Four on 400 September Feedback
Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s Four on 400 contest! Sharing your writing takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for our contest.Below, we’ve posted the first 400 words from this month’s winner, along with feedback from at least four of our members. We also encourage our readers to share their (constructive) suggestions and encouragement in the comments section below. Middle Grade: REMY (Working … Continue reading Four on 400 September Feedback
MYC: Using Metaphor
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss pre-writing and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we talked about revising your world building. This week, Gita Trelease and Gabrielle Byrne talk about how to create powerful metaphors. Metaphor and simile are among the richest, most useful tools in any writer’s kit. The word “metaphor” comes from the … Continue reading MYC: Using Metaphor
An Interview with Manuscript Academy co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer
Happy #MSWL day! Today, agents and editors from around the world will Tweet their wish-lists. It’s a great way to fine tune your query list and to get an idea of what editors are looking for as well. Manuscript Wish List co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer has been hard at work on another project recently as well: The Manuscript Academy. She stopped by The Winged Pen to … Continue reading An Interview with Manuscript Academy co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer
Coming Back After a Writing Hiatus
Does life ever get in the way of your writing? It does for me, and never more so than during my recent move from Georgia to Canada. With all of the logistics that came with moving a family internationally, I was forced to set aside my writing for a period of more months than I care to admit. It wasn’t until after we were settled … Continue reading Coming Back After a Writing Hiatus
MYC: Revising A World
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we continued our series on revision with Dynamic Dialogue. This week, we’re diving in to how to revise your world-building. Building a world is a lot like building a life. There are a lot of ways to do it. For me, … Continue reading MYC: Revising A World
Book Recommendation: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
I am a huge fan of creepy. Books, movies, decaying abandoned houses. So when The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. This book is the whole package of eerie while still having the humor middle grade readers love. “I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
September Four on 400 Contest Window is OPEN!
Q: What is Four on 400? A monthly contest that provides ONE LUCKY MG or YA WRITER with feedback on their opening 400 WORDS! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a MG or YA writer feedback on their work from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply comment at the bottom of this post! At 4pm (EST) … Continue reading September Four on 400 Contest Window is OPEN!
MYC: Dynamic Dialogue
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we continued our series on revision with Editing the Big Picture. This week, we’re diving in to crafting dynamic dialogue. Are your readers complaining of stilted dialogue, too many monologues, or not enough “voice” in your characters’ spoken words? If yes, you … Continue reading MYC: Dynamic Dialogue
Book Recommendation: The Girl with the Red Balloon
I am immediately drawn to any book involving World War II and how it changed the world. When I read a good one, I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops . The Girl with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke is one of those stories. The story is told in three points of view: a Jewish teen living the horrors of World War … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Girl with the Red Balloon
A Donated Library: Books for Refugee Children
Children’s books paired with passionate book people are a potent combination. On April 27th of 2017, I was reminded just how potent. A few months ago, I was chatting with my neighbor on our driveway. She shared a few frustrations regarding processes at her work in an organization which helps place refugee families in the greater Seattle area. These families have run from war, famine, … Continue reading A Donated Library: Books for Refugee Children
MYC: Editing the Big Picture
Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we talked about the importance of Writing with Emotion. This week, we’re stepping back and looking at the Big Picture. One thing this MYC series has taught me over the last few weeks is that there is no one way to write … Continue reading MYC: Editing the Big Picture
Are There Genres in Picture Books?
We always talk about genres in novels, but what about in picture books? Are there any? Are they the same as for novels? Is it even helpful categorizing picture books into genres? It seems to me that picture books can definitely fall into the adventure, mystery, sci-fi, horror (monster books), and fantasy genres, even though we don’t usually do this. Instead, we think of them … Continue reading Are There Genres in Picture Books?
