Description:
In this Creative Lab, we will identify the essential elements of effective storytelling and examine these key components in order to develop a robust structure for your picture book dummy. We will discuss strategies to enhance the overall experience of your picture book by selecting the appropriate format, considering various perspectives on your characters, and achieving a successful narrative arc, among other important concepts.
Skill Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced):
Beginner to Intermediate
This lab is best for participants…
Who have a picture book dummy they would like to advance to the next stage of development.
Prerequisites and Advanced Preparation:
- Participants are asked to bring thumbnails and/or sketches of their own picture book dummy or to envision a retelling of a classic story or fable.
- Please bring a physical copy of a completed or work-in-progress picture book dummy. You may include some final art samples if you wish, but it is not necessary. This course is designed to examine your project in its early developmental stages.
- Digital files on your personal tablet will be accepted, but it is strongly encouraged to bring the work on paper for a more hands-on experience.
- Additionally, please bring a copy of your paginated manuscript for reference, as well as materials for editing during the exercise sessions of the program, such as highlighters, colored pencils, paper or sketchbooks, and even scissors and tape.
Schedule:
- Introduction and Workshop Overview (5 minutes)
- Choosing Your Protagonist: How to Create Compelling and Memorable Characters (15 minutes)
- Exercise A: Character Development (15 minutes)
- Sharing, Discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Creating a Blueprint: How Thumbnails Provide the Foundation for World Building (15 minutes)
- Exercise B: Identifying Areas of Improvement in Your Picture Book Dummy (15 minutes)
- Sharing, Discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Coffee, Snack, Stretch, and Restroom Break (10 minutes)
- Building Good Storytelling: An In-Depth Look at Techniques to Enhance Narrative with Visuals (15 minutes)
- Exercise C: Applying Techniques Learned to Evaluate Page Turns, Build-Up, and Story Arc (15 minutes)
- Sharing, Discussion, and Q&A (15 minutes)
- Covers as a Marketing Tool: Key Elements of an Effective Cover (15 minutes) Final remarks and Q&A (15 minutes)
Objectives:
Participants will gain practical experience in refining their picture book dummy using techniques and concepts presented by a professional in Children's Book Publishing. They will analyze real-world case studies of published works and benefit from constructive feedback from both instructors and peers.
