Here's the June Mentor Text Challenge: Read at least 3 of your favorite character driven picture books, notice the conflict and ask yourself these questions:
1. How many failures does the MC suffer through?
2. How does each failure help the MC change or try other solutions?
3. How does the conflict lead to a satisfying resolution?
Now read your manuscripts and ask yourself the same questions:
1. How many failures does the MC suffer through?
2. How does each failure help the MC change or try other solutions?
3. How does the conflict lead to a satisfying resolution?
There are so many incredible character driven books that use conflict to make the story resonate with us. Let's use them to help us write the very best conflict that we can!
What books do you recommend as stellar mentor texts for conflict?
Excellent post Kirsti! Especially since I have read numerous PB's this month. Great questions to consider while editing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Traci! I'm going to try to use these questions too :)
DeleteI love this idea Kirsti. Thank you for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kimberly!
DeleteWonderful post! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy you liked it.
DeleteAh, a breath of fresh air in my email inbox! Thanks for posting this. I've been missing my picture book research. I just received 2 separate pieces of feedback on one of my manuscripts, and I can already see how to answer these questions. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYay Angie! I'm happy these questions are helpful!
DeleteOoh, what a great post, Kirsti! I will take the June challenge!
ReplyDeleteThe first mentor text that popped into my mind is Brave Irene by William Steig. It's an oldie and quite long by today's standards, BUT Irene's perseverance despite struggles and failures in the snowstorm is truly heroic. When she succeeds in the end it is such a sweet and moving satisfaction.
Woo hoo! I'm glad you're taking the challenge! I'll have to read Brave Irene. I love William Steig!
DeleteThank you for this post, Kirsti. I'm keeping those questions beside my computer :)
ReplyDeleteYipppeeeee!
DeleteGreat post and excellent questions to keep in mind while reading and writing PB's. l am Cow, Hear Me Moo, is another example of a book where a MC faces conflict.
Deletenice
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