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The second day of the forum on children’s literature was just as good as the first. I think this writeup will be a little more abbreviated than the last one, however, since I’m short on time (which is why it’s taken me this long to get to it :)).

Keynote: Robert Neubecker, “Working With Your Inner Monster”

Robert talked about his career in editorial illustration and picture books, showing slides throughout (I like his work — it’s got an organic rough feel to it), and the two things he said that stuck with me were, “Leave your ego at home” and “Technique is style.”

Abby Ranger, “Picture Book Gemology”

Abby talked about what makes for good picture books and what editors are looking for, using a gem metaphor:

• Precise cut: it needs to look effortless
• Clarity: be able to express your picture book story in a single sentence
• Singularity: don’t rehash the same old picture book clichés unless you have a truly original take
• Eye candy: picture book manuscripts are like screenplays
• Good finish: satisfying ending with unexpected punch/surprise

Picture books haven’t really been on my horizon lately, mainly since I rarely read them, but I think it’s something I’d eventually like to get into. (Especially because it’s a dramatic art, like she said — visual writing.)

Alison Randall, “Stranger than Fiction: Finding Inspiration in True Stories”

Alison shared several cool stories from her family history or from her neighbors that she was able to work into picture books or other stories. (It was mainly on how to fictionalize something that actually happened.)

Luncheon: Brad Wilcox, “Color Your World With Books”

Both illiteracy and aliteracy (being able to read but not reading) are problems, Brad said, and I mainly liked his talk because it reminded me how important reading is and how much I love books. (I didn’t take notes, so I don’t have much more than that. The food was good, though. :))

Shannon Hale, “But How Do You Write with Kids? I Don’t. I Use a Computer; or Seizing the Courage to be a Writer Mama”

Granted, this was mainly aimed at writing mothers, but since (a) it was Shannon Hale and (b) I’m going to have a wife someday and (c) as a writing father, I figured much of it would still apply to me, I went. And loved it.

Right off the bat, Shannon said, “I’m a mother first and a writer second.” That’s important. (She also said that, ironically, fiction writers are some of the most honest people she knows. I agree.)

Here’s the list of myths about writing/mothering she gave us:

• Myth: Being a mother should be enough to fulfill me.
• Myth: Pursuing my own interests is selfish.
• Myth: A mother’s brain is so fried, I don’t have any mind left to write.
• Myth: If I wait a few years, I’ll have lots of time to write.
• Myth: I don’t have time to write every day.
• Myth: I need an MFA in Creative Writing to become a writer.
• Myth: The goal is to write a book good enough to get published.
• Myth: Writing is my thing — I shouldn’t bother my husband.
• Myth: Being a writer is so life-consuming, I can’t balance that and motherhood.

She hires a nanny for eleven hours a week now to help with the time issue, and she also said that she rarely watches TV now and that if you want more time, check your email only once a day and limit yourself to 5–10 minutes on it. (I’ve got a blog post that’s been in the works for a month on that very issue.)

Closing Session: Abby Ranger

In her last talk, Abby basically went over what she’s looking for as an editor, which was helpful.

• A captivating narrative voice that won’t let you go
• A main character who’s compelling and who we care about
• Command of craft (pacing, plotting, sensitivity to language and detail)
• A premise or subject she hasn’t seen before, or a familiar one approached in an entirely new way
• A clear and broad audience for this subject and this approach
• Story/plot/journey (she notes that she can help massage a plot into shape, but she can’t help create a narrative voice that isn’t there)

Overall thoughts

I loved it! This was my first children’s lit conference and first writers’ conference in a long, long time, and I’m wondering now why I waited so long. I’ll definitely be returning next year. And like I said in my last post, I’m also very excited for the two BYU conferences this summer (and also the Provo Children’s Book Festival in May). Mmm, children’s lit is fun. :)