Pacing in Picture Books: Insights from a Twitter Chat with Jodell Sadler

Did you catch the recent Twitter chat with agent Jodell Sadler on picture book pacing? [#PBPacing] Thanks to KidLit411 and Jodell, I got a chance to think more about pacing and found some great resources where I can learn even more. Here are some of the insights from Jodell's chat:

“PB Pacing is about the interplay of art and words, the slowing and speeding of the text to enhance story emotionally.”

“It is about paying attention to what I call "The XPs of Picture Books: prosody, poetry, play, plot and performance.”

“Pacing enhances the story arc, increase tension. Many tools serve as pacing markers, i.e., the repetitive line.”

Jodell suggested creating a two column table in Word with 16-18 rows to help check the pacing and page turns. Her comments made me think a lot about how the page turns move the story along and create tension: 

“Page turns are integral. They offer surprise, new scenes, and interactivity to your book--a performance.”

“It's about exploring the negative space of writing: how much can we pull back and lure our reader in.”

“Most important part of page turns is the play... make those leaps and jumps in MS to surprise readers.”

I was also very interested in Jodell's responses to questions about keeping down word counts, since agents and editors often ask for manuscripts of 500 words or less. It's so challenging sometimes! She referred back to the 20 tools she has studied and discussed in length on her website, Pacing Picture Books. Jodell's website is a preview of her upcoming book on pacing (I can hardly wait!)  

“Pacing helps writers make sound decisions in dropping word count.”

“When you explore tools and see how they layer and enhance story, less words are needed, the pace quickens.”

This was probably my favourite quote of the chat: 

“The magic of picture book pacing starts with the writer. When you pour all your passion onto the page.”

This chat was so inspiring! I’m revising one of my picture books today, based on some of this great advice.  For further information you can check out Jodell Sadler’s work on pacing at:

www.pacingpicturebooks.com or follow her on twitter @PacingStory2WOW

For some examples of well-paced stories: www.awesomereading.com

If you also write middle grade like I do, you'll find examples that discuss middle grade and YA books.

There is also an interesting agent spotlight with Jodell Sadler on KidLit411.

Resources for Writing Better Picture Books

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in the online writing conference, WriteOnCon 2013 and I decided to check out what it had to offer for picture book writers. There were these specific posts:

Does Your Picture Book Premise Have Promise? by author Jean Reidy

Making Picturebooks: A List of the Top 5 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me… by author Lindsay Ward

Rhythm and Rhyme by author Debbie Diesen

There was also a forum where you could post your query, first 250 words and first 5 pages (in many cases this is the entire story) and get feedback from other writers. Reading through the forums gave me a sense of:

a) the kinds of stories other writers are working on and different ways to handle a concept or idea

b) examples of how to structure a picture book pitch or query letter and the kinds of things to watch out for

It was a great place to connect with other picture book writers.

I ended up making changes to strengthen two query letters, as well as changing the beginning of a manuscript to improve the opening, based on feedback from other writers. So I felt like it was a worthwhile experience, considering I didn't have to go anywhere to attend.

The key to having a good experience with this online conference was to plan on learning as much as possible and to make an effort to connect with other writers. I appreciated the chance to really think about why some stories worked and made me laugh, and why others seemed flat and in need of more work.

What resources have you explored lately that are helping to improve your picture book writing?

Learning from Picture Books: Me...Jane

Since I’m inescapably drawn to writing picture books when I'm not working on my middle grade novels, I decided I’d better start reading more of them and figuring out what makes them work. So every other Friday, I'm posting "Learning from Picture Books" to share what I've learned.

Me…Jane

written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

published by Little Brown and Company

From Amazon:

In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true.

 

My thoughts as a writer: 

I loved the way the author took biographical information and pulled out the small details that a child could connect with, such as a stuffed toy, reading, climbing trees and playing outside. Every word counted in this story.

The illustrations complimented the story and also told a story on their own if you didn’t consider the text. It's a really good example of how to make biographical information accessible for young children.

My thoughts as a teacher:

This story had a wonderful message of following your dreams and interests in life.

It also would fit well with discussions of observing and drawing nature and the outside world, as a good springboard for talking about the kinds of observations or “miracles” children might witness outside. Children might like to try this cartoony-style of drawing to depict the environment outside their school.

 

Learning from Picture Books: No Bears

Since I’m inescapably drawn to writing picture books when I'm not working on my middle grade novels, I decided I’d better start reading more of them and figuring out what makes them work. So every other Friday, I'm posting "Learning from Picture Books" to share what I've learned.

No Bears

written by Meg McKinlay

illustrated by Leila Rudge

US edition published by Candlewick Press

From Amazon:

Ella is in charge of this book, and she will tell you something right now. There are NO BEARS in it. Not even one.

My thoughts as a writer:

The concept catches my attention – it’s simple and well-defined. The book appeared to have a lot of text, but it’s actually under 500 words. It has a story within a story, which is interesting, but I think it’s a difficult one to learn from in terms of structuring a picture book. The key learning for me was that a strong concept gives you room to build an interesting story.

 

My thoughts as a teacher:

I love the way this book models writing and using your imagination, as well as the key words that signal you’re reading a fairy tale. It paves the way for a discussion and possibly some list-making about what kids would like to write about themselves.  It also gives an opportunity for talking about how the pictures tell part of the story. Some children might be confused by the ending if they aren’t careful to pay attention to the pictures.

Learning from Picture Books: Rocket Writes a Story

Since I’m inescapably drawn to writing picture books when I'm not working on my middle grade novels, I decided I’d better start reading more of them and figuring out what makes them work. So every other Friday, I'll post "Learning from Picture Books" to share what I'm learning.

Rocket Writes a Story

written and illustrated by Tad Hills

published by Schwartz & Wade, 2012

 

From Amazon:

Rocket loves books and he wants to make his own, but he can't think of a story. Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story.

 

My thoughts as a writer:

I liked the way the story brought out some of the realities of the writing process, but I found the story itself a little slow paced and wondered whether it would hold a child’s interest. A little bit of mystery about a nest in a tree helped to carry the story forward and I could study how the illustrations and words worked together to make this effective. Overall, this book seemed best suited for educational purposes, rather than for entertainment.

 

My thoughts as a teacher:

This would be a good book to support a discussion of the process of writing. I appreciated the way the story showed how much hard work goes into writing and how a story can continue to change as the writer thinks of new ideas or re-reads what is written.

This story also showed how we can be inspired by nature, which fits with the Reggio Emilia philosophy of teaching. However, the story itself was a little quiet for me and could have benefited from a bit more action or conflict. This book would be suitable for grades K-2, but in a kindergarten class, I might break up the reading into a couple of sessions, since it’s long for a picture book.

Writing Smarter by Writing Different

Although I’ve been putting my writing energy into middle grade fiction for the last couple of years, it’s hard for me to stay away from thinking about picture books too. In my job as a kindergarten teacher, I’m surrounded by little voices with big ideas. Parts of stories creep into my mind, since I can’t help thinking what if…

Or, if only I had a story to show my students about ___________.

The interesting thing I've found about starting to write picture books again is that it has increased my productivity with my middle grade novel. You'd think it'd be the opposite, since I spend less time working on the novel. But I find that writing picture books is great when I need a break from my novel or when I get stuck. It often gets my creative brain in gear again.

I can conceptualize an entire picture book in short space of time, something that's a bit more difficult with a middle grade novel and all the different pieces to weave together. And it helps to bring some fun back into writing when the novel is dragging me down a little. 

Just for fun, this week I've been trying to participate in NaPiBoWriWee - National Picture Book
Writing Week. It's a challenge where you write a picture book a day each day from May 1 - 7. 

I figure if I complete four I'm doing well, but I have a secret hope that I'll get a chance to catch up on the weekend.


 

 

 

 

Tips for Picture Book Writers: Researching an Idea

Since I'm participating in PiBoIdMo (30 picture book ideas in 30 days, started by Tara Lazar), I thought I'd pass along this tip.

When I want to find out what other books have been published that relate to one of my ideas, I check out the Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University. This free resource allows you to search by keyword to find books written on your topic. It's also a great resource for teachers looking for picture books to address a particular lesson topic.

Do you know of any good resources for finding out about picture books?