Linda Sue Park – Scenes: The Building Blocks of Fiction

Newbery Medal winner Linda Sue Park believes scenes are the building blocks of fiction. She writes in scenes, not chapters. She believes Character, Plot, and Setting are interconnected and cannot be separated.

Each scene shows the character’s progress or impediment (both internal & external). Characters are acting or reacting in each scene.

The level of progress/impediment in your story changes depending on what type of story you are telling.

NYT Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys on Story Sparks

Ruta Sepetys, author of the New York Times bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray talked about creativity and sparking ideas for stories.

Ruta’s upcoming novel was sparked by a pair of engraved antique opera glasses she received as a gift.

Use Writing Prompts such as a phrase, photo, or an advertisement. Ask yourself what’s going on, who you see, etc. Every writer will see the prompt differently and create a different story idea.

Tina Wexler: Where and When

Some highlights from Tina Wexler's session on setting:

If your setting does not change your characters, it is not working hard enough.

What conflicts are a direct result of where and when your story is set?

Setting is the opinion of the main character. How does your protagonist view where he or she is from?

How does each character view where story is set?

Setting shapes plot.

Setting sets the tone.

In the beginning, the reader does not need to know the entire landscape. He/she must feel the landscape as they are walking through it.

SETTING IS NECESSARY!

Tina also gave the audience a series of exercises to ensure that your setting is working hard enough.

Michelle Poploff: The Write Place at the Right Time

Michelle Poploff, Vice President, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers (Random House) presented The Write Place at the Right Time.

Michelle is a fan of fabulous historical fiction. She has published books by several authors based on their families’ experiences.

Two debut novels Michelle published by authors she met at regional SCBWI conferences are:

A THOUSAND NEVER EVERS by Shana Burg

GONE FROM THESE WOODS by Donny Bailey Seagraves

Michelle says, “These authors were able to bring a strong sense of time and place to the story.”

Michelle published 2011 Newbery Medal Winner, MOON OVER MANIFEST by Clare Vanderpool. The book was the author’s debut novel and is based on family stories.

She encourages writers to explore family history, travels, and other resources for your next story.

Michelle says, “You never know when you’ll be walking into a story that only you can tell.”

Welcome to the Conference!

Regional Advisor, Genetta Adair, welcomed attendees to the 2011 SCBWI-Midsouth conference. This is the 3^rd consecutive sell-out conference with 167 attendees from 12 states.