Once Upon A Time, the Westside Writer's Schmooze Had Picture Book Critique Night....

One cold, February day…

Charlie woke up...

…and realized it was nearly time for the Picture Book Critique Schmooze!

He immediately called Karol.

“Gosh that’s right,” said Karol (‘cause Karol always says gosh). “We’d better get cracking. I’ll work on a nifty new acronym to remind people not to be cruel and unusual with their critiques.”

“Good idea,” said Charlie. “And I’ll get water and cookies and other important stuff.”

Before they knew it, Schmooze Night was here!

As usual, the Schmooze was quite well attended.

There were even a bunch of newcomers.

About 30 Schmoozers in all!

Karol kicked things off by announcing some of the upcoming events sponsored by the awesome

Like:

• Creative Toolbox on March 7^th
• OC Agent's Day on March 31^st
• LA county Writers Days (yes, days, plural!) on April 21^st & 22^nd

Then Charlie fascinated the group with his extremely detailed discussion of how to critique, and how to listen to a critique including such valuable tidbits as telling critiquers “Do not expect authors to agree, just to listen,” and telling authors “Do not agree, just listen.”

Everyone was rapt.

Karol woke the crowd back up when she revealed the Snarktastic acronym she and Charlie had come up with:

Shortly thereafter, and following a chaotic round of mayhem and musical chairs while we tried to get the same number of people with manuscripts at each of the five tables, everyone got down to work.

It was a wonderful and rewarding time. There were so many talented writers – who were all incredibly generous with their comments.

Many breakthroughs were had.

“But what about US?!” cried the novelists in the room. “WE need Schmoozerific help, too!”

“Never fear,” Charlie and Karol assured them.

At next month’s Schmooze on March 14^th, it’ll be time for the middle grade and young adult writers to shine…or crumble under the weight of crushing disappointment when they’re forced to face the reality that their manuscripts are not completely and utterly PERFECT.

Kidding! We will insist upon the same SNARKY approach from critiquers…um, we mean snarky in that good way!

PLUS – we’re having a first-ever (we think) super-awesome SCHMOOZE RAFFLE!

All Schmoozers in attendance get to put their names in a hat for a chance to win a very special prize!

With that, everyone raced home with their brand-spanking-new notes, eager to revise their works of genius, submit them, and succeed!

Except the novelists, who’ll no doubt race home after next month’s Schmooze with brand-spanking-new notes, eager to revise their works of genius, submit them, and succeed!

As for Charlie and Karol, their work was done, so they decided to get some much-deserved rest.

The end.

EXCEPT – wait!

Since LOTS of great books have author’s notes and acknowledgements at the end, naturally, so does this one:

Big thanks to Joe, Lupe and Greg for leading tables at the Schmooze!

And for a little more info on making your manuscript shine and/or helping your writing buddies make theirs shine, here are some of the critiquing links that Charlie talked about…

Picture Book Critique questions by Sarah Wones Tomp:

http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/picture-book-critique-questions/

Top Ten Questions Dutton Editors Ask Themselves When Looking At A Manuscript

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/top-ten-question-dutton-editors-ask-themselves/

How to critique a picture book text by Sherryl Clark

http://www.ebooks4writers.com/2011/04/how-to-critique-a-picture-book-text/

Ellen Jackson’s discussion of picture book plots

http://www.ellenjackson.net/picture_book_plots_61455.htm

And remember, keep passing the open windows…

Charlie & Karol