Writing Tips from Pixar (and a contest reminder)

You may already be familiar with this, but a friend recently forwarded me Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling, and it was both a fun list to read through and wonderful food-for-thought in terms of story creation/revision. The two below are ones that really hit home for me~ click on the link when you have time for more!

PIXAR'S 22 RULES OF STORYTELLING

#2: You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different. 

#3: Trying for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it (Jess Note: This has been my experience with every manuscript I've written. It's always during revision that I have an epiphany: "Ooooooh. So that's what this story is about"). Now rewrite. 

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Upcoming Contest

Click HERE for early info on the next Secret Agent contest on Miss Snark's First Victim. It will be open to submissions on Monday, October 7.

This month's contest will include the following genres:

• Young Adult (all genres)
• Middle Grade (all genres)
• New Adult (all genres)
• Adult Commercial Fiction (including Romance)

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Other News

My character development interview with The Real Boy author Anne Ursu is still in the cards and should happen within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, here is Anne's blog tour schedule. Read the posts & enter the giveaways! This book is such a treasure!

THE REAL BOY BLOG TOUR: 

Monday, 9/30 – Maria’s Melange - Maria’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Tuesday, 10/1 – There’s a Book - Danielle’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Wednesday, 10/2 – sharpread - Colby Interviews Anne

Thursday, 10/3 – Novel Sounds - Elena’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Friday, 10/4 – Word Spelunking - Aeicha Interviews Anne

Saturday, 10/5 – The Hiding Spot - Sara’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Sunday, 10/6 – The Brain Lair - Kathy’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Monday, 10/7 – Read, Write, Reflect - Anne Talks Oscar with Katherine

Tuesday, 10/8 – Librarian’s Quest - Margie’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Wednesday, 10/9 – Buried in Books - Heather’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Thursday, 10/10 – The Book Monsters - Kristen’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Friday, 10/11 – Cari’s Book Blog - Cari’s Take on The Real Boy + An Interview with Anne

Saturday, 10/12 – Unleashing Readers - Kellee Interviews Illustrator Erin McGuire

Sunday, 10/13 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Gina’s Take on The Real Boy + Giveaway

Monday, 10/14 – Heise Reads and Recommends - Editor Jordan Brown Interviews Anne
Tuesday, 10/15 – Bulldog Readers Blog - The Bulldog Readers Debut Their Book Trailer