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

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.
