, Annelouise. Thanks for sharing.

Celeste Gerard

3/13/2016 11:59:13 am

Thanks - these questions make think! Reflecting on them as I recall books my adult children loved when they were little.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:35:08 pm

That's a great way to consider the questions. I'm guessing you're looking at those stories and considering the components that made your kids love those books. Perfect. So glad the questions have you thinking and reflecting, Celeste. That's what we want to see!

Tracey Brown

3/13/2016 12:09:45 pm

Great questions to analyze a manuscript! Will use them on all of mine and apply them when offering critiques. Thank you, Alayne for your generosity.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:36:00 pm

It is truly my pleasure, Tracey. Thank you for letting me know that you plan to put the questions to good use.

Holly Samson Hall

3/13/2016 12:18:50 pm

Great reminders! I will keep these questions nearby as I write! With my current manuscript, I am toying with the idea of setting up a scene with the opening lines/illustration, and then completely changing direction as a surprise for the reader. They are expecting one story, and then when they turn the second page, they realize they've been playfully tricked. My children and I love those kinds of surprises in picture books!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:37:26 pm

That sounds like a fun technique to play with Holly. Thanks for sharing.

Mary Worley

3/13/2016 12:30:16 pm

Great questions, Alayne. It's been useful to have these questions (and the ones you have in your course) in my head while I'm reading the mentor texts and when I'm revising. Thank you!!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 12:38:56 pm

Thanks for letting me know that the Art of Arc course left you with good revision and mentor text study questions, Mary.

Jane BUttery link

3/13/2016 12:54:19 pm

I have read about hooking one's readier and your question," What expectations do opening sentences create in your mind?" theyestablish who the main character is and maybe a proble.One of the simplest sentences I read was 'A rock is a rock"from the book of the same name.by Laura Sayre. Although this is NF ,it has delightful rhymes and comparisons and ends with 'Now go and discover what else it can be." I think this encourages more exploration.And ,of course unanswered questions push the plot along in many books ad a problem is resolved. IHave used Nancy sanders rubric and she asks us if a book has a strong voice. Your questions fit so well with her analysis and I will think of both when I write as well as when I read. Thank you. I write for older children too and adults and these questions are universal for all levels.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:12:26 pm

It's so true that the questions are universal for all levels. Thanks for your recommendation of A ROCK IS A ROCK and for sharing that the questions pair well with Nancy Sanders's analysis. Good to know.

Mike Karg link

3/13/2016 01:25:38 pm

Love that ellipsis! Thanks, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:13:04 pm

I've got a little thing for it, too, Mike ;-)

Patricia Nozell

3/13/2016 01:27:03 pm

Great advice to distill it down to 4 questions, then see if it works. Thanks for sharing!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:13:34 pm

You're welcome, Patricia.

Shellley Marshall

3/13/2016 01:31:22 pm

Your question list is helpful in guiding story development throughout the writing process. I'm going to start with it and check in during and after I THINK I've got a story together. Thank you so much.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:14:24 pm

That's an excellent plan, Shelley

Diane Asyre

3/13/2016 01:44:53 pm

Good succinct reminder for what it takes to hook and keep a reader hooked. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:14:55 pm

You're welcome Diane.

Lynn Alpert link

3/13/2016 01:45:00 pm

Thanks for the Cliff Notes version of what to check for in our stories.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:15:37 pm

My pleasure, Lynn.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/13/2016 01:56:09 pm

I agree with a previous commenter. These questions can be applied universally, something that writers for all age groups should remember. Thanks, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:16:09 pm

Very true, Jilanne.

Ginger Weddle

3/13/2016 02:21:25 pm

Alayne, These questions exemplify your talent and skill as a teacher/coach. Your concepts from your class continuously open my writer's eyes to more and more. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:18:26 pm

I so appreciate you sharing, Ginger. And I'm thrilled that Art of Arc is advancing your view as a writer.

Kathy Mazurowski

3/13/2016 02:27:24 pm

Thank you for your insight. I need help with revisions.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:19:13 pm

Fingers crossed that the question will help strengthen your stories during revision.

Sydney O'Neill

3/13/2016 02:36:13 pm

Thank you, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:19:35 pm

You are very welcome, Sydney.

Valarie Giogas

3/13/2016 02:36:38 pm

Great questions to remember. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:20:00 pm

You're welcome, Valerie.

Meena

3/13/2016 02:41:22 pm

Great questions to check on our manuscripts. Thanks for the advice!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:20:22 pm

You're welcome, Meena.

sue twiggs

3/13/2016 03:11:25 pm

Alayne,
Thanks for these essential questions. I plan to take a screen shot and to go back and analyze the MS i already have asking these questions. One writer mentioned that these questions also fit for writing poems. Your question about the punctuation really brought that to mind. I will think of my PB MS as a poem and apply the same revision techniques of putting the MS under a microscope. thanks.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:21:40 pm

You're welcome, Sue. And thank you for sharing how you plan to use the questions in your writing process.

Juli Caveny link

3/13/2016 04:53:37 pm

Great questions for us to consider! I'll definitely be asking these as I work with my WIPs!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:22:43 pm

I am glad to know you plan to use these questions while working on your current manuscripts, Juli. Thanks for sharing.

Anne Appert link

3/13/2016 04:54:52 pm

These are great questions to ask! I will think of them as I read more picture books. Thanks for the post!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:23:52 pm

You're welcome, Anne. I'm glad to know the questions will be helpful when studying mentor texts.

Carol Nelson

3/13/2016 05:29:40 pm

Great questions! I'll be using them to analyze the mentor books I'm reading, plus my own manuscripts. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 05:57:45 pm

Thanks for sharing, Carol.

Charlene Steadman

3/13/2016 06:22:08 pm

I, too, am excited to share these thoughtful questions with my critique group. I hope to read your book also. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 06:42:21 pm

I'm so happy you plan to share the questions with your crit group, Charlene. Thank you for letting me know.

Kimberly Marcus link

3/13/2016 06:30:30 pm

Perfect, perfect, perfect. Thank you!!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/13/2016 06:43:17 pm

I'm thrilled to get a perfect, perfect, perfect comment, Kimberly ;-) Thanks.

Charlene Steadman

3/13/2016 06:48:58 pm

Now caught up!

Jarm Del Boccio link

3/13/2016 07:07:36 pm

Thanks for the helpful tips, Alayne. . .I sure am benefitting from your ARC course!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:28:12 pm

My heart is smiling today in knowing that you are benefiting from Art of Arc, Jarm. Thanks your so much for sharing.

Karen Condit

3/13/2016 08:03:29 pm

Got these dandy questions handy! Thanks Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:28:51 pm

Dandy and handy - who could ask for more ;-) Thanks for sharing, Karen.

Laurie Bouck

3/13/2016 08:06:41 pm

These are great questions to consider, thank you so much! :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:29:15 pm

My pleasure, Laurie.

Laura Purdie Salas link

3/13/2016 08:32:09 pm

These are awesome questions to ask. It's all about drawing the reader in and making it hard for them to put down the book! Love your questions!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:31:06 pm

Thank you, Laura. I'm honored that you love my questions.

Carol Cole link

3/13/2016 08:54:33 pm

Alayne, Great questions for analyzing any ms.
Your prize is so valuable, thank you for offering it to this group.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:31:31 pm

You are very welcome, Carol.

Susan Wroble link

3/13/2016 10:29:53 pm

Great questions, thanks so much for keeping them at the forefront of our thoughts.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:31:51 pm

You're welcome, Susan.

Sue Ganz-Schmitt link

3/13/2016 10:34:22 pm

Thanks Alayne. Saving these questions and going to review all my in progress manuscripts!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:32:24 pm

I'm happy to know you have great plans for these questions, Sue. Thanks for sharing.

Heather Pierce Stigall link

3/13/2016 11:51:30 pm

Great questions! Thanks for posting.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:32:46 pm

You are welcome, Heather.

Jess Townes link

3/14/2016 07:34:32 am

Great questions to apply to critique and revision! I especially like the one about what entices the reader to turn each page. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:33:32 pm

I'm glad to know you connected with that particular questions, Jess. Thank you for letting me know.

PatHaap

3/14/2016 08:07:45 am

Fantastic! I need to ask those questions more often!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:34:05 pm

That sounds like a good plan, Pat.

Val McCammon

3/14/2016 08:21:33 am

Excellent questions that while concise lead us to big issues in PBs. Thanks Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:34:35 pm

Thanks, Val.

Annette Bay Pimentel link

3/14/2016 08:34:31 am

Is so helpful to me to have go-to resources like these questions when I tackle revision!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:35:30 pm

I'm glad to know these questions will be in your revision tackle box, Annette. Thanks for sharing.

Anna Forrester link

3/14/2016 08:47:11 am

Thanks Alayne! Lately I've been thinking, too, about the expectations that the title can set up, and the way that the title and the opening sentences can work together...

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:36:51 pm

In a way, the title is the opening sentence - or at least the first page-turner. It makes people want to open the book. Good thought, Anna.

Melanie Ellsworth

3/14/2016 09:10:28 am

Alayne - these are terrific questions. I like the idea of paying close attention to punctuation techniques and to the unanswered question/questions that pull you through the story. I'll try asking these questions of a current manuscript that I'm struggling to revise.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:37:56 pm

Fingers crossed that the questions help you get that revision done and polished, Melanie. Thanks for sharing your plans.

Ali Bovis

3/14/2016 09:47:59 am

Thanks so much for the great post Alayne! I LOVE these four questions. They will be so helpful as I analyze mentor texts, critique partners stories and my own works in progress. Many thanks!!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:38:37 pm

So happy to know that you have great plans for the questions, Ali. Thanks for letting me know.

Anita Banks

3/14/2016 10:07:32 am

Thank you for your insight!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:38:58 pm

My pleasure, Anita.

Lydia Lukidis link

3/14/2016 10:23:50 am

Great comments! Sometimes I just write my PB without even thinking about what engages the reader, and makes them turn the page...need to work on that!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:42:00 pm

That's how some people write. There's nothing wrong with getting your story down as it comes to you naturally. But then considering the questions before submitting might be helpful to possibly add a little extra oomph and heart to the ms. Using the questions to study mentor texts might even eventually change what comes to you naturally.

Lauren Kerstein link

3/14/2016 11:33:45 am

Excellent, thought provoking questions! Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:42:24 pm

You're welcome, Lauren.

Karen Bell

3/14/2016 12:34:28 pm

Thanks, Alayne, for highlighting these important questions to ask when reading and writing. I have added them to my ReFoReMo notebook to use as I continue to read picture books for research. And to apply to my ms.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:43:14 pm

It's my pleasure, Karen. I appreciate knowing that you plan to put the questions to good use.

Cecilia

3/14/2016 12:54:47 pm

Great questions for reviewing my own work as well as that of my critique partners. Will print these out and refer to them often. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:43:52 pm

I'm glad to know you have some good plans for these questions, Cecilia. Thanks for letting me know.

Elizabeth Duncan link

3/14/2016 01:04:58 pm

Using today to catch up on my notes about the mentor texts. The four questions were helpful to help direct my understanding of the books. Thanks.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:44:33 pm

I'm happy you have already found the questions helpful, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing.

Donna Cangelosi link

3/14/2016 01:06:17 pm

Thank you for sharing these fantastic questions, Alayne! I took a photo of them on my phone so I can use them wherever I read or write picture books!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:45:30 pm

Always my pleasure, dear friend. That's a great idea to keep them as a picture on your phone. Love it.

Kristen Schroeder

3/14/2016 01:24:10 pm

These are good questions to ask when critiquing others' work, too. Thanks, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:45:54 pm

You are very welcome, Kristen.

Cindy Cornwall

3/14/2016 02:02:14 pm

Alayne, I will keep these questions in mind when reading (and writing!)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:46:22 pm

Thank you for sharing, Cindy.

Chana Stiefel link

3/14/2016 04:12:55 pm

These questions make writing seem so simple...but it's not! Definitely worth a post it on my computer! Thank you Alayne.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 04:48:44 pm

You're so right, Chana. It is not simple. My goal is to make it as simple as possible for other writers to understand the process. I hope the questions help you in that way.

Judy Cooper link

3/14/2016 05:53:00 pm

Thank you for this list.....and thank you for your reply to Lucky Jo. I have written them all down on a large, quick to reference, index card. I also, like Lucky Jo, have been getting a little overwhelmed by all the advice and all the excellent mentor texts. I've written 16 picture books (none yet published) out of pure joy. I've received a lot of encouragement from professionals at book conferences to keep pursuing publication. I was starting to lose my joy when comparing them to the mentor texts. Thank you for the reminder to reclaim the joy. I'm going to focus on taking notes the rest of the month and to give myself time to absorb all the information. Then I will go back to my books with fresh eyes from all I've learned, And I will stop worrying whether my work is good enough and will just enjoy the process.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 06:08:45 pm

Oh my goodness, Judy. Thank you for that heartfelt, honest sharing. I'm so very happy that you are reclaiming the joy of writing. A dear friend and critique partner has a wonderful saying to try to live by that I love. "Write from the heart, submit with detachment." That is naturally easier said than done, but the more we are able to do that, the more we can remember what we love about being creative spirits. I love your plan because I believe when you reclaim the joy, take notes, and look with fresh eyes, you might find yourself excited and inspired about taking your work to a new level. Keep on keeping on with joy.

Judy Cooper link

3/15/2016 12:25:26 am

"Write from the heart, submit with detachment"..... what a wonderful philosophy. Thank you for all these additional inspiring thoughts.

Sandra Jenkins

3/14/2016 06:15:09 pm

I'm going to use these questions to help me in revision today! Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 09:17:37 pm

That's great, Sandra. I hope you made some nice discoveries.

Linda Hofke

3/14/2016 07:26:16 pm

These are all important questions. I will take out my WIP and ask them. Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 09:18:16 pm

Excellent, Linda. I hope they prove to be very helpful.

Lisa Rogers link

3/14/2016 09:01:06 pm

Alayne, I've just started an afterschool writing club for my fourth-graders. We'll be looking at mentor texts and will ask ourselves the questions you suggest. Your checklist also is very helpful. Thanks for crystallizing the steps to begin the often-daunting revision process.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/14/2016 09:19:17 pm

So glad to be helping the fourth-graders ponder some questions.

Virginia Law Manning link

3/14/2016 10:55:23 pm

I loved this list of questions, Alayne! I'm the new critique group organizer for the Eastern PA SCBWI chapter and plan on adding these questions to a list of things to think about when we critique manuscripts. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/15/2016 04:50:30 pm

You're welcome, Virginia. I'm happy to know that my questions will be part of the Eastern PA SCBWI list. Thanks for sharing your plans.

Suzanne Poulter Harris

3/14/2016 11:53:11 pm

Will ask these questions when re-visiting my old manuscripts and while writing new stories. Thanks for the generous giveaway, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/15/2016 04:51:14 pm

You are very welcome, Suzanne. I'm glad to know you plan to put the questions to good use.

Kathy Cornell Berman

3/15/2016 02:40:09 pm

Alayne thanks for these thought provoking questions. I will definitely share these with my critique group.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/15/2016 04:52:08 pm

I'm happy to know you will be passing the questions on to your crit group, Kathy. Thanks for sharing.

Kristen Browning

3/15/2016 11:14:43 pm

Thanks for the great questions to consider! I always pay close attention to the opening and closing lines (and how they tie together), but I will now look more closely at the unanswered questions that make me want to read on.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/16/2016 06:54:21 pm

You're welcome, Kristen.

Nadine Gamble

3/16/2016 09:05:32 am

Great questions to apply to my WIP--thanks

Alayne Kay Christian

3/16/2016 06:54:44 pm

My pleasure, Nadine.

Brook Gideon link

3/16/2016 10:39:13 am

Those four questions are excellent ways to check a manuscript for readability and for drawing attention. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/16/2016 06:55:13 pm

You are very welcome, Brook.

sharon langely link

3/16/2016 02:07:09 pm

Picture books require so much skill; I think they are deceptive. Writing (and illustrating) require much more thought, skill, and preparation than it might first appear.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/16/2016 06:58:01 pm

You've got that right, Sharon. I think there is often a misconception that PBs are easy to write because there are so few words. It takes much more than one would think to write a good picture book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Amanda Sincavage

3/16/2016 06:39:47 pm

What great questions! I love analyzing the opening lines around expectations. I had never thought about it that way. Hmmm, revisiting all my manuscripts with this in mind. Thanks Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/16/2016 06:59:34 pm

You're welcome, Amanda. I'm glad to know that you plan to revisit your manuscripts with some new things to look for. Thank you for letting me know.

L. Michelle Quraishi link

3/16/2016 11:19:52 pm

Thanks, Alayne! I can put these questions to use immediately with my WIPs.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/17/2016 08:39:40 pm

Yay! Thanks for letting me know, Michelle.

Colleen Paeff

3/17/2016 12:47:11 am

Thanks, Alayne! Great questions. :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/17/2016 08:40:00 pm

You're welcome, Colleen.

Shari Della Penna link

3/17/2016 11:13:31 am

Thank you for the thought-provoking questions and list of mentor texts.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/17/2016 08:40:29 pm

You're welcome, Shari.

Susie Sawyer link

3/17/2016 01:24:19 pm

I love checklists! They help me focus on one thing at a time when polishing my manuscripts. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/17/2016 08:41:06 pm

Hope this little checklist helps you focus, Susie.

Angela De Groot

3/18/2016 12:14:58 pm

The one-two punch to elevating our craft - having the tools AND knowing how to use them.

Suzy Leopold

3/19/2016 10:10:32 pm

Hooking and engaging the reader are so important. Thank you, Alayne, for the four helpful questions.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:17:04 pm

You're welcome, Suzy.

Gabrielle Schoeffield

3/20/2016 09:56:32 am

I will definitely use the questions in reviewing my PB MS before my first revision!
Thanks so much!
Gabrielle

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:17:46 pm

Thanks for sharing your plans for the questions, Gabrielle.

Wendy Greenley

3/20/2016 05:32:07 pm

Thanks, Alayne. :)

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:18:04 pm

My pleasure, Wendy.

Lisa Williams

3/20/2016 11:28:46 pm

I've always felt like I needed a checklist as I'm going through the editing/revising process. I think you just gave me a really great start on that checklist! Thanks!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:19:05 pm

I'm happy to know that the questions are helping you start your checklist, Lisa. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Kujawski link

3/21/2016 09:23:29 am

Alayne, thank you for this great post! I wrote your four questions in my ReFoReMo notebook! So helpful😊

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:19:50 pm

I'm happy you are finding the questions helpful, Linda. Thank you for letting me know.

Jill Jeffries

3/21/2016 10:04:23 am

Great reminder to work with these questions in mind. Thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:20:15 pm

You're welcome, Jill.

Rosie Pova

3/21/2016 02:46:29 pm

Great questions to ask, thank you!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:20:40 pm

My pleasure, Rosie.

Sadee Schilling

3/22/2016 01:01:31 pm

Thank you, Alayne, for the thought-provoking questions. Yes, ReFoReMo leaves us with a wealth of resources to digest throughout the entire rest of the year!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:21:15 pm

You're welcome, Sadee.

Karen Bell

3/22/2016 01:02:52 pm

Thanks for these great questions for analyzing my ms and for critiquing other's work.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/22/2016 06:21:40 pm

It is my pleasure, Karen.

Angela Dale

3/22/2016 09:24:05 pm

I just finished reading "The Iridescence of Birds" - all two sentences and 233 words of it - and it seemed to answer all these questions so lyrically. Aspirational!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:07:06 am

That sounds like a perfect mentor text, Angela. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy Jolley

3/23/2016 04:40:14 pm

These are great questions. I'm going to write them on a sticky note to keep close by when looking at mentor texts and when revising my own manuscripts. Thank you, Alayne!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:07:59 am

So glad the questions will be helpful, Cindy.

Dina Ticas

3/24/2016 01:38:19 am

Thank you for the wonderful questions. I am going to choose to focus on question 3 to make sure I'm seeing my work from a different perspective.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:09:11 am

That sounds like an excellent plan, Dina.

Lauri Meyers

3/25/2016 09:03:03 pm

Alayne, you are right about this being an all year round resource. Sometimes when I start a new ms, it feels like the research is starting from scratch...but it should be starting from past ReFo posts!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:10:04 am

Past ReFo posts is a perfect place to start.

Myrna Foster

3/27/2016 03:05:20 am

Those questions are essential. Thanks for this post!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:10:31 am

You're welcome, Myrna.

Kelly Rice Schmitt

3/28/2016 08:54:36 am

Thank you for this list. I really enjoyed reflecting on these questions as I revisited some of this month's texts, and as I also revise my own writing.

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:11:31 am

I'm happy to know you enjoyed these reflecting prompts, Kelly. Thanks for sharing.

LuAnn Kern

3/28/2016 12:22:08 pm

I hadn't considered punctuation techniques as page turners. Hmmm. Thanks for the excellent pointers!

Alayne Kay Christian

3/29/2016 09:12:37 am

It's good to know that question brought some new thinking to your research and writing world, LuAnn. Thanks for sharing.

Lynne Marie link

3/29/2016 05:25:25 pm

I find reading to be a great bridge to writing. Thanks for the reminder!

Claire Noland link

3/30/2016 01:59:57 am

Your questions are very thought provoking. You've given memuch to think about.

ReFoReMo Day 12: Alayne Kay Christian Reflects on Bridging the Gap from Reading to Writing

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