How to Mock-up a Picture Book

For several years, this series on writing a picture book has been available free on this site. It’s now available altogether as a 110 page pdf file, How to Write a Children’s Picture Book.

When you’re happy with the revisions of your picture book manuscript, it’s time to make a mock-up, or what is usually called a dummy.

Why Make a Dummy?

Picture books combine text and words in a short 32 page book. The structure is so unusual, that you need a dummy to refine and polish your text. It can tell you which section of text is too long, let you look at pacing of the story across the pages, help you spot needless repetitions and much more.

How to Make a Dummy

• Take 16 sheets of typing paper and staple along one side. You may use either a portrait or a landscape orientation, your choice. Some like cutting the paper in half and using 8.5″ x 6.5″, in a landscape orientation. The late Sue Alexander recommended using brightly colored typing paper to simulate art and text better.
• Number the pages in the bottom corners, if you wish. It will begin with a single right-hand page as page 1, and end with a single left-hand page as page 32.
• Now, get out the scissors! Cut and tape your text into the dummy. Put the title on page 1, but leave pages 2-3 blank, as these are usually front matter, such as copyright page, half title page, or dedication. Now, you have a choice: you can start your text on page 4, for a double page spread, or just on the right-hand page 5. After that, the text should lay out across the full 32 pages.

  If you have an author’s note or other back matter (glossary, sources, etc, such as for a non-fiction story), you’ll need to reserve a couple pages for that at the end.

Use the Dummy to Revise

Read the dummy aloud and listen to it. Here are some things you might notice:

• The story doesn’t fill up 32 pages; or, there’s too much text to fit. (Revise for length.)
• The story sounds awkward when read aloud. (Smooth out the language.)
• Each page has enough text, but some spreads have a weak illustration possibility. (Strengthen your verbs.)
• The story doesn’t make me want to turn the page. (Add tension; or use one of the page turn ideas.)
• The story doesn’t change a bit if you skip reading a page. (Omit page.)
• The story is unclear; no one can figure out what is happening. (Tighten the story.)

Overall:

• The story feels too wordy. (Cut in half!)
• The pacing feels jerky. (Consider where you want the reader to speed up and where you want them to slow down. Revise accordingly.)
• The story all takes place in one setting. (Consider moving the story around for better illustration possibilities.)
• The story has too many settings. (Reuse some settings, but with a different perspective, different actions, etc.)
• The story feels flat. (Work on the emotional impact of the story on the characters.)
• The story’s narrative arc is weak. (Create more tension, put more at stake.)

Mocking up a picture book, making the dummy, can’t be under-estimated for its help in pointing toward weak spots that need revision in a picture book text. Get out the paper, stapler, scissors and mock up your book!

Order the eBook! It includes all the posts in this series. How to Write a Children’s Picture Book. $10, for Immediate Download.

See Also: 30 Days to a Stronger Novel

Related posts:

1. Did you Write a Picture Book or Something Else?
2. Picture book standards: 32 pages
3. 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book
4. Picture Books: Those Confusing 32 Pages
5. The Biggest Mistake in Submitting a Picture Book

Revise with confidence.