Reading for Research

If you want to write a picture book, the common advice is to immerse yourself in picture books and read, read, read!

I use Goodreads to keep track of the books I read. I average 180 books a year, but only a few stand out to me. Here are my favorites for 2014-2015:

These are the books that I connected with. I want to write a story that will become a favorite for readers. 

I want to write a story with characters that readers will think about long after they put down the book. 

I want to write a story that touches the heart of readers whether it tickles their funny bone or pull at their heartstrings, like what these books did for me!

Studying picture books such as these will make you write a better story. How? 

Reading for Research Month or ReFoReMo, the brainchild of Carrie Charley Brown! 

"The ReFoReMo challenge was founded to help picture book writers reform writing by reading and researching mentor texts. The challenge is supported by author-educators...It is necessary to read a wide variety of picture books to truly understand the form, the market, and the craft of writing them. The goal of ReFoReMo is to build reading background while learning how to use mentor texts." ~Carrie Charley Brown

It is a FREE online study group designed to help writers understand the structure of picture books and what makes a story stand out. They have a spectacular line-up of guest bloggers to assist writers in their research. I'm definitely going to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge offered by ReFoReMo.

Join me and together let's unlock the secrets to writing a great book! 

You can sign up for the Reading for Research Month Challenge here. 

Designed by Lori Nawyn

I'm a proud participant of ReFoReMo

Happy Research!