The main thrust of this session was that we should keep those picture book texts sparse. This was another interactive session to which attendees brought the first pages of their picture book manuscripts. We sat in a circle and passed the manuscripts around, reading and crossing out unnecessary words. It was fun to read the pieces each person brought. The big take-away from this session is that we should avoid putting into words those things that can be conveyed in the illustrations, and that we should look for language to cut, from dialogue, transitions, and scenes that don't connect to the heart of the story.
This was one of the best things I have done at SCWBI.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!