Teaching in Idaho

I’m off to Idaho for a Novel Revision Retreat, so no postings the rest of this week.
See my Speaking Schedule.

Don’t Follow that Revision Letter: Here’s Why

Go to the Heart of the Revision Issues
This weekend, I attended the MO SCBWI retreat with Randi Rivers of Charlesbridge Publishers as the main speaker. The retreat was set up to give use feedback on a specific manuscript and the opportunity to revise and get feedback on that revision.
Mss were sent in a month early; [...]

The Ultimate Query Letter Guide

How to Write a Query Letter
I’m attending a retreat this weekend and we are supposed to bring a query letter for critique. In preparation, I’ve read a variety of articles about “how to write a successful query letter” and found the best available on the internet today.

Basics
How to Write a Query A classic 3-paragraph [...]

Animals Stand in for Kids

I’m currently revising a picture book and finding it to be a bit tricky because I created animal characters. Of course, in a fiction picture book, animal characters are often just stand-ins for kids.
Why Use an Animal Character in a Fictional Picture Book?
Get Rid of Adults. I wanted to have two characters playing on a [...]

Top 5: 2010 Popular Posts

Top 5 Posts
Here’s a review of the first quarter of 2010 on Fiction Notes:
Top 5 New Posts

29 Plot Templates: Know the Reader’s Expectations Before You Bust Them
Plot Outline and Templates: Why Your Novel Needs Them
Tips on Plot, Plot Layers, Subplot
Checklist of 17 Character Qualities
27 Tools for Writers

Top 5 From the Archives

43 Book Trailer Sites to [...]

Talking About Revision

When I teach Novel Revision Retreats, I need a variety of ways to explain this thing called “revision.” Lately, two ideas have helped.
Plot: Aiming for Bull’s Eye
There are two things novelists must do when writing a story. First is figure out “what story are you telling?” Second is “what is the best way to tell [...]

Arkansas Literary Festival Report

The Arkansas Literary Festival took place last weekend and was great fun.
Literacy on the Lawn, Arkansas Governor’s Mansion
The festival began for me with the arrival of my friend, Dori Butler, who was staying at my house. She was supposed to arrive early on Thursday, so we could visit, but the flights were delayed and she [...]

10 Social Media Goals for Author Promotion

Twitter, Facebook, Good Reads and More
When and where should authors use social media? I recently read a blog post about how businesses are using social media. Here, I go through these 10 purposes and muse about how authors might use social media for the same reasons.

Evaluate Career, Market: Result is a New Book

Career Evaluations and Study of the Market
I rarely post personal things, but good news is made to be shared. This story begins a couple years ago when I was looking at what I was writing and realized I’d like to also write something about nature. I started looking for picture book ideas on nature and [...]

I want to learn how to . . .

A Week-long Question for You
Please complete this question in the comments:
I want to learn how to . . . .
Your answer can relate to writing or to life!