Kidlitchat Transcript – September 8 (part two)
Please click here to return to part one of the transcript.
| 8:46 pm | heidi_heidi_ho: | @kathleenfoucart I don’t even know what TweetChat is! lol #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | lkblackburne: | @onbeyondwords @egmontgal @thaliachaltas Been rethinking “every scene advance plot” since “The Graveyard Book” won hugo/newbury #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | joycelansky: | @PattyJMurphy Someone (don’t remember who) suggested describing character from head to toe & stating fears to get to know them. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | jodotha: | @AudryT I had a write club buddy write whole interviews for my chars. Fantastic. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | onbeyondwords: | I love the idea that writing comes from words -doing crossword puzzles etc. Maybe Scrabble would be a catalyst for story #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | MyraMcEntire: | @SherriePetersen I guess it works the other side of the brain. Time management games on iPhone work too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | swdillard: | @rillajaggia well sure, no one said it was easy! #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | lights_aurora: | @maggiedana Hence, whiteboard I keep at the far end of my shower, were water doesn’t normally get to. I’m all kinds of prepared. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | Shelltex: | @EgmontGal I can believe more voice without plot is common. It’s one of my problem areas. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | EKokie: | @MyraMcEntire No laughing – I build zoos in Zoo Tycoon. Then mess with the patrons – let lions loose, take away all bathrooms… #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | AudryT: | What age do I most write for? Older teens. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | edithcohn: | @MyraMcEntire RT: Sims video games for freeing up. I like the Pet Society Facebook video game. So brainless it helps me think. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | KarenDuvall: | @EgmontGal I’ve always found the answer to keep tension on the page, every page. Does the trick for me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | rillajaggia: | @bonnieadamson Myst! one of my all time faves! #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @llunalila Sleep definitely helps. Supposedly, your brain is most creative right b4 the initial sleep stage. #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | bonnieadamson: | @llunalila Always have notepad by the bed–I can write in the dark! #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | PeriPam: | @lkblackburne Ah yes but the scenes that didn’t advance plot DID advance character in Graveyard… #kidlitchat |
| 8:46 pm | Shelltex: | It’s easy to fall in love with your characters and forget that other people don’t know them as well and want action from them #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | debbieohi: | @MyraMcEntire You’re an iPhone person? AND you like the Sims. We really have to get to know each other better.  #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | johannaharness: | Voice without plot–I find that fascinating. Like listening to conversations at an airport. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | tabithaolson: | @KateMessner I have multiple projects going too, but I never write two at the same time. I write one, and plan several. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | WriterRoss: | @EKokie What do you mean when you say you “lack trust in the reader”? #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | DDHearn: | @PeriPam Sometimes when I’m alone I’ll have a conversation between two of my characters. Out loud. Is that nuts? #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @joycelansky Love that. The physicality of a character is VERY important. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | thaliachaltas: | @bonnieadamson My 5 yr old now has a pad by her bed, because of Mama’s! #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | EgmontGal: | @Shelltex I suspect more people know how to create a character than shape a story. But some r great plotters and why do we care? #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @bonnieadamson I keep a notepad in almost every room of the house. NO joke. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | MyraMcEntire: | @BonnieAdamson I tried that a long time ago! It was so mysterious! #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | Debberzz: | Monitoring #kidlitchat discussion going on right now. (Looks like all female writers. Are there no male writers for kids on Twitter?) |
| 8:47 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @heidi_heidi_ho It makes it easier to follow the conversations –>http://tweetchat.com/room/kidlitchat #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | EKokie: | @EgmontGal @CREvers I find playing with multiple wips really keeps me freesh, until one takes over. Then until the end hooked. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | PeriPam: | @DDHearn Meg Cabot does the same with barbie dolls… #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | AudryT: | @BonnieAdamson I also write and read in the dark. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | SherriePetersen: | @EgmontGal Do you see one as more important? Jordan Brown kept stressing that character was more important that plot in LA. #kidlitchat |
| 8:47 pm | rillajaggia: | @joycelansky I’ve found it is very useful to interview your characters. Gives them a voice and 3-dimensionality. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | debbieohi: | @johannaharness THANK YOU for introducing me to phase drafting. It’s make plotting/writing much easier for me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | EgmontGal: | @thaliachaltas that’s a really sweet image of your 5 year old #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | merylevans: | Bookworm, Text Twist, Facebook’s Word Challenge. Pushes you to think of words and remind you of forgotten words. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | KarenDuvall: | @EgmontGal Goal, conflict, disaster. The basic scene formula is a classic that works every time, IMO. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | rillajaggia: | @EgmontGal I feel very let down by a plot that draws me in with great promise only to let me down without fulfilling it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | elizaosborn: | Question for all: What makes a satisfying ending? This is my constant battle. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | maggiedana: | @debbieohi If you like word games on your iPhone, checked out Cypher. My son created/wrote it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | jodotha: | Phase drafting? #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | johannaharness: | @DDHearn Someone just last week told me that mad and brilliant are not mutually exclusive. #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | onbeyondwords: | @llunalila Re dreams and middle of the night inspiration – I try to remember to keep a pen and notebook by my bed #kidlitchat |
| 8:48 pm | lkblackburne: | @PeriPam I wonder if it’s hard to write a scene that advances neither plot nor character. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | jeanie_w: | @rillajaggia But what if your characters aren’t the sort of people who would be interviewed by a writer? #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | CIsenhower: | For me, I don’t think it’s so much a reader-trust issue, it’s more of a ‘I’m an idiot who can’t speak a straight line’ issue. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | bonnieadamson: | @rillajaggia I go back and revisit Myst like a tourist. So peaceful. .. Exile was my favorite. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @Shelltex: Its easy to forget that other people don’t know your characters as well as you, and want action from them. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | gregpincus: | @EgmontGal Are you more likely to be “interested” in a manuscript with great characters and weak plot of vice-versa? #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | EgmontGal: | @SherriePetersen I think that’s interesting, and Jordan he has done tons of books w/plot! But a good plot if we don’t care, feh #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | karenkincy: | @egmontgal I suspect a good character spawns a good plot, and perhaps vice versa #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | PattyJMurphy: | I think working on more than one project at a time–even different genres–keeps you fresh, interesting, challenged, etc. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | KindrilyKaren: | I hav multiple WIPs. 1 nite I woke up to new shady MC blowin smoke in my face. As if I didnt lose enuf sleep finishing 1story! #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @Debberzz We’ve got some guys in here, too #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | EKokie: | @WriterRoss If I doubt reader will “get it” , I start over-writing or forcing meaning or doubt impact of scene or plot or charac #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | debbieohi: | @maggiedana Really? I’ll check out Cypher for sure, thanks. You must be proud of your son! #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | PeriPam: | @lkblackburne I’m entirely capable of writing the wandering scene that advances nothing but my pretty little words! #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @LiaKeyes: 1. Inciting Incident; 2. Act 2 midpoint revelation; 3. black moment; 4. climax; 5. denouement. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | tabithaolson: | @CynthiaCWillis I carry a notepad around in my purse. Because, you just never know…. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | gregpincus: | Speaking of forgotten words - http://www.savethewords.org! #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | storyexperiment: | @AudryT Writing YA is the most difficult for me, mostly due to an uninteresting YAhood. Think that has anything to do with it? #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | johannaharness: | @debbieohi YW! I’ve been having so much fun with it too. I love finding something new and helpful. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | bwileyjax: | #kidlitchat @Debberzz I am a male writter for kids. Just overwhelmed and trying to keep up. |
| 8:49 pm | ktubb: | Speaking of sparks of inspiration and iPhones, there are free voice recorder apps – I use mine all the time in the car! #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | rillajaggia: | @jeanie_w You’re the boss. you make them talk. #kidlitchat |
| 8:49 pm | llunalila: | @joycelansky I’ve used a kind of role playing sheet for character building but ended up writing what I need for each story #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | elizaosborn: | @jodotha The link provided earlier: http://bit.ly/qM2U7 #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | joycelansky: | @rillajaggia RT How many times have we heard an agent or editor say, i can help with plot but with voice you’re on your own.Lots #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | Shelltex: | @EgmontGal Because editors tell us we need to care or they’re not interested. LOL ??? Easy to get hung up on any aspect really. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | KarenDuvall: | @EgmontGal That makes me sad. Really. What’s a story without THE story? #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | LiaKeyes: | @jeanie_w You can pose as another character in your novel and interview your mc that way instead. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | planetalvina: | Some books are more plot-driven, others more character-driven, but both are needed for a great book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | SherriePetersen: | @EgmontGal So character and voice DO matter more? #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | EgmontGal: | I think it depends on the book and the age, but yeah, I guess character trumps plot most of the time. tho hate books w/out story #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | bonnieadamson: | @maggiedana That’s so cool! #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | debbieohi: | @bonnieadamson @rillajaggia I have Myst for my iPhone now. Love the storybook atmosphere. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | jeanie_w: | @lkblackburne You could definitely go overboard in a scene describing a setting that has little consequence to the story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | dlschubert: | @elizaosborn One that answers all the major questions. I don’t like being left wondering what happened to who. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | maggiedana: | I’d think that with kids’ books, plot would trump voice … but having both would be golden. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | PeriPam: | @ktubb Ed Bloor records a lot of his stories in the car too! You are in good company. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | bwileyjax: | #kidlitchat er… writer that is. |
| 8:50 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @tabithaolson Exactly! I do that, too! : ) #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | CREvers: | @EgmontGal That’s a great way to look at it! Thnx. :0) #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | onbeyondwords: | @elizaosborn re what’s a satisfying ending – for me NOT a predictable outcome but at the same time – a resolution and growth #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | lkblackburne: | @PeriPam Hahaha. You should become a poet! #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | EgmontGal: | @Shelltex i know! I think people take our advice at conf too literally if they are stuck. you know what is best for your book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | merylevans: | @LiaKeyes That sounds like an author’s approach I read about. She rewrites her story from other character points of view.. #kidlitchat |
| 8:50 pm | MyraMcEntire: | @ktubb Such an excellent idea w/ voice recorder! #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | DDHearn: | @crissachappell I’ve dreamt that I’m one of my characters, but I’m not usually in the story I’m writing about the character. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | LiaKeyes: | Structure is the skeleton of plot, character is the flesh and blood. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | CREvers: | @KateMessner I can’t imagine doing it any other way. My mind bounces around too much. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | rillajaggia: | @EgmontGal Me too. I’ve become spoiled that way. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | elizaosborn: | @dlschubert Taking note of that — seems obvious, but easy to forget! #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | lioncaller: | @KarenDuvall @EgmontGal Goal, conflict, disaster…as one who reads ~300 books/yr, I’m likely to get bored w/that, just saying. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | EgmontGal: | And may I say my whoreish plea for followers yielded me zero? So advertising does not work, and rightly so #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | bonnieadamson: | @debbieohi That does it–I must have an iPhone now!!! #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | maggiedana: | He also writes video games for Disney. Has 2 at Epcot Ctr. RT @bonnieadamson: @maggiedanaThats so cool! #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | thaliachaltas: | @debbieohi You’re back! Did you dispatch the Evil Squirrel?? Inquiring minds want to know. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @VeroPettingill I start with the Big Question- usually “Why did you just do that???” and go from there, feeding off their answer #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | elizaosborn: | @onbeyondwords Awesome. Thank you! #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | WriterRoss: | @EKokie I guess that means I don’t trust that =I= am doing my job. <g> #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | CIsenhower: | @CynthiaCWillis I keep notebks everywhere…cars, the backyd, friends’ houses. I love it when I lose them, too. Lights a fire. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | ktubb: | @MyraMcEntire Makes scary pick-up line *much* more productive!  #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | EKokie: | I’ve heard several editors say they can rework plot, but not voice – if the voice isn’t there, forget it. Truse? #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | MyraMcEntire: | RT @BonnieAdamson: RT @LiaKeyes: 1. Inciting Incident; 2. Act 2 midpoint revelation; 3. black moment; 4. climax; 5. denouement. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | PeriPam: | @ktubb Do you use software to do fancy voice-> text or anything after recording? #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | CREvers: | @kathleenfoucart oh yeah, I didn’t even count about the ones bouncing in my head! ;0) You got to luv an active imagination. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | rillajaggia: | @debbieohi Wow! Myst on your phone? i loved riven too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @EgmontGal Yes! I think it’s important for a writer to trust his/her instincts. #kidlitchat |
| 8:51 pm | StephanieFeagan: | Goal, motivation, conflict. What does character want? Why? What’s keeping them from it? Apply to story arc, and each scene. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | jeanie_w: | @LiaKeyes That’s a good idea! Much better than forcing a unfitting construct. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | planetalvina: | @EgmontGal Methinks people are too busy trying to keep up with the chat to follow. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | amithaknight: | @lkblackburne I think if you worry too much about hard and fast rules, you might lose sight of your story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | gregpincus: | Does anyone use Evernote or Jott or other such services to record notes? #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | karenkincy: | @LiaKeyes I like that skeleton/flesh and blood analogy. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | Shelltex: | Seems coming of age can be more character driven. Anyone care to concur or correct me? #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | CREvers: | @EKokie That’s the way I feel too. sometimes one work is better suited to my mood or what I’ve got going on in the day. #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | PeriPam: | @EgmontGal would it make you feel better if I de-followed and re-followed you? #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | EgmontGal: | I am freaking out at this character and voice matter more thing. I reject more for no plot than for no voice. Is that helpful? #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | maggiedana: | @EgmontGal I’m already following you, and I’d do it again, if they’d let me! #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | karenkincy: | @EgmontGal Not true! I become a new follower of @EgmontUSA #kidlitchat |
| 8:52 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @CREvers Yeah, I write bits & pieces in all sorts of stories while working elsewhere & let them sit- sometimes for years! #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | thaliachaltas: | @CynthiaCWillis And those instincts only come when we KEEP WRITING! New writers often want the directions laid out. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | rarararach: | @ohthedotty Its usually 9PM here (east coast) but I don’t know what that is for you! #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | MyraMcEntire: | @EgmontGal Just wait ’til follow Friday! We’ll hook you up. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | planetalvina: | @EKokie Plot is easier to work with someone on, voice is more difficult. So this editor says True. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | Casey_McCormick: | @EgmontGal I think character definitely trumps plot, generally. Plenty of fabulous books with shallow plots and deep characters. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | rillajaggia: | @EgmontGal Isn’t everyone on here already following you? #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | aspiringmama: | #kidlitchat trying to figure out if I have the talent to write for kids. I can write and know it. But kid lit takes different kind of talent |
| 8:53 pm | AudryT: | @storyexperiment It probably helps to have a crappy childhood to draw on for YA, but I don’t imagine it’s required. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | SherriePetersen: | @EgmontGal Good to know #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | dlschubert: | @elizaosborn It does seem obvious, but I’ve read so many books w/unsatisfying endings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | jeanie_w: | @EgmontGal We all follow you already. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal Followers will come later–also naughty bots.  #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | gregpincus: | @EgmontGal Yes, it’s very helpful to hear that you reject more for no plot than for no voice! #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | KateMessner: | @gregpincus I use Evernote, but not in drafting/researching – mostly to clip reviews after a book is published. #kidlitchat |
| 8:53 pm | tabithaolson: | @EgmontGal Would you say it’s easier to fix plot or character? Or does it completely depend on the story/writer? #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | Casey_McCormick: | @storyexperiment Ha! I need to get a paint pen for the shower. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | DDHearn: | @Shelltex I”m just the opposite. I’m strong on story or plot, and weak on voice. To me voice is still a mystery. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @planetalvina: @EKokie Plot is easier to work with someone on, voice is more difficult. So this editor says True. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | llunalila: | @tabithaolson Carrying note pads on purse… me too! Sometimes even 2 just in case one is finished be4 I come home! #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | fullofstars: | @AudryT I have characters I’ve written in other books interview newer characters. Good way to make sure they’re not too similiar #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | EKokie: | @EgmontGal Interesting. I would have thought opposite, unless more great voice/plotless is getting thru b/c of focus on voice. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | Shelltex: | @EgmontGal yes, it helps to know more rejects due to plot issues #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @karenkincy: @LiaKeyes I like skeleton/flesh and blood analogy. Lia: Add soul, what makes us human, to the flesh and blood. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | KindrilyKaren: | Rules were made to be broken, but ONLY if you do it right. That’s the rule. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | storyexperiment: | Any of you going to read the digi-novel by CSI creator? It’s called #Level26. Published today. Would love to chat about it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | StephanieFeagan: | Conflict can be internal, or external – but character growth is a biggie, I think. Too bad I miss the boat sometimes! #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @thaliachaltas Very true. And writers to the bone can’t stop writing, no matter what. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | joycelansky: | @edithcohn The best way to learn voice is to read, read, read. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | rillajaggia: | @EgmontGal Yes! I remember you saying that at last year’s conference! It was different! #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | EgmontGal: | I want to root for my character to solve his or her problem. that’s it in a nutshell. No interesting character, zzz. no plot zzz #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | edithcohn: | @EgmontGal Seems editors/agents say voice matters more only b/c it’s hardest to teach. #kidlitchat |
| 8:54 pm | KateMessner: | Scrivener has a research section of the “binder” for storing web pages, images, videos, etc, so I use that while drafting. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | SarahBWinters: | Internet keeps going in & out?missed most of #kidlitchat & am to frustrated!Not even going to try #TuesBookTalk this week I’ll try next week |
| 8:55 pm | bonnieadamson: | Yes, I would love to believe that plot is the least of my worries. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | BleeBonn: | I focus more on plot and subplots during first draft to make sure its there, then focus on the character through revisions #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | WriterRoss: | RT @EgmontGal:”I reject more for no plot than for no voice. Is that helpful?” #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | maggiedana: | @Casey_McCormick Or maybe a writing tablet that skindivers use. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | PeriPam: | My fingers are getting itchy to type in my (hand written!) revisions so night all! #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | thaliachaltas: | Where is the dang waiter with my drink!? I’m dyin of thoist, heah! #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @EgmontGal As a reader, character trumps plot every time. If the character doesn’t grip me, nothing will. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @joycelansky I think so, too. The more reading, the better. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @EgmontGal I think there’s just a lot of plotters vs. pantsers here & the whole conversation is getting over-complicated #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | hatbooks: | RT @planetalvina: @EKokie Plot is easier to work with someone on, voice is more difficult. So this editor says True. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | bonnieadamson: | @maggiedana I think he’s living my fantasy life! #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | lkblackburne: | @elizaosborn Usually, something that answers the questions works for me, but I also want some kind of meaning and closure #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | EKokie: | @storyexperiment Too many paper books in my to be read pile already, so no…not now. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | rillajaggia: | I third that. RT @joycelansky: @edithcohn The best way to learn voice is to read, read, read. #kidlitchat |
| 8:55 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @EgmontGal We ALL need great characters, great voice AND great plot. Period. #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | DDHearn: | RT @karenkincy: @egmontgal I suspect a good character spawns a good plot, and perhaps vice versa #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @EgmontGal Well put! #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | tabithaolson: | @eddophotography Hey Eddie! Good to see you here!! #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | karenkincy: | @EgmontGal I would be amazed to see an author pull off a book where a character had a perfectly problemless life. #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | WriterRoss: | RT @planetalvina: @EKokie Plot is easier to work with someone on, voice is more difficult. So this editor says True. #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | EgmontGal: | @edithcohn I think editors often say voice is what catches their attention no? But we are all diff. I like a story + want 2 care #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | edithcohn: | @EgmontGal re: voice How do you tell someone to get a personality? Hard if there’s nothing on the page to spring #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | maggiedana: | Next time his basement floods, I’ll run it by you! RT @bonnieadamson: @maggiedana I think hes living my fantasy life! #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | rillajaggia: | @mgbuehrlen Yeah, but if the plot isn’t interesting…it becomes a bit of so what? for me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | debbieohi: | Power outage again, this time our whole neighborhood. Typing this via iPhone. At least I got to part of the chat. Gnite, all! #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | elizaosborn: | @lkblackburne So wrapping up the themes presented, somehow? #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | EgmontUSA: | W/o engaging characters, I prob. don’t care where story’s going. But w/o strong plot, why am I reading about these characers? #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | EgmontGal: | @kathleenfoucart what’s a pantser, I ask stupidly? I like that word #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | AudryT: | @fullofstars That’s a good idea, especially if you have recurring character types (I know I do). #kidlitchat |
| 8:56 pm | lkblackburne: | @elizaosborn I get kinda antsy when big things happen for no reason. Happened a few times in Harry Potter. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | blayze316: | @EgmontGal which would you say grabs you first, the voice, the plot or the character? #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | nomadshan: | Thanks, all — off to run + work on a better first chapter starting point. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @karenkincy But, perhaps, the problem would be that the character doesn’t see any problems where they are all around them??? #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | llunalila: | @EgmontGal too quick a chat to follow anyone. Wait for #kidlitchat to finish & people to read what you’ve said & you’ll get more followers |
| 8:57 pm | LiaKeyes: | @kathleenfoucart @EgmontGal I’m a blend of pantser and plotter. Something that doesn’t get talked about enough. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | StephanieFeagan: | This has been way fun! My 1st time to jump in. See you all next week – peace out. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | joycelansky: | @EgmontGal For me it’s harder to develop great characters than to plot. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal We’re led to believe a dramatic hook trumps all. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @EgmontGal Someone who writes by the seat of their pants #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | blayze316: | @EgmontGal pantster, one who writes without plotting everything out first #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @karenkincy And how boring would a story without a problem be? Waaay boring! #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | planetalvina: | Is it too much to ask for great characters and voice AND a compelling plot? #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | lkblackburne: | @elizaosborn Yes, resolving all points of tension — unless there’s a sequel #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | rillajaggia: | @debbieohi See ya later. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | LiaKeyes: | @EgmontGal Pantser is someone who writes by the seat of their pants – ie, doesn’t want structure or outlines. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | MyraMcEntire: | I can’t tell you one plot of a Janet Evanovich book, yet I know what Ranger smells like. But that might be a personal problem. #kidlitchat |
| 8:57 pm | EKokie: | Agreed on the reading as much as possible. Also, be daring, willing to push yourself. Seems too many “Can’t be dones” lately. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | jimhill: | Plot w/o char = a Michael Bay movie. Go through the motions, blow things up, no one really cares. Character MAKES you care. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | maggiedana: | Absolutely. If you don’t care about characters, what’s point of reading? RT @EgmontGal: I like a story + want 2 care #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | jeanie_w: | @EgmontUSA Good point! Both characters and plot must interest the reader. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @LiaKeyes I get that. I’m pretty much a pantser for the first draft, but then I go through Very Critically and examine my plot #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | johannaharness: | @EgmontGal Someone who writes by the seat of one’s pants. Original: flying by the seat of one’s pants. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | AudryT: | I wouldn’t sacrifice the right opening for a hook. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | EgmontGal: | @PeriPam i want you to invent 10 user names and follow alison so boss will think we are using new media well. (just kidding!) #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | EKokie: | @EgmontGal Seat of your Pants writer – ie, minimal outlining… #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | SherriePetersen: | @MyraMcEntire LOL! #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | EgmontUSA: | Voice is what usually grabs me, but if I don’t get the story to back it up, I usually have to sigh it aside. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | LiaKeyes: | To discover voice, try writing from a different POV. Voice changes naturally via that change in perspective. Then choose. #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | bonnieadamson: | @maggiedana Hey–might end up being a fair trade–I’d take it! #kidlitchat |
| 8:58 pm | rillajaggia: | No! We’re all trying, Alvina! RT @planetalvina: Is it too much to ask for great characters and voice AND a compelling plot? #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | WriterRoss: | @LiaKeyes ”Pantser”? <g> I was at a retreat where we defined the types as PLUNGER vs PLOTTER #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | SherriePetersen: | @LiaKeyes Me too. But even when I plot it out, it tends to change as I get to know the characters betters. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | Shelltex: | Ha! I’m a pantser and never knew it! #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | edithcohn: | @rillajaggia Read, read, read is always a good answer. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | EgmontGal: | @bonnieadamson who is “we?” god knows we editors never get together and align what we are going to say at a conf. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | A good night to all! This has been a great chat! I must revisit it tomorrow. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | lkblackburne: | @CynthiaCWillis Story without a problem is boring, but I do enjoy extended epilogues. Gives chance to be happy with characters. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | kaerfel: | Hey everyone–did I miss much? #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | DDHearn: | @mgbuehrlen Think about all your favorite stories. The first thing you think of is the character. Great characters are a must. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | karenkincy: | @PattyJMurphy Ah, but that would still be a story where the character has a problem. Paradoxically. XD #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | elizaosborn: | I’ve gotten my full read several times, but the recurring problem is character — so this is great, guys. Thanks! #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | mgbuehrlen: | Just finished Robin Hobb’s first book, cried at a part that had nothing to do with the plot, just a deep, relatable sentiment. #kidlitchat |
| 8:59 pm | planetalvina: | @rillajaggia Haha, I know, I was just being a little cheeky. But it’s hard to say which is more important! #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | bonnieadamson: | @jimhill Agree–like best of long-running TV shows–they grow thin on plot, but you keep watching for character. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | karenkincy: | @CynthiaCWillis I don’t even think a problemless story can be done. Unless it’s something totally experimental, like Beckett. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | dawnmetcalf: | In Chicago. Tuning in to #kidlitchat. |
| 9:00 pm | storyexperiment: | @planetalvina That is NOT too much to ask. I try hard to achieve this. Stephanie Meyer is the master at delivering both. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | joycelansky: | @jeanie_w The character’s attitude while being interviewed (refusal to answer questions) tells a lot too. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @kaerfel lol, still discussing plotting vs. let-it-fly #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | EgmontGal: | @tabithaolson it completely depends on story and writer, some struggle with character, some with over describing, some w plot #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | EgmontUSA: | @Egmontgal I guess I’m hopeless. Although we’d broken 1,000 when I checked a bit earlier. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | LiaKeyes: | @WriterRoss I love the term ‘plunger’. I plunge into the first twenty pages without outline, then find five turning points. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | Shelltex: | @MyraMcEntire And how Morelli’s jeans fit. Thank you for that lovely distraction. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | @planetalvina But voice is such a subjective thing. That’s what’s so hard. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | maggiedana: | Great idea. RT @LiaKeyes: To discover voice, try writing from a different POV. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | CREvers: | doing a blog interview w/ Tina Ferraro on Voice. Will include any questions if any of you have a voice question. snd ?’s my way #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @DDHearn Yup! They become friends, enemies, sisters, brothers, they become our community if we love to read. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | AudryT: | Plot and story are different things. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | hipwritermama: | True! RT @LiaKeyes To discover voice, try writing from a different POV. Voice changes naturally via that change in perspective. #kidlitchat |
| 9:00 pm | dawnmetcalf: | RT @edithcohn: @rillajaggia Read, read, read is always a good answer. #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | thaliachaltas: | I’m jumping off, y’all. Thanks for a great kidlitchat intro! Glad I could get here finally! #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @kaerfel As much as I did, it seems. #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal Seems to be the consensus: must grab you within 1st paragraph, no? #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | elizaosborn: | RT @lkblackburne ”I get kinda antsy when big things happen for no reason.” I agree. #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | EgmontGal: | @bonnieadamson I think TV is a good analogy I will keep watching for character but get bored w/24 after awhile.Sopranos has both #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | KateMessner: | @Idaho_Laurie I think of Wendy Mass as strong in all three – (one of @planetalvina’s authors, I think)n #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | planetalvina: | @kimberlyjsmith That’s true–the same voice that one reader will love, another will find irritating. #kidlitchat |
| 9:01 pm | edithcohn: | @CREvers Awesome! I love Tina!! #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | LiaKeyes: | I start with an instinct, but not a clear picture of character. Then search all media to find characteristics that resonate. #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | jeanie_w: | @joycelansky RT @LiaKeyes: @jeanie_w You can pose as another character in your novel and interview your mc that way instead. #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | EgmontUSA: | Why don’t our good kidlit friends follow @EgmontUSA so @EgmontGal and the boss don’t think I’m slacking. #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | EgmontGal: | @bonnieadamson Respectfully, no, If every first paragraph grabbed books would be very noisy. But first few pages, yes yes yes #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | littlefluffycat: | @EgmontGal so, since Egmont doesn’t take unrepresented, do the agents who come to you reliably know that preference for plot? #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | EngridE1: | @bonnieadamson ”Devil’s Kiss” had me at the first sentence. #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | EgmontGal: | @bonnieadamson but pic books, yes, first para, yes yes yes #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | EKokie: | rolling my eyes at both of you – far from hopeless w/ the social media… @EgmontUSA @EgmontgalI guess I’m hopeless… #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | tabithaolson: | RT @AudryT: Plot and story are different things. #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | planetalvina: | @KateMessner Aww. Yes, I work with Wendy, although she brings all three to the table on her own! #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | @planetalvina Which is the joy and the frustration. Is there a “kind” of voice that appeals to you? #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @EgmontUSA I already follow, or I would add you #kidlitchat |
| 9:02 pm | rillajaggia: | RT @elizaosborn: RT @lkblackburne ”I get kinda antsy when big things happen for no reason.” I agree. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | muselolita: | Sorry I’m late to the party, guys! #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | LiaKeyes: | @EgmontGal How do you grab in the first five pages? #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | johnlechner: | @karenkincy I think you’re right: no problem = no story. Though a great writer could find a problem with ANY character. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | WriterRoss: | @LiaKeyes I am absolutely a plunger myself..If there’s no passion, I don’t think the story needs to be told #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | planetalvina: | @EgmontUSA If we follow them, will they follow us? That is the question. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @EgmontUSA Can we expect a “follow back”??? #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | kaerfel: | @EgmontGal Though there are some books where I read the first sentence and know I’ll LOVE the whole thing. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal That’s very comforting. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | @KateMessner Wendy Mass is one of the best in all three. Absolutely!! #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | Casey_McCormick: | I’m following @EgmontUSA and @EgmontGal. You should too. #kidlitchat |
| 9:03 pm | EgmontGal: | @littlefluffycat I don’t think I have a pref for plot! I just like a story. I have to want my character to solve something. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @EngridE1: “Devils Kiss” had me at the first sentence. Great first sentence. Lia: Sarwat is a friend – coming to the US soon. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | EgmontGal: | @Casey_McCormick I owe you. So does Alison #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | bonnieadamson: | @kaerfel But that’s voice more often than not, right? #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @EgmontGal Glad to hear that abt first paragraphs. I actually don’t like overly-grabby first paragraphs. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | swati505: | : ending: end w/ a strong image. Scene: 1) engage 3/5 senses; 2) scene/summary balance #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | rillajaggia: | RT @EgmontGal: Respectfully, no, If every first paragraph grabbed books would be very noisy. But first few pages, yes yes yes #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | AudryT: | Grabbing in the first 5 pages pleases publishers, but not all books “grab.” Some tease the reader into sticking around w/a wink. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | EgmontUSA: | @PattyJMurphy @planetlavina I shall try. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | CREvers: | @edithcohn Isn’t she just the sweetest thing? #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @planetalvina: Should I say JINX or great minds think alike. We practically tweeted the same thing:) #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | littlefluffycat: | @EgmontGal Good to know. #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @LiaKeyes By the throat, preferably! #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | karenkincy: | Sheesh, every time I write a few more paragraphs on my WIP, this chat whizzes by without me! #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | DDHearn: | For some reason my tweets have not been showing up for the past 15 minutes. Not that they were so important, but still… #kidlitchat |
| 9:04 pm | kaerfel: | @bonnieadamson Yes, but often combined with conflict that raises questions. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | LaFabuliste: | Yay for #kidlitchat! Am going to attempt to follow…. |
| 9:05 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal 1st paragraph for pbs–that, I can live with. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @AudryT: Grabbing in the first 5 pages pleases publishers, but not all books “grab.” Some tease the reader w/a wink. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | amberlough: | Tuning in rather late. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | EgmontGal: | @swati505 everyone pay attention to swati! She does plot AND character very well indeed. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | kaerfel: | Ex. “I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice.” I knew I would love every word of that book after that, and I did. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | planetalvina: | @kimberlyjsmith Wow, tough question. How to answer? I’m drawn to smart, snappy voices. I love humor. It’s hard to pin down, tho! #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | DDHearn: | I tend to be a story person myself. I like something to happen. But the character has to be someone I want to root for. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | rillajaggia: | @DDHearn That happened a lot last week. Very frustrating. #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | EKokie: | @AudryT Just a writer, but that “wink” still needs to grab, IMO. Few readers actually stick around unless the wink is strong. ;} #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | mgbuehrlen: | Lately I’ve been let down by books that grabbed me in 1st few pages. Others I’ve come to LOVE after pushing thru many chapters #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | EgmontUSA: | Note: The follow request was a joke, although we love our followers! #kidlitchat |
| 9:05 pm | dawnmetcalf: | Scott Westerfeld is the king of grab-you-by-the-throat-and-pull-you-along beginnings, IMO. #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | EgmontGal: | @LiaKeyes you don’t have to “grab” in first 5 pages, i just have to be engaged enough in your story to want to keep reading #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | ktubb: | Drat that crazy muse – I just had a spark shoot through the grey matter. I’m off to fan it into flames! Thnx for great chat! #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | lisasafran: | @kaerfel Just finished that book. It was amazing. Prayer for Owen Meany. #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | EgmontGal: | @EgmontUSA Well, the word “whorish” was a joke. But we do love followers, yes. #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | kaerfel: | @mgbuehrlen True. I’ve read some that didn’t really get me until halfway through, then I loved them. But that’s rare. #kidlitchat |
| 9:06 pm | kaerfel: | @lisasafran ^__^ #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | onbeyondwords: | Love the term plunger – minus the toilet associations – but in terms of grabbing the reader, it should happen in the first page #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | johannaharness: | @EgmontGal If you really need some new followers, DM me and I’ll do a shout-out for you after the chat is over. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | DDHearn: | @rillajaggia I refreshed my page and now I can tweet again. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | joycelansky: | @kathleenfoucart I guess that makes me a pantster! #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | LiaKeyes: | Something shocking can happen in the first five pages. That can help. But first give us unique character for that to happen to. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | AudryT: | @EKokie Readers will stick with a book if their peers say, “You HAVE to try this! Keep reading!” — which works for wink books. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @LiaKeyes: RT @AudryT: Grabbing in first 5 pgss pleases publishers; not all books “grab.” Some tease w/a wink. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | dawnmetcalf: | I second @planetalvina, @kimberlyjsmith ! A great voice is a strong one with lots of snark/humor/biting wit. Smart works for me. #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | hipwritermama: | @ktubb Happy Writing! #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | EgmontGal: | @LiaKeyes I bet we could all think of books we love with openings that amble. Anyone read Flambards, for example? Starts w fox #kidlitchat |
| 9:07 pm | WeronikaJanczuk: | Wish I could participate in #kidlitchat tonight, but high school calls. Y’all have fun and learn lots. I’ll tune in tomorrow to see results! |
| 9:08 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @LiaKeyes Exactly! If that character isn’t ‘right’ I don’t care to read more, even if the plot is there. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | rillajaggia: | Good to know that for the future! RT @DDHearn: I refreshed my page and now I can tweet again. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @kaerfel It’s rare, but a strong love blooms then, no? #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | MyraMcEntire: | I was recently VERY let down by a book that sprung something on me – so mad I didn’t finish with 50 pages left. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | kaerfel: | @LiaKeyes I don’t think it has to be shocking, just “interesting,” which is more about execution than subject. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | EngridE1: | @LiaKeyes I preordered it on ur & @DulcineaWrites mention of it. It is a WOW, but then again ur writing is too #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | EgmontGal: | @LiaKeyes does a character have to be unique? Or can we just care about them? #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | karenkincy: | Tangent: does anyone find it odd that authors are, with publishers, the manufacturers and marketers of their own work? #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | PattyJMurphy: | I need to want to spend time with the characters…or I am not interested in reading on. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | DDHearn: | For me, plot of Twilight got me interested more than the characters. I almost gave up on it until plot kicked into overdrive. #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | bonnieadamson: | @EgmontGal I’m a Palisers fan . . . #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | LiaKeyes: | First line of Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda: “Killing him should be easy; he’s only six.” #kidlitchat |
| 9:08 pm | planetalvina: | Beautiful writing can also “grab”–in a gentle way. Well, not grab, maybe lead. And I’ll follow. #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | @planetalvina Have you ever thought ooh, don’t like this voice, but then fall in love reluctantly? I’ve done that b4. #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | LiaKeyes: | @EgmontGal How do you make readers care about a character? #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | kaerfel: | @mgbuehrlen Mmm, sort of. The book I’m thinking of, I tore through the end, but I wouldn’t reread or get more of their books #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | bonnieadamson: | @LiaKeyes OMG! #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | EgmontGal: | @DDHearn I didn’t even know Twilight has a plot and I’ve read 5 times. For me, all about the lust. I’m not kidding, i’m honest #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | maggiedana: | RT @planetalvina: Beautiful writing can also “grab”–in a gentle way. Well, not grab, maybe lead. And I’ll follow. #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | KatGirl_Studio: | @DDHearn I saw the movie first then went and read all the books #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | SherriePetersen: | @planetalvina Beth Kephart’s books do that. #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | lkblackburne: | @DDHearn Twilight def plot driven. Everybody was basically wondering “Why is he staring at her with such hatred?” #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | DDHearn: | RT @LiaKeyes: @EgmontGal How do you make readers care about a character? #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @onbeyondwords I thought “plunger” as a term as opposed to “plotter” – whether you outline or Just Go! (NESCBWI ref) #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | LaFabuliste: | Aren’t we taught that we should enter in the middle of the story? Creat. writing prof used to cut stories in half & start there #kidlitchat |
| 9:09 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @planetalvina I completely agree! I loved “Trouble” by Gary D. Schmidt & it was just his gorgeous writing that pulled me in. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | EgmontUSA: | @AudryT @LiaKeyes I love books that open with a tease. Just don’t keep me hanging too long, or I might get bored and give up. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | Casey_McCormick: | @DDHearn Roughly, the first 30 pages of Twilight were slow for me. Then it got going. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | dawnmetcalf: | Xactly! RT @PattyJMurphy: I need to want to spend time with the characters…or I am not interested in reading on. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | EKokie: | However it starts, has to be something compelling, something to get reader engrossed & invested. Voice, charac, plot, prose… #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | karenkincy: | @EgmontGal I don’t think a character has to be unique, necessarily. Just sympathetic. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | Shelltex: | I agree characters need to be interesting first. Personal tastes come in too. I don’t like whiners so no whiney characters #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | kaerfel: | Besides giving a char. voice & believability, show us what they want and why they can’t have it. ‘S’all about the obstacles. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | rillajaggia: | @EgmontGal You’ve read twilight 5 times? You must have an iron stomach! I couldn’t get beyond the first book. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | DDHearn: | @EgmontGal Really? I was kind of frustrated with all the teen harmones, but I got into the whole vampire world. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | amberlough: | I’ve have a much harder time with plot than anything else. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | AudryT: | My MS tend to enter in the middle of the story — so far that my editor tells me to go back and write more beginning, LOL. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | gregpincus: | Isn’t a “strong beginning” just hooking the reader and giving them a reason to come along for the ride? #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | Absolutely. RT @planetalvina: Beautiful writing can also “grab”–in a gentle way. Well, not grab, maybe lead. And I’ll follow. #kidlitchat |
| 9:10 pm | maggiedana: | I care about characters who’re flawed but not so much that you want to smack them. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | lisasafran: | @EgmontGal I agree. When I read Twilight I had that same feeling when I read J. Blume’s Forever back in the day. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @karenkincy: @EgmontGal I dont think a character has to be unique, necessarily. Just sympathetic. Lia: Agreed, or interesting #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | Idaho_Laurie: | @planetalvina I’m a sucker for great writing. Makes me feel I can trust the author. Like the opening of Tuck Everlasting. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | dlschubert: | @PattyJMurphy Agreed. Character & voice is more important to me than plot. Of course, when all three come together, it’s magic. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | lkblackburne: | @LiaKeyes Interesting question. What are characters you’ve cared about, and what made you care? #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | planetalvina: | @kimberlyjsmith Hmmm. Not a book, but the movie Juno–was irritated by voice at first, then fell in love. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | kimberlyjsmith: | Great chat all, thanks! Off to get some work done! #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | llunalila: | Time for me to switch off. It’s past 4am in Europe & tomorrow need to wake up & go to post office. Good night #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | EKokie: | @AudryT Given but that is a heck of a gamble. Have to feel very strongly the book will have the peer following to drag others in #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | EgmontGal: | @karenkincy We can probably think of some good books without sympathetic chars, but not many. Lynch’s Inexusable for one. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | kaerfel: | @Idaho_Laurie I agree. And trusting the author is the best way to get me to read the book & buy more. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | DDHearn: | @Casey_McCormick The first two thirds of Twilight were ridiculous to me, but then plot drew me in. I’m a patient reader. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | hipwritermama: | @LiaKeyes Let your readers identify with character and they will care. #kidlitchat |
| 9:11 pm | bonnieadamson: | @gregpincus As long as it can be a gentle hook. #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @kaerfel What’s harder, do you think? Satisfying beginnings or satisfying endings? #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | mitaliperkins: | @EgmontGal Are you watching this Nadal-Monfil match while you #kidlitchat? |
| 9:12 pm | lioncaller: | So, we’re back to taste. Sure, I *read* Twilight. Then gave it to the library. What do you *keep* on your shelves? #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | BleeBonn: | even if you have a strong beginning, you have to keep them going or they’ll quit reading.#kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | elizaosborn: | I’m thinking it’s one of James Scott Bell’s books that says to have the protag do something to win the reader in the first pages #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | hipwritermama: | @SherriePetersen I agree. Beth Kephart’s books are beautiful. #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | LaFabuliste: | Curiosity and honesty. Maybe my two favorite (and most important) qualities in a character. #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | AudryT: | I didn’t “care” so much about the chara of Monte Cristo as I wanted to have his adventures. #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | EgmontGal: | @DDHearn honey, without the teen hormones, what the hell is left in twilight? #kidlitchat |
| 9:12 pm | amberlough: | Am I the only one who hasn’t read Twilight? I feel like I know what happens, and there are so many other books to read. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | Shelltex: | @planetalvina Yes Juno is very unique voice but now almost iconic. If other character was similar would bother me now #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | kaerfel: | @dawnmetcalf Hmm… I’ve read more good beginnings than endings. So probably endings. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | planetalvina: | I’m heading off to read before bed (I hope something with great voice and plot!). Good night, all. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | johannaharness: | @llunalila G’night! See you tomorrow at your lunch time? #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | EgmontGal: | @mitaliperkins i will now! I am going to see Oudin play AGAIN tomorrow night. 3 times! sheesh #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | mgbuehrlen: | The book I just finished was masterful prose and character development thru 1st half. THEN plot took off. By then I was hooked. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | joycelansky: | @lkblackburne I loved Star Girl & Cap Anderson from Schooled. These MCs are similar to each other but unique in every other way. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | dawnmetcalf: | RT @dlschubert: Character & voice is more important to me than plot. Of course, when all three come together, it’s magic. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | EgmontGal: | @amberlough let me tell you about twilight. “It’s all about the yearning.” Not about what happens. try it for yourself. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | DDHearn: | @planetalvina I had the same reaction to Juno. It took me awhile to “get” it, but then I really liked it. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | kaerfel: | @EgmontGal Off topic, but did I tell you my laptop is a vampire? It is covered in blue sparkles that ONLY show up in sun light. #kidlitchat |
| 9:13 pm | rillajaggia: | @dawnmetcalf Defintely the ending. there’s so much riding on it and the beginning gets so much attention off the bat. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | LaFabuliste: | @amberlough I have not. And yet somehow know every detail of the story. Ack. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | SherriePetersen: | @dawnmetcalf Unsatisfying endings make me mad that I read the whole book! How hard is it to tie up the story? #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | karenkincy: | @EgmontGal I would argue we can still empathize with unsympathetic characters. Otherwise, we just don’t care to keep reading. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | EKokie: | Twilight…message irritates me so much that I can’t get past. Vampires were cool, but the message just floors me. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | maggiedana: | Good beginnings and endings are easier to write than good middles. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | WriterRoss: | RT @Idaho_Laurie: “Im a sucker for great writing. Makes me feel I can trust the author. Like opening of Tuck Everlasting.” YES. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | gregpincus: | Thanks, as always, to all you for making #kidlitchat rock. Over 130 people joined in tonight! |
| 9:14 pm | jeanie_w: | @amberlough I haven’t read Twilight either. I have a copy, but I keep buying other books and reading them first. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | onbeyondwords: | I felt I had to read Twilight just to be informed – but the first in the series was enough #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | dawnmetcalf: | RT @maggiedana: I care about characters who’re flawed but not so much that you want to smack them. #kidlitchat – HAHAHA! Yes!! |
| 9:14 pm | hatbooks: | thanks for the kidlitchat…signing off to continue plotting. #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | rillajaggia: | @mgbuehrlen Ha ha…OK you have me hooked, now tell me what you read! #kidlitchat |
| 9:14 pm | amithaknight: | @amberlough I only read the first Twilight book and it was not for me. i feel left out for not reading the rest. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | EKokie: | @lioncaller Agreed on taste. And subjectivity of reader on Twilight, and others. Read it, so I had, then passed it on. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | kaerfel: | @maggiedana Hehe, I can agree with that! Middles are always a killer. I ALWAYS panic and get stuck during the middle. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | SherriePetersen: | @amberlough I have not read Twilight either–welcome to the club! #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | amberlough: | @EgmontGal I’m going to put it on the shelf for later, when there isn’t anything else to read. Just finished Catching Fire… #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | elizaosborn: | Thanks, everyone! See you next week! #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | storyconnection: | @gregpincus Then there are those of us who just lurked. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | joycelansky: | @maggiedana The kid in “A Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom” was as flawed as can get, but I cared about him. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | WriterRoss: | @joycelansky Even we don’t remeber the details of say, STARGIRL, we remember HER. #kidlitchat |
| 9:15 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @dawnmetcalf Endings often disappoint me. But I think mainly it’s b/c I don’t want the story to end. #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | Casey_McCormick: | @SherriePetersen What about ambiguous endings? Frustrating or intriguing? #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | hipwritermama: | @gregpincus Thanks for hosting, Greg! #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | LaFabuliste: | Half in before plot got going?! With me, you get 40 pages. If I wanted JUST nice voice, I’d read a poem. Give me adventure! #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | rillajaggia: | Me too. RT @onbeyondwords: I felt I had to read Twilight just to be informed – but the first in the series was enough #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @hipwritermama @LiaKeyes Let your readers identify with character and they will care. Lia: AGREED! #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | EgmontGal: | @amberlough join our facebook discussion group, it’s v interesting called “we’ve read catching fire and we need to discuss” #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | EngridE1: | TweetChat has been acting weird for me, I’m going to have to read the transcript. Thanks to @BonnieAdamson & @gregpincus for #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | EKokie: | @amberlough Read Candor, When You reach Me, and Marcello in the Real World – my current faves. :} #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | KatGirl_Studio: | @kaerfel so is mine. is yours a Eee PC net book? #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | johannaharness: | @gregpincus Thank you for another inspiring chat! #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @rillajaggia Robin Hobb’s ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE. I don’t know why I hadn’t read her stuff b4 now? I am hooked! On to the sequel. #kidlitchat |
| 9:16 pm | AudryT: | Twilight: Many readers knew exactly how the protagonist felt; the author tapped into that. A plot is cold w/out warm charas. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | amberlough: | @EgmontGal will do! Can’t get my mind off of it. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | EgmontGal: | @kaerfel there’s a screenplay term for when there’s no action before the ending. that’s why there are often little scenes there #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | kaerfel: | @KatGirl_Studio No, it’s a Sony Vaio… one of the Z models. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @LaFabuliste: If I wanted JUST nice voice, Id read a poem. Give me adventure! #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | amithaknight: | bad endings do bother me, but they don’t ruin the whole book for me like they used to. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | jeanie_w: | @gregpincus Thanks for the great topic tonight, Greg! #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | EngridE1: | Thanks to everyone for their great questions/comments. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | onbeyondwords: | @EgmontGal great analysis about Twilight and yearning – that really is the hook – the yearning for a forbidden fruit #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | amberlough: | @EKokie I loved Marcelo. Perfect example of voice. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @lioncaller The books on my library shelves are the ones I re-read again and again and again, revisiting like old friends. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | dlschubert: | @dawnmetcalf Thanks for the RT #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | maggiedana: | RT @WriterRoss: Even we dont remeber the details of say, STARGIRL, we remember HER. — GREAT book. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | DDHearn: | @lioncaller I get most of my books from the library. Can’t afford to buy a lot, though I’d like to. Thank God for libraries. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | SherriePetersen: | @Casey_McCormick I guess more intriguing. At least if it’s ambiguous I can make up my own ending. #kidlitchat |
| 9:17 pm | kathleenfoucart: | Ack, I’m never going to get any words down tonight if I don’t run away now. Bye all! #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | EngridE1: | Thanks to @LiaKeyes for all the great info, much appreciated. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | EgmontGal: | @onbeyondwords yes, i agree. read twilight if you’re in our biz, but only read the others if your are lusting away like i am. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | Casey_McCormick: | @EgmontGal Oooo I should join. I devoured Catching Fire. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | LaFabuliste: | @EgmontGal Re: FB group. Responded to your question about location of the Capitol. Rockies made sense! #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | dawnmetcalf: | I agree with those who vote endings. It seems easy to grab someone, but much harder to tie everything up and allow us to let go. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | bonnieadamson: | @onbeyondwords Same here. First one was plenty. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | KatGirl_Studio: | Twilight: To each his own i guess. I hated The Di vinci Code book and everyone loved it. Moving was good though. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | EKokie: | And talk about trusting the reader… agreed. @amberlough I loved Marcelo. Perfect example of voice. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | amberlough: | @DDHearn Me too! Libraries are wonderful. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | Idaho_Laurie: | Thanks everyone. Many new kidlit peeps to follow. Past my supper time here on the west coast. #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | lights_aurora: | @maggiedana @kaerfel Same here. Its where my characters want to veer of course the most. I follow them to an extent, but keep #kidlitchat |
| 9:18 pm | LiaKeyes: | RT @DDHearn: @lioncaller Thank God for libraries. Lia: Amen to that! #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | EngridE1: | RT @maggiedana: Good beginnings and endings are easier to write than good middles. #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @TiffanySchmidt You should totally hop into #kidlitchat sometime. It’s like a big, crazy party. |
| 9:19 pm | KatGirl_Studio: | sorry *movie* was good though #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | rillajaggia: | @amberlough Haven’t read marcelo yet, but felt the same way about The incident of the dog in the night. #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | EgmontGal: | @onbeyondwords i could teach a seminar dissecting the 13-year-old girl and her mind and Twilight. That book is genius at that #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @amithaknight They don’t bother me either. But, if they do, I just think of my own ending:) #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | joycelansky: | @onbeyondwords I loved Twilight. I guess that’s why B & R makes 31 flavors. #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | EgmontUSA: | mgbuehrlen @dawnmetcalf It’s the last impression the author leaves, and it’s so hard to decide the exact right point to just end #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | DDHearn: | Think about any of your favorite stories or movies. You always think of the character first. Great characters are a must. #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | CREvers: | off to read some of Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey b4 heading to bed. Night all #kidlitchat. |
| 9:19 pm | karenkincy: | @EgmontGal I would really love to hear a seminar on Twilight + the teen girl’s mind… it stymies me. #kidlitchat |
| 9:19 pm | Idaho_Laurie: | @maggiedana I remember her ukelele. She did have a ukelele, didn’t she?! Jerry Spinelli is a god. #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | bonnieadamson: | I must be toddling off–thanks to everyone for another rip-snorter! See you next time. #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | EKokie: | @gregpincus Thanks for hosting once again! Night all. #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | dawnmetcalf: | @rillajaggia @amberlough - Loved BOTH of those books! Talk about unique character voices! #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | LaFabuliste: | Marcelo was stunningly beautiful. BUT, it also had a great mystery AND Marcelo’s awakening. Great blend of voice/plot #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | jeanie_w: | @KatGirl_Studio I didn’t like the Da Vinci Code either. Cliff hanger on every page? Come on! #kidlitchat |
| 9:20 pm | EgmontGal: | @joycelansky that’s right. and that’s why one editor will pub what another will reject. i’m glad it’s like that. |
Please click here to return to the main kidlitchat transcript page
