A Special Evening with Author Jane Yolen

Join the UW Information School and the UW Alumni Association for a special evening with award-winning author Jane Yolen. Often called the Hans Christian Andersen of America, Yolen is one of the most prolific contemporary writers of children's stories. She has written more than 300 books including Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
The evening will include a tribute to the life and career of beloved UW Information School Professor Emeritus Spencer G. Shaw, an internationally-known librarian, storyteller and educator. The event is October 14, from 7 – 9 p.m. Please visit the event website for more information, and to RSVP by October 13.

Jane Yolen at SCBWI

Kathy Temean published a great list of tips from Jane Yolen:

Here’s the start:

1. No exclamation points.
2. Easy on the adverbs.
3. Don’t let your characters float by giving them endless dialogue.
4. Have fun.
5. BIC – Butt in chair. HOP – Heart on Page.
6. P not F – Passion not fashion. Write what you like.
7. Remember your story does not have to have a happy ending – just a meaningful ending.
8. Fall through your story. Bury yourself in your work.
9. You don’t have to be the best, just be the best you can be,
10. Find the right word.
11. First lines should portend what is going to happen.
12. Exercise your creative muscle everyday. If you write one page everyday, you will have written 365 pages, more than you need for a novel or 73 picture books.

Check out the rest.

Writers and their blogs

You know who is the only writer who can get away with describing her ear infection, runny nose and assorted ailments? Jane Yolen.