Favorite Picture Book Writer Resources

-
As a musician, the rhythm part of rhyming picture books seemed easy to me. But in reality, picture book rhythm has it's unique intricacies that took me a while to learn (and I'm still learning!!).

Some of what I've learned has been through trial and error, and through reading other's works. I also follow picture book writers on Twitter and they share tips and tricks. But some resources have been especially helpful, and I want to share those with you!

Josh Funk Books

 Josh Funk is a fun author with an amazing website. If you are a beginning picture book writer, start with his site (I did)! He leads you through, step by step, of how to write any picture book. And he'll tell you not to rhyme!!! Seriously, though, writing a picture book in rhyme is not for the faint of heart. It is hard to do well. Many agents and editors will shy away from manuscripts in rhyme because they've seen so many that weren't ready yet. (I won't say they were bad. I think a lot of good books come from *ahem* less good drafts.)
Check out Josh's site here: www.joshfunkbooks.com
Be sure to go to the "Resources for Writers" page: www.joshfunkbooks.com/resources-for-writers

Rhyme Weaver

 Rhymer Weaver is a great resource for figuring out rhyme and rhythm/meter for picture books. It has explanations and examples of many nitty gritty bits you need to know about writing in rhyme! When my critique partners are having trouble with meter, I send them to this site!
Check out the site here: www.writingrhymeandmeter.com

KidLit411

Honestly, I need to visit this website more. There are so many links to fabulous resources! But the thing I really love about KidLit411 is their facebook groups. The discussion group is the best place to ask questions and share information about kid's literature of all levels, including picture books. The manuscript swap group is the best place I've used to find critique swaps. Most of my regular critique partners started as swaps from this group!
Visit the main site here: www.kidlit411.com
Make sure to check out the Facebook discussion group here:
www.facebook.com/groups/KIDLIT411
And the manuscript swap group here:
www.facebook.com/groups/KIDLIT411MSswap

There are many more out there and I'm still discovering more greats! What are your favorite resources?

Comments

Post a Comment

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

Popular posts from this blog

Spring Fling Contest Entry: Maple Waits

-
Image
This is my first time entering the Spring Fling Kidlit contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal. The challenge is to write a story for kids in 150 words or less with a spring gif as inpiration. I hope you enjoy! Gif from Giphy:  https://gph.is/1a9egi0 Maple Waits (43 words) Pear tree pops with white, Cherry boasts pink, But Maple waits. Daffodils smile yellow. Crocuses peek purple. Maple sits brown and bare. Buds form slowly. Seeds burst green.               Just a little longer . . . Wind gusts. Helicopters take flight!         Whirling,                         twirling,                                           tumbling  to  the  ground.
Read more

#PBCritiqueFest Changed My Life

-
Image
I got serious about writing picture books during the summer of 2019. After a few years of struggling to write novels, I was excited to find a genre that felt within my grasp. But it wasn't that easy. I applied for the #PBChat mentorship but wasn't selected. I entered #FallWritingFrenzy and #Halloweensie but didn't win. I sent out queries but received rejections. I was down about my writing. Maybe this kidlit thing wasn't for me.  I heard about  #PBCritiqueFest , a contest hosted by Briah Gehrlein on his blog pbspotlight.com . Finally, a random drawing. Something that I could actually win without having to prove I was good enough. Finally, a contest that could benefit writers who were still early in their writing journey. I went all out with the extra entries. I was determined. And I won! I was matched with Rebecca Gomez for my critique. When I got my story back, there was "red ink" all over it. I have to admit, I was pretty crushed. I cried. I put the story in
Read more

Fall Frenzy Contest Entry: Ever Green

-
Image
In the spring, I wrote a story for the Spring Fling writing contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal. It featured the maple tree and how it feels left out when all the other trees and flowers show off their colors. When the Fall Frenzy contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis was announced, I looked through inspiration photos , and there was Maple in all its blazing glory, leaving Pine to be ignored. This was the inspiration for my contest entry. Enjoy! Ever Green by Larissa Elliott  65 words     Air turns cooler. The first leaf turns. Pine looks on.   A rainbow of apples. Pumpkins of every color. But Pine is ever green.   Oak glows yellow. Maple blazes in glory. Pine remains unchanged.   Leaves shower down. Piles become a playground. Pine’s boughs sag.   Brown leaves crunch. Maple shivers bare. Pine holds on.   Flakes float from the sky. Squirrel nestles in. Pine stands tall, forever  and ever  green.
Read more