tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post6273100925420156589..comments2024-03-15T10:48:13.261+00:00Comments on Picture Book Den: The End by Paeony LewisUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-78026821904658327882017-10-29T19:24:29.483+00:002017-10-29T19:24:29.483+00:00I have to say I almost ALWAYS have a twist at the ...I have to say I almost ALWAYS have a twist at the end of each of my stories. Maybe it's a sequence that is about to happen all over again if one thing happens, or something the reader wouldn't guess - but I am often told that children like safe and predictable and to know that the story has ended when it has ended. I however love the idea of a child continuing the story in their head ( even if whilst sleeping ) after the story has ended. Surely a child is more excited by a twist? I am very much enjoying your blog, it's made me think a lot ( as sadly you've witnessed by my onslaught of comments tonight ) jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04262564143206098900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-85764737604466566412012-10-15T11:12:14.466+01:002012-10-15T11:12:14.466+01:00Many thanks, Kerry. I like your analogy. By the wa...Many thanks, Kerry. I like your analogy. By the way, I see from your blog that you have a hen that will inspire stories. Snap!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-7990568521985382672012-10-15T09:59:12.506+01:002012-10-15T09:59:12.506+01:00Thank you Paeony. I love endings. I also love wrap...Thank you Paeony. I love endings. I also love wrapping gifts and endings are like the final flourish you add to gift wrapping. I like endings that tease you and leave you wondering 'what will happen next', or endings that leave you feeling high with a smile and a twinkle in your eye, and yes, sometimes endings that leave you feeling rounded, warm and fuzzy. In picture books I often like a subtle hint at an ending that is shown through the illustrations. Thanks for getting my brain thinking again.kerryhttp://www.kerrysraad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-70743122818158348852012-10-14T16:13:02.336+01:002012-10-14T16:13:02.336+01:00Linda, I'm glad you've mentioned books com...Linda, I'm glad you've mentioned books coming full circle. I only hinted at that, and you're right, it came be really effective. Thanks.<br /><br />Ha ha, yes, picture books can appear so simple. Out of context there doesn't appear to be anything special about the line, "I love my mummy," said Bill.Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-54422480051604391222012-10-13T09:51:22.897+01:002012-10-13T09:51:22.897+01:00Lovely post, Paeony
The Ahh! and comforting ending...Lovely post, Paeony<br />The Ahh! and comforting ending is so important in picture books. Last thing at night with a toddler you want them reassured and calm so that they are ready for sleep and comforted. <br /> I think a picture book works well when it comes full circle and the end feels satisfying as well as comforting. <br />Like so many things the best picture books, like those you have mentioned, look really simple when in fact they are not simple at all.Linda Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354324158228109351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-12282371809650019252012-10-13T00:28:49.031+01:002012-10-13T00:28:49.031+01:00Can you believe that some people don't like Ow...Can you believe that some people don't like Owl Babies? It's true! Like me, you're obviously not one of them.<br /><br />Testing an 'ahh' moment? Ho hum, I wish I could give a helpful answer. I can only think of the obvious stuff and I don't necessarily get it right myself (it's easier to see what works in the manuscripts of others, than when it's your own work). <br /><br />So what can I suggest? If it still gives you the warm fuzzies after thirty revisions, then great. Or if you've left it to stew for six months then that helps. It's a good sign if a child seems to enjoy it and asks for it again (though for those who aren't illustrators it can be tricky). If you listen to someone else read it and you don't feel the need to cringe and apologise to them (and they enjoy it too, that's good. If there's nobody around to read it aloud or listen, it can even help if you read it aloud to a pet (an audience seems to make a difference). Good luck.Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-15674597386523356332012-10-13T00:15:56.981+01:002012-10-13T00:15:56.981+01:00Ahhh... many thanks, Penny :-)Ahhh... many thanks, Penny :-)Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-62056577409913163062012-10-13T00:14:45.601+01:002012-10-13T00:14:45.601+01:00Yes, you're so right, Diana. I don't need ...Yes, you're so right, Diana. I don't need an 'ahh' moment with a novel, but I do need to feel satisfaction and that my time wasn't wasted. However, I'm one of those really bad people who sometimes sneak a look at the ending. It's just to check I'm not going to be too upset or annoyed (though with ebooks I'm less likely to do this). All novelists will now fling tomatoes at me!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-37619717460671289802012-10-12T20:53:46.055+01:002012-10-12T20:53:46.055+01:00I keep Owl Babies in my night-table stack, because...I keep Owl Babies in my night-table stack, because I sometimes like the 'ahhh' moment before going to sleep myself! Do you have any tips on testing that ahh moment in what we hope is that polished final draft?Julie Rowan-Zochhttp://julierowanzoch.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-14899187656912911962012-10-12T16:09:00.093+01:002012-10-12T16:09:00.093+01:00Too cool on how the ending came to be!Too cool on how the ending came to be!LJ Mozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08484456418958284678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-66732886256300505742012-10-12T13:38:50.185+01:002012-10-12T13:38:50.185+01:00Ahhh...for sure! Such a cute video that really got...Ahhh...for sure! Such a cute video that really got your point across. Thanks for such a wonderful post with such great examples for us to refer to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-57375283333716923732012-10-12T10:52:49.654+01:002012-10-12T10:52:49.654+01:00I agree with you totally. Aah endings are vital - ...I agree with you totally. Aah endings are vital - they make children want to hear the story again. <br /><br />And it's not just picture books that need good endings. It's the ending that makes all the difference to whether or not I recommend a novel or film to other people. Apparently the Shawshank Redemption was going to end with Morgan Freeman driving away on the bus but it works so much better with that final reunion - the aah ending. Diana Kimptonhttp://www.dianakimpton.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-12350725296009598562012-10-12T10:15:59.069+01:002012-10-12T10:15:59.069+01:00Thanks a lot, Sue. I think twists and surprises ar...Thanks a lot, Sue. I think twists and surprises are great and I suspect the child enjoys being 'in the know' when it's a story with substance that's read again and again. I just don't think surprises are effective when the entire story revolves around a surprise at the end and the story isn't about anything else. Being clever for the sake of it isn't enough and we need it to matter to the character. Yikes, I'm waffling!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-27185743214939669402012-10-12T10:10:14.441+01:002012-10-12T10:10:14.441+01:00We do, Penny, most definitely. Thanks!We do, Penny, most definitely. Thanks!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-76742035019522684752012-10-12T10:08:04.551+01:002012-10-12T10:08:04.551+01:00Delighted you found it interesting, Romelle. Thank...Delighted you found it interesting, Romelle. Thanks.Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-43256495105766711152012-10-12T10:03:43.395+01:002012-10-12T10:03:43.395+01:00Oops, Wendy, I don't think I explained myself ...Oops, Wendy, I don't think I explained myself very well (sadly, that's not a surprise!). I think a surprise is excellent if it's also satisfying, or perhaps makes us ask questions. Ho hum, I'm still not being clear. Coffee is needed...Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-37453599979716280042012-10-12T09:31:25.967+01:002012-10-12T09:31:25.967+01:00Really interesting. I had thought a really clever ...Really interesting. I had thought a really clever twist at the end was something to aim at, but it's a very good point that the story will be read often, so the surprise won't necessarily keep working. Loved the clip, and the illustrations!Sue Purkisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084528571944803477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-82706883624435664962012-10-12T09:10:57.219+01:002012-10-12T09:10:57.219+01:00Lovely & useful post - and don't we all ne...Lovely & useful post - and don't we all need an "Ah!" moment at times?Penny Dolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16386668303428008498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-75256814356946079032012-10-12T06:16:30.154+01:002012-10-12T06:16:30.154+01:00Ahhhh...what a great post! This gives me somethin...Ahhhh...what a great post! This gives me something to think about when writing or revising my stories. This is the beginning of the end. Thank you!Romelle Broashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11860032539164234533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-81381603850573825922012-10-11T23:47:41.246+01:002012-10-11T23:47:41.246+01:00Think I have a penchant for the 'clever ending...Think I have a penchant for the 'clever ending that relies on surprise'. Might have to rethink that one. Thanks :)Wendy Meddourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232145254833119663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-90117366577951123432012-10-11T23:27:11.591+01:002012-10-11T23:27:11.591+01:00Many thanks, Dotti. Your 'Grandpa for Sale'...Many thanks, Dotti. Your 'Grandpa for Sale' has a great, succinct ending: 'Ding! No sale.' Though imagine if she did sell Grandpa - I'd love to see how that would be reviewed! Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-7210565669153722852012-10-11T23:23:02.093+01:002012-10-11T23:23:02.093+01:00Hope your children enjoyed the sugar overdose, Cla...Hope your children enjoyed the sugar overdose, Clare. I'm a sucker for cute animal videos!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-48330298890132717902012-10-11T23:20:15.658+01:002012-10-11T23:20:15.658+01:00Thanks a lot, Moira. I agree that good picture boo...Thanks a lot, Moira. I agree that good picture book stories are akin to prose poetry. I wonder if poets agree?!Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-77998632153223056012012-10-11T23:17:48.502+01:002012-10-11T23:17:48.502+01:00I've just looked up Tadpole's Promise, Lyn...I've just looked up Tadpole's Promise, Lynne. Opinions are diverse - no happy ending. I'm intrigued! I'll order it from the library - thanks. Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-19715181957789511202012-10-11T23:16:12.853+01:002012-10-11T23:16:12.853+01:00Awww... so that's how 'fin' became a p...Awww... so that's how 'fin' became a part of your lovely book - great! Thanks Jane.Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.com