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How to Self-Edit a Picture Book
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How do you evaluate your picture book manuscript? Below are some basic things that editors look for. It isn’t hard for the writer to look for these things while revising and editing the manuscript:
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Is your main character interesting? Editors look for interesting, active characters who play a role in resolving the problem posed in the story. The main character must appeal to the child, be interesting and sympathetic. He must also be strong, from a physical, emotional or mental standpoint.
- Can you identify the plot? A plot is a set of major events that occur in sequence, to a logical conclusion. There should be a beginning, a middle, and an end.
- Is there a story arc and can you define it? A story arc is what the character does to advance the plot. In one of the basic picture book story arcs, the main character tries to achieve a goal, fails, tries again, fails, and then tries again and succeeds. Each time the main character fails at an attempt, however, there must be a purpose to the failure. Does the main character learn something? Does he change? Is he a better person for having failed?
- Is the subject matter child-appropriate? One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to always know the age range of the child you want to reach before writing the story. Write as if you are speaking to that child. Another good piece of advice I have been given is that even though I may want to tell a certain story to a child, the child may not want that information revealed to him. Consider child-appropriate subject matter, and determine if your story fits the child and the target age range.
- Is the language and alliteration appropriate? Read the story out loud as your write and revise. The language you use should be entertaining to hear, words should be playful and energizing. Remember that the child will most likely be listening to the story rather than reading it himself. Also keep in mind the parent who will likely be reading the story aloud. Can the parent participate in the story-telling - are there different characters (different voices) to read, are the words fun to read aloud?
- Does the story have a theme? This speaks to the depth of the story, the meaning behind the words. For example, the Chowder books by Brown are funny books about a funny looking dog. But if you look more closely, Chowder is an only dog, to a couple without children, so they treat Chowder like their child. His name is spelled out in colorful alphabet magnets on the refrigerator, his picture adorns the house. Even though Chowder is a funny looking dog who doesn't quite fit in with other dogs, the love his human parents have for him is unconditional. This is a much deeper story than meets the eye.
- Is the ending satisfying? Does the ending echo the beginning of the story? Does the beginning “set up” the ending somehow? The child, in any event, should be satisfied that the story is done, and that it has met its logical conclusion. Logical does not mean flat or expected, it can be a surprise, it can be funny or crazy. It does have to fit the context of the book, however. Avoid the "he woke up and it was all a dream" ending.
- Are you using active voice and not passive? Check for words like "was," "were," "had" and see if you are slipping into passive voice. If you see a form of "to be" followed by a past participle, this is usually a sign of passive voice. Generally speaking, picture books are written in active voice.
- Do you use the same qualifiers over and over? Qualifiers, often called "weed words," take up your word count and don't add to the forward movement of your story. Check for words like "just," "probably," "really," and "very." Usually these can be deleted.
- Does your manuscript have "talking head syndrome" ? Pages of dialog are difficult to illustrate. Be sure to respect your illustrator and provide narrative that can be illustrated.
Finally, the question to ask yourself is “Would a child want to hear the story again?” This speaks to all of the above. A story that is well-crafted and speaks to the heart of a child is one that the child will want to hear over and over again.
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