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Revealing ReFoReMo with Author Jodi McKay

1/26/2016

20 Comments

 
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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

20 Comments
Kathy Halsey
1/26/2016 07:56:05 am

Mentor texts helped me solve how to revise a story that's been puzzling me for a few months! I live below your mitten state, Jodi, in OH. Here's to ReFoReMo in 2016!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
1/27/2016 12:22:44 am

Thanks for reading, Kathy! ReFoReMo is almost here! Hooray for mentor texts!

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 02:54:44 pm

I hear you. I often use them to figure out my beginnings which, to me seem so hard to write at times. We are in this together!

Reply
Darlene link
1/26/2016 08:01:22 am

Very inspiring post! Thank You.

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 02:56:04 pm

Thanks, Darlene!

Reply
Melanie Ellsworth
1/26/2016 09:08:51 am

Jodi - Thanks! This is terrific information!

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Kirsti Call link
1/26/2016 10:54:25 am

Jodi, I adore this post and I agree with you! Reading great mentor texts really does help us become unstuck when we're writing! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring perspective!

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 02:58:42 pm

Thanks! ReFoReMo is such a great time for us to collaborate and learn how to become better writers. I'm so grateful to be a part of it!

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Erik -TKRB link
1/26/2016 01:08:04 pm

Great ideas! :D

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Charlotte Dixon
1/26/2016 03:01:29 pm

Thank you, Jodi, for sharing some great mentor texts with us :) I feel energized and inspired!

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Juliana Lee link
1/26/2016 03:09:41 pm

All that running is leaving me breathless! I'm more of a weight lifter myself. Two full bags of books carried to and from the library each week keeps me fit! :)

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
1/27/2016 01:12:15 pm

Keep pumping iron, Juliana!

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 03:01:33 pm

Ooh! Nothing like 30 lbs worth of books to make those squats a bit more challenging! I like to think I have a book body as opposed to a beach body. Read on!

Reply
Carleen M. Tjader
1/26/2016 08:53:56 pm

Great post~thanks!

Reply
sue frye
1/27/2016 12:27:28 am

Love this upbeat article. Great advice too. Oops, gotta' run!

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 03:02:20 pm

Ha! Gotta run- I see what you did there😂

Reply
Urania Smith
1/27/2016 10:41:53 am

Great post, Jodi! Thanks to Reforemo I have consistently checked out no less than 40 library books at a time for the last year. Carrie turned me into a hoarder!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
1/27/2016 01:11:43 pm

Hahahaha, Urania! A book hoarder is the best kind to be! :) Happy to hear ReFoReMo has impacted your reading habits. Has it also helped your writing?

Reply
Jodi McKay
1/27/2016 03:07:11 pm

I LOVE that! You may want to consider that as part of your title, Urania Smith, children's book author, home schooling mama, book hoarder, and all around fabulous person. I'm dropping the mic on that one.

Reply
Susan Zonca
1/27/2016 06:56:14 pm

Very much appreciate your help, Jodi.

Reply



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