Our June 2016 CWHV Conference, held at the Hampton Inn
& Suites, was a wonderful success with knowledgeable and friendly
presenters and a full house of excited writers.
Sylvie Frank, Editor, Paula Wiseman Books, started the morning with our first picture book session. Attendees learned about “cubing.” Describe the topic, compare it, associate it, analyze it, apply it, and argue for or against it. The writing exercise involved using “cubing.” Remember your stories need conflict and tension, for example, in LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, the mother says, “Don’t stray from the path,” that line gives the story tension.
Our good news: Tracy Marchini, a freelance editor, co-founder of CWHV, a former committee member and critiquer for our June conferences has recently signed with BookEnds Literary Agency http://bookendsliterary.com/ as a literary agent. Tracy is passionate about books, publishing and has already signed her first client! Congrats! She is actively seeking submissions.
Thanks to our presenters, Merritt Books, Panera, the CWHV committee and our enthusiastic attendees for another successful conference.
"This was my first year at the conference, and I LOVED it! I think both the picture book sessions were helpful, well-organized, and inspiring. Both editors were knowledgeable, approachable, and energetic. Loved them!" Jamie Rabideau, 2016 attendee.
Fantastic, real-writer-process talk by Gail Carson Levine. Loved her energy and her honest struggles with what it takes to get a novel into publishable shape, which we can all relate to, of course." Alison Formento, 2016 attendee.
Sylvie Frank, Editor, Paula Wiseman Books, started the morning with our first picture book session. Attendees learned about “cubing.” Describe the topic, compare it, associate it, analyze it, apply it, and argue for or against it. The writing exercise involved using “cubing.” Remember your stories need conflict and tension, for example, in LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, the mother says, “Don’t stray from the path,” that line gives the story tension.
Kelsey Horton, Assistant Editor, HarperCollins
Publishers, ran a novel session. The opening topic was how a book makes you
feel emotionally, using a sports reference, we have: pregame, start of the
game, close game, bottom of the ninth, win or lose. The reader is on an
emotional roller coaster. The structure of a novel starts with stasis, then the
trigger, the quest with obstacles, a surprise, a critical choice, the climax,
reversal and closure. The writing exercise was writing an elevator pitch.
After a delicious Panera’s lunch, we had free time to
network with conference friends and faculty and visit the bookstore, courtesy
of Merritt Books.
Emma Ledbetter, Editor, Atheneum Books for Young
Readers led the second picture book session. She used I DON’T LIKE KOALA by
Sean Ferrell to explain pacing a picture book and the placement of art and text.
Paper, tape and scissors were passed out and attendees made a book dummy using
their own manuscripts.
Matt Ringler, Senior Editor, Scholastic, hosted the afternoon
novel session on character development. One exercise involved making a postcard
bio. List name, occupation, birthplace, job title or position, wants, likes,
challenges, obstacles, and a defining moment for your character. After creating
two different characters, the writing exercise was to put them in the same
scene. Stand out line: A memorable
character is there when you need him, right time, right place.
Our closing speaker was Gail Carson Levine, a novelist
and a Newbery Honor award winner. Gail describes herself as a “pantzer.” She
keeps files of ideas, notes and cut material from manuscripts; doesn’t use outlines
and uses fairy tales to help her write. She prefers to end her chapters with
her characters reacting to the cliff hanger. For character development, she
starts with an idea of what kind of character could (blank) or couldn’t (blank)
to further her plot.
Thanks to our presenters, Merritt Books, Panera, the CWHV committee and our enthusiastic attendees for another successful conference.
"This was my first year at the conference, and I LOVED it! I think both the picture book sessions were helpful, well-organized, and inspiring. Both editors were knowledgeable, approachable, and energetic. Loved them!" Jamie Rabideau, 2016 attendee.
"Excellent novel workshops with both editors in the Hudson Room. The writing exercises in those workshops helped uncork some writing energy in me that has been seriously lagging lately.
Fantastic, real-writer-process talk by Gail Carson Levine. Loved her energy and her honest struggles with what it takes to get a novel into publishable shape, which we can all relate to, of course." Alison Formento, 2016 attendee.
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| Kelsey Horton |
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| Matt Ringler |
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| Emma Ledbetter |
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| Gail Carson Levine |
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| Sylvie Frank |
