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Notes From the
2008 Fall Oklahoma Conference
by Darleen Bailey Beard

Dian Curtis Regan, fabulous author of 50+ books for children—I say 50+ because after 50 published books, she lost count!—spoke at our fall workshop in Chandler.  Along with sharing the good news of her two new picture books to be released in 2009 (Monster Baby from Clarion, illustrated by Doug Cushman, and Barnyard Slam from Holiday House, illustrated by Paul Meisel), she  taught an interesting session on the differences between picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult books.   Since Dian is published in all genres, from board books to young adult books, she had a LOT to say on the subject. 

Here are a few of the notes I took as she spoke:

1.  Submit your manuscripts to publishers after the month of September because during the summer months, editors and agents go on vacation.

2.  Dian interviewed her agent's assistant who said these types of children's books were currently hot sellers (note the word 'currently' because everything changes so fast in this business) :  young adult books, middle grade, picture books (which were down in sales for a while but are picking back up).  The subjects that are ‘currently’ hot are: zombies, werewolves, and fantasy.  What are difficult to sell right now are chapter books but an example of a chapter book that IS hot is "Clementine". And what makes Clementine such a great seller?  The characterization. 

3.  Dian stressed the importance of "Show Don't Tell", saying there’s a ton of books on this subject, if you're not familiar with this term.  Basically, it means to show your story, rather than tell it.  A good way to combat this problem is by using lots of dialogue and action. 

4. Some of Dian's quotes (and forgive me if I misquote because I was taking notes as fast as I could write during her presentation!) were: 

• "Good is the enemy of Best"-- so don't settle for a 'good' word when there's a better word out there. ( I think it was Mark Twain who said, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word are like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug!)  Don't settle for a 'good' plot when, if you push yourself, you can find a better plot.  Don't settle for a 'good' character when there's an even better one waiting to be discovered.  Dian stressed over and over that we need to develop our story "layer by layer"--like an onion.  She said that after we write a story to put it aside for a whole year--a year!--and then come back to it with fresh eyes to see how else we can make the story better, stronger, more developed.
  
  
• "A successful book is made not because of what's IN the book, but because of what has been left OUT of the book."  This is especially true when writing picture books because so much can be left up to the illustrator.  But even when writing longer works, like middle grade and young adult books, remember to leave out unnecessary details that aren't important.  
  
  
• "Editors are looking for the truth--so tell the truth in a difficult situation."
  
  
• "Peel the layers of the onion (your manuscript).  Layer by layer, develop your plot, your characterization, etc."  Don't be in a hurry.  Take your time.  Think of writing in layers.  Like the layers of an onion, our stories grow and develop.  (This particularly helped me because I tend to want to write and get it all done quick and fast but by going layer by layer, I think my stories will be stronger and more developed when I start marketing them!)
  
  
• "Editors are looking for humor.  They love to laugh."  Dian said she has a book that combines both humor and drama and it's done very well in sales.  So she said not to forget to mix the humor with more difficult and serious plots, too.  This will give your stories more layers---hence the onion metaphor once again. 

So that’s what I got out of Dian’s presentation at our fall workshop.  And now, because of her and all that onion talk, I’ll be crying every time I write!  Darleen Bailey Beard

(Darleen Bailey Beard is the author of five published books and has a new chapter book, Annie Glover is NOT a Tree Lover, to be released in 2009 from Farrar Straus Giroux.  Be sure to check out her website at:  www.darleenbaileybeard.  To learn more about Dian Curtis Regan’s 50+ books, go to her website at:  www.diancurtisregan.com)  

• Friday
  • 3:00 Check-in
  • 4-5:15 Introduction and Evaluation
  • 5:30-6:30 Supper
  • 6:30-7:30 Picture book Components: 
    Character, Setting, Plot, Writing
  • 7:30-8:30 Focus and Structure: Focusing 
    Statement and Three-Act Structure
  • 8:45-9:00 Break
  • 9:00-9:45 Forms: 
    What is the Best Way to Tell this Story?
    
• Saturday
  • Breakfast
  • 9:00-10:30 Rhythm and Rhyme
  • 10:30-10:45 Break 
  • 10:45-12:00 Verbal Music
  • 12:15-1:30 Lunch
  • 1:30-3 Dummying the Story
  • 3-5 Free Time to Write
  • 5:30-6:30 Supper
  • 6:30-8:00 Read aloud qualities
  • 8-8:15 Break
  • 8:30 Open Mic
    
• Sunday
  • 9:00-10:00 The Next Book and Marketing
  • 10:15-10:30 Break
  • 10:30-11:30 Building a Career Writing Picturebooks
  • 12:00 Lunch
    

The cost of the retreat is $ 160. The first payment of $100. is due on October 10th. That payment is only refundable if someone on the waiting list wants to come. Final payment of $60. is due January 10th. Again, money is only refundable if another participant can be found. Chandler is about 45 minutes from OKC and about an hour from Tulsa. There are two motels in Chandler. Neither of them would get many stars, but I have stayed in both. A room for two with two beds is around $ 60. a night.

Twenty-five people can take part in the retreat. The following people have already registered an interest, and they will have the right of first refusal. It is almost certain that one or more of these people will decide not to attend. If you would like to have your name added to a waiting list, send me an email right away amyers_author@yahoo.com. Names will be listed on first-come first served basis.

1. Barbara Lowell
2. Susan Lumry
3. Darleen Bailey Beard
4. Sara McAllister
5. Helen Newton
6. Susan Meyers 
7. Marilyn Pauling
8. Linda Harkey
9. Valerie Lawson
10. Connie Dodson
11. Jackie Ward
12. Andrea Burris
13. Sheri Goodall
14. Dru Iburra
15. Darlina Eichman
16. Julie Dill
17. Patti Bennett
18. Jeannie Hagy
19. Jan Moore
20. Pam Morgan
21. Stephanie Theban
22. Anna Myers
23. Gwen Hooks
24. Pati Hailey
25. Jane McKellips 

For further information, or to add your name to the waiting list, contact Anna Myers, amyers_author@yahoo.com