Revision Tips Galore

If you missed the Summer Revision Smackdown at the blogs of Holly Cupala and Jolie Stekly, don't fret - here is the lowdown on the fabulous array of revision tips they gathered from the cream of the author and illustrator crop (plus a few publishing experts!):

• Jill S. Alexander, YA Historical Author, on revising to immerse your reader in the mosh of your story
• Molly Blaisdell, Picture Book, Middle Grade, NF, and YA Author, on analyzing your manuscript for revision
• Nathan Bransford, Curtis Brown Agent, on his Revision Checklist
• Janet Lee Carey, Fantasy & Middle Grade Author, on the Dream Mind and the Day Mind
• Bruce Coville, Middle Grade and YA Author, on pruning out overused words and phrases for a tighter manuscript
• Sarah Beth Durst, YA Fantasy Author, on powering through first drafts and revising one aspect at a time
• Tina Ferraro, YA Author, on organizing the revision strategy
• Liz Gallagher, YA Author, on becoming a stranger to your work
• Stacey Goldblatt, YA Author, on revision must-haves (hint: bulletin board, playlist, time to read)
• Lorie Ann Grover, YA Verse Novel and Board Book Author, on giving your book the gift of one day
• Brent Hartinger, YA Author, on setting your work aside and letting the subconsious take a crack at revision problems
• Kjersten Anna Hayes, Illustrator, on brainstorming, parachuting, and embracing the spirit of play
• Justina Chen Headley, YA Author, on being gentle with yourself but hard on your work
• Kelly Holmes, Author and YAnnabe blogger, on creating a plot board
• Carrie Jones, YA & YA Fantasy Author, on steps to revise your Stupid Novel Masterpiece
• Beth Kephart, YA & Adult Author, on reading and rewriting for authenticity
• Kirby Larson, YA Historical Author, on taking walks and letting your mind make unexpected connections
• Realm Lovejoy, Graphic Novel Author/Illustrator, on writing, surfing, and "just do it" mode
• Vivian Mahoney, Writer and HipWriterMama blogger, on breaking your project down into manageable chunks
• Robin Mellom, Writer and Disco Mermaid, on notes for the second draft
• Edward Necarsulmer IV, Children's Director at McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency, on how to "wow" him with a submission
• Catherine Onder, Editor at HarperCollins, on keeping your prose immediate and direct
• Darcy Pattison, Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Novel Metamorphosis Author, on making opening pages immediate and active
• Mitali Perkins, YA Author & between-cultures blogger, on BIC and other strageties to get through the very hard first draft to revision
• Paul Schmidt, Illustrator, on striking the balance between perfection and sponteneity
• Joni Sensel, YA and Middle Grade Fantasy Author, on creating tension by adding interruptions and diversions
• Emily Wing Smith, YA Author, on staring down self-doubt
• Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, Middle Grade Author, on using Darcy Pattison's shrunken manuscript technique
• Melissa Walker, YA Author, on just saying "no" to too much revision
• Paula Yoo, YA Author, on cutting the final paragraph for a crisper manuscript
  
  

Other cool stuff:



The original SRS winner: Martha Brockenbrough

CocoaStomp by Jaime Temairik

Inspiration from around the kidlitosphere

Jolie's Monday Moments writing prompts

Revision Conversations We Can't Afford to Miss



Hopefully these tips will tide you over until next year's Summer Revision Smackdown. We hope to see you!