Oh, that pesky word count!
It’s the age-old nemesis of picture book writers everywhere. Its maniacal clutches lead to long elaborate sentences that, though spell binding, slow the pace of the story. Those wonderful word detract from the illustrious illustrations. (See what I did there?)
After writing from the trenches for almost three years, I’ve seen the same thread again and again.
Does word count really matter?
Truth be told-
Yes AND no.
Tell your story. Take the space you need. BUT if you are going to write picture books you have to keep something in mind.
This is a duet. A partnership. A three-legged race.
You have to let the illustrations do their part.
Everyone’s method for trimming words is different. (And some of us will always struggle more than others. Yes, my beautiful Critique Sisters, I can see y’all nodding vigorously.)
I am so WORDY. But I have learned some things along the way.

1. Try to get rid of any form of be in your manuscript. (is, are, was, were, etc. OR starting to, began to, going to)

Example: Cal was wishing on stars.
Instead: Cal wished on stars.
Example: Cal is a nice boy. (So are most of the boys in the world. You’re telling me. Show me.)
Instead: Cal scrambled to hold the door open for Mrs. Jenkins.

2. Cut down on adjectives or things that could be seen in illustrations.

Example: The flower’s yellow petals danced and dipped in the refreshing breeze.
Instead: The petals danced and dipped in the breeze.

Your reader will be able to see the flower and the “yellow” of the petals. And what does refreshing mean to your reader? It doesn’t really appeal to any of the senses and it is not vital to the sentence.

3. Say buh-bye to most of the similes in picture books. (One or two are fine. But with only 32 pages to get the story told, these words gotta go!)

Example: Selene was tall like a mountain.
Instead: Selene towered over her classmates.

(In one sentence, I accomplished several things. I established a conflict, gave character description, and started to reveal a setting.)

4. Nix the adverbs. Let your reader do some inferring. It's good for them.  

Example: Cammie said dreamily.
Instead: Cammie sighed.

5. Read Your story aloud.

Have a kid read it aloud.

Have another adult read it aloud.

Record yourself reading it aloud.

Listen to Your story. Then read it again.

After reading my first book, Flamingo Hugs Aren’t for Everyone, aloud to dozen of classes, I really wanted to snip, snip, snip.

What seemed so necessary when I wrote those initial drafts, left me exhausted after author visits. Do yourself a favor, let those darlings go free.

6. Read a section to yourself. Does it create a new picture in your head from the last spread? If not, hasta luego, so long, farewell!

Example: Cal hurled the stone. The stone skidded across the rippling surface. Plunk!  It dropped rapidly like an anchor below the surface.

Instead: Cal hurled the stone. P-P-Plunk! The rock sank.
(The reader would see the stone’s journey in the illustration.)
 
Remember that your story is yours! Everyone will have an opinion about what to keep and cut. But if you are worried about your word count. Try out these tips next time you revise. 😊
 
Do you have a favorite trick to trim those words?

Greetings!
Your STEM LOVE tip comes from me today.

I never thought I would enjoy writing nonfiction.

As a child and teen, I thought nonfiction was boring. Nonfiction books should only be read when writing essays for school.

But nowadays, I love nonfiction’s vibrant photographs, the magical language, and the knowledge I gain from reading the genre.

And writing it has become even more enjoyable. I often find myself so wrapped up in my research that I will be absorbed for hours. By the end of that time, I have gathered so many facts that weaving them into a cohesive manuscript seems impossible. It’s almost like I’m walking blindfolded through a maze. I can’t see how to connect all my ideas.


That is when I have to stop myself and ask, “What’s my why?”

Why am I writing this piece?
Why will my story or book matter to a reader?
Why is this fact important to my overall goal?


Once I start asking myself about my why, I can usually see the path I need to take. Once I remember where I am headed, it becomes easier to organize my thoughts. And often times, I’m able to cut out a few facts, which makes my writing clearer and more concise.
 
So next time you feel more stuck than chewing gum in quicksand, ask yourself what’s your why?
 
I would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below or go retweet the original STEM love tweet for a chance to win books from really cool authors. 

Or if you would like to check out my books, visit their pages by clicking the links below. :)

Nothing makes my little heart happier than that moment when I strike research gold.
“Eureka!” I shout and race back to the white page and type my little heart out.
 
A few weeks later, that happy heart crashes and burns faster than a marshmallow at a bonfire. I cannot find the website with that glorious information that tied all my STEM-tastic ideas together. Oh the woes!
 
Perhaps I am being a little dramatic, but I think we have all been there. So our first tip in our STEM LOVE week comes from Jolene.

She says,
Bookmark websites, but don't assume that a site will always be available, so print hard copies or download PDFs of the site (you can use an extension like PrintFriendly to cut out obtrusive ads and create a PDF). If you try to return to a site and it's no longer available, you can see if the Internet Archive Wayback Machine has an archived version available. 
 
And there you have it! Don’t have a burning marshmallow moment. Instead listen to Jolene. Thanks for reading! 

Want to learn more about Jolene? Visit her site.

Want to enter for a chance to win her book, retweet thE TWEET BELOW or comment below about your favorite stem TIP!

February is drawing to a close. But don’t worry! You can still feel the love. For the last week of February, these authors will be offering tips and tricks on writing STEM that this will get your hearts racing! (We hope!) Comment here or retweet our tweets for a chance to win one of the books below. Or better yet, tell us a nonfiction or STEM tip that you love.
 
Winners of the books will be announced, February 28th. 

I'll confess it. I was never a huge fan of Biographies.

gASP.

bUT YOU'RE A LIBRARIAN! I hear you whisper in shock.

can you say things like that? Is the super secret guild of library lads and lassies going to track you Down and confiscate your library card?

Now don't you go fretting over my card, I have since changed my ways.

Over the last year, I have been blessed to see my research go from vague outline to a fully illustrated book.


My new book the story of Leonardo Da Vinci will be releasing February 2nd! 

Who knew I would get the opportunity to write about A man that I knew next to nothing about? And who would have guessed he would become one of my heroes?

Most people know Da Vinci as an artist. But, he was such more. He overcame restrictive social norms. He studied the human body extensively. and he was an innovator.

(I can' almost hear Leo say, "We don't have the technology for that?! Ha! I will just invent it myself!")

It was such an incredible experiences from drafting this book to working with the publisher. And I even received my first fan art from Hannah at Quest type! Go visit her page, she's one crafty and kind lady!


If you want to find out more about Leo's life, read a fun biography full of maps, timelines, and a very interesting prank pulled by Leo, visit the amazon page. 

Or download your own copy of the Leo coloring page by clicking the image below!

​Welcome to Kidlit Holiyay! So excited you decided to stop by!

so...

​You did it! You wrote that book that has been floating around in your head. Your character is alive!

Now what?

If you’re anything like me, you hurriedly send it off to your critique group under the impression that this is the best work ever written. Go ahead and send all the praise and accolades your way, right?
​
Again, if you’re anything like me, a winner you have not. (At least not yet. You’re only in the drafting stage, panic not, my friends.)

​After your critique group offers you amazing feedback, you decide this is the worst piece you have ever written. And you read the words, “Love this story, but I am not sure how well it will sell.” 

Ready to throw in the proverbial towel I had a very wise critique partner encourage me to look at my layers of the story. She’s brilliant! So I started a checklist of questions that I ask myself after I finish my drafts.
​

Oh the layers!

Wild Symphony is one of those books that my children and I go back to over and over again. We never read the entire book in one setting, but rather focus on a page or two at a time.

The main character is an adorable mouse named Maestro. He walks you through the symphony while offering little tidbits about life. I really enjoyed the way he presented valuable lessons in a kid friendly way.

Wild Symphony has its own app. That is one aspect that sets it apart. You can listen to each of the spreads as you read. That right there adds to the marketability!
 
My child immediately went to get out her keyboard and wanted to play along. She also wanted to get out her stuffed animals and have them play as well. Instruments, music, and animals, oh my! The ways to market this book are endless.

Written in rhyme, the pages came to life as we read them. My daughter always enjoys a good rhyming game. She loved finding the words that rhymed. We learned about various instruments and even talked about how the music made us feel. Music teachers and English Language Arts teachers will both love using this in the classroom.
​
So the next time you are looking at a draft and wondering how to make it sparkle, perhaps stop and ask yourself how to add in those layers.

wANT YOUR OWN COPY OF THIS AMAZING BOOK? Comment below about how you add layers. Or just tell me your favorite donut. Either one works for me. :) 

​ Spring is a time of re-birth and growth. And with the COVID quarantine, I think most of us are realizing how much we need to grow (whether it be as a person, partner, writer, or parent).
  And that has been Kaitlyn’s and my goal for Spring Fling-
to help us grow. We had no idea that the contest would land smack dab in the middle of a nationwide shut down. But we are so thankful that our kidlit community has virtually surrounded us and "sprung" into our lives.

​We both want to say thank you for giving us warm fuzzies and laughs in this chaotic time!
​

  ​We also want to say a big thank you to Heather Bell! She designed these fabulous badges for all our Spring Fling participants. 

You can get your badge by right clicking and saving the badge. You can use it on your website to show off your accomplishment and awesomeness! Or feel free to share this lovely art on any of your other social media platforms.

I had a chance to catch up with heather this morning this morning. She let me pester her with a few questions.
 
Alright Heather, first question if you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?

Ooooh. I think I'll go with the raspberry filled. Number one--it's my ultimate favorite. Number two--can't go wrong with a general yummy doughnut plus a sweet surprise center!

Sweet! Just like you! You are also very talented. Not only are you a talented illustrator you are also an author. Do you consider yourself an author first? An illustrator first? Or are the two inseparable to you?
 
I think it really depends on the project. I have a formal education in art, but have been writing stories since I was little. The part that draws me most is creating worlds. And both writing and art have to kind of dance together to make that happen.

You’re repped by our very own Kaitlyn Sanchez. Any advice for querying writers?

I’m so honored to be repp’d by Kaitlyn! As everyone says, this is a subjective business. It’s a good mantra. Everyone will have different opinions about your work.
 
As far as advice goes, keep creating, keep sending, and keep learning. It’s just a mix of time and luck before it lands in the hands of someone who thinks, yes! This is it.
 
Truth! What a wonderful reminder. Thank you so much for the beautiful badges you donated! I absolutely love that you illustrated the beautiful transformation and growth of spring for our badge. It is oh so timely!

Can't get enough of the beautiful Heather Bell, Check out her website here!

Alright friends, prepare yourselves to grow into your greatness this week.
Things may seem hard.
Words may be difficult to type,
time might be hard to find,
but you can do this.

You will grow. You will blossom. You will be great!
​
Hugs! 

Have you ever heard the phrase "in the groove?" Well, Valerie Bolling’s book, Let’s Dance will have you getting your groove on!  The illustrations are beyond beautiful. The rhyme rolls off the tongue, and the verbs are vivacious!
 
There are so many wonderful classroom connections. Aside from all of the amazing movement vocabulary, each illustration features dances from around the world.

pull out those maps and plant a few pins on all the different countries represented. Teacher friends, you could even Watch youtube videos of the various dances. I am inspired to conduct a whirly-twirly research project, I bet your children will be too!

I had a chance to chat with the author behind this brilliance. And I can tell you, she inspires me in more than just my dance moves!
 
Alright Valerie, let’s start off with my favorite question. if you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?
 
That’s definitely the most interesting question anyone has asked me, Ciara. Another blogger asked, “If you could be any animal, what would you be?” However, your question tops that! I honestly don’t know what to pick because I’m not a fan of donuts; I prefer other sweets – homemade cakes and cookies – brownies, too. I guess I’d pick chocolate. Since I like brownies and rich chocolate cake, a chocolate donut is the closest I can get to those favorites.
 
Ha! I’m so glad I get the quirkiest question award! I love all things sweet too! So, if you want to be a brownie, you be a brownie!
 
This book gets you moving and grooving! What inspired you to write it? 
 
Who doesn’t like to dance? I know some don’t, but most people I know enjoy it– especially young, uninhibited children. Turn on music and watch them go! Babies who can barely walk will sway and/or raise their hands. 
 
My nieces love to dance. When they were two and four, they even danced while brushing their teeth. Now at ages soon-to-be six and eight, they still love to dance! They certainly provided inspiration for this book.
 
Kids are the best. I love watching mine. (They have no rhythm and two left feet just like their mama. There’s lots of crashing and falling, but we have a good time.)
 
What was your favorite part of the writing process? 
 
I actually like revision. It’s the challenge of getting it right. In the case of Let’s Dance!, it was finding the best rhyming words and making sure the scansion was tight. There’s a sense of satisfaction each time the story gets closer and closer to being query-ready.
 
That is a very positive way to look at a tough part of the process. Love it! As authors, we all want to inspire kids. What do you hope kids will take from your stories? 
 
I want people to find joy in my books. I want Let’s Dance!, and my subsequent books, to achieve the hallmark of a good picture book: begging to be read again and again. I also want my books to serve as models for celebrating diversity–featuring those who may not regularly appear in stories. I want all children to see themselves in my books and to see, also, those who may be not like them.
 
See, everyone? Isn’t she wonderful? Check out her book, I promise it will have you dancing for joy!

​Valerie Bolling has been an educator for over 25 years and a writer since age 4. She is a graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers College and currently works as an Instructional Coach with middle and high school teachers.
 
In addition to writing picture books, Valerie writes a Monthly Memo for teachers that she publishes on Twitter, and she has been published in The National Writing Project’s Quarterly (“The Family Writing Project Builds a Learning Community in Connecticut”) and NESCBWI News (“Microaggressions Don’t Feel ‘Micro’”). Recently, she had a poem accepted for publication by Cricket Media. 
 
Valerie is a member of NCTE, SCBWI, the NESCBWI Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Authors Guild, the WNDB Mentorship Program, #12X12PB, 2020 Diverse Debuts, 20/20 Vision Picture Books, and a picture book critique group.
 
Valerie and her husband live in Connecticut and enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing.