Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, reviewed by Emma Perry

The shelves of many a book store are choc-o-block with tomes about writing. Bursting at the seams, jostling for position – the array is mind boggling.

I confess to owning a sizeable selection. Some are finished, some are not. Plenty have been flicked through – all with great, grand intentions. But the one that reached out to me, that held my attention and grabbed hold of my imagination, was Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books.

My copy of Writing Picture Books is always within reach. It’s filled with brightly coloured sticky notes and is often referred to – both as a source of inspiration and for more practical tips.

The style and tone is both informative and personal as Ann begins with her own tale of countless rejection letters from editors whom she assumed simply must be wrong. Haven’t we all assumed that?! But, as most writers finally discover…

‘Completing a draft of your story is not the end of the writing process. It is only the beginning.’

And so Writing Picture Books takes the would-be picture book writer by the hand and guides them through this process. It encourages careful, timely revision helping writers to build a more objective approach to the polishing of their craft.

Writing Picture Books is divided in to helpful, logical sections which guide you through the process of honing your own picture book writing skills. The first, and one of the most important, is looking at picture books from a different perspective – from that of a writer. Look at the how, and why, behind what seems to work so effortlessly. Consider the child’s perspective. Always. Respect your young audience. Know children – what they like, how they see the world.

From here Ann guides us through point of view, followed by an entire chapter dedicated to the all important voice. Crucial.

A large comprehensive section is dedicated to structure – how to develop your character, how to handle varied action, then build to the crucial ending.

For me a stand-out features of Writing Picture Books was the wide range of activities and prompts, the constant reminder to read, READ, read picture books, and finally the guidance on what to do next. I wouldn't be without my copy.

Emma Perry is a picture book writer represented by Bell Lomax Moreton. She is the founder of MyBookCorner and organiser of International Book Giving Day. 
Twitter: @_EmmaPerry



Return to REVIEWS HOMEPAGE

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott reviewed by Lynda Waterhouse

This book was given to me as a gift. A Christmas present from my Godson. In fact the first present he has ever given me. After months of languishing on my ever growing ‘To be read’ pile so, with this review slot looming, I started to read it.

The full title of the book is bird by bird, Some instructions on Writing and Life. I pulled a face. This was probably not a book I would have chosen for myself. I pursed my lips and sighed. I do not consider myself to be a great reader of ‘how to’ books. Then I glanced at one of my bookshelves. In a neat row was Stephen King, Dorothea Brande, Robert McKee, Betsy Lerner and Christopher Booker. The row was rounded off by The Penguin dictionary of Jokes. Who was I trying to kid?

Anne Lamott’s book is a slim volume and is divided into five parts; Writing, The Writing Frame of Mind, Help Along the Way, Publication and Other Reasons to Write and The Last Class. It is full of advice as well as being funny and brutally honest. It has a section entitled Shitty First Drafts in which she says ‘All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.’

The section on jealousy particularly resonated with me. Anne says, ‘Jealousy is one of the occupational hazards of being a writer, and the most degrading. And I, who have been the Leona Helmsley of jealousy, have come to believe that the only things that help ease or transform it are a) getting older, b) talking about it until the fever breaks and c) using it as material. Also someone somewhere along the line is going to be able to make you start laughing about it, and then you are on your way home.’

This book is written in lively and sassy style. Anne is very open about her life experiences and her faith which makes this book a warm and generous guide.  The perfect gift.

Bird by bird is published by Anchor Books

Return to REVIEWS HOMEPAGE