To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme
If you’ve ever dipped a toe into the children’s book publishing world, you’ve probably heard cautionary tales about writing in rhyme. In short, most insiders say, “Please don’t rhyme.”
editing
What Gets Left Out
In my three decades as a professional author, I’ve written about many intriguing, accomplished people: the Wyeth family of artists, painter Georgia O’Keeffe, abolitionist Lucretia Mott, author Peter Mark Roget, poets William Carlos Williams and Marianne Moore, self-taught artist Horace Pippin, inventor Louis Braille, and most recently Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. In every case, I’ve focused my research on the words and the work of the subject themselves and have created what I hope are poetic and accessible books about these important men and women for young readers.… more
Revisions Part 5
In revisions, Lynne Jonell explores the serendipity of following her editor's suggestion, even though she wanted to resist.
Big Surprise!
Early in my career, once I got the revision letter, it would take me 3 MONTHS to move from fury to confusion to hope (and, finally, to revision).
Predictable Pattern
I used to HATE revision letters. My reactions followed a predictable pattern ...
Revision Letter
At long last, the revision letter arrives! Lynne Jonell reflects on this part of the publication process.
Knowing My Own Mind
There are times when I don’t know my own mind. Worse, there are times when I think I know my mind perfectly well and then find an entirely different mind on a later visit to my opinions.
Which feels almost as though I have no mind at all.
Some time ago one of my favorite writers came out with a new novel. I had been waiting for her next book for years, so, of course, I signed up to have it pop into my electronic reader at the first opportunity.… more