Donna offered to write an article today about How a Book Comes to Be, so here it is. Be sure to scroll all the way down because Donna has a free offer for you.
One
of the most popular questions children ask me when conducting author visits is
“How do you come up with your ideas?” Today, I’m sharing just that…
The
creation of a book starts at the basics, an idea…
·
Imagination
·
Playing
Games
·
World
History
·
Music
·
News
Articles
·
Art
·
Playing
Sports
The
list is endless.
My
ideas for my books come to me in different ways…
For
example, my book Hockey Agony was created from my lifelong interest in
sports and watching my children, nieces and nephews compete in one sport or
another. I chose hockey because two of my nephews and a niece are passionate
hockey players.
View
the Hockey Agony book trailer… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i5GTVVAkVI&list=UUTdvE0ppCdRwy3U0ULDQ3MA
The
Golden Pathway
and Powder Monkey were created from a publishers call for submissions
regarding the Underground Railroad and the Royal Navy Press Gangs.
View
the book trailers for…
A
Sandy Grave came
to life from a newspaper article I read about a dead whale that washed ashore
of a California beach. What fascinated me about this article was the police
needed to guard the whale, until the local marine biology institute could
arrive to determine what the whale died from. The reasoning for guarding the
whale astounded me. Apparently, poachers would take the opportunity to steal
the whale’s teeth to sell to artists to create scrimshaw on the teeth and then
sell for a profit.
View
the book trailer for A Sandy Grave…
Once
an idea comes to mind the research and outline begin…
It’s
important to conduct research to stay accurate to the details of true life,
especially when it concerns laws or facts.
Just because an author’s story may be fictional, accuracy is a must to
make it entertaining and educational at the same time.
Create
character profiles and conduct character interviews to learn how each character
will respond to a certain situation.
Blending
the facts with well-written characters and scenes using all the five senses
(sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste) will have an enjoyable story leaping
from the pages.
In
the creative writing process it helps to know what you want your character to accomplish
even before you write the story…
ü
Write
a beginning that makes your reader want to keep reading.
ü
The
middle of your story should happen in the right order.
ü
The
end of your story should make sense.
Once
you have your first draft written now it’s time to share it with a fellow
writer to have a fresh set of eyes to read through your manuscript. Writers
often become so invested in their words they don’t see what can be reworded or
deleted to make a scene stronger.
Editing
Process…
Don’t
be afraid to edit and cut portions of your manuscript. The tighter your
manuscript the quicker your story will flow.
The
road to publication is a long one. Now the waiting truly begins…
ü
Once
the acceptance contract is received, more edits from the publisher begins with
their editing department.
ü
After
the final edits the publisher determines the break of scenes for the page
layout.
ü
For
children’s books an illustrator is then assigned, and the creation of the
illustrations begin.
ü
The
book marketing process begins well before the release date with the publisher’s
marketing department and author.
ü
It
is a complete team effort to see the final creation of the book.
From
acceptance to publication it can take anywhere from six months to two years to
hold your published book in your hands. It’s a long time, but oh so worth the
wait.
Soak
up the World Through Books…
Embrace
the written word and suggestions your teachers may have for your writing.
Explore the world at your fingertips through the adventures of reading and
writing. The joy of immersing yourself in a good book is one to share with
everyone.
Special
offer, opt-in for my FREE newsletter, Write What Inspires You! http://donnamcdine.com/newsletter.html and receive two FREE
e-books:
·
The
Story Behind the Book
·
Marketing
Tips by Donna McDine
Multi
award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine’s creative side laid dormant for
many years until her desire to write sparked in 2007. With four early reader
children’s picture books to her credit, A
Sandy Grave (January 2014), Powder
Monkey (May 2013), Hockey Agony
(January 2013) and The Golden Pathway
(August 2010) and a fifth book in the publishing pipeline with Guardian Angel
Publishing her adventures continue as she ignites the curiosity of children
through reading. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet
Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, New York State Reading Association
and Family Reading Partnership.
Keep
reading and writing,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning
children’s author
Janet,
thank you for hosting me today. It has been a true pleasure and honor to be
here.
Thank you, Donna, for being such a wonderful guest. I loved the book trailers, and your words should help a lot of would-be authors that might be viewing today.
I highly recommend subscribing to Donna's newsletter. It's chock full of helpful, inspiring articles. And what a generous free offer, so don't miss out on that.
Any questions or comments for Donna today?
