The Plot Pitch (2/27/26)

Here is what to expect in the coming days…

You will be working on your proposals for your children's books.
When your proposals are complete, its time to start thinking about your “pitch”.

You will now begin to outline the most basic elements of the book you intend to pitch. However, you can take this a step further.

We are going to focus on developing the characteristics of effective plots, characterization, and illustrations (as appropriate).

During today’s class, I would encourage you to collaborate and share your ideas as you develop them. During this time, I will be circulating to answer any questions you might have. I will also be available to provide feedback if you have anything you want me to read.

Remember – the basic plot of a children’s book is no different than any other work of fiction. The only difference is the audience and their reading level. You still have to have the basic elements of an effective plot.

Those elements are:

Exposition (beginning) – Rising Action – Climax (middle) – Falling Action – Resolution (end)

Without these elements, your plot will not really help a child improve their reading comprehension skills.

If you would like, you can use the following online tutorial. It basically offers a visual for your plot diagram. It also offers tips to developing that plot if you find yourself struggling to find that elusive passage that will bring your story to a successful resolution.

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagram/

In the days ahead, you will be storyboarding your ideas.

Then, its time to get down to the business of writing your stories.

Great Examples of Illustrations (2/27/26)

Several members of the class of 2012 created various storyboards for their books. Of course, these are only a few examples. These are good ones.

If you click on each image, you can see a bigger picture of it.

Check it out.

The following illustrations were done by Melissa M. As you can see, two different artists drew pictures of the cat named Miles.











"Marshall's Misadventures" was drawn by Maura. She did her own illustrations.

As you can see Jacob F. drew something that is very similar to Curious George.

Bella W. was another talented illustrator who wrote a book called "Finding Fresco."

Brandi S. wrote a story about Amos that was actually very good.

Finally, Rachel P. wrote a great story called The Sea Robot. It was awesome. It reminded me a lot of The Iron Giant.

What Does a Writer Look Like? (Journal #3, Marking Period 3)

For this journal, I chose authors. I could have just as easily chosen musicians, graphic novelists, or screenwriters.
One of the great things about artists is that they can influence the culture in the ways that they choose to express themselves as authors and as people in the public eye. It is interesting to think that such a traditionally introverted art as writing can have ambassadors who express themselves quite loudly and with great influence. What does a writer look like? How do they present themselves to others? How can their work/art be considered an act of activism? Since we talk about details, I want you to think about the details that writers incorporate into the way they choose to appear. Do adopt a persona for their chosen vocation? Aside from their work, what helps a writer become a writer to others? Is it necessary to live as something in order to become that something?

I have attached some photos of great writers who also had a strong sense of individual style. Who are your favorites? Is there someone I have not listed who should be on this list?

Jack Kerouac

Ernest Hemingway

Tom Wolfe

Oscar Wilde

Sylvia Plath

Toni Morrison

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Haruki Murakami

Truman Capote

Henry Miller

JD Salinger

David Sedaris