Fanatic Friday: Spinning with Advice

Don't ever duplicate Mad Hatter Syndrome in your writing unless you intend to confuse your audience or create an unusual character. Did he ever make any sense either way? DO emanate the power and endurance of the Energizer Bunny--you are going to need it. Always, ALWAYS be ever so curious--go beyond imagination-- seek out the surreal, then simplify it--condense.


"There is profundity in simplicity." --Burt Stout


The above is my own advice for writing. While browsing the web I came across several others. To read them all click here  and read the comments section, maybe even put in your two cents and get a chance to win  a copy of The Forrest for the Trees. 


These are a few of my favorites from the comments section:

"Know when to STOP editing."

 "Edit yourself ruthlessly."

"Select a topic. Prepare the facts. Establish a structure.Eliminate distractions (hardest!!) Dash to the finish."

"Good, better, best- Never let it rest 'Til your good gets better and Your better gets best!"---WandaV

"Come in two scenes late and leave them early."

"Imagine the possibilities."

‎"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass..." ~ Anton Chekhov

"Start your story where the action is."

"The other 'best' writing advice I've ever received came from several sources before it finally sank in a couple years ago, and is specific to my own writing weakness, TMI (Too Much Information, given too soon). 'Does the reader _really_ need to know this _now_, or can it wait?' That's the most helpful question I can ask myself during the editing process.--"Lori Benton

‎"A professional is just an amateur who didn't quit." ~Richard Bach

very simple - "have the characters touch one another at some point, or touch something in the world."

"You may be told that you can't write, but never let anyone say that you don't write."

"Do your research. It applies to everything: craft, content, publishing, marketing ... every aspect of being a writer. Do your research."

"Don't force it. Writer's block means something's wrong. Either something's out of character, or you don't know your character(s) or their goals or something well enough to continue."

"Concerning'"resist the urge to explain:'
Don't tell the reader anything -- ANYTHING -- let them figure it out for themselves."

“Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head.”-- Finding Forrester

"BICHOK. Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard."

And here is a great post posted by, MotherReader. She is the organizer for the Cybils Fiction Picture Book category.

Picture Books Aren't in Trouble Just Because NYT Says So

Much can be said about both. What do you think? Personally, I feel we need to educate everyone about picture books--share them whenever we can. We need to voice our concerns about the market--be sure that we get the facts straight. We need to let people know who we are and what we do or things like this NYT article will do it for us. Stand up. Stand out. Have a voice! Be immovable and steadfast in promoting the picture book and children's literature. Thank you to those who do so already. You ARE a priceless commodity.

For more fun, check out (I came across this one while visiting this wonderful blog ) this sound advice full of Tips for Writing Picture Books.

And finally...well I'll have to get back to this one. Ciao. Much ado about nothing was never more fun than now. LOL. Keep guessing. Eventually you'll figure out what I'm up to. Hee hee! IF you can guess, maybe I'll scrounge up a prize.