By Vivian Kirkfield Everyone has their own way of doing things, right? Like milk and cookies. Some people dunk their cookies in the milk. And others like to keep their cookies dry and crunchy. Writing picture books is a bit like that. Some people have a strict routine. Others write when the muse calls. Some start with an outline. Others just write. You know…plotters or pantsers. When I first started writing picture books in 2012, I had no idea what that meant. I figured out plotters pretty quickly…people who plot…who plan the story they are going to write before they start writing. And then I looked up pantsers and discovered they are people who don’t plan…they write by the seat of their pants, so to speak. And their story unfolds as they go along. I guess I am a combination of both. I’m more of a plotter when I am writing nonfiction picture book stories because there is so much research and the research itself usually leads me to exactly what the story will be about. When I write fiction pbs, there is a lot more leeway. I can add fictitious events. Change the setting. Or get rid of the main character and substitute someone else which is definitely not something that can be done when you are writing about a real person. 😊 But since I write quite a lot of nonfiction picture book biographies, I thought I’d share a bird’s eye view of the process I use.
And of course, a discussion about story ideas would not be complete without mentioning Tara Lazar’s Storystorm. This month-long kidlit challenge takes place in January and has been helping writers for many years. I’ve participated since 2012…and I treasure each year’s notebook that is filled with story ideas. Many of those ideas became picture book drafts and some turned into polished manuscripts. And now, amazingly, several will be real live books. Pippa’s Passover Plate (Holiday House, Feb 12, 2019) and Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book (Pomegranate, March 1, 2019)
It's 1955. Marilyn Monroe hopes to prove herself a great actress. Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald hopes to perform at Hollywood's top club. Both women discover those goals are possible, when friends stand beside you and, when necessary, make their voices heard.
So, there you have it. The seven steps I take as I write each one of my manuscripts. And just like a good chef adds something special to her signature dish, I add a large dollop of passion, patience, and perseverance…and I think that has made all the difference. Vivian Kirkfield is a reader forever and a writer for children. A former NYC kindergarten teacher, Vivian loves bringing history alive for young readers. Repped by the incredible Essie White, encouraged by an insane number of critique partners, and loved for the past 50 years by the same man, she writes every day ,dances every night, and smiles all the time. You can find her at her Picture Books Help Kids Soar website: www.viviankirkfield.com or connect with her on Twiiter @viviankirkfield or on Facebook. Vivian has three picture books debuting in 2019:
21 Comments
Liz
10/10/2018 02:12:05 am
Awesome article!!!! Thank you!!
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Carmela McCain Simmons
10/10/2018 03:13:18 am
Vivian, your post whets our appetites with cookies and milk, but fills us up with something much more substantial, an overview of your writing process. So insightful and helpful to me. Thank you for shining your light.
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10/13/2018 09:36:46 pm
Dear Carmella...so glad you enjoyed snacking on some of my tips. I'd love to join you for milk and cookies one day! 10/13/2018 09:34:33 pm
Hello Liz...thank you so much...I'm glad you enjoyed the post! It's always helpful to see how others do it...sometimes there is a snippet that we can incorporate into our own journey.
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Sheila renfro
10/10/2018 03:46:58 am
What wonderful insights and tips for an aspiring pub bio writer. Thank you.
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10/13/2018 09:38:03 pm
YES! That is so good to hear, Sheila...I'm always happy to share my process in hopes it will help someone else with theirs.
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10/10/2018 04:59:49 am
This is wonderful, Vivian! All your hard (but pleasing) work has payed off. 2019 is going to be a stellar year- and I can’t wait to get your books. So happy for you!
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10/13/2018 09:39:46 pm
Considering that you are one of my role models, Iza, your comments are all the more 'pleasing' to me. Thank you so much...and I can't wait to be signing books and placing them in the hands of eager readers!
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10/10/2018 05:08:31 am
GREAT insight, Vivian! Thank you! Here's a topic for next time: How do you know if an idea is book-worthy? How can you tell if it's going to be worth the research time and trouble or if you should just tell the idea that it's not enough? Thanks, Vivian. This article is a keeper!
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10/10/2018 11:15:11 am
What a lovely comment, Jane...and what a great question...that would definitely make a super post! I so appreciate your support, dear friend.
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10/10/2018 07:47:00 am
Wow, lots of great info and advice here! Thanks, Vivian! :)
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Doreen Robinson
10/10/2018 02:03:57 pm
I really learned so much about your process Vivian - thank you for sharing! And it's obviously a process that works - congratulations on all your upcoming titles!
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10/13/2018 09:42:03 pm
Hurray for tips that will help, Doreen. This process has definitely worked for me...and with the addition of perseverance, patience, and passion...I think they will work for everyone..
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10/11/2018 07:09:06 am
Great post, Vivian. Thanks for your insight. Your talent and perseverance has really paid off.
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10/19/2018 09:24:00 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head, Janet. Perseverance is definitely one of the most important elements in success in this business...we have to just keep chugging along...and eventually, we get a golden ticket to ride the book deal train. ;)
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Angie Quantrell
10/14/2018 09:45:27 am
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing with us!
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10/19/2018 09:24:56 pm
And thank you for stopping by and reading it, Angie...I love sharing what worked for me in hopes it will work for evereyone else. ;)
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10/15/2018 04:47:14 am
I can always count on you to inspire me, Vivian! I’ll print this post and keep it near for when I finally decide to tackle that NF idea that has been following me. Can’t wait to read your books in 2019!
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10/19/2018 09:27:06 pm
Honestly, Joana...I should print it out also so I don't forget those steps because sometimes, when we are not having success, we think we should reinvent the wheel...but I need to remember to just keep the wheels turning and the stories will get written and polished. And thank you...I'm excited for next year also!
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Kim Chaffee
10/19/2018 07:45:54 am
Such a wealth of knowledge, Vivian! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
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10/19/2018 09:28:05 pm
Of course, Kim. I hope my action plan will help others. ;)
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