The first page is your chance to make a strong impression with your teen reader! Don’t blow it! New York Times bestselling young adult author Rachel Cohn spoke at the 2011 Southern California SCBWI Writer’s Day event, and shared her list of the top five things you need on page one! The Five Things To…
In a galaxy far, far away… (or while browsing through the internet), I discovered that Harry Potter is really Star Wars in disguise! Get out your lightsaber or your wizard wand and get ready to battle, because I think it’s time for a show down. Of course, what I’m really talking about here is the Hero’s…
In Gail Carson Levine’s talk “Sweat and Magic” at the 2010 SCBWI LA Conference she covered a plethora of great topics. This post re-caps her insights on plot and predictability. Be sure to check out previous posts wherein Levine discusses character development and how to create suspense and tension. “I’m going to talk most about…
Do you struggle with story structure? Do you need a refresher in plot or visual storytelling? Do you live in Southern California? Then you need to attend screenwriter/producer/teacher-extraordinaire Patty Meyer’s Crash Course in Story Structure! “Structure is the key to effective screenwriting. There is no substitute for it. To tell a story in this most…
Maralys Willis, memoir writer, teacher, and author of the book Damn The Rejections Slips, Full Speed Ahead, spoke at an IWOSC event back in early March. The following is her advice to writers on how to keep up your stamina and make your manuscript shine. It’s All About Attitude: When is different from if. Your…
“This book needs to be read!” Assistant editor, Rachel Abrams, of Harper Collins shared her insight as to how to get an editor to say these very words, at the 2010 SCBWI So Cal Writers Day. The following is her recipe on how to hone your craft and make your writing the very best it can be. Your…