How to Conquer Writer’s Block Tip 34
Caroline Arnold, prolific author of over 100 books, as well as an illustrator, shares an important tip which certainly works for her. It is also, in my opinion, a great reason to get a dog or a cat, as they are excellent, noncritical listeners!
Caroline’s titles include A Polar Bear’s World, one of a series of twelve books illustrated with her own cut paper art, Wiggle and Waggle, five stories about two hardworking worms, and The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers, a tall tale which won the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. In 2008 she received the California Readers Leo Politi Award for her body of work.
Caroline says,
“Revision is my favorite part of the writing process, and a key step is reading my manuscript aloud. After I’ve done all the usual grammar and syntax corrections, cutting and pasting, and I think I’m getting close, I always read the manuscript to myself. Even with books for older readers that are not meant as read-alouds, this helps me hear if my text is flowing smoothly and if I’ve left anything out or put in unnecessary material.
I use the same technique when I am stuck. Just hearing the words spoken aloud helps me to make small changes and move forward on the story.”
Leave a Reply
How This:
Became This:
And This:
Became This:
