Oohs and Aahs for 3.8.24

Tinkering with the theme, finding your people, and more...

This week I got a chance to work with a DREAM client on a picture book that I know is going to be amazing. It’s already been sold, and it’s in production, but somewhere along the way it lost a little book magic. Usually when that happens, especially with a picture book where every word counts, something’s going on with the theme. Either it’s too simple or generic, or it’s muddled and trying to do too much. A while back, I wrote Is This Too Themey? So if you’re struggling, this might be a good place to start. The other thing I like to do is go through the manuscript, circle anything that feels evocative, poetic, or thematically relevant and then make a list of those words.

Somewhere in there is the theme.

Once I feel clear on the theme, I go back through the book and look at where it’s showing up. I mark anyplace that it feels right and note any places where I wonder if we might emphasize the theme a bit more (or less). Then I suggest small changes that will tilt the book in the right direction. Sometimes it’s a word here or there. A single sentence can clarify or add weight to the theme. It’s a balancing act. Not too little. Not too much. But when you get it right, everyone sighs and says “That’s better.”

When I did this for my client, she said, “WOW, Heidi.  You're good.  Better than good.  This is terrific feedback,” and then we got down to work, rebuilding the story from the theme up. Want help making your own book magic?

---

This Week…

We’re on a podcast!

I’ve been reading

Chanel Riggle

‘s posts for a while, and even when my feed is cluttered, I always know it’s her writing. Her posts are worth slowing down and making time to absorb, because they’re all so honest and empathetic. She’s doing a podcast series on building community in motherhood, and I went on to talk about Nebula Notebook and the Mothers Who Make series. This is my first Substack-based podcast, but really it’s my first podcast where I feel like I’m not just talking about me, I’m talking about US. It made me feel really proud of what we’re building together. As always, thanks for being here!

I’m also…

• Reading Margaret Wise Brown’s guide to writing for five year olds (Thanks for the recommendation

  AT THE KID TABLE
  )

• Wondering if you know about IFFLY (It’s kind of like Choose Your Own Adventure and they’re hosting a writing contest.)

• Enjoying these dispatches from Paris Fashion Week

• Looking forward to Museums Without Men

• Watching this wildly original movie

• Relating so much to Elyse Myer’s experience after her son’s surgery

• Applauding the rise of mother artists at Art Basel

• Nodding along to

  Dr Sharon Blackie
  ’s piece on writing as a form of resistance

• Trying to wrap my mind around the numbers in this Forbe’s article (On average mothers of autistic children earn 56% less than mothers of kids that aren’t disabled?!)

• Loving

  Kristen Drozdowski
  ’s new series of art made with incense ashes

---

If you enjoyed this post, please 💛 it so others can find it or share it with your favorite creative mothers.

PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert.

My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard.