Monday, February 15, 2016

Is it OCD or CDO (in the proper alphabetical order)? by Kristen Fulton


Shortly after becoming a nonfiction childrens writer, I discovered two things:

1.     I want to have two books published a year.
2.     Verla Kay was crazy.
I knew #2 to be truthful because the first time I had ever heard Verla Kay speak at a conference, she stated that she works on five to six stories at a time.

Are you kidding me? How could anyone keep that many ideas balanced? She writes nonfiction, like me. We are talking facts, research, vetting, more research, and then revising.

I quickly discovered that she wasnt crazy, and she has an extensive list of titles that bear her name to prove it.  Balancing several stories at one time is a necessity. Especially if I was ever going to achieve goal #1. Today, I live by the rule of five stories always in progress. In January of 2015, my five stories in progress landed me a multi-book contract with Simon & Schuster. When asked, "what else are you working on?" my reply was quick and my description for each story precise. It won them over.

So, how do I keep so many ideas balanced and going? I call it my Fab 5; these are my fabulous five ideas that are always in progress. Each story is in a different place of readiness.

Story 5- Finding a new story. Research. I am looking on-line, finding a topic, reading about it, seeing if the topic would make a great childrens book. Is this topic viable- will editors find it appealing? Does it fit into the classroom curriculum? Will children reach for the topic? Can I find an approach to the topic that would be great for children? Has it has been done a hundred times before, do I have a totally new aspect? If I think this topic will be fabulous, then I go to worldcat.org and find all the resources available and get them ordered.

Story 4- Getting my story facts together. I work through my research material and copy down facts that I want to include in my story. *I use the program Scrivener, so each fact goes on a different index card.

Story 3- This story is in outline form. I have all the facts laid out; I am separating what will go in the beginning, middle, and end of story. Facts not being used go in the back matter.

Story 2- This story idea is in rough draft form. I am still moving things around, changing perspective, even rewriting the entire opening. You get the idea.

Story 1- This is the story that I am polishing. It is close to being sent off to my agent or editor. I may be waiting for a reply back from a Historian to confirm my story accuracy.

Once I send my polished story off, then all of my stories move up one space. Sometimes the #1 spot stays filled the longest, that is okay. I continue working, and my rough draft may slide through polished much quicker.

So, how much time do I devote to each section? This is up to me. When my brain is fried, I can do something mindless like search the internet. Or if I get bored on a particular topic or stuck, I can move to a new subject. Some days I wake and feel like working on a particular story, or I have a breakthrough idea then I work on it. There are no set rules except to keep several stories going.

You can do this, I know you can. It just takes finding your first five stories and then you will be on fire!


Nonfiction picture book author Kristen Fulton is happiest wearing her favorite set of pearls and carrying a notebook into any museum or history center where she could spend hours researching. Wafting through old books or around dusty artifacts, Kristen believes that is where she will find her next story hiding.
Her first two books: Long May She Waves comes out May 2017 from Simon & Schuster and Flight For Freedom is set to release September 2017 from Chronicle Books. Her books, A Royal Ride and When Sparks Fly will hit stores in 2018.

Her biggest fan is her husband Rusty and her biggest critics are her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Kristen knows to amp up the drama when they fall asleep during her story.
Kristen is represented by Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary.

Contact Kristen Fulton, Children's Author at www.kristenfulton.com

ATTACHMENT:
Current Fab 5
Polishing:_____________________________________________
Write Rough Draft:_________________________________________
New Thoughts:________________________________________
Outline:_______________________________________________

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Fact Gather:______________________________________________

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Is it Viable:_______________________________________________

Resources:________________
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F Squared, LLP©Kristen Fulton





25 comments:

  1. Thanks, Kristen! I am usually juggling 2 - 3 stories at any one time (mostly short articles) - and your hand-out helps put this into better order.

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  2. I know, queen of hand-outs. BUT the CDO really gets to me :-) Thanks Sue.

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  3. Call it OCD or CDO. It's all good, Kristen. As always your many tips and words of encouragment are appreciated. Thank you for the useful graphic organizer.
    ~Suzy Leopold

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  4. Add it to your beautiful notebook that you keep (and even made me). You are just as organized. Thank you Suzy.

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  5. Kristen, this is so helpful! I couldn't fully conceptualize "juggling" multiple stories at once. Now I can really wrap my head around it. Thanks, as always, for your guidance and the hand-out!

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  6. Kristi, I know that I was overwhelmed with the concept at first as well. Thanks for stopping by :-) You know you can always email me if you need a full 8x11 copy to print. fultonwrites@gmail.com

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  7. Thank you, Kristen, for sharing your tips and handout to keep 5 stories going. You have been inspiring as I travel my journey through writing. I look forward to your books this year!

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  8. Thank you Charlotte. I am always here if you need anything❤️

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  9. Kristen, thanks so much for this post...and for making me feel sane. I have always juggled at least three books at a time, and thought there was something wrong with me. Feeling much better now, lol.

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    1. Come on and drink the kool-aid- I am just as crazy:-)

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  10. Love your opening, Kristen! It is so you. :D Thanks for the run-down on how you juggle the balls. My analytical mind loves this!

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    1. And of course, I love Verla Kay :-) Thank you all for putting up with my sense of humor- as wicked as it is.

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  11. Hey Kristen, great post. You touched on two things that I find vexing...how to determine if a story idea is viable and if it will fit into curriculum. Can you briefly share how you do those two things?

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  12. Absolutely, it isn't brief though. Let me comprise some information about it and I can send it to you or someone is bound to want me to share it in a blog for them. But, I will get the info together and get it to you.

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  13. I do juggle several stories at a time...thanks to you, Kristen. :) I never thought of it as you laid it out...but I guess that is kind of how I do it...although definitely NOT as organized or thought out as you do it. ;) I know that the one sheet will be mega helpful! Thank you...you are always so generous...and I can't wait to see you at the Wild West Midwest SCBWI conference in Chicago!!!!

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    1. You are multi-talented Vivian. Can't wait to see you as well.

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  14. Thank you, @Kristen Fulton for hanging out in My Word Playground and thank you @Vivian Kirkfield and so many other new friends for coming by to play along!

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  15. Such awesome advice and inspiration! Plus, a great idea :)

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  16. So glad to see so many friendly faces here at My Word Playground!! Thanks for stopping by! Please check out all the other inspirational posts -- lots of treasures buried here!

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  17. Hi Lynne Marie,
    It's Jan from the SCBWI mid-year in Orlando.
    Appreciations for this interview with Kristen.
    It is mighty fine.
    Just like Kirsten.
    And, you! (And how is your young writer these days?
    best to you both!

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  18. Jan -- so wonderful to see you here! Of course I remember you :) My little one has been busy with Broadway Kids and the Beauty and the Beast Performance but it's ended so now she will focus on her writing and art! Will we see you in Orlando! I sure hope so. TTYS! XOXO

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