Books on how to edit stories for children

Potluck · Feb 11, 2008

I've been asking in the Novel room for recommendation on books about self editing. I have some goods ones like; Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Line by Line, First Five Pages… I was wondering if there are any books that deal with writing/editing children's books that you guys would recommend?

I'm writing for my kids that are 8 and 10. I put them in the story and age them a little so that by the time I'm done with the story they're at the same age.

I've been using the Beverly Cleary books as a reference for style. I would like to find some editing books that deal with the 10 -13 year old age group.

Can anyone suggest some good reference books on par with Self-Editing for Fiction Writers?.

MsJudy · Feb 11, 2008

Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb
Writing Books for Children by Jane Yolen (out of date in many ways, but still good advice on what makes a good story)
Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market by Writer's Digest Books (updated yearly)

As far as using the Beverly Cleary books for style--those are delightful classics, but please realize that tastes change over time and there have been many, many wonderful books written since then. Paula Danziger, Barbara Park, Cynthia Rylant and Megan MacDonald are just a few authors you should read.

Potluck · Feb 11, 2008

Thanks I'll check them out.

I realize that Cleary probably isn't a good one for style because it was done awhile ago but I like the fact the stories (in the Henry Huggins books) are about ordinary kids in everyday life. My kids like the stories because they can relate to them. I guess I'm looking at more of how she sets up the problems and solutions in the books.

MsJudy · Feb 11, 2008

that's why I recommended the authors that I did. they all focus on realistic, comfortable situations, often very funny. They're the heirs to the Cleary tradition!

Potluck · Feb 12, 2008

Great! I'll take a look at them.

Potluck · Feb 15, 2008

Ok, I just ordered "Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine" and "The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb".

Does anyone have any others I should look at?

MsJudy · Feb 17, 2008

Here are some others that aren't specific to kid's lit, but are very, very useful.

Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham. I know a lot of adult literary novelists find his formula rather appallingly simple, and they're probably right. But when you have only about 10,000 words to tell your story, you'd better really, really understand how to structure a straight-forward plot with no wasted words. So far, this is the most helpful book I've found for this.

Writing the Break-out Novel by Donald Maass. I'm reading it right now. And I can really see how most of the recent Newberry winners have all or most of the qualities he's talking about: richly detailed sense of place, larger-than-life characters, distinctive cast of supporting characters, tension on every page, high stakes and strong emotion.

Potluck · Feb 17, 2008

Ok, these books on writing are great but now I have a new question, how do you know when to stop editing? I'm working on a small book for my kid that’s about 30,000 words. Every time I read a book on improving my writing I go back through the story chapters to cut and reshape. The story is becoming harder and harder to revise because I’ve seen it too much. I would like to move on to a new story but I have a gut need to finish this one. If I stop working on this one and move on to a new book that will make three books that are unfinished.

One solution is to hand the book to a few beta readers and let them comment on it. But I really don’t want to be embarrassed by my lack a writing skills. Should I drop it and move on or just grind through it?

MsJudy · Feb 17, 2008

Oy, that is such a good question. I would say, if you have a new story ready to work on, then do it. Set this one aside, ignore it for a while, come back to it when you're ready. Once you have the next one well and truly started, and you feel excited about it, then you can let betas read the first one and give you feedback. It'll be easier to take criticism if it doesn't feel like this is your one and only book.

Don't think of it as leaving it unfinished. Think of it as a fine wine that needs to ferment in the dark for a while. (Or a crock of kim chee, if you like that metaphor better!)

Eldritch · Feb 22, 2008

Potluck said:
The story is becoming harder and harder to revise because I’ve seen it too much.

You really need to read Stephen King's On Writing. He recommends that you put your story away for six weeks. When you take it out again, you will see it with fresh eyes. He offers a lot of wonderful writing advice in this book.

cynthea · Feb 23, 2008

I wouldn't be afraid to let others read it and comment. It certainly helps me step away from myself! Putting it aside also helps. Just keep in mind when you solicit feedback, you're looking for comments that ring true to you. It's easy to get caught up in everyone's differing opinions. But if you hear the same thing over and over again, you probably have got yourself an issue you'll want to address. Anyway, I have a series of revision articles in my book WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE that specifically addresses issues I see that come up often in children's book manuscripts. You might find it useful.
You can also peruse the articles online if you don't mind reading it on your computer.

(BTW, I, too, am a fan of self-editing for fiction writers!)

Cynthea
WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE
PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, Summer '09 (Putnam)
THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA, Spring '09 (Puffin)
visit http://www.cynthealiu.com and sign up for my free-tique list!