Wish I’d Written by Katherine Longshore

by Adventures in YA Publishing

I’ve never really been the sort of person to say that I wish I’d written a book I’ve fallen in love with, but I do love to stand open-mouthed in admiration and call others over to take a look—much in the manner of someone viewing a full double-rainbow or sky-encompassing sunset. There is magic in a great book that rivals those moments of utter chance and beauty—a magic that begs to be shared. So in that spirit, I want to call you over to gape at these recently-published and soon-to-be-published marvels:

A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller (January 22, Viking). Set in a familiar time period (Edwardian England), this novel covers a different aspect of society from mine (MANOR OF SECRETS). Vicky is an artist, a suffragette, a free-spirit and an inspiration. I loved this intimate peek into the lives of women who changed the world as much as I loved the romance with the delightful London bobby, William. The characters are dynamic and well-drawn, the plot believable and the historical world rich with detail.

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi (January 28, Harper Collins). This last installment of the UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy spins the final threads of the gorgeously written and epically fraught story of Aria and Perry (and one of my favorite fictional characters ever, Roar). In a world doomed to be destroyed by the sky above it—if not by their own communities first—these characters struggle to find and create peace while navigating the impossible politics and petty vendettas of others. Rossi brings this series to an irresistible conclusion.

The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe (February 6, Viking). I am in awe of anyone who can write poetry. And someone who can write an entire novel in verse? Amazing. Not only that, but Kehoe has created a story layered with love and romance and conflict and pain. The story of a girl (Daisy) who turns to music for solace until events propel her to question her motivations, her loyalties and her desires. Beautifully written and masterfully crafted.

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen (February 11, Bloomsbury/Walker). In her second book, Gaughen has brought back one of the most incredible heroines in YA fiction. Scarlet (aka Will Scarlet, aka Marian) has her work cut out for her trying to act like a lady, navigating the royal court, getting to know Eleanor of Aquitaine, fending off Guy Gisbourne, saving the people of Nottingham from starvation and dealing with Robin Hood’s apparent insanity. Written in a distinctive and utterly compelling voice, this is already one of my favorite books this year.

About The Author

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About The Book

The year is 1911. And at The Manor, nothing is as it seems . . .

Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy, and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure. And most of all, romance.

Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn’t sure she possesses the courage — or the means — to break free and follow her passions.

Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives. . . forever.

Amazon | IndieBound | Goodreads

Adventures in YA Publishing

This is the user name for posts from Adventures in YA Publishing that did not have a specific author.

Post © Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.

Posted: Feb 6, 2014

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: What I Wish I Had Written

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The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p>
<p>Your main character needs to be:<br />
• Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br />
• Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br />
• Active enough to drive the story<br />
• Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p>
<p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />

The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p>
<p>But your theme needs to be:<br />
• Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br />
• Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br />
• Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br />
• Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p>
<p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />

The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p>
<p>In general, your plot should:<br />
• Hook readers fast<br />
• Build tension that a child can follow<br />
• Create page turns that feel natural<br />
• Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p>
<p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.

The Arms of your story are the side characters.

The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p>
<p>Your setting should:<br />
• Make your character's world feel real<br />
• Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br />
• Connect different scenes and moments organically<br />
• Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p>
<p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black.

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