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Tag Archives: writing tips

Disability Inclusion 101: Five Tips for Writing Disability “Right”

18 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Author's Perspective, PAL, SoCal, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

authors, disability, illustrators, inclusion, Karol Ruth Silverstein, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, writing tips

by Karol Ruth Silverstein

Disability is everywhere, sometimes hidden, sometimes unmistakable. Disabled people make up the largest and most diverse minority group in the world. So—yes—disability should be abundant in our children’s literature as well. But is “bad” (i.e., inaccurate, inauthentic, insensitive) representation better than no representation at all?

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Interview with Author-Illustrator Benson Shum

11 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by Michelle Lin in Author's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective

≈ 2 Comments

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Anzu the Great Listener, authors, Benson Shum, illustrator tips, illustrators, picture books, writing tips

Benson Shum is a Southern California author-illustrator of more than five children’s books. His latest, Anzu the Great Listener, came out January 10. It is the sequel to Anzu the Great Kaiju (2021) and a Kids’ Indie Next pick for January/February 2023.

Kite Tales: Welcome to Kite Tales, congratulations on Anzu the Great Listener! What was the original inspiration for Anzu?

Benson Shum: Thank you so much! I always loved the world of Kaijus, the idea that these monsters tower over cities and are larger than life. But I wanted to know more. What was going through their heads? Did they all want to be destructive? What if they’d rather talk to their city rather than destroy it?

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Ask an Editor: All About NaNoWriMo

16 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 3 Comments

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authors, Chris Baty, MG, middle grade, NaNoWriMo, nonfiction, novels, writing tips

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine—This time of year it seems so many writers are participating in NaNoWriMo. What exactly is that and is it worthwhile for kid’s book writers? I’m writing a middle-grade novel.—Jo, Encino

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Finding Theme: The North Star for You and Your Story

19 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

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authors, Danielle Davis, Mags DeRoma, picture book author, picture books, SCBWI members, school visits, theme, To Make, writing tips

by Danielle Davis

The North Star has always been a beacon for travelers, all over the Northern Hemisphere. A barely drifting constant. A guide. 

I believe theme functions as that same kind of beacon for every story—and storyteller.  

I’m not a mariner by any stretch, and sea sickness prevents me from even wanting to be one, but here goes: 

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Crossing Borders and Letting Go with Mitali Perkins

28 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, Writers Days

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Tags

authors, editing tips, Hope In The Valley, intercultural, middle grade, Mitali Perkins, nonfiction, picture books, plotting, SCBWI events, Writers Day 2022, writing tips, young adult

Joining us as keynote speaker for Writers Day 2022 is Mitali Perkins! An explorer of boundaries both physical and literary, she has written books for all ages of young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for a National Book Award) and Rickshaw Girl (adapted into a film by Sleeperwave Productions) and the upcoming picture book, The Story of Us (Beaming Books, 2022). She seeks to make readers laugh and cry, all while opening their hearts to understanding the mysteries of the wider world.

Jessica Chrysler: Welcome Mitali, and thank you for taking the time to interview with Kite Tales! As an author of picture books, YA and nonfiction for adults, your work crosses categories as fluidly as you explore the theme of crossing borders. What inspires you in your work? And what gives you that spark to take on the next project?

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Ask an Editor: How to Write a Graphic Novel

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by Christine Van Zandt HOT DOG! 2026 JLG gold-standard selection in Ask an Editor, Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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Andy Narwhal, Comics, Graphic Novels, script writing, writing tips

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Hi Andy – I enjoy graphic novels and want to write one but don’t know how to make the jump. (I write YA.) Any suggestions? I’m not an illustrator.

—Will, Los Angeles

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The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – Episode 3

17 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

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authors, editing, middle grade, publishing, reality TV, TV writing, Twist My Charm, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Toni with the Fiji crew – field producing Under One Roof

Welcome back to our third and final “episode”! In my earlier articles, I shared how the wild and wonderful world of reality TV can help authors improve their stories, but now it’s time to face two of the toughest challenges of all: editing, and accepting notes.

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The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – Episode 2

20 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Andy Cohen, cliffhangers, dialogue, middle grade, plotting, reality TV, SCBWI members, scenes, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Andy Cohen with Toni’s Book!

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes can’t turn off a reality show? Sure, they have colorful cast members and outrageous premises, but producers need to craft every episode, scene by scene, to hold a viewer’s interest. So what does it really take to create scenes that satisfy?

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Comedy Writing Tips for Authors from a Stand Up Comedian and Animation Screenwriter

06 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

authors, character development, comedy, humor, improv, plot, SCBWI members, stakes, writing tips

by Jorjeana Marie

I sat next to a somewhat distracted woman on an airplane recently. As she was settling, she asked me why I too was headed into the desert. 

For comedy. 

“In the desert?” 

Yeah. Everyone needs to laugh right now. 

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The ‘Reality’ of Writing: How Reality TV Can Improve Your Books – For Real!

15 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by Jessica Chrysler in Author's Perspective, PAL, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

editing, kidlit, plot, reality TV, SCBWI members, structure, writing tips

by Toni Gallagher

Reality TV might be a guilty pleasure for many, but believe it or not, there are storytelling secrets in those wild, dramatic, and silly shows that can truly improve your writing. How do I know? 

Well, I had two middle grade novels published by Random House while I worked as an Executive Producer on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! And after working for almost 30 (gulp) years in the business, I have seen how the rules of reality TV can punch up a story in need. Hopefully, the things I’ve learned can help you too.

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