Kirby Larson's Blog, page 48
July 3, 2012
Tuesday's Tip
Three's such a nice number. (Note today's date!) Would we still be reading a story about the two Billy Goats Gruff? The two little pigs? Imagine being granted only two wishes! Three is a number that just rocks.
I have found that when I introduce a minor motif or plot point, it serves the story best if I tap on it (at least) three times. For example, in the forthcoming sequel to Hattie Big Sky, feathers play a minor role. So, as I revised the manuscript, I made sure Hattie found a feather or feathers on three different occasions in the story. For me, those three taps give the readers a sense of a motif's significance.
And if I've done a really good job, I've left room for those same wonderful readers to ascertain the meaning of that motif for themselves.
I have found that when I introduce a minor motif or plot point, it serves the story best if I tap on it (at least) three times. For example, in the forthcoming sequel to Hattie Big Sky, feathers play a minor role. So, as I revised the manuscript, I made sure Hattie found a feather or feathers on three different occasions in the story. For me, those three taps give the readers a sense of a motif's significance.
And if I've done a really good job, I've left room for those same wonderful readers to ascertain the meaning of that motif for themselves.
June 28, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
My mind is all full of words, like stars in the sky, and I just mix them all up and make poems.
Quinn Lois Larson, age 5
Quinn Lois Larson, age 5
June 26, 2012
Tuesday's Tip
I happen to be owned by the most adorable dog in the universe. Winston the Wonder Dog is so smart, he can tell time. At exactly 3 pm each day, he begins his pre-walk activities. First he gets up from his bed to stand right next to my office chair. If that doesn't catch my attention, he jumps on my lap. And if that doesn't work, he places his paws on my shoulders and stares me down.
Sometimes I am not ready to walk at 3 pm. But I do. Because Winston is persistent, certainly. But because I have learned that every time I take a walk, I untie some knot in my writing. It does not fail.
For example, the other day I could not figure out how to introduce the breed of dog my MC owns into the story. It's a point that matters but everything I tried seemed clunky. Three o'clock rolled around and there I was, accompanying Winston on his afternoon constitutional.
And halfway through the walk, I figured out how to do it! I'd had the MC ride his bike to the little corner grocery (the story's set during WWII and this particular store is in the front room of a lady's house, just like Lee's grocery by my grandparents' house in Seattle). What if I wrote this:
Hobie hopped off his bike. "Sorry, boy. You have to wait here." With a huge sigh, Duke circled three times, then flopped on the bottom step. Mrs. Lee liked German Shepherds, all right. But she didn’t think they belonged in grocery stores.
It worked for me! At least for this draft.
Go take a walk. It does wonders for your writing. . .and your health, too!
Sometimes I am not ready to walk at 3 pm. But I do. Because Winston is persistent, certainly. But because I have learned that every time I take a walk, I untie some knot in my writing. It does not fail.
For example, the other day I could not figure out how to introduce the breed of dog my MC owns into the story. It's a point that matters but everything I tried seemed clunky. Three o'clock rolled around and there I was, accompanying Winston on his afternoon constitutional.
And halfway through the walk, I figured out how to do it! I'd had the MC ride his bike to the little corner grocery (the story's set during WWII and this particular store is in the front room of a lady's house, just like Lee's grocery by my grandparents' house in Seattle). What if I wrote this:
Hobie hopped off his bike. "Sorry, boy. You have to wait here." With a huge sigh, Duke circled three times, then flopped on the bottom step. Mrs. Lee liked German Shepherds, all right. But she didn’t think they belonged in grocery stores.
It worked for me! At least for this draft.
Go take a walk. It does wonders for your writing. . .and your health, too!
June 21, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
The past is not a package that can lay on the shelf.
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
June 19, 2012
Tuesday's Tip
You've heard this a million times. . .but do you actually do it? Read your manuscript aloud. Don't feel smug if you write novels -- it's just as important for you as it is for picture book writers.
Someone else out there can explain the brain research behind it, but your ear catches things your eye forgives.
Your eye is like your favorite grandma, saying "That's just fine, honey. Good job."
Your ears are TSA agents prepared to stop anything questionable from getting past. Those unintentional echoes, awkward phrasings and snippets of stiff dialogue that your eye scans and okays don't stand a chance against your ears' fine-tuned aural scanners.
No more excuses. Read that manuscript aloud!
Someone else out there can explain the brain research behind it, but your ear catches things your eye forgives.
Your eye is like your favorite grandma, saying "That's just fine, honey. Good job."
Your ears are TSA agents prepared to stop anything questionable from getting past. Those unintentional echoes, awkward phrasings and snippets of stiff dialogue that your eye scans and okays don't stand a chance against your ears' fine-tuned aural scanners.
No more excuses. Read that manuscript aloud!
June 18, 2012
Thursday's Thought
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills
June 15, 2012
Ta-Dah
Twelve years ago, I embarked on a journey that changed my writing life. Triggered by something my grandmother Lois Thomas Wright Brown said, I ended up writing a historical novel called Hattie Big Sky. That book reaped some lovely, amazing readers and awards. I was (and am) very proud of it. For my first published novel, I don't think I did too badly.
Imagine my surprise (and, honestly, irritation) when, after that book came out, readers began emailing and writing and asking "What's next for Hattie?" In my mind, I'd finished her story. Done. Completed. However, several thousand of you disagreed.
So, a few summers back, I re-read Hattie Big Sky. Remembered how much I loved that stubborn, mistake-prone orphan. And decided I wouldn't mind spending more time with her. It's been another long journey, but the sequel is now complete.
Vikki Sheatsley is the amazing art director at Delacorte who helped design the HBS cover; she's hit another home run with this one, as well. She went back to Jonathan Barkat, Philadelphia photographer/artist who did his research on the post-WWI time period and sent us some possible costumes for his model to wear.
Loved this hat but thought it a bit too shi-shi for Hattie
Great details -- the skirt pleats and jacket ruffles. I worked these into the text.
I knew this was the hat Hattie would pick. Straight-forward and practical!
And then he thought about the story's setting and plot and came up with this cover:
As much as I loved looking over Hattie's shoulder into the future on that first cover, I love this perspective, too. (Just between us, here is the face I envision when I "see" Hattie):
Lois Thomas Wright Brown, age 14
The book is set to be out in February 2013. I hope Hattie's friends and fans like "what happened next."
I know Hattie does!
Imagine my surprise (and, honestly, irritation) when, after that book came out, readers began emailing and writing and asking "What's next for Hattie?" In my mind, I'd finished her story. Done. Completed. However, several thousand of you disagreed.
So, a few summers back, I re-read Hattie Big Sky. Remembered how much I loved that stubborn, mistake-prone orphan. And decided I wouldn't mind spending more time with her. It's been another long journey, but the sequel is now complete.
Vikki Sheatsley is the amazing art director at Delacorte who helped design the HBS cover; she's hit another home run with this one, as well. She went back to Jonathan Barkat, Philadelphia photographer/artist who did his research on the post-WWI time period and sent us some possible costumes for his model to wear.
Loved this hat but thought it a bit too shi-shi for Hattie
Great details -- the skirt pleats and jacket ruffles. I worked these into the text.
I knew this was the hat Hattie would pick. Straight-forward and practical!And then he thought about the story's setting and plot and came up with this cover:
As much as I loved looking over Hattie's shoulder into the future on that first cover, I love this perspective, too. (Just between us, here is the face I envision when I "see" Hattie):
Lois Thomas Wright Brown, age 14The book is set to be out in February 2013. I hope Hattie's friends and fans like "what happened next."
I know Hattie does!
June 14, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
Often the search proves more profitable than the goal.
E.L. Konigsburg
E.L. Konigsburg
June 12, 2012
Tuesday's Tip
I will not argue it. "Said" is a perfectly good word. And generally preferable to exclaimed, commanded, exhorted, asserted, demanded, etc., because it allows the reader to be a more active participant in the story. You're not telling them how to read a bit of dialogue. You show them by what's said and the actions and emotions surrounding it.
May I suggest that "said" may not be needed as often as you think? I love nothing better than a good action tag. My ear and eye thinks this. . .
"And no trading away your sandwich," said Mom. She handed Lulu a lunch sack.
. . .could be jazzier written this way:
"And no trading away your sandwich." Mom handed Lulu a lunch sack.
It's a small thing but when you're trying to write tight and keep the action charging forward, substituting a speech tag with an action tag just could be the ticket.
May I suggest that "said" may not be needed as often as you think? I love nothing better than a good action tag. My ear and eye thinks this. . .
"And no trading away your sandwich," said Mom. She handed Lulu a lunch sack.
. . .could be jazzier written this way:
"And no trading away your sandwich." Mom handed Lulu a lunch sack.
It's a small thing but when you're trying to write tight and keep the action charging forward, substituting a speech tag with an action tag just could be the ticket.
June 8, 2012
Fan Letter Friday
Okay, this isn't exactly addressed to ME, but I got a complete kick out of it. The marvelous Michele Meyer, reading specialist at Botkins Elementary in Botkins, Ohio, does a "Hats off to Hattie" unit each year. This year, kids were asked to write a postcard in the voice of a literary character -- this young lady chose to write as Hattie, to Aunt Ivy.
I hope she got an A+ on this assignment
In case you can't read the postcard, here's what it says:
Dear Aunt Ivy,
I'd like to start off by telling you my domestic skills have improved greatly. I can make quilts and cook. My crops are growing and I am making out greatly and I still have time to follow through with my Christian duty.
Sincerely,
Your successful Niece Hattie
Please note the address: 508 Rude Relative Road! Gotta love it.
I hope she got an A+ on this assignment In case you can't read the postcard, here's what it says:
Dear Aunt Ivy,
I'd like to start off by telling you my domestic skills have improved greatly. I can make quilts and cook. My crops are growing and I am making out greatly and I still have time to follow through with my Christian duty.
Sincerely,
Your successful Niece Hattie
Please note the address: 508 Rude Relative Road! Gotta love it.
