When I dropped my second youngest son off at school today I went into his year 2 classroom. There on the board was a big diagram on editing. Of course I smiled to myself...you cannot teach editing too young you know!
It had 5 major points:

1) Does my writing make sense?

2) Do I have enough detail and information?

3) Do I need to make any changes?

4) Have I used capital letters and full stops in the right place?

5) Have I checked my spelling?

See even now most of us can use this year 2 lesson!!! LOL!

I am off to see Callum's class again today, as each child is having their own book launch! I should be so lucky! Apparently they all made their own books on insects. BUZ! BUZ!

deb

Deb, that's so great. You can never get enough of the basics. It's suprising how easy it is when reaching for some high ideal or concept to simply drop the ball when it comes to basic common sense aspects of the craft.

It's one thing to have a great imagination, but you have to work hard to learn the craft of writing so you can combine the two.

Lovely to children aren't expected to write perfect first draft. I get cross when people expect that. The first draft should be the imagination bit. The editing comes later!

Hmmm, maybe I've mentioned that before...

Yes I agree, Louise...imagination is great to have but you also have to practice, practice and practice some more at the craft of writing to actually get to publication standard. I have been practicing for years and still have a long way to go. But I am willing to learn.
I send off different things for assessments and they tell me where I am off the mark and I pout and sulk, but then I learn from their imput. It is the only way to improve.

Just seeing those five points on editing in such simple terms was refreshing. Sometimes we cannot see the writing for the dream.

deb

Well I went to my first book launch today it was held at a splendid venue - the year 2P class room.
I got to meet many authors - the year 2P students - two highly skilled and dedicated editors - the teachers - and a publisher - a wonderful teachers' aide. I also had a personal reading from my son from his book about Insects.

Then there was an award ceremony where all the authors received certificates for their groundbreaking and imaginative work. Lots of tears - mainly from me! and applause - also from me!!!! HEE!

Well if that was not enough, we were then entertained with a gala performence by all the year 2's held in a wonderful out door theatre - the undercover area near the tuck-shop. We heard stirring renditions of 'Louie the Fly', 'Let's Go to the Ugly Bug Ball' and another one that I did not catch the name of, but we were treated to lots of bottom wiggling, antennae jiggling and laughing insects - children.

Wow I hope my book launch goes so well!!!!

deb

Well after re-reading my post on Callum's book launch on Insects - and seeing at least one missed comma - blush! LOL! I just wanted to add, I hope you have such an enthousiastic crowd attending your book launch, Louise! Although I don't know about you singing about ugly bugs and wiggling your bottom at them all!!!

deb

HOW WAS YOUR BOOK LAUNCH, LOUISE????? PLEASE TELL US ALL ABOUT IT!

deb

Just great Deb. Packed out, and not just my family! Poor Ron, the owner of Pulp Fiction, was run off his feet. He all but sold out (which is great) and quite a few people also bought book one as well. My gold pen was racing, the champagne flowed, I just had the best time. My Gold Coast writers support group had met and taken me to lunch first and then two of my girlfriends took me to coffee afterwards, so I felt quite the princess. It was just a great day all round.

Sounds like you had a full on book signing of your own to attend! I laughed when you said they sang "Louie the Fly". I've been taunted with that since I was in grade one and it never fails to raise a shudder.

Louise,
It sounds like it went great! Good for you! Gosh, just hearing of you reaching these goals of yours - your dreams.. just that alone is the most inspiring.. I haven't had much time to do anything on my novel in the past week
Sadly, my partner and I are having troubles seeing one another lately (and we live in the same house) so I'm trying to work on spending more time with him at the moment. But.. however, I did give my first chapter to a friend at work - someone who I am not too familiar with and someone who likes to read and he thinks that the first chapter is great - has given me one or two little things to fix up on and said he would willingly- love to read each chapter for me as i go on.. said he can check over my work and help me when i need help most. Wasn't that nice of him? sigh well, time to get ready for work. Lol. I am really sorry I never made the chat on Sunday night, but will do my best to get in here this weekend.

Take care of you all and will hear from you soon,
Kerrie