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Craft Masters

Post your discussions, articles and questions about craft here. Of course, they should always relate to YA. Group Coordinator: Nikki Katz

Members: 139
Latest Activity: 10 hours ago

Discussion Forum

How important is that first chapter?

Started by christine danek 10 hours ago. 0 Replies

Hi everyone!Here's a great post about how important the first chapter is.Is your chapter making a promise to your readers? What you need to include to make the reader want to turn the page. Check it…Continue

What literary agents say about what not to do in your beginning.

Started by christine danek on Thursday. 0 Replies

Hi everyone! Here's a great link to what literary agents think about first chapters and what not to do.…Continue

Hooking readers

Started by christine danek Jun 11. 0 Replies

Good morning everyone! Here's a great link on hooking your reader in the first chapter.Hooking Readers With The First Chapter Of A Teen Novel, by Beth Revisby Steve Rossiter…Continue

First chapter advice

Started by christine danek Jun 6. 0 Replies

Hi everyone! Here's a helpful link on what you should think about including in your first chapter.From the website: Flogging the Quill by Ray Rhamey. It is a guest post written by Tracy Marchini.5…Continue

Comment Wall

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Comment by Laura Weller on December 10, 2012 at 12:55pm

Last weekend, at a writer's workshop, my current epiphany (they are frequent, I love them) was how I can complicate stories. As editors tell me, "there's too much going on".

Am I the only one? Anyone else out there complicating fictional life? THIS is why I am challenged by query letters and writing a synopsys. Okay then, once back in my office I stripped the clutter from my current YA. I pruned gently to find the shape under the mass of leaves. I defined the main plot lines -- clear cut, simple -- and eliminated the other than. And it released the water to the villagers below.

Okay then. I stopped by because craft is the bomb. Don't see too many recent posts. Thought I'd start a little weensy trouble. Anybody here? 


Staff
Comment by C. Lee McKenzie on September 28, 2012 at 2:45pm

I've been seeing some YA manuscripts that have word counts in the 100,000+ word count and I've commented, suggesting the writer cut that word count. Here's something to back up my suggestion

http://deareditor.com/2012/09/28/re-when-is-too-many-words-too-many...

Comment by Eliza Tilton on August 9, 2012 at 9:21pm

I'm writing my current WIP inpresent tense which is so weird...but the story calls for it. Anyone know of YA books written in present tense?

Comment by Karen Scott on July 30, 2012 at 8:46am

Interviewed award-winning YA writer Brent Hartinger. Lots of craft discussion included! Stop by and leave a comment to win one of his published novels! http://ning.it/Q4e3jb"

Comment by Karen Scott on July 11, 2012 at 2:47pm

Ever have trouble with writing convincing dialogue? Blogged today about learning from a not-so-successful novelist. If you stop by, comment and I'll enter you to win a free copy of Seize the Story by Victoria Hanley! http://carpekeyboard.blogspot.com/2012/07/dialogue-albatross.html

Comment by Nikki Katz on April 24, 2012 at 3:23pm

Nicole, I think it depends on the POV of the prologue. I usually do prologues from a different character, in which case I think 3rd person is fine!


Staff
Comment by Nicōle Olea on April 21, 2012 at 11:52pm

Question: How do you all feel about, writing a prologue in third person, when the rest of the novel is written in first?

Comment by Nikki Katz on March 24, 2012 at 8:07pm

Hi everyone! I'm going to put together a thread on "Romance" and was hoping you'd share your favorite tips or resources for adding romance to your YA novel. 

Whether it's tips for writing a kissing scene, or how to up the tension in romance, or keeping the romance alive in a series - whatever it is, send it my way!


Staff
Comment by Georgia McBride on March 16, 2012 at 10:31am

Thanks, Cassie. I'll be giving away some YALITCHAT bookmarks in a few weeks. Yay.

Thanks for posting the article on story structure, Ezzy.

Check out this guest blog post on putting the science in science fiction: http://georgiamcbridebooks.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/putting-the-sci...

Comment by Cassie Deaton on February 19, 2012 at 8:13pm

Just posted about some actual crafty crafts...Bookmarks! Learn how to make some cute bookmarks

http://shadowkissedcassie.blogspot.com/2012/02/amazing-bookmark-fin...

 
 
 

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