Novelists can learn a LOT from screenwriters. Case in point: the blog Cockeyed Caravan by Matt Bird and all its wonderful storytelling advice. A little while ago, via the Writer’s Digest newsletter, I found this article called 5 Things Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters, with a few really key pieces of advice about character, scene-building, and more. And LENGTH. Your book is too long, says Life of Pi screenwriter David Magee.
Via YA author Ashley Hope Perez and some other extremely excellent writers comes a new blog, Latinos/as in Kid Lit, focusing on children’s, MG, and YA books by and for Latinos and Latinas. There are already some AMAZING essays about writing coming from their initial series of posts: check out Writing and Reading Latino/a Kid Lit is for Everyone, Not Just Latin@s and Give Kid Lit Readers a Broad Range with Real Characters – both chock full of great writing advice.
Here’s some exciting news–the Kidlitosphere’s own Lee Wind, master of public appearances (seriously, I’m in awe), now co-hosts a kidlit radio show–KID LIT with Lisa Loeb (yes, THAT Lisa Loeb)–currently listenable online via kidlitradio.org. AND it’s got a Diversity Spotlight segment. We’re not worthy! Go, Lee!
…And now for the thoughts. I’ve been thinking a lot about my inner critic, because she’s been rearing her negativity-filled head again lately for various reasons. I have major, MAJOR inner critic issues. Today I decided to let her out and let her rant in her own words, while I wrote them down. Boy, does she have an answer for everything. Anyway, I came up with some interesting potential post fodder for an essay about our inner critical voice and the WHY of this whole writing thing, and I may put that up on my personal blog soon. [Speaking of which, HEY, go check out my cover reveal giveaway–post a comment and get entered in the random drawing for Cool Prizes.]
If shorter YA books do come into fashion, I'll be right in step for once. 😉