Revealing ReFoReMo with Author Jodi McKay

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.