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Read the Fine Print: Tips for Reading Your Fiction Aloud

March 18, 2008 in Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Short Stories, Writing, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens | 2 comments

Don’t have a background in drama?  No experience with public speaking?  It’s OK.  Relax.  You can still excel at reading your work aloud.  Select a dramatic excerpt, build the intensity and practice!  You’ll entertain the crowd and your work will be remembered.

Here are some tips for reading your fiction aloud:

  • Select the right piece. If you’re given a time limit, select an excerpt that fits within the time frame, but don’t be afraid to customize it.  Cut and paste sections if need be.  You want to build excitement to a climax to keep the audience interested, so begin at a place where you’ll be able to increase the tension until the end.
  • Climb a stairway to drama. Think of the piece you’re reading as a rise of stairs.  Start on the first step and build the intensity slowly as you arrive to the climax.  Mark places in your manuscript where you believe the tension mounts to a new step.  With each step you should be a bit louder, a bit more expressive.
  • The sound of music. Your story could be brilliant, but if it’s delivered in monotone, the audience will quickly lose interest.  Your voice is an instrument.  Think of reading as a way to strike different musical notes, some high, some low, some just middle C.  Mark your text with places to increase or decrease the pitch and intensity of your voice based upon the emotions expressed in the work.
  • Be the character you created. Immerse yourself in your character’s world the way you did when you first wrote the words on the page.  Remember the backstory you invented as well as your character’s journey.  All the creative energy you used to develop your character and story should be summoned to draw upon as you read.
  • Practice. Stand in front of a mirror while you read.  Make sure you take moments to look ahead; don’t stare down at the paper the entire time.  Record yourself and listen/watch the playback.  Are you mumbling or enunciating too much?  Ask family and friends to be your mock audience.
  • Scan ahead. If you’ve read your piece in practice enough times, you’ll be able to memorize lines.  While reading, you’ll therefore have a moment to scan a line or two ahead so you can remember to put specific emphasis on an upcoming speech or emotional moment.  Print your work in a large font if that helps you read more easily.
  • Look at the audience. Remember practicing in the mirror?  Now make eye contact with individual people for a second or two at a time.  If you find that distracting, look at someone’s forehead instead.  You’ll appear to be looking directly at the person behind them.
  • Project. Don’t yell, but speak in a volume so that the person in the very last row can hear you.

Try to avoid these pitfalls:

  • Don’t apologize if you make a mistake.  Just keep going.
  • If you drop something, pick it up. Leave a pen on the floor, and the audience’s attention will be drawn to the bothersome ballpoint. They’ll keep wondering when you’re going to reclaim it.
  • Don’t attempt accents. Many people can’t do them well.  Done poorly, they’ll distract rather than enhance.

Most of all, have fun.  Enjoy yourself and the audience.  Don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect.  You’ll gain confidence with each reading and you’ll be invited to read at future events.

Who Are You? How to Remember Names

March 17, 2008 in Publishing, Writing | Tags: , , , | 1 comment

Hey, you!  Yeah, you!  I know we’ve met before. 

We have?

Yeah, at that whatchamacallit seminar in boonieville.

Sound like someone you know?  Point them this way and let’s rid them of tip-of-the-tongue syndrome.  Remembering names is simple with a little practice.  Addressing someone by their given name—and not “hey you”—immediately lets others know that you placed an importance on meeting them.  Whether for personal or business purposes, this skill comes with an added bonus: people will remember your name as well.

So what are some tips for remembering names?

  • Make the effort to listen and remember.  Many people react to an introduction automatically, without thinking, and therefore a name gets lost.  Shake the person’s hand firmly (if appropriate), look them in the eyes and listen.
  • Repeat their name when you introduce yourself.  “Hello Jill, I’m Barbara, nice to meet you.” 
  • Repeat their name during the conversation, but not too often.  Once or twice is sufficient.  More than that and it gets annoying and obvious.
  • Associate that name with the person’s appearance or another visual clue.  I personally find alliteration or rhyming devices easiest to remember.  Maybe Linda has long hair, Brent has a beard, or Lee is tall like a tree.  It’s important to keep these silly devices to yourself, however, and try to focus on something positive about the person.
  • Associate that name with a well-known person or place.  When you meet Louis, you can remember the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.  Maybe Steve is funny like Steve Martin.
  • Write down names of the people you’ve met whenever you have an opportunity.

And here are some pitfalls to avoid while remembering names:

  • Don’t think so hard about the person’s name that you lose focus of the conversation. 
  • Don’t assume you can use their first name.  If someone has told you they are “Ms. Franklin” be sure to call her “Ms. Franklin” until she invites you to use “Samantha.”
  • Don’t use a nickname, even if you hear someone else calling them by that shorter name.  Allison may really prefer Allison and not “Allie.”
  • Don’t let others know about your pneumonic devices.  Nothing kills a relationship faster than calling Lee “Mr. Tree.”
  • Don’t rely on the name tag.  It may be misspelled or it may list a formal name when they prefer to be addressed in another manner.  Moreover, people ditch name tags after a while (unless you’re this guy, who has his name tag tattooed on his chest).
  • If someone has a difficult foreign name you don’t recognize, don’t ask them to repeat it several times.  This gets embarassing for everyone.  Repeat the name as best you can the first time and they may correct you.

Finally, don’t assume because someone is younger than you or in a lower business position that you can bestow a clever nickname upon them.  I worked closely with a colleague who called me “Taras Bulba” after the 1962 movie.  I was not familiar with the movie at the time and even though he provided an explanation, the name bothered me, especially when he felt it appropriate to call me this in meetings with my bosses.  Give everyone the same amount of respect that you wish to receive yourself.

What Makes a Children’s Bestseller?

March 5, 2008 in Children, Children's Books, Children's Writing, Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens, YA Fiction | Tags: , , | 1 comment

No one truly knows the magical answer to that question, as evidenced by the discussion on WNYC’s Leonard Lopate show this week.

You can’t publish a bestseller…you publish a book and you hope it takes off…but many hopes have been dashed by publishing into being a bestseller. 

— Jean Feiwel, Senior Vice President and publisher of Fiewel and Friends & Square Fish Books

Ms. Feiwel, responsible for acquiring the popular series The BabySitter’s Club, Goosebumps, and Harry Potter while at Scholastic, was joined by Diane Roback, Senior Editor of Publisher’s Weekly children’s section, and Micha Hershman of Borders Group children’s division.

The three discussed the sea change in children’s book selling over the last 20 years, transforming from a market dominated by institutional sales to one dependent upon retail.  In the 1980’s, the emergence of independent children’s retailers created a surge in demand, and now the national chains also play an enormous role in the success of new titles.  They touched upon merchandising, the power of a good title and eye-catching cover, and understanding customers—what stories appeal to the parent “gatekeepers” as well as the children. 

They briefly discussed “The Harry Potter Effect” on children’s reading habits and how the series suddenly made it cool for boys to be reading.  The “have you read it yet?” peer pressure encouraged kids to pick up thicker and thicker books, a parental dream come true.  The panelists made it clear that kids don’t care about marketing hype, but they do listen to word-of-mouth praise.

Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the audio from The Leonard Lopate Show.

Attending a First Page Critique?

February 24, 2008 in Children's Books, Children's Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens | Tags: , , | 1 comment

I wanted to know what to expect at a first page critique before attending one, so this post is for those of you with similar curiosity.  I can’t speak for every first-page session, but here is how it might be organized:

  • The editor/agent (or other professional commenter) will sit at the front of the room, along with readers.  The editor/agent may read each page aloud, or an attendee will be selected to read.  Depending upon the number of first pages, there may be more than one reader.
  • The reader will read first pages aloud, one at a time.  After one piece has been read, the commenters will present their immediate reactions.  Depending upon how much time has been allotted for the event, they may spend as little as 30 seconds or as many as 5 minutes each discussing the page.
  • Questions from attendees are typically held until the end of the event so there is enough time to get to everyone’s submission.  Occasionally a question of clarification is entertained, but a dialogue is discouraged at this time.  It is not appropriate to jump in and explain/defend your piece.
  • When all the works have been reviewed, the organizer may open the floor to questions if there is enough time.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring:

  • Multiple copies of your first page, formatted for submission: 12-point type, double-spaced, one-inch margins.  (Poetry can be single-spaced with double spaces between stanzas.)  Include the title and genre, but not your name.  You’ll need one copy each for the commenters, one for the reader, and one for yourself if you’d like to take notes directly on the page. 
  • Business cards, if you have them.  Don’t hand them to the editor/agent unless they specifically approach you, but you’ll want to network with the other writers present.  You might find a new critique partner or learn about another event.  Make a friend, give them your card to keep in touch.
  • Notebook and pen.  Take notes.  Not just about your first page, but about all the pages.  There will be lots of good information shared about what makes a successful first page.  Pay attention to the ones the editor/agent said they would continue reading. 

Remember to thank the editors/agents and organizer of the event.   They have graciously given their time and expertise in an effort to help polish your work.   Shake hands, be polite.  If you have a specific question that wasn’t addressed, now’s the time to ask if they have a moment.

Remember names.  If you are serious about your craft, you will be seeing many of these people again at other events.  Be thankful toward the professionals even if your piece didn’t receive the praise you expected.  Go home inspired to work harder instead of being discouraged.  You’re another step closer to your goal of becoming published!

And if your piece was one of the stories in which the editor/agent showed an interest, ask if you can submit to them.  They are there to find new talent, after all! 

Do you have any information to share about first page events?  If so, please comment!  Thank you!

What’s Your Favorite Book Title?

February 20, 2008 in Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens, YA Fiction | 1 comment

Cynthea Liu’s book title contest finalists were just announced!  Go check out the winning entries and vote for your favorite.

I like Jade in China best for several reasons:

  • It plays on the phrase “Made in China,” where the main character Jade was born.
  • Jade is an ancient chinese artifact, fitting in with the character’s subject of study—anthropology and archeology.
  • Jade is prized in Chinese culture, giving the adopted character’s name meaning.  Parents of adopted children often want to bestow a name that pays hommage to their child’s home country.
  • Jade represents beauty, grace and purity in Chinese culture.

I’m biased, though, because that was one of my entries.  I suppose a decade of writing press release titles finally paid off. 

I’m curious to see what you think.  The Orient Success and Girls Just Wanna Have Feng Shui were my two other finalist suggestions.  If you think that last one is funny, check out some of the hilarious titles that Cynthea posted for your reading pleasure.

Tips on Writing for Teens

February 19, 2008 in Children, Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction, Literary Agents, Middle Grade Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens, YA Fiction | Leave a comment

Chuck Sambuchino of The Guide to Literary Agents blogged recently about writing for teenagers and adolescents.  He attended a talk given by an agent and an author and shared nine great tips to consider when crafting a novel for middle grade and young adult readers.  Check out Chuck’s post here.

Some insights included not starting off a work with a graphic event like a suicide.  Hmmm, lesson learned immediately for me.  While it might grab the reader’s attention, it may do so in a negative manner, making them put down the book rather than keep reading.  I’m gently reminded of agent Nathan Bransford’s warning about too much shock and awe.

Contest Alert: Help Cynthea Liu Name Her New Book

February 16, 2008 in Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Middle-grade and young-adult novelist Cynthea Liu needs your help creating a title for her new book.  The stories in this series of books feature young girls who travel abroad to study, get the guy, ace the exam, and return home transformed in some way.

The existing titles are puns of instantly recognizable, common phrases.  They typically reveal the country of study, the main character’s name, or the girl’s quest.  Here are some examples from the series:

The Sound of Munich
Spain or Shine
Swede Dreams
The Finnish Line
Now and Zen
Westminster Abby
Getting the Boot

Cynthea is giving away one of her famous free critiques to the person who comes up with a title for her tale of an adopted American girl traveling to China, the character’s birth country.  Ms. Liu even offers a half-page critique if your suggestion is good enough to pass along to her editor.

To read more about her book and the contest rules, please go to CyntheaLiu.com!  The submission deadline is Tuesday, February 19th at 4:00pm (CST).

Congratulations to the Winner! And to Everyone Else!

February 7, 2008 in Children's Books, Children's Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Nathan Bransford’s first page competition was hotly contested, with a multitude of fine, well-written entries.  To demonstrate how difficult it was to narrow down to six finalists, co-judge Holly had initially selected 30 finalists–but only after her third round of review!  The judges deserve our thanks.  And Heather!Anne! deserves congratulations for being voted the most surprisingly essential first page!

For those who were not selected (and there were 639 of us), I remind you that Nathan Bransford is just one agent.  Yes, he has a talented eye, but his is not the only eye.  What he passed over this time might have been picked up by another.  Finding an agent to represent your work or an editor to publish it is a matter of matching interests.  Think of it in no less complicated terms than finding a spouse: you have to sync up on many levels to make the partnership a success.

So to everyone who entered, congratulations for bravely submitting your work.  Just because you didn’t get picked this time, don’t let the word “failure” creep into your vocabulary.  Keep writing, keep working, keep submitting, keep networking.  The successful writer’s most important trait is perseverance.  You’ll find your match someday.

100+ Things Kids Don’t Like

February 7, 2008 in Children, Children's Books, Creative Writing, Fiction, Writing, Writing for Children | 32 comments

To accompany 500+ Things Kids Like, here’s a list of 100+ things that kids don’t consider their favorites.  Of course there’s probably some kids out there who drool over asparagus, and those who climb into bed without protest, but in general, this list is filled with things children want to avoid.  I hope it helps jump-start your creativity.

  1. Anchovies
  2. Arguments
  3. Asparagus
  4. Bats (Disclaimer: my seven-year-old loves bats.)
  5. Bedtime
  6. Bee Stings
  7. Being Grounded (Punished)
  8. Being Picked Last for a Team
  9. Being Unpopular
  10. Being Scared
  11. Being Sick
  12. Being Teased
  13. Bleu Cheese
  14. Braces
  15. Broccoli
  16. Brussels Sprouts
  17. Bullies
  18. Caviar
  19. Celery
  20. Chicken Pox
  21. Chores
  22. Cleaning up
  23. Confessing
  24. Copycats
  25. Cooties
  26. Crushes
  27. The Dentist
  28. Detention
  29. Divorce
  30. Embarrassing Parents
  31. Escargot
  32. Exams/Tests
  33. Failing
  34. Feeling Left Out
  35. A Fever
  36. The Flu
  37. Fungus
  38. Getting Cheeks Pinched
  39. Giving Up
  40. Glasses
  41. Gorgonzola
  42. Growing Pains
  43. Gum on Their Shoes
  44. Haircuts
  45. Headaches
  46. Homework
  47. Hot Pepper
  48. Lectures
  49. Lima Beans
  50. Long Car Rides
  51. Losing
  52. Loud Noises
  53. Making Their Beds
  54. Measles
  55. Medicine
  56. Millipedes
  57. Monsters
  58. Mosquito Bites
  59. Moving
  60. Nightcrawlers
  61. Not Knowing Another’s Secret
  62. Onions
  63. Paper Cuts
  64. Parsley
  65. Pea Soup
  66. Pop Quizzes
  67. Posing for Portraits
  68. Potty Training
  69. Quiet
  70. Retainers
  71. Sharing
  72. Shopping/Errands
  73. Shots (Vaccinations)
  74. Skinned Knees
  75. Siblings
  76. Sitting Still
  77. Smashed Pumpkins
  78. Speaking in front of the class
  79. Spinach
  80. Sticky Hands
  81. Substitute Teachers
  82. Sushi
  83. Talking to Grown-ups
  84. Tattle Tales
  85. Teacher’s Pets
  86. Tickle Torture
  87. Trying Something New
  88. Tummy Aches
  89. Turning Off the TV
  90. Turtleneck Sweaters
  91. Unfamiliar Places
  92. Unusual Foods
  93. Vice Principals
  94. Waiting
  95. Walking
  96. Washing Their Faces
  97. Watching the News
  98. Wearing Bike Helmets/Protective Pads
  99. Wedgies
  100. Winter Hats
  101. Wool Sweaters
  102. Writing Reports
  103. Younger Siblings Pestering Them

Read and Vote: Nathan Bransford’s Surprisingly Essential First Page Contest

February 4, 2008 in Creative Writing, Fiction, Publishing, Writing, Writing for Children | Tags: , | Leave a comment

As if we needed another reason to love Nathan Bransford, the superhero among agents blasted through 645 first-page entries in just four days, selecting a half-dozen finalists.  (Holly deserves a giant pat on the back as well.)  None are all that surprising because they’re examples of exceptional work.  Please go read and vote.  Publicize the contest on the Internet, but don’t campaign for a particular entry.  Congratulations to the finalists and good luck!

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