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Melanie Skelton: January 2013

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013. There are no original ideas. If there are no new ideas then why are we all still trying to write something original? And why do people keep reading? What’s fascinating is to see what Scott Savage has done with this idea. It’s very different than what I’m writing. Even though it’s the same idea, it’s a different angle. A different character. A different world. We write something original. Links to this post. Subscribe to: Posts (Atom). Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers.

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Melanie Skelton: Avoided Moments

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Years ago I heard Richard Peck say, “You learn the most from the experience you would have avoided if you could.” In the same keynote address I also heard him say, “You are only as good as your opening line”. Although the second quote is one of my favorite, that will have to be a discussion for another post. What would you have done to avoid it if we had known it was coming? Who would you be now, if that experience had not existed in your life? Transferring these emotions does ...

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Melanie Skelton: Author Interviews: J. Scott Savage, A.E. Cannon and Carol Lynch Williams

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Author Interviews: J. Scott Savage, A.E. Cannon and Carol Lynch Williams. The blog for Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers has posted interviews with J. Scott Savage. And Carol Lynch Williams. Next Tuesday's interview will be Ammi-Joan Paquette. I love reading through these interviews and learning little tidbit like the fact that Ann started writing as a child because she got sick and Scott started writing because he couldn't sleep. Labels: A.E. Cannon. I Take the Pen.

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Melanie Skelton: April 2012

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Monday, April 23, 2012. When I realized Ann Dee is teaching the Boot Camp class at the WIFYR conference this year, it made sense. Even though our class wasn't labeled "Boot Camp" it was kind of like that. There is only one spot left though, so if you are interested in an experience like this you'll have to jump fast. It won't last long. Http:/ www.wifyr.com/. Labels: Ann Dee Ellis. Drawing out the Dragons. Subscribe to: Posts (Atom). Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. I Take the Pen.

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Melanie Skelton: October 2012

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Years ago I heard Richard Peck say, “You learn the most from the experience you would have avoided if you could.” In the same keynote address I also heard him say, “You are only as good as your opening line”. Although the second quote is one of my favorite, that will have to be a discussion for another post. What would you have done to avoid it if we had known it was coming? Who would you be now, if that experience had not existed in your life? Transferring these emotions does ...

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Melanie Skelton: September 2011

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Friday, September 23, 2011. Writing to the Middle. I love it when I have an opportunity to teach writing at the school where my children attend. Last year I had the opportunity to work with the 6th graders and we did a project where they each brainstormed and wrote their own story. It was great to see how they each came up with unique ideas and developed them into stories. Look at the top again. What happens right after the thing you wrote down? Just jot an idea of what you think is going to happen.

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Melanie Skelton: February 2013

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Family life is important. It can be a challenge to keep your family strong, write a book and keep all the other balls in the air that add to the juggling act. I’ve heard many successful writers say that their greatest accomplishment is their family. How does a writer keep it all in perspective and prioritize effectively? Scheduling your time helps a lot. But as the mother of six children I've found a few other tricks that can help too. Links to this post. I Take the Pen.

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Melanie Skelton: January 2012

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012. I'm trying to develop interesting characters. Is it happening in the story I'm working on? I hope so. Because I've been focused on this I checked an entire stack of books out of the library about bringing characters to life and so forth. There has to be something interesting in one of them. Right? I realized something while walking one day. Years ago I read. We have quiet peacemakers, to flamboyant performers to children who can't stand it when they are not in control. Let me...

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Melanie Skelton: August 2012

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Details that bring a novel to life can be tricky to write when you aren’t sure of the setting. Sometimes we as writers may know the general setting, but are still fuzzy on the bits and pieces; the heavy oak door that takes a child’s two hands to push it open because it is so heavy or the slimy moss that gets stuck between the characters toes when they wade into the pond. I recently read Matthew J. Kirby’s. How do you create those kinds of details? Subscribe to: Posts (Atom).

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Melanie Skelton: January 2014

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014. It doesn't take a perspective altering experience to find much to to be grateful for. I'm grateful for a place to call home, the novel I just finished and submitted to an agent, my legs, seasons so I can look forward to spring and rest a little in the winter. And so much more. What are you grateful for? Links to this post. Subscribe to: Posts (Atom). Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. I Take the Pen. Awesome Inc. template. Powered by Blogger.