In Praise of Shop Talks by Betsy McKee Williams

Every month, across Michigan, Shop Talks are happening.

SCBWI members are meeting to learn aspects of craft and to connect with other writers and illustrators. Shop Talks are organized by volunteers and are free to SCBWI members. Here’s an overview of some recent Shop Talks in Ann Arbor.

Humor

Last fall, author/illustrator Deb Pilutti and middle grade novelist Vicky Lorencen gave a presentation titled: 12 1/2% Funnier: Punching Up the Humor with Words & Pictures

Deb walked us through her recent picture book project and revealed how she made subtle changes to both words and illustrations to ramp up the humor, generously sharing examples from her revision process.

Vicky shared how we can use humor to create a portal to our reader’s hearts (but not literally because, ew, that would be gross). The tips she shared are so great she listed them on her blog and then added 12 1/2 more.

We laughed a lot that morning. We learned a lot, too.

Picture Books

In January, Brianne Farley presented on Writing and Illustrating Picture Books.

Brianne shared stories from her own life and career, along with many useful tips for writers and illustrators.

Voice

In February, Michigan SCBWI Mentorship Coordinator, science writer, and novelist Ann Finkelstein presented on Making Voice Rock.

Ann led us in a discussion of what Voice is, then shared great examples and useful techniques. She also guided us through writing exercises to deepen Voice in our own works in progress.   

Publicity

In April, Michigan SCBWI Webmistress and writer Debbie Gonzales presented on
Book Trailer Basics: A Step-by-Step Process to Construction.

We viewed and discussed several book trailers, and Debbie shared her excellent resource on how to build a book trailer. She described the technical tools she uses, and shared sources of images, music, and sound effects. She also led a discussion of how the steps of creating and storyboarding a book trailer can help us identify structural and other issues in our books.

Where does a book trailer live? Debbie exhorted us all to create our own websites, and to post content on whatever consistent schedule will work for us (twice a week, maybe, or once a month.) For pre-published authors, a book trailer might be a teaser for a topic or a current project, rather than for a finished book with a title. And yes, she says pre-published authors really should create websites now, for interested agents to find.

Heart, Hurt, Hope & Humor

In June, author Shutta Crum gave us a great talk on these 4-H’s. She taught us that every book that matters must have these qualities, and shared vivid examples from picture books, and middle grade and YA novels. Shutta also walked us through specific techniques that authors and illustrators used to enhance these qualities in their books.

This presentation was an expanded version of the talk Shutta gave at the recent SCBWI Marvelous Midwest Conference.

On Shop Talks

All of these presenters are Michigan members of SCBWI, generously giving their time and sharing their knowledge. Ann Arbor also has sessions where we share our work with one another, giving and receiving helpful and kind feedback. We have had debut authors share their stories of their own Road to Publication, and enjoyed a presentation from a local youth librarian. And sometimes we share resources, maybe focused on a topic, maybe not.

Shop Talks let us learn through presentations worthy of a major writing conference. (Some presentations, like Shutta’s, were also given at major conferences.) Shop Talks help us connect. Some of us have found critique partners, beta readers, or critique groups through our local Shop Talk. Carpools also can arise from Shop Talks.

Did I mention that all of these Shop Talks are free of charge?

Ann Arbor area members are very fortunate – and we are not alone. SCBWI Michigan currently offers Shop Talks in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Up North in Traverse City. Learn more here, contact a local Shop Talk Coordinator to ask any questions you may have, and come to talk shop at a Shop Talk.

Betsy McKee Williams lives in Ann Arbor, supports college student writing by day, and writes middle grade fiction after hours. A member of SCBWI since 2012, she is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Young Readers through the Solstice MFA Program at Pine Manor College. Betsy is delighted to help make Shop Talks happen.

Coming up on the Mitten Blog: 

Vacation! Enjoy the 4th of July weekend, and we'll be back mid-July with a new Featured Illustrator, Hugs and Hurrahs, and more.