Plug for WIFYR

I know I haven't written since my self-imposed penance lapsed. So what? I promise to post more later. I just need to put in a plug for the upcoming Writing & Illustrating For Young Readers conference. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend--something about residence hours up in Logan or something like that. I've heard that grad professors actually prefer that you show up to class. Who knew?

But as my homey Nacho says, "anywhays"...I'm including a few tips for critiquing that I stole straight from the WIFYR site. Enjoy. Also, check out the website. I went several years ago, and (Yes, this is a testimonial.) I loved it. I took a class run by Chris Crowe and Carol Lynch Williams. Plus I was able to rub shoulders with several authors and editors. I even got to revert back to the goggle-eye-popping-hero-worshiping-autograph-seeking fan when I met and actually held several meaningful conversations with one of my favorite authors, John H. Ritter. Not since I was an elementary lad had I found myself speechless--a blubbering idiot--in front of an adult. In short, it was an awesome writing experience. So...register and take your writing to another level.

Getting the Most from the Conference:
Eleven Thoughts to a Better Critique

1. Listen. When you receive a critique in your writer's group, this is a time to listen and not speak. Just write down all the comments that have been given. You can think about these later and choose what to use in your rewrite.
2. Don't argue. You've paid a good amount of money to be here. This time you have with other writers-and especially ones who know about good writing-is valuable. Squeeze every penny from your payment by not wasting time during critique. Listen carefully to comments and do not argue your point.
3. You are not the boss of the four-hour morning sessions. The faculty leader is. Keep your comments to the point. Do not monopolize conversation. Do not interrupt. Remember this: Each person has paid to hear from the collective group and especially from the instructor-not from just one individual.
4. Do not beat a point into the ground: Once a point is made (Your character doesn't seem realistic in his conversation)-there is no reason to hash and rehash that statement for a writer. Give a strong example of how this bit of the story is not working, then move on.
5. Pay attention when others are being critiqued. Don't use time when others are being critiqued to write letters, excuse yourself from the room, or drift off into La-la land. Pay attention. What mistake are you making that someone else is? Can you use what you are hearing to improve your own writing? Some of the best help I have received on a manuscript is listening to my peers discuss the novel I'm working on-and then listening to them discuss what fellow members of the group are working on.
6. Give an example of how something might be improved. Like: "You could use a stronger verb here. Pummeled is a much stronger verb. Try that."
Grammatical errors do not need to be pointed out in class. Instead, mark these on the author's paper. In fact, writing comments on the page is excellent for the author.
7. Don't focus only on the negative. We want people to have hope about their stories. Say what works in the piece and what doesn't work. There is no need to say, "This is the stinky-est piece I have ever read." Even if it is the stinky-est piece you have read. There are nicer ways to show how to help one improve his or her writing. And I have seen people I never thought would publish make a huge amount of money from their writing. Be kind, but be honest.
8. But don't only sing praises for an author either. Everyone here should want to have a publishable manuscript underway by the time they leave this conference.
9. Only saying the good, and ignoring what is not working, is not effective.
10. Please remember we all like different things. Just because I don't write fantasy doesn't mean I don't enjoy a well-told fantasy tale. Do not let your personal opinion color your professional opinion.
11. And whatever you do-don't try to incorporate every single person's comment in your story. This is your work. Yours. So pick and choose. What will really help your manuscript succeed?