Student Comments on the KBR Summer School: Three Self-Guided Classes
On the Summer School Concept
Rachel Gunn: I wanted to add some things I liked about the class. First of all, I enjoyed the video format. It was very enjoyable to watch as it felt more engaging than reading just text after text. A lot of the information I come across are in books or articles online, but having the videos with bullet style organized information was easy to pay attention to and a different format for me to learn. I was able to take notes that would make sense to me in particular, all while listening and watching.Jane Hawkins : I have found my Summer School Kids Book Revisions money and time well spent. The live sessions, videos, and resource material were and will continue to be invaluable. ... I can better look at my own work now, especially for plot holes and character development.
Picture Books
Tara Lazar (published picture book author): I've been writing picture books for almost ten years but Harold & Eileen's webinar presented revision strategies I had not considered before. An extremely valuable series that I would recommend to every picture book writer.From people's evaluations:
I learned a tremendous amount from your Webinar. For me it was like getting some 'secrets' for revising redoing re-imagining my story. I only wish I had the information for further development of my writing picture book skills years ago. The resources-little gems- you shared are invaluable. Thank you!
This course offers sound editing techniques to help writers take their picture books to the next level. I especially recommend it for those who have trouble connecting their stories to emotion or those who, like me, didn't really understand this concept until Eileen and Harold explained it with concrete exercises. Thanks.
Line-editing
Sarah Corson: The editors and writers you brought in as resources were topnotch. So kind of them to pitch in! Their different styles, approaches, and techniques of responding to texts were really interesting. That applies to you two, too, in your editing. That variety was one of the most interesting and useful aspects of the webinar series for me. I particularly liked seeing the changes Kate Messner made on her draft of Breakout, the exchanges by Karen Boss and the writer in the [picture book], and the letter from Harold to Charles Orgbon. ... Then there were the responses to the participants' submissions. Really helpful.The resource books you listed and described were excellent choices. The one new to me was A Dash of Style, which takes me to new levels of awareness even when I dip into it at random. Like comments on the use of space. Fascinating!
Novels and Chapter Books
Bobbi Miller (published novelist): I just want to thank you for this incredible experience with your revision and reimagining workshop. I have learned so many new strategies on revising my stories. This comes at a crucial turning point in my life and career and has made all the difference. I particularly like the plot checklist and have used it for my current WIP as well as a new one I've started. The study on voice was also very interesting and has come in handy as I revised [my new manuscript]!We hope that gives you an idea of the experience! If you want to know more, please feel free to get in touch with us.