Indiana SCBWI MG/YA Meet-Up

June Critique Session

Registration is CLOSED.
SCBWI Writers of middle grade and young adult fiction are welcome to Meet-up on June 14. Hosted by Manju Howard and Gail Nall. Bring 5 copies of the first 5 pages of your MG or YA work-in-progress to critique. 

This is a FREE SCBWI event. Writers will need to bring their own lunch.

Space is limited to 12 writers.

To register email Manju Howard: manjuhoward@gmail.com.

In the subject line: MG/YA Meet UP

Please include the following information in your email:

Full name

Title of MG or YA WIP

Genre

Email address

Date / Time:

Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location:

Zionsville Library's Hussey/Hoffman Room

250 N 5th St, Zionsville, IN 46077

Saturday, June 14 - SCBWI MG/YA Meet Up

Schedule:

10:00 - Introductions: Name, writing background & critique experience

10:30 - Critique Guidelines

10:40 - Critique 1 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

11:20 - Critique 2 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

12:00 - Bag Lunch  

1:10 - Critique 3 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

1:50 - Critique 4 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

2:30 - Break

2:40 - Critique 5 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

3:20 - Critique 6 MG/YA First 5 Pages *

4:00 – Session Ends

* 1. Author being critiqued will read their 5 manuscript pages aloud.

   2. Writers in each group will individually write a brief critique.

   3. Group discussion on manuscript’s good points and concerns.

Writers' Conference Tips

10 Things to Bring to a Writers' Conference

by Rachelle Gardner 

1. Concise and fascinating answers to questions like, “So, what do you write?” and “Tell me about yourself.”

2. Organized thoughts about the book(s) you’re pitching, so you can easily give a 1 or 2 minute pitch when asked.

3. One-sheets for each book you’re pitching—plenty of copies in case agents or editors want to keep them.

4. Business cards.

5. A printout of the first chapter of your novel. You just need a few of copies since you will show them in meetings but probably won’t leave them with agents or editors.

6. A camera if that floats your boat.

7. A tote bag or brief case (not too big) to carry around your stuff, or simply a folder to hold your papers and keep you organized.

8. A professional-looking, business-casual wardrobe with comfortable shoes. A nicer outfit for the banquet Saturday night.

9. Personal goals for the conference… and an open mind so that you don’t miss opportunities and connections that come your way unexpectedly.

10. A big smile, since it’s the best way to forge connections with others and keep yourself relaxed.

For more Writers' Conference Tips:

Writers’ Conference Etiquette 
by Scott Hoffman

http://foliolit.com/resources/writers-conference-etiquette 

Get Thee to a Writers Conference 
by James Scott Bell

http://stevelaube.com/get-thee-to-a-writers-conference

Shoveling Plot Lines through the Snow

I just shoveled 4 inches of fluffy snow off my driveway. To make the job interesting in a Tom Sawyer kind of way, I thought of the snowy driveway as a story and the sidewalk like readers. I began by scooping a clear path on the sidewalk so that readers could watch the story unfold. Then I got to work on the driveway. 

Each line of snow I pushed my shovel through was a character's plot line. One line blissfully traveled across the cement. A second line ran parallel then veered off. A third line ended abruptly. A fourth line crashed into several other lines as it plowed across. And so on.

No line was perfect. Many lines left snow behind. 

Messy plot lines are far more interesting to read. They keep readers curious and involved in the story.

Messy lines are also more fun to shovel.

The Right Writers' Group for You

Around a Table and Online

            If you want to be a writer, you have to write. Simple. Right? But without deadlines, most of us fail to be consistent. For that nudge, I joined a writers’ group (6 years ago) that meets monthly. We have writing prompts, assignments and a schedule. Plus we share similar quirks, like hearing characters hold conversations in our heads.

            All the writers in my group have a passion for journaling. We share personal stories, encourage each other’s work, and question unclear prose. It’s a low-pressure group meant to stretch our literary muscles.

            In order to become a published writer, I needed a critique group that challenges me to write a marathon. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), I found writers dedicated to the craft of writing children’s books.

            Thus my online critique group keeps me on pace to complete stories and make them shiny. We agreed to accept picture book manuscripts through young adult.

            For picture book manuscripts, every syllable needs to be scrutinized and edited a dozen times. Okay, that’s me. But nothing written well is written once. Middle grade and young adult novel are a bit more forgiving. That doesn’t mean a weak plot or flat characters are acceptable to readers.

Organizing a Writing Group

1. How many members will you accept into the group? Consider how much time you wish to commit to the group. A writers’ group requires give and take from every member.

2. Will you accept newbies to the group? Or do writers need to have a work in progress? Or one publishing credit?

3. Whether your group meets in-person or submits online, maintaining a regular schedule is crucial. Like Woody Allen once said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Of course you need to show up with writing tools and plenty of paper.

4. What age group and genres will your group critique?

5. What is the maximum a writer can submit each session? The submission amount could be a chapter or 10 pages. 

6. How much time may pass before critiques are completed each session?

I will discuss how to give and take a critique next time.