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.

Linda Sue Park Keynote: Not Believing in Yourself

Linda Sue Park is a Newbery Medal winning author.

Linda Sue Park has written eight picture books and nine novels, and still thinks that every book she writes will be her last.

She is still nervous about speaking.

Linda says she not to believe in yourself--just believe in your story!

If you want to improve at writing, you have to put in the time.

Critique strategy: Say okay. Saying okay does not necessarily mean you are agreeing to all of the changes.

Focus on the story--not yourself!

As a writer, trust the reader. Linda Sue Park disliked books telling her what to think and how to feel. Don't be preachy!

Work as hard as you can--and if you get a little bit lucky--you can succeed!

"Courage is when you are afraid and go through the ordeal anyway."