Although I spent twenty-three years of my life in school (!), I have no formal training in creative writing. As a result, workshops on craft are a high priority for me when I attend writing conferences. Here’s a look at who taught me what at last weekend’s SCBWI Conference.
Laurie Stolarz, “Learning the Layers of Revision”
Laurie’s workshop began with this warning: before you begin, you must “admit you are powerless over the need to revise.” In other words, we all have to do it, so figure out how to deal with it. Laurie went on to discuss the layers of revision (global edits, line edits, and polish edits). Her handout was comprehensive and I left with a more structured approach to the revision process. I think I can deal.
By the way, I spent some time exploring Laurie’s website, and it is very nice. If you are in the process of creating your own, or if you are considering an overhaul, I think Laurie’s site would be a good one to review.
Jacqueline Davies, “Got Arc?”
This was a stellar workshop on the topic of story arc by the so-called “Structure Queen”. Jackie invited attendees to bring their works in progress (picture books through novels) and to delve into a detailed analysis of their narrative arc. What is your story sentence? How does the tension flow throughout your piece? By walking us through an examination of the structure of several well known titles, Jackie got all of us thinking deeply about our own structure and how to improve it.
Jackie has posted her entire workshop at her website, including a PowerPoint presentation and several downloadable materials for creating picture book dummies and for charting story arc (or conflict resolution or word count or theme appearances or anything else you might want to monitor across the length of your picture book or novel). You can find it all here.
Mark Peter Hughes, “Characters That Leap Off the Page” and “Plotting Your Middle Grade/YA Novel”
These are the two that got away. One of the hard truths about a conference like this is that several great workshops will be held at the same time, and you will be forced to choose. I missed both of Mark’s workshops, and kicked myself the rest of the weekend as I heard them praised over and over again.
I did treat myself to a copy of Mark’s novel, I AM THE WALLPAPER, which you will be hearing more about as soon as I am able to read it. (And for those keeping track, like my husband, you should note this is only the second book I bought for myself. The rest were gifts. Honest.) Anyway, cruise over to Mark’s website to read about his latest novel, LEMONADE MOUTH, and the fabulous tour it will soon be making across America … with Mark and his family in tow and with NPR listening in!