• a limited word count
• a unique premise
• an opening that needs to hook right away
• plus a satisfying ending, preferably with an unexpected twist.
• a unique premise
• an opening that needs to hook right away
• plus a satisfying ending, preferably with an unexpected twist.
But what about
the middle?
You’ve got
your character, your problem, a spiffy opening. The story rings with promise
like an unwrapped present.
Then, the action starts. Your story reveals itself, bit by bit, like the gift wrap as it's peeled away. Your reader is filled with expectation: what could be inside?!
This bit needs to be page-turningly exciting, like a game of pass the
parcel, where each layer reveals a little bit more and readers can't wait to find out what the big prize is. Don’t let your middle sag!
 |
| A sagging middle will make readers turn right off. |
But how? How
can you make the middle really, really compelling?
1. Use the
rule of three: build up the plot and make things worse for the protagonist using three incidences that lead to a dramatic crisis and turning point in the story. This should be 75% of the way
through your picture book, roundabout spread 7.
Make your characters face their worst fears,
make time run
out, |
| In Don't Panic Anika the door has just blown shut and Anika is stuck inside the house on her own! |
 |
| From by Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough |
2. Create a
pause (with words and visuals):
 |
| From by Olivia by Ian Falconer |
3. Use clever
page turns and don’t be
afraid to use the book format creatively:
TURN IT!
 |
| From by Don't Wake the Bear, Hare! by Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler |
POP-UP, FLAPS or FOLD-OUT PAGES
USE BOLD WORDS
After the
pause, you are ready for the big reveal:
We get to see what was inside the present and everything changes. Ahh, an experience so satisfying, we can’t wait to do it again (and again and again!).
___________________________________________________________________
Natascha Biebow
Author, Editor and Mentor
Blue Elephant Storyshaping is an editing, coaching
and mentoring service aimed at empowering writers and illustrators to
fine-tune their work pre-submission. Check out my Cook Up a Picture Book Small-Group Coaching Courses!
Blue Elephant Storyshaping is an editing, coaching
and mentoring service aimed at empowering writers and illustrators to
fine-tune their work pre-submission. Check out my Cook Up a Picture Book Small-Group Coaching Courses!
Natascha is also the author of Elephants Never Forget and Is This My Nose?, editor of numerous award-winning children’s books, and Regional Advisor (Chair) of SCBWI British Isles. www.blueelephantstoryshaping.com
... And it looks so simple when done as brilliantly as in the examples you've given. If only! Thank you, Natascha, for a really insightful and practical blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pippa! Yes, if only it were so simple to implement. That's the thing about picture books - all the behind-the-scenes crafting is invisible when you get it right. It is seamless to the reader, which is how it should be of course.
DeleteNice post. We love DON'T PANIC, ANNIKA.
ReplyDeleteGreat points! Love the examples you've shared.
ReplyDeleteNice post, Natascha. Thank you, I'll share...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Clare, for sharing it!
DeleteTerrific post, Natascha. Such good advice about that saggy PB middle. Any advice for the saggy personal middle? ;-)
ReplyDeleteIf only! Saggy personal middles are a story all of their own.
DeleteI like this article. The rule of three is helpful, and the examples are perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreat, glad you've all enjoyed it and found it helpful. Did you see the blog post on the rule of three, Benjamin?
DeleteThis is exactly what I needed today to help with my story! A million thanks!
ReplyDelete