R(ev)ise and Shine
Partnering with you on your creative journey
Welcome to the first Re(vise) and Shine! newsletter! We’re so glad you’re here. This is where you can discover more about us, learn of upcoming events, and get great revision tips in our feature: Revision Reflections.
Zoomies
Our Zoomies will provide members of the R(ev)ise and Shine! community with digital, craft-centered content to enrich your writing through live sessions with our faculty.
Our first Zoomie (free!) is scheduled for August 9 at 7:00 PM EST. This will be a meet and greet—a place for our community to come together and grow in our knowledge of one another. There will be introductions to the R&S founders and planned writing merriment. Click the button below to find out how to receive your link. Please join us!
The Writers’ Book Club
R(ev)ise and Shine! is delighted to present the Writers’ Book Club, which is just what it sounds like — a bi-monthly book club hosted by writers for writers. Every other month we will select a new book to discuss in an informal group setting online, where we will focus on specific questions of craft in order to become better at reading like writers. We’ll also share in advance a list of Discussion Questions designed to guide our conversation and inspire deeper thinking.
Our first Book Club meeting is on September 6 at 7:00 PM EST. Our first selection is PIECING ME TOGETHER by Renée Watson. Click the button below to find out more.
Questions to consider while reading:
Renée Watson chose first-person point of view for this story. Do you think it was effective? Would you have made the same decision?
In the story, Jade states, “But girls like me, with coal skin and hula-hoop hips, whose mommas barely make enough money to keep food in the house, have to take opportunities every chance we get.” What does Watson accomplish with this sentence?
Robert McKee, author of STORY, claims that you give a character dimension through contradiction. What contradictions did you see in Jade? Sam? Maxine? Mrs. Parker?
In a School Library Journal interview with Shelley Diaz (2-7-17) Watson states, “So much about the novel is about dichotomies and how the protagonist navigates the two worlds in which she participates: her neighborhood and her school, giving and receiving, mentor and mentee, black and white.” How do these dichotomies affect the tension in the novel?
Often we hear that “the setting is a character.” What does this mean? Do you think this is true of Portland in this story?
Watson played with structure. Some chapters are two sentences, others are lists. Did this work for you? Was the first chapter an effective opening?
What did you notice about the balance of summary and scene in this story?
In the same interview cited above, Watson states: “Mrs. Parker sees Jade as lacking I wanted Jade to have an abundance of love, especially since the counselor at her school sees Jade as someone who is lacking, who is in need.” How did she accomplish this?
Renee Watson is a poet whose love of language shines through in her realistic fiction. Which sentences dazzled you?
Did the ending satisfy Jade’s external and internal desires? How? Did the ending satisfy you? In your opinion, what makes a satisfying ending?
Critiques
Getting objective feedback on our work is essential. Working with a skilled mentor can provide insight and support on structure, characterization, plot coherence, reader appetite, and voice. And did you know that you need not wait until you have a completed draft to get feedback? We’re happy to work with you as you write. You can learn more about who we are and our editorial services by clicking here:
This is what others have said about R(ev)ise and Shine mentors:
Lesa Cline-Ransome
“She taught me, from her own experience as an exceptional writer for children, to hold on to the enthusiasm that initiated the project in the first place...”
— Bettina Volz
Lesa’s careful and thoughtful analysis of my work pushed me to refine my skills and challenged me to think about my writing in ways that I had never been challenged before... ”
— Monique Duncan
Rob Costello
“Rob's critique quite literally changed my life...”
— Dan Clay
“Rob always understands not only what I have written, but what I am trying to write...”
— Nancy Werlin
Jo Knowles
“Jo is everything a writer could ever ask for in an editor...”
— Lydia Peelle
“With Jo’s help, I was able to uncover the beating heart of my story...”
— Cassandra Lee Shwaver
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
“Jennifer has keen insight and a gentle manner. She helped me dig deeper to the truth...”
— Debbi Michiko Florence
“I was fortunate to find Jennifer—the editor every writer hopes for...”
— Kerry L. Malawista
Revision Reflections
Joy in Revision by Jennifer Jacobson
There are some who will readily admit that revision is their favorite part of the writing process. They revel in the opportunity to improve. But what if you are less than enthusiastic? What if, instead, you feel lost in the weeds, unsure of where to start, or mired in fear or self-doubt? If so, this might be the perfect time to read your work aloud.
You’ll no doubt find places where you’ll want to stop and re-examine—possibly cut, move things around, or rewrite. But as good developmental editors know, it’s equally important (perhaps even more essential) to acknowledge all the bits you’ve done well. As you read your work aloud (pen in hand) give yourself big stars and complimentary comments. Take time to notice when you’ve written a particularly effective sentence (whether it contains humor, beauty, or emotional resonance). Mark those brilliant transitions and suspenseful cliffhangers. Notice the paragraphs you are particularly proud of. How do they inform your understanding of the theme? Let all that positivity buoy you along.
On days that I find it particularly difficult to trust my judgment, I have my computer read my work to me. Then I lean back and discover that even though the robotic voice embedded in my laptop is stilted, and sometimes mispronounces names, it is remarkably effective in calming my doubts. As I let go of fear, I begin to feel the delight of having created something out of nothing. I begin to feel potential over impossibility—a renewed joy if you will. A readiness to revise.
In community,
Lesa, Rob, Jo, and Jennifer
I love the love, enthusiasm, and good vibes coming from this project!
So excited for this! ❤️