Vivian Kirkfield has a really big year coming up in 2019! I had to nab her now to share her process of ‘Mining for Heart’ before she takes off on her trip hopping across the globe and gets too busy with multiple book launches! Thank you, Vivian, for your thoughts on heart as the emotional resonance of a story.
Heart…we all have one…beating in our chests…pumping blood through our body to keep us alive and well.
And I guess that is what heart does for a manuscript – it keeps it alive and well. And it keeps readers turning the pages. I think that readers make an emotional connection to the story and to the characters because they recognize something in the characters that they see in themselves and something in the story that feels familiar. And for me, it is the words that are chosen, and how they are used that play with our heart strings, like a bow that is moved across the strings of a violin. Whether a story is rhyming or prose, fiction or nonfiction, just like the song says, it’s got to have heart.
In my lyrical picture book, Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book (Pomegranate Press, March 15, 2019, illustrated by Mirka Hokkanen), I use language to connect with my child readers and listeners.
Water waits.
Dawn breaks
in a chorus of bird song.
One willow flycatcher whistles
as night slips silently away.
Water ripples.
Two dragonflies dance
Ballerinas on a liquid stage,
while a school of bonytail chub
leap in a frenzy of feeding.
Most children have been up at dawn (every mother out there will attest to that, I’m sure!) and have heard birds whistle and sing…but have they thought about night slipping silently away? And most children have seen bugs on the water at a pool, lake, or river. But have they thought about the bugs as ‘ballerinas on a liquid stage’? Through my word choices, I try to ramp up the emotion that those sentences convey.
In addition, the counting aspect of the story helps engage the child listener who may observe the illustrations more carefully to count the animals on each spread. And I added a storm to help build tension as the child listener identifies with being caught in the rain and perhaps wonders or worries what will happen to the animals.
I also sought many different words for the movement of water (before, during, and after the storm) so that I could show how the character of the water changes as quickly as a child’s moods: ripples, calms, splashes, glistens, darkens, swells, cascades, roils, glitters, flows, waits. One of my favorite resources when I am writing or revising is www.Thesaurus.com. It can provide hundreds of alternatives for a word that might be just ho-hum.
But can we make that heartfelt connection in a strictly prose story? I believe we can.
In another one of my debut picture books, Sweet Dreams, Sarah (Creston Books, May 1, 2019, illustrated by Chris Ewald), Iseek to connect with kids straight from the opening lines using one of my favorite techniques, the element of three. Three is a very pleasing rhythm to the human ear. In this story, I use the threes quite often:
Before the Civil War, Sarah obeyed her owner.
Hurry up!
Eyes down!
Don’t speak!
But every day, Sarah dreamed of a different life.
A husband.
A family.
A job that she loved.
And a bit later in the book:
Sarah moved to Chicago
with freedom in her pocket,
hope in her heart,
and dreams swirling in her head.
I also use specific phrases to help the reader connect on a deeper level. Most kids have experience with trying to do something…and failing. After Sarah builds her innovative piece of furniture, she applies for a patent— and waits a year. But it is denied and she needs to reapply.
Carefully she changed a word here and a sentence there, explaining more about her unique mechanism, the idea that had come to her so long ago. Slipping the paperwork, and a bit of her heart into the envelope, she sealed her fate and sent it off.
Can you imagine…slipping a bit of your heart into the envelope along with the paperwork? And sealing your fate…as you seal the flap of the envelope. 😉The story of Sarah E. Goode is an important one that needed to be told, but I think it was the language I used that spoke to the editor’s heart and helped her connect with the manuscript.
My last question is: can we find heart in a funny rhyming picture book? Yes, indeed we can!
When I wrote Pippa’s Passover Plate (Holiday House, February 12, 2019, illustrated by Jill Weber), I used a repeating refrain woven throughout the story that is the heart which pumps life into the pages. Whenever I write a story in rhyme, my best friend iswww.rhymzone.comwhere you can input a word, click a button, and get all the words that rhyme with it.
In the story, Pippa Mouse is searching for her missing Seder plate and she has to find it before sundown when the holiday starts. So, right away, we are cheering for her to beat the deadline. Then, she must face each of her natural enemies, first Cat.
Quiver! Quaver! Shiver! Shake! Cats make Pippa cringe and quake.
Pippa, though afraid to stir, gently strokes the velvet fur.
Have you seen my Seder plate? Sun sets soon—it’s getting late.”
And then Snake:
Quiver! Quaver! Shiver! Shake! Snakes make Pippa cringe and quake.
Pippa scrambles down the lane. Offers Snake a daisy chain.
“Have you seen my Seder plate? Sun sets soon—it’s getting late.”
And finally, Owl. Owl directs her to the lake to question Golda Fish. Mouse hurries to the lake, climbs on a hedge, falls in, and….
At the bottom—something round.
Can you guess what Pippa found?
Ball and coin and old tin can,
Bottle cap and rusty pan,
Globe to circumnavigate,
Best of all—the Seder plate!
In the end, all join together for a holiday feast.
Awww!
And that is exactly what you want the agents, editors, parents, teachers, and kids to be saying when they read the last lines of your manuscript. Or perhaps, Ahhh! Or even Hahahaha!
Because with an Awww! or an Ahhh! or a Hahaha! it means your story has heart…and you’ve captured theirs.
Be sure to visit Vivian’s super site HERE . She has all kinds of posts about books and authors! And also offers critique services.
Love these peeks at Vivian’s wonderful poetry and prose. Can’t wait for these books!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Cathy! It was lots of fun doing the post because it gave me the opportunity to look at the books the way I look at mentor texts I’ve read in the past. Kind of surreal.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow Vivian, you’re going to have an amazing year! Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s definitely going to be an exciting adventure…I’m so glad I have the kid lit community to support me in case I tumble over. Thank you for the good wishes!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoyed the sneak peek into Vivian’s picture books. this will be an incredible year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you enjoyed the peek, Leslie…and next year…voila! They will be real books! I can hardly believe it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vivian is a marvel, not only in beautiful creative energy but also as a bottomless well of positive spirit. Thank you for featuring her work, Beth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mirka…thank you so much for stopping by! And thank you for your kind and generous words!!! I am indeed a fortunate human being.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post Vivian. Love your upcoming stories. Can’t for then to be published! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you enjoyed the post, Maria! And thank you for the feedback you’ve given me on them over the years!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A huge thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts here, Beth! I loved taking a look at each of these manuscripts again…like visiting with old friends.
LikeLiked by 2 people
it’s such a pleasure to host such wonderful generous authors like you who share their process with the rest of us! I am very grateful!
LikeLike
Your post helps us look at our manuscripts with fresh eyes. How can we make our readers care? What are the perfect words with which to tell our stories! Great job, Viv! I need a loan to purchase all your books!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hahahaha…I love that, Sherri! A loan to purchase all my books…and I love you for saying that, my friend. I’m glad the post will help you with your own manuscripts…which, by the way, are fabulous!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words with lots of heart. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these books next year!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hello dear Suzie! Thank you for the lovely comment…I’m excited about the books, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a beautiful sneak peak post into what is Vivian’s talent. She is a wonder! Loved this.
LikeLiked by 3 people
What is really a wonder is that I am going to get to spend several weeks with you in New Zealand…now THAT is a wonder! Glad you enjoyed the post, Diane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your “heartfelt” process! I’m patiently waiting for Sweet Dreams, Sarah…..or maybe not so patiently….Congrats on all your babies!
LikeLiked by 3 people
If it weren’t for the encouragement and support I’ve gotten from you and the rest of the kid lit community, Jilanne, I don’t know what I would have done with the SARAH delays…but the launch day is definitely coming and I thank you for all of your patience.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Golda Fish? Really Vivian? Ok, I will admit that after the cymbal crash in my head, I did snort out loud. Sounds like a fun Passover book. I am especially looking forward to Sweet Dreams Sarah, as I love history stories, especially about women with chutzpah/spunk. Also her persistence is admirable. I think books about being persistent and then letting the kids see that it paid off, will have some effect on kids’ attitudes. You have quite an exciting year and we are all excited for you Vivian. I imagine you like Mary Poppins, in your fluffy, black party dress and a black lace umbrella, floating off across the globe, spreading positivity and the love of literature to little kids all over. It will be exciting to see all the magic unfold for you in 2019, and to discover the purpose of your journey and why you are being sent, not just why you want to go. I am very glad to have met you and Beth Anderson whose book An Inconvenient Alphabet has a place of honor in my kidlit bookcase in my recording studio. It’s a story I think about now, out of nowhere. Pretty cool. New knowledge. Happy Weekend everyone. Peace, Annie Lynn AnnieBirdd Music, LLC
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I LOVE that image of Mary Poppins in a black lacy skirt…I actually took out Pollyanna, one of my favorite middle grade stories from when I was a kid because I wanted to reread it to discover why I had loved it so much and why my older sister always called me Pollyanna. And I discovered that it was because Pollyanna, the character in the story, is ALWAYS finding the glad happy side of things. Yup! That’s me, for sure.
Thank you for all of your wonderful Twitter support, Annie…I am so very grateful for it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such great advice and examples from expert Vivian!! Thanks, Beth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not sure about the expert part, but I’m glad if the advice and examples are helpful to other writers. You, my dear Tina, have always been amazing in helping me hone my manuscripts…and I thank you so very much!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What wonderful examples, Vivian, from your very own books! Thanks for the advice!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know, Jane…that’s what makes it so surreal…I’ve always used mentor texts, but to use ones with my name on them…it’s pretty darn exciting!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for this glimpse into Vivian’s upcoming books. Heartening and inspiring to see her approach in three different books. 2019 is going to quite the year. Looking forward to adding these to our personal library.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s so amazing to be moving forward at this pace, Sara. And I’m honored that you want to add my books to your home library!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, these exerpts are phenomenal. I want all if these books right now! You’re so right, the word choice simply draws you in, my heart was aflutter at the ballerinas on a liquid stage. Can’t wait to read the entire books!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hello Kaitlyn…your words are definitely making my heart go aflutter! Thank you so much…knowing that my words struck a chord means the world to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤩😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your Heart, Vivian. Your examples offer such savory words! I’m looking forward to your new books. Congrats, lady!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You explained heart so well Vivian! I look forward to reading your books.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad my post made sense to you, Lisa! And thank you for wanting to read my books…I”m excited for 2019!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was my pleasure, Charlotte…and I love your description…savory words…that is delicious!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Vivian, you are all heart! Congratulations on all of your successes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Mona! I hope we get together at a conference again or something…it’s been too long.
LikeLike
Thank you for this wonderful post, Vivian. And congratulations on your debuts!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I appreciate your good wishes, Lisa. And I hope you found some nuggets you’ll be able to use with your own writing. 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for this wondeful post, Beth. Congratulations, Vivian! 2019 will be a special year for you. All three books seem amazing. I love the variety in your writing.
LikeLike
Beautiful writing Vivian! Thanks for sharing sneak peaks of your books, and helpful tips. Very inspirational!
LikeLike
Great interview and great advice! I also use Rhymezone, not only for rhyming words, but for synonyms and all the other things they offer. I think I’ll take a lot at all my PB manuscripts and see if I can dig a little deeper and add some more heart. Congratulations, Vivian. Your books sound great.
LikeLike
What a fun peek into your writing!
LikeLike
You are such a great example to us all with your endless energy, resilience, and gusto! What a joy to be on this journey with you!
LikeLike