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Resources for Writing Character Driven Picture Books

2/23/2014

6 Comments

 
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We see it everywhere. Editors and agents are seeking: Character Driven Picture Books.  But what exactly does that mean?

Pam Calvert from Woven with Pixie Dust wrote a fantastic post about Character Driven Picture books. Her list of Must Haves consists of:

Must haves:

·      Unique characteristics that go outside the box

·      Have an emotional connection with children

·      The “star” of the book

·      Big internal conflict that outweighs the external conflict

·      Story focus is on the main character not on the plot (although most title character driven books have wonderful plots!)

·      If you take that particular character away from the story, it falls apart or you wouldn’t have a story.

·      Character image is instantly recognizable (this is beyond a writer’s control, but if you’ve written your character well, you won’t have to worry about this.)


Be sure to check out her entire post. 



Wendy Silvano, author of Just One More and Turkey Trouble gives a fantastic definition of character driven picture books:


A character-driven picture book is just what it says—a picture book where the character drives the plot. Think of it this way: In a character-driven picture book the story is more about the character than about the plot. What happens in the story happens because of the attitudes, personality and character traits of the main character.

She also gives a great list of  eight questions to ask when trying to figure out if your character is compelling enough.  


Be sure to check out her entire post. 


I've spent some time researching resources for Character Driven Picture Books.


Character Driven Books to Read


http://www.pinterest.com/mandycyates/character-driven-picture-books/




Blog Posts and Articles


http://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/tag/character-driven-picture-books/

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/07/whole-lot-of-info-about-picture-books.html

http://carmenoliver.livejournal.com/23091.html

http://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/2012/10/salina-yoon-on-difference-between.html

http://cfitewrite.blogspot.com/2013/01/notes-on-character-driven-pb.html

http://picturebooksonly.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/transcipt-21-april-what-drives-your-pb-character-or-plot/

https://suite101.com/a/plotting-your-book-for-children-a52757

http://writeoncon.com/08/17/irresistible-picture-book-characters/

PDF List

http://alaynekaychristian.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/character-driven-picture-books-suggested-reading-list.pdf

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XVn1bTlME

Industry

http://metro.nyscbwi.org/news/in-a-weak-economy-agents-look-for-safe-books-2/

Courses

http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-character-driven-stories.html


Are you currently writing a Character Driven Picture Book?  If not, use the resources above and give it a try. 

6 Comments
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
2/23/2014 11:53:17 pm

Great post, Mandy. I will any that we don't already have to www.KidLit411.com! Thanks!

Reply
Heather Gale
2/24/2014 12:23:56 am

What a fabulous post! I think these points are key to the very heart of a great story - just applied each point to my current #1 PB, McPhail's 'Mole Music' and now I 'get' why I love it so much! Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Sheri McCrimmon
2/24/2014 03:20:41 am

Thanks Mandy! You (and Mira:)) contribute so much to the children's literature community at large! I am especially grateful for how much you both have helped me personally through all your great info and teaching,

Reply
Charlotte Dixon
2/24/2014 05:03:05 am

Mandy, thank you again for posting such fabulous resources for us. You and Mira keep Mondays on a highball roll!

Reply
Mandy
2/24/2014 08:12:32 am

Thanks guys! So glad you all found it helpful! :)

Reply
Alayne Kay Christian link
2/24/2014 11:29:40 pm

Thanks for this great list of resources, Mandy. I am honored to see my blog show up with all these fantastic links - so pleased to be in such good company. I am very grateful to Marcie Flinchum Atkins for sharing so much of her knowledge on my blog, and I'm grateful to you and Mira for sharing the link.

Reply



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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
  • Picture Book Palooza
    • Contributor Bios
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • Teachable Student Course Portal
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships