Last month I presented 5 techniques that were easily learned from reading picture books (Part 1) regardless of what format or genre you work in. The fact that picture books are so short means you can find numerous examples of literary techniques in the best of them. And they are great teaching tools because they require precision and elegance. Today we will cover 5 more techniques you can find in picture books. There are many titles I could have chosen … Read More »

Although fun to read, and short, picture books are not easy to write. They require laser-like precision, elegance, humor, and a deft hand at using writing techniques. The picture book writer must do everything—or almost everything—a long form novelist must do and do it in approximately 500 words. That is: characterization and character arc, setting, tension, plot arc, mood, smooth pacing and, often, humor (whether that’s for a non-fiction picture book or fiction). So good picture books are a wonderful … Read More »

It’s gift-giving season again! I’ve written several times about appropriate gifts for writers. (See FWA blog posts on writer gifts: Dec. 9, 2020 and Dec. 3, 2021.) However, writers are needy, you know. They require all the help they can get. The items on those earlier lists remain excellent gifts for your whiny writer. But there’s always more to consider. How about gifting your writer with one of the items below? (And get me a little nosh, while you’re at … Read More »

If you’re a lover of poetry—writer or reader—one of the things I’m sure you’ve noticed is that the world of poetry is full of idiosyncratic punctuation. Sometimes we poets follow the rules of prose, sometimes we don’t. And fashions change—even in what is popular reading/reciting/writing material. Some of us are stuck in classic mode (chinos and tucked in shirts), some of us are out there trying on 4-inch stilettos and feather boas despite the initial discomfort, or response by those … Read More »

Let’s get back to those quirky, fun books that writers of all ages tend to love. And what’s not to love—tight plots, precise characterization, emotional impact—all within a very controlled 32 pages and, nowadays, often with less than 700 words. They’re not easy to write, and to get right. In fact, as the author of three novels, many poems, magazine article, and 13 picture books, I find that a good picture book is the most difficult thing I write. (Maybe … Read More »

Picture books are quick reads, fun, and often gems of characterization, mood, sensual detail, and dialogue. They are also perfect for learning the basics of storytelling—regardless of the writer’s age, or genre. One thing well-written picture books do is to organize what’s happening in a coherent way—and they do this quickly. Usually within 32 pages and less than 1,000 words. There are a variety of story-mapping, or outlining, techniques that can be used in pre-writing. All of these are helpful. … Read More »