11.. What advice do you have for the beginning writer?
Read, write and revise. Then do it all over again. Don't expect yourself to be perfect in your very first draft, or even your twentieth draft. I have boxes of manuscripts in my closet that have never been published. Maybe I'll sell them some day, maybe I won't. But I wouldn't be where I am today without them. You learn to write bemailting.
12.. Please discuss your Intensive Picture Book Workshop.
The Intensive Picture Book Workshop [IPB] is a fouremail email coEmailsI limit the workshops to ten students so I have time to work witemailryone in the group. The workshop itself is a small email circle. Emails with discussion topics and homework assignments arrive in your email box Monday through Friday for four weeks. Each day, students read five new picture books, participate in the discussions and complete the homework. Because we click "reply to all" everyone else in the workshop can read your comments and reply to them. The class is virtual, so there are no hours. If you can't finish your homework, just catch up on the weekend. During the workshop, students also WRITE a picture book manuscript, which we read in "layers" during the fourth week, looking at a different element each day. This allows students time to rewrite the manuscript several times as the week progresses. www.asuen.com/ipb.htm
13.. Can you share any current works in progress or future plans?
Right now, I am rewriting my IPB workshop. I found some new resources, so I wanted to add them. I am also in the process of creating an "easy reader" workshop, and I've had students ask for a poetry workshop, so that is on the back burner also.
14.. What advice to you have for school visits?
I wroteEmailrticle auent this, and then realized that this too could be a class! This is another back burner item. I want to call it School Visits 101. So many words, so little time! [Email me at auen@asuen.com if you are interested in one of these classes, so I can decide which one to offer next.]
15.. What are your absolute favorite books, children's and adult?
I have been reading picture books ALL my life, so I love different books for different reasons. Some have gAnastasiaaSuens, some have poetry that grabs me, and some have the most gorgeous illustrations! Do I really have to choose? All I need is a library card, and then.I can have them all!
Anastasia Suen, author of more than 50 books for children and Picture Writing (Writer's Digest Books, Jonline 2003) has taught writing for
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