The Writing Process

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The Writing Process

• An Authors Walk Through the Imagination

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The Basic Process

• Brainstorming
• Planning
• Writing
• Edit / Rewrite
• Publish

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BRAINSTORMING
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Brainstorming

• Open mind
• Let imagination run
• Map out ideas

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WRITING
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Imagination
Meet the heart of writing the imagination. This
is where the adventure begins
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Stimulating Little Imaginations

• Reading quality literature out loud
• Read about favorite topics
• Discuss interests, likes, wishes and dreams
• Draw or write down interests in journal

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PLANNING

• Journal for ideas
• Writing
• Drawing
• Thought organizers

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Journaling Ideas

• record ideas as they come
• Drawing, writing or whatever method works best
• The example on the right are my actual notes from
  The Soldier and the Storyteller

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Thought Organizers

• My term for anything that helps the writer start
  putting the pieces together.
• Graphic organizers
• Mind maps
• Wall charts
• Sticky notes
• Just about anything that works

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Graphic Organizers
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Graphic Organizers

• Excellent for young and new writers
• Great for visual learners ( myself included)
• Flexible
• Easy to find

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Wall Charts

• Sticky notes, pad paper
• Move plot around
• Define characters
• Show order or ranking of things

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Characters

• Write up a description
• Physical
• Interests
• Problems
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Fears
• Draw a picture of appearance

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Character Development

• Must be three-dimensional
• Be real to the reader
• Reader should be able to walk with the character

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Writing

• Free thinking
• Use planning notes to help you if needed
• Forget about grammar and spelling
• Imagination runs free
• Just write!

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Writing

• Get stuck, back up on wall charts, graphic
  organizers, etc.
• Go back to brainstorming if needed
• Keep working through problems as go along

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More Tips and Tricks

• Visualizing being character in a situation
• Talking about story with someone else
• May have to put story aside to let ideas cook

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Edit/Rewrite

• Work from large to small
• Be kind to yourself and others
• Dont try to correct everything at once
• Have someone else read your work and give
  feedback
• Read your work out loud

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Editing

• My edits for The Soldier and the Storyteller
• May have to read through several times
• Remember to work from large to small

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Working Large to Small

• Story plot
• Story flow
• Characters
• Dialogue
• Grammar
• Spelling and punctuation

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Tips for Rewriting Story

• Keep your planning materials close by
• Have someone else read it again
• Remember, you may have to do this many times
• Be patient

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Publishing

• Creativity
• Use simple materials
• Best work!
• Put in library for anyone to read

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Authors Publishing Process

• Query letter to publisher or agent
• Rejection / Acceptance Letter
• Manuscript
• Contract
• Possible rewriting may be needing
• Published book

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Example of Query Letter

• Stephanie Newman, editor
• c/o Publish it Now Press
• P.O. Box 89798
• Anyplace, USA 57584-098
• To Acquisitions Editor
• Thick, strong knuckles grasp the bat,
  holding it just above the shoulder and poised for
  the pitch. The white cylinder rolls and twists
  towards home, then drops suddenly. The bat swings
  in a graceful arc and meets directly with the
  sweet spot, sending it careening for center
  field. The compact batter drops the bat to the
  side, and his cleats dig in to the dirt as he
  zooms for first. Panting, he focuses his eyes on
  the baseman, watching out of the corner for where
  the ball will be coming from. Second base has it
  from center, he sees, and knows hell have to
  slide for it. At the right moment, he drops,
  letting his legs stretch out as he rides the
  dust. A cloud appears over the scene, and the
  umpires rush in. The batter stands, wipes his
  pants and peers through the clearing mist to see
  two arms sweep apart in a sign of, Safe! He
  grins, and turns his grimy face to the stands,
  seeing the applause of a hundred hats and hands
  waving in the air.
• I would like to introduce you to William
  Ellsworth Hoy, also known as Dummy Hoy, one of
  the great folk heroes of the Deaf culture. In my
  picture book, From Shoes to Signals, Hoy walks
  off the pages of history and shows how
  determination, strong character, and the ability
  to believe brought him to the majors in the birth
  of baseball in the nineteenth century. From
  making his own cleats using the teeth of a saw,
  he took his talent for stealing bases and strong
  throwing arm to several leagues, influencing the
  current major league hand signals and those
  around him to show that being deaf was not an
  obstacle, but a beautiful part of his
  personality.
• After working around the Deaf community
  for many years, I was intrigued by this man and
  want to bring his story to people in an
  entertaining in a unique way. My first book, The
  Soldier and the Storyteller, is currently
  published with PublishAmerica, and I would like
  to offer my current book for your publication. I
  will be glad to provide a bibliography of my
  research for this book at your request, and have
  enclosed per your guidelines an SASE for your
  convenience. Thank you very much for your
  consideration of my manuscript.
• Sincerely,
• Erin Steeley
• P.O. Box 2482
• Anywhere, ST 89302

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Query Letter

• Introduce you and your work to a publisher
• SASE means self-addressed stamped envelope
• The SASE is so the publisher can send you a reply
• Well written and edited before sent

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Publisher Response - NO

• Stephanie Newman, editor
• c/o Publish it Now Press
• P.O. Box 89798
• Anyplace, USA 57584-098
• Dear Mrs. Steeley
• We greatly appreciate you choosing
  to submit your work to us, but we feel that your
  book does not currently match our list. Thank
  you.
• Sincerely,
• Stepahnie Newman, editor
• Publish it Now Press

• The most common response
• Very competitive
• Have to be persistent

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Publisher Response YES

• It only takes one yes
• May have to rewrite manuscript from editors
  suggestions
• May be up to a year before published

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Cover Design

• Work closely with publisher and
  illustrator/designer
• Approve cover
• Prepare for final printing

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Final Product

• Author gets a certain number of free copies
• Promotion
• Signings
• Enjoyment!

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Classroom Publishing

• Query letter to publisher (teacher)
• Type up manuscript
• Design Cover
• Bind and publish for others to read!

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Query Letter to Teacher

• Mr. Blackburn
• Robertson Elementary Room 123
• Anywhere, USA 34768
• To Mr. Blackburn,
• The forest was quiet, the only thing you can
  hear is the breeze rustling in the tree. Then,
  STOMP STOMP. You freeze and listen, wondering
  what is coming? You know exactly how Mark and
  Brittnie feel as they explore the woods behind
  the school to discover a mysterious animal in
  The Great Woods Mystery.
• I like to write stories that are interesting,
  have great characters and that my readers will
  enjoy. I have enclosed an SASE per your
  requirements and hope to hear from you soon.
• Sincerley,
• Erin Steeley
• P.O. Box 434
• Anywhere, USA 34323
• writer3_at_mailinternet.com
• 343-656-4424

• Contact information and format
• Hook
• Interesting opening
• Descriptive
• Action
• Catch interest of editor
• Information on author

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Materials and Book Covers

• File folders
• Construction paper
• Wallpaper from old sample books
• Brown grocery bags
• Three ring binder
• Pocket folder
• Anything that is available be creative

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Wrap Up

• Make the process
• Fun
• Real
• Relevant
• Be enthusiastic
• Keep writing!

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Online Writing Process Resources

• http//owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/587/01/
  
• http//www.teachervision.fen.com/creative-writing/
  lesson-plan/6608.html
• http//www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/teachers/
• http//www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/secwpli
  nks.html
• http//www.telusplanet.net/bplaroch/Teacher.html
  
• http//www.writingfix.com/Process/Revision.htm
• http//www.fas.harvard.edu/wricntr/resources.html
  

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Writing Helpers

• http//teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/
• http//www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
• http//edhelper.com/teachers/graphic_organizers.ht
  m

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Books to Check Out

• Childrens Literature, Briefly
• James S. Jacobs and Michael O. Tunnell