A Fly On The Wall

by Lana Krumwiede

People ask me all the time what we do in our writing group, so I thought I'd put together a highlight reel of sorts. This month we had four manuscripts to critique: One picture book, and three chapters from middle grade books. All were very unique and enjoyable.

The first manuscript we read was a beautifully written chapter from a middle-grade novel, or perhaps a chapter book. The language was gorgeous and quirky at the same time.The visual images were absolutely luscious! This story reminded us of Alice and Wonderland or The Tale of Despereaux. Most of our suggestions were about small things that we found confusing and ideas for more character development.


 

Everyone loved the picture book manuscript that was submitted this month. It was very funny and age-appropriate. One of the things we all commented on were the sounds the author used. They were written out in very humorous ways that will make the book a fun read aloud. There was a lot to love about this book—the character was endearing and the action was paced well. One of the suggestions had to do with consistency. Some of the animals were real and some of them were fantastical; we wondered if it would be stronger to have all fantastical animals. Another suggestion was to vary the settings of each scene. Instead of having them all take place on the beach, one could take place in a forest, another in a cave, and so on, which would heighten the visual interest of the story.

Next on the docket was an opening chapter from a middle-grade mystery. The writing flowed well and the narrative was clear—that alone is a major accomplishment for any writer! The suggestions were primarily about how to ratchet up the tension and end the first chapter on a suspenseful note. This is an important point: Getting the tension right is often a second-draft task. In the throes of the first draft, writers often sense that the tension is not quite adequate. Tell yourself it’s okay and don’t let it stop you from completing the first draft. Once you’ve got everything out on the table, it’s much easier to sense where the tension needs to be and recognize what you, the author, can utilize as a source of suspense.

The last critique of the night was a chapter from a middle-grade historical novel. It was an action-packed chapter that everyone seemed to enjoy. The author had originally written it in third person, then switched it to first person. There were still a few pesky third-person pronouns that had cleverly avoided detection, which made it confusing to read (but an easy fix for the writer). The other comments had to do with character motivations and making them crystal clear. Not easy to do but very important!

Thanks to all the RCW members for a great February Meeting! See you in March.

Book Review: Animalium

by Jenny Broom
Illustrations by Kate Scott

           

What is it: a picture book, textbook, coffee table book, reference book or living history museum? Using a bit of each of these elements, Broom and Scott have put together a book that explains evolution from the opening galleries of insects and invertebrates to the closing exhibits of large mammals. Beginning with a tree of life, an illustration covering two pages, they show how different groups of animals are related and how the animals have evolved from one another. Each chapter represents a different museum gallery, each focusing on one class of animal. Members of each class are described on two-page spreads, text on the left with the plate of illustrations on the right. A key to the plate, giving additional information about the animal depicted, is provided under the text and is linked by number to the illustration. The illustrations are pen and ink, with color added digitally, a beautiful blend of traditional and modern illustrative techniques. This choice of media and the arrangement of images on the plate make reference to established approaches to scientific illustration and the color reinforces the impression of form and liveliness on the page. Broom ends her book with an index, a bio of each “curator” and a list of reference materials labeled “To Learn More.” From Candlewick Press/Big Picture Press (2012), Ages 8 to 12, ISBN: 978-0-7636-7508-0. Reviewed by Hazel Buys.

 

Heard of banned books? How about banned words?

‘Bae,’ ‘Foodie’ and ‘Enhanced Interrogation’ on List of ‘Banished’ Words for 2015

Thank you to SUZAN CLARKE -  from the Jan. 1, 2015 broadcast of Good Morning America
 
‘Bae,’ ‘Foodie’ and ‘Enhanced Interrogation’ on List of ‘Banished’ Words for 2015 (ABC News)

Do you grimace when you hear some call a significant other “bae,” or throw out the word “takeaway” in a meeting? Do you gnash your teeth when someone describes himself or herself as a “foodie” or take credit for “curating” something that’s not in a museum?

You’re not alone.

Those are offenders that have made the list of 12 “banished” words and phrases issued by Lake Superior State University in Michigan.

The list, released today, was created from more than 2,000 submissions from members of the public who take issue with certain words and believe they should be banned, Thomas Pink, LSSU’s director of public relations, told ABC News in an interview.

“It just seems that language always strikes a nerve with people,” he said.

This is the university’s 40th annual list of words that are highlighted for misuse, overuse or uselessness, according to a release from LSSU.

The 12 words that made the final list were selected by a university committee.

“We do look at which words and phrases get the most nominations, but a word or phrase does not have to get a lot of nominations for it to make the list if everybody agrees on it, and since it’s lighthearted we all try to look for things that would make people laugh,” Pink said.

The banishment is by no means official. Dictionaries aren’t changed, but the publication of the list is definitely noticed, Pink said.

In one case in the 1990s, an Arizona State Supreme Court justice pinned that year’s list on a bulletin board in his office and forbade any attorneys who had business with him from using the words, Pink said.

Entries to the university’s website came with reasons supporting detractors’ disdain for the word.

Blan Wright, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, wrote of “bae”: “The most annoying term of affection to show up in years. Also, the concept ‘before anybody else,’ developed AFTER the word became popular. Reason enough for it to be banned.”

Below are the eight other vexing words or phrases on this year’s list along with nominees’ reasons for banning them:

Hack -- Suddenly things that once would have been called 'tips' are now being called 'hacks.' It can't be because the one word is shorter or easier to say; and the actual accepted meanings of ‘hack’ have nothing to do with suggestions for doing tasks better or more efficiently -- quite the opposite, really.” – Sharla Hulsey, Sac City, Iowa.
Polar vortex -- “Wasn’t it called ‘winter’ just a few years ago?" -- Dawn Farrell, Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Skill set -- “Why use two words when one will do? We already have a perfectly good word in ‘skills’ (ending with an s, not a z).” – Chip Lupo, Columbia, S.C
Swag --“Whether it's a ‘free gift’ (banished in 1988) or droopy clothing, this word is neither useful nor fancy.” – Jeff Drake, Saint Albans, West Va.
Friend-raising -- “A horrible word that conflates the real meaning of friendship with usually hidden motivations to get at the other person's pockets.” – Mary Been, Sidnaw, Mich.
Cra-cra (or “cray cray,” a term which means “crazy.”) -- “I'm sick of hearing myself say this! Must be banned!” – Roxanne Werly, Traverse City, Mich.
Enhanced interrogation -- “A shameful euphemism for torture.” – David Bristol, Byron Center, Mich.
-Nation -- “Although a devout Wisconsin sports fan, I do not belong to Packer-Nation, Badger-Nation, Phoenix-Nation, or Brewer-Nation. Further, I am not aware of any team or mascot that has the carrying capacity to be a nation.” – Kelly Frawley, Waunakee, Wisc.

 Among the proscribed words on last year’s LSSU list were “selfie,” “twerking” and “hashtag."

Happy New Year!

by Hazel Buys

 

All of us at Richmond Children’s Writers wish you and yours a happy, prosperous and creative 2015!

Lana, Hazel, Deb, Marianne, Stephanie, Brian, Troy, Dan and Chris

Bad Writing

by Hazel Buys

I came across the following from Ross and Kathryn Petras (Wretched Writing) over the holidays: “She threw her face over her apron.” By Charles Reade, The Cloister And The Hearth (1861).

This was actually published, folks.

So, here we are at New Year’s resolutions time, and I resolve not to commit bad writing. How? Edit, revise, get my work reviewed by my (wonderful!) writing group, send it out to (carefully selected) beta readers, read it out loud to myself, edit, revise and edit some more.

In other words, keep working at my craft, remember it’s never perfect but that with enough work, it might get to a state of ‘done.’

Repeat.

Happy New Year!

Deconstructing the 2014 JRW Conference

by Hazel Buys

“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.” Turkish proverb

Wow! Another great James River Writers conference! This year, I only participated in a Friday master class and a critique session on Sunday. Those two events were praise-worthy and if they were any indication, the whole conference was a winner. Upbeat energy hummed throughout.

The new venue was attractive and busy with conference-goers and hotel guests. The coffee was hot, the staff friendly and the lobby was easy to navigate. Can’t do much better than that.

It was wonderful to catch up with writing friends, some of whom I see only occasionally during the year.

The pre-conference workshop presented advice and ideas on how to get your novel published. Even though I’ve heard a lot of the advice before, there were several excellent ideas that were worth the price of admission.

My critique session was especially good because the agent gave me specific ideas on how to make my novel better and encouraged me to take it to the next level. I have homework and I intend to do every bit of it.

Back to the advice I opened with: LISTEN! I overheard one agent/editor saying that some of the authors she’d met with rejected her advice and didn’t want to change their work. It’s important to not close your mind to ideas that differ from yours. If you ask for someone’s advice, take time to consider it carefully. It may be just what you need to rise to the top.

Countdown!

By Hazel Buys

There’s a list I check in the fall. It’s a bit like Santa’s run up to his big day.

But my list goes like this:

Register for James River Writer’s Conference                            check!

Register for Pre-conference workshop                                          check!

Prepare & pack all workshop materials                                         check!

Research agent/editor for pitch session                                       check!

Look up conference and workshop locations; plan route          check!

Like Santa, I check it twice and pack up the night before. I know I’ll be more relaxed and have a better experience at the workshop and conference if I’m well prepared.

Have you completed YOUR checklist? Only five more days to Christmas, I mean the 2014 James River Writers’ Fall Conference!