The number one question I’m asked
about writing: How long does it take to write a picture book?
Of all the writing questions I’m
asked, that one is the hardest to answer. In a measurement of time, do I
include the conceptual preparation, that phase when I consider countless
obstacles the character can encounter? Or do I begin with the first time I
place pen to paper or fingers to keyboard? From the origin of the idea to the
first written word of the manuscript may consume weeks, maybe months. The
character lingers, like the sweet aroma of a cake baking, in the oven of my
mind. As the idea jells (or curdles), I sometimes write notes on the character,
plot, and single phrases; I sometimes let them hang out and tantalize my
senses, with scenes etching into my brain before I begin stringing words on
paper.
I’ve been keeping notes on one
particular character that has been marching around my thinker for a few weeks.
Today, I took action and began writing the manuscript. So is this day one or
day fifty-seven?
After rewriting the first draft, a
second, a third…at some point, whenever it is fairly polished, I’ll send it to
my critique partner. I’ll polish again and place it aside for a month or so.
During that time, I’ll think about it occasionally, cognitively making changes,
as I work on another manuscript. Do I count those days?
I don’t keep track of my time;
however, some authors do. They log their time on each project and can answer
the question posed here in actual days/hours/minutes. I’m not that time-task
oriented. My mind tends to wander off track too often to keep a time log; instead,
I have to admit: I don’t know the answer. But this I know: The time it takes to
write a picture book varies with every book and every author.
Call
for Submissions for Young Writers:
Canvas Teen Literary Journal was
established and 2013 and publishes quarterly in print, ebook, web, video, and
audio formats. It is seeking work by writers aged 13 to 19 and accepts fiction,
novel excerpts, poetry, plays, nonfiction, new media and experimental
cross-genre work. Canvas asks that all submissions be previously unpublished
but it will make exceptions for work that was published in a school literary
journal or a personal website.
Submission guidelines at http://canvasliteraryjournal.com/submit/
Call
for Submissions for Adult Writers:
GIRLWORKS: The “magazine for smart girls” aged 11-15 years. Focus on all issues
facing girls. Articles: 400-800 words.
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook,
SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK. Check out her blog at www.nancykellyallen.com
From the very beginning, I think-that includes the first inkling of a story. If it were just putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), this writing thing would be easy. You nailed it for mentioning everything that goes on in the background!
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning a new book, so all the emotions, from elation to doubt, battle it out.
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