Week of January 6, 2013: An Interview
with Maria Modugno
Tuesday, January 8—An Interview with
Maria Modugno, Part II
This is the second installment in a four-part
interview with Maria Modugno, Editorial Director, Picture Books, Random House Books
for Young Readers.
Rob Sanders: Maria, let’s talk plot. Three-act structure, Freytag’s pyramid, the clock plot—what do you look for in the plot of a picture book?
Maria Modugno: I’m not that
scientific—I keep a blank storyboard in my head and sort the story out to fit
those pages. I’m embarrassed to say it’s something I feel instead of know.
I also think you have to keep your audience in mind, but never
underestimate them.
RS: Event-driven or character-driven, which do you prefer and
why?
MM: I believe you need both. Although you only
have 32 pages, the events will propel the reader to turn the pages but unless
the story has a good character, no one will care.
RS: Writers are often told that their writing is too quiet.
What does “too quiet” mean to you?
MM: Nothing happens . . . just a series of lovely
sentences.
RS: If you could give picture book writers three key words of
advice, what would you say?
MM: Read as many books as you can. Look in
bookstores. Listen to kids.
RS: Writers always want to know what is selling and what the
latest trend is. What guidance would you give us about trends and markets?
MM: It’s a very tough picture book market. The whole
distribution landscape is changing and we are at the beginning of a digital
revolution. All publishers are cautious. When you publish a new book in a
picture book series, you are giving the consumer something that is both tried
and true AND new.
Publishers are also looking at different financial models. Be
open-minded and remember that the publisher wants to make money as much as you
do.
RS: People always ask editors, “What are you looking for?”
What’s your answer, Maria?
MM: I always want the best of what’s out there. I
have total recall of what it felt like to read a picture book when I was a kid
and I want to experience that same thrill every time.
Wow! What
great info! You won’t believe what’s up next!
Come back
tomorrow for more wisdom from Maria!
2 comments:
Love this series of interviews with the amazing Ms. Modugno. She is so generous to share her wisdom with us, and I appreciate your always-informative blog!
Maria is one of a kind! So glad you're following along, Donna!
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