tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post3399839249711261173..comments2024-03-20T10:29:46.789-04:00Comments on Write Wild: HOW TO BE AT THE TOP 5% OF THE SLUSH PILEChristie Wright Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656162315858480593noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-69483320551129319592010-10-20T22:56:02.164-04:002010-10-20T22:56:02.164-04:00Really great post Christie! This is some good advi...Really great post Christie! This is some good advice for staying focused on the goal by doing consistent steps that will definitely pay off if you stick with them. I'm so glad you mentioned grammar as one of the steps. In today's texting, shorthand Twitter world, I'm seeing too much slacking going on with that, even with professionals!Tishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11946586113516023665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-69339289576134663882010-10-19T21:45:03.248-04:002010-10-19T21:45:03.248-04:00Thanks for your work on picture books - as a presc...Thanks for your work on picture books - as a preschool teacher of ELL students I am very particular about books that tell story through their illustrations. I look forward to checking back over your recommendations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-34003369965222696352010-10-19T14:25:12.491-04:002010-10-19T14:25:12.491-04:00Jenny, Welcome aboard the crusade. I couldn't ...Jenny, Welcome aboard the crusade. I couldn't find the link to your blog, or it's locked as private.<br /><br />Heather and Tara, So true about the overdone common themes. Funny thing is, I never liked those books to begin with. I like dreamy lyrical books, or fun and humorous books. Thanks for adding to the discussion. I only touched on a few main points. Themes in PB's could be another separate post all together.Christie Wright Wildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13656162315858480593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-75426597899192938842010-10-19T13:07:25.046-04:002010-10-19T13:07:25.046-04:00Nice post, Christie. I agree with Heather--look at...Nice post, Christie. I agree with Heather--look at PBs published only within the last year or two. That means they were bought anywhere from two to six years ago (and maybe even more). Look any further back and that's not necessarily what's being bought anymore. Right now, shorter manuscripts are being favored (500 to 700 words for the 4-8 year-old range). You also want to avoid the first-time writer pitfall of writing about a common theme--a new baby in the family, the first day of school, an ABC book, a didactic tale, etc. The slush pile is filled with those types of stories, plus they've already been done dozens of times, and done well. You want to write something new and fresh. I like the phrase "Think of the hook before you write the book."Tara Lazarhttp://taralazar.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-53756844628357447732010-10-19T09:39:30.710-04:002010-10-19T09:39:30.710-04:00Thanks for the tips, Christie!
I read a ton of p...Thanks for the tips, Christie! <br /><br />I read a ton of picture books, but lately I've been limiting myself to books published within the last 5 years - preferably, in the last year or two. I don't want to internalize cadences and techniques that are no longer publishable. (Of course, I am limiting my education, but I will most likely read them all at some point!)Heather at My Coupon Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14429799440079596667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-44130573198814228512010-10-19T07:42:29.922-04:002010-10-19T07:42:29.922-04:00I've heard this sort of statistic too and it&#...I've heard this sort of statistic too and it's actually reassuring.<br /><br />I'm popping over from the Rach's blog building Crusade. It's nice to meet you.Jenny Beattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640209636605410939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-6246002861295194922010-10-19T00:31:46.841-04:002010-10-19T00:31:46.841-04:00Michelle and Julie, yes still expect rejection.
...Michelle and Julie, yes still expect rejection. <br /><br />Melissa, read my post on How to Study, Analyze, or Dissect a Picture Book. Of course, if you don't get caught up in the story the first time around, then it's not worth studying the second time around.Christie Wright Wildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13656162315858480593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-35654837110895150672010-10-18T23:01:33.411-04:002010-10-18T23:01:33.411-04:00Very interesting post. Thanks Christie. I need to ...Very interesting post. Thanks Christie. I need to figure out how to study the books I like withouth getting caught up in the story.Melissa Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700191547004665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-14687923855842323652010-10-18T22:32:26.200-04:002010-10-18T22:32:26.200-04:00Great post Christie! And yes, still brace yoursel...Great post Christie! And yes, still brace yourself for rejection...Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-59185162751749860422010-10-18T22:06:11.340-04:002010-10-18T22:06:11.340-04:00HOPE!
and still expect loads of rejection :)HOPE!<br />and still expect loads of rejection :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-33694131924377908992010-10-18T13:05:51.272-04:002010-10-18T13:05:51.272-04:00Very true :) Definitely some great advice here!Very true :) Definitely some great advice here!Mariekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16383960692054256957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-16047973340609865792010-10-18T12:55:40.325-04:002010-10-18T12:55:40.325-04:00"Study books you wish you had written."
..."Study books you wish you had written."<br />Oh yes. I do this a lot (while trying not to drool over the pages at the same time...).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1071530951319652632.post-67527896287089159492010-10-18T10:41:46.606-04:002010-10-18T10:41:46.606-04:00Great advice. Nice to know it's that easy . . ...Great advice. Nice to know it's that easy . . . as long as you write a book that others want to read. :)Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.com