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SCBWI TAKEAWAYS

carolbaldwin

I’m taking a break from my giveaway series, but will be back soon with more great books for you to win. Meanwhile, for my friends who are writers who weren’t able to come to the SCBWI Carolinas conference, here are a few conference highlights. For my blog followers who might wonder why writers spend time and money attending writing conferences, read on!  


My favorite part of the conference was a writing intensive with Helen Hemphill, director of the Whole Novel Workshop at Highlights. Here are a few pointers:

  • Use scenes for each new setting and every important event.
  • All scenes should bring the story forward. “Good scenes create dilemmas
    and tension, and leave questions unanswered.”
  • Don’t use too much backstory. “Only tell the reader what he needs
    to know at that moment and to understand the bigger story. Nothing else.”
  • Follow the RUE rule: Resist the Urge to Explain. 

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I jotted down several pet peeves from the agent’s panel featuring Sarah LaPolla, Jennifer Rofe‘, and Liza Pulitzer Voges:

  • A writer not educating herself about the books the agent represents or wants.
  • “Dear Agent” queries.
  • Writers who try to educate agents about the market or the importance of books. 

And one tip for picture book writers: Agents like illustrator/author combinations.

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During the “First Pages” session, one of the panelists, Molly O’ Neill, editor at Katherine Tegen Books said:

  • Don’t start with a character who is a loser.
  • Avoid too much choreography (the character went here, did that).
  • DO NOT include art notes in picture books. The words should make the reader see what is happening.
  • Trust your writing.
  • Put a balance of emotion and action on your first page.
  • Use relevant details.
  • Don’t let lovely language get in the way of the story.

I spoke with Molly briefly about my book and the market for historical fiction. Her advice: “Write a book that will resonate with modern readers.”

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Anna Olswanger, an agent with critiqued 20 pages of my manuscript Half-Truths. From this I gained: 

  • Don’t dump information into the dialogue.
  • Pump up Kate. Lillie is nice and feisty; Kate is flat. 
  • Perhaps move the time period up (from1950) to closer to the civil rights movement. 
  • She thought it was marketable because it takes “place at the early beginning of a pivotal time in history.” HOORAY! That’s what I’ve been shooting for!
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And last, but certainly not least, I enjoyed re-connecting with Earl Davis, a long-time supporter and ex-Regional Advisor of SCBWI-Carolinas. It was a pleasure to see him again.


Published by carolbaldwin

Carol enjoys teaching writing and has presented at many educators' and writing conferences. She has published widely in newspapers and magazines and along with Rebecca Wheeler, co-publishes Talking Story, a newsletter for educators and media specialists. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you’ll find her walking with friends, golfing, or gardening.

36 thoughts on “SCBWI TAKEAWAYS”

  6. Thank you for your generosity in sharing tidbits from the SCBWI conference. They are of value to all of us. Good luck with your historical fiction.

    Reply

  9. Thanks friends, for leaving all of these comments!! It is fun to get feedback from cyberspace. And yes, Clara, I was excited that someone in the publishing world got what I was trying to accomplish with my WIP!

    Reply

  10. Wonderful Carol, Thank you for taking the time to give us such an organized list. Loved hearing about your manuscript in progress.Kit Grady

    Reply

  12. Carol, what a wonderful critique … I agree with Molly's comment about making HF relevant. It's impossible to be in two places at once, so I appreciate your notes. I've posted some tidbits as well on my blog.

    Reply

  14. I love the info. on pic books, Carol! I will store those in my notebook. Still sad I missed it, but after reading your blog I feel like I was there too :)

    Reply

  17. Dear Carol,I enjoyed seeing you at the conference. Sorry we didn't get time to chat. Thanks for asking how my presentation went. You are a good friend. I really enjoyed the gathering at your home for Joyce. That was fun.I'm glad you got good feedback on your novel…Hurray! I can't wait to see it in print.Never Give UpJoan Y. Edwards

    Reply

  24. Thank you for your generosity in sharing tidbits from the SCBWI conference. They are of value to all of us. Good luck with your historical fiction.

    Reply

  27. Thanks friends, for leaving all of these comments!! It is fun to get feedback from cyberspace. And yes, Clara, I was excited that someone in the publishing world got what I was trying to accomplish with my WIP!

    Reply

  28. Wonderful Carol, Thank you for taking the time to give us such an organized list. Loved hearing about your manuscript in progress.Kit Grady

    Reply

  30. Carol, what a wonderful critique … I agree with Molly's comment about making HF relevant. It's impossible to be in two places at once, so I appreciate your notes. I've posted some tidbits as well on my blog.

    Reply

  32. I love the info. on pic books, Carol! I will store those in my notebook. Still sad I missed it, but after reading your blog I feel like I was there too :)

    Reply

  35. Dear Carol,I enjoyed seeing you at the conference. Sorry we didn't get time to chat. Thanks for asking how my presentation went. You are a good friend. I really enjoyed the gathering at your home for Joyce. That was fun.I'm glad you got good feedback on your novel…Hurray! I can't wait to see it in print.Never Give UpJoan Y. Edwards

    Reply

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