How NOT to Incorporate STEM Elements in Your Kid Lit, With Amanda Rawson Hill
And I really want to know...what does your muse look like?
From the Writing Desk:
Happy April from my little corner of The Magic Jurassic Kingdom Park!
I know Spanish moss is invasive, but this desert girl is continually fascinated by the way it drapes from the trees and the way the light filters through it. Absolutely magical.
Creatively, April really did feel like a true spring in a lot of ways. I had some bummer publishing news on the kid lit front, that I may or may not get into in more detail in the future. But while the news itself isn’t good, I’m actually truly not too fazed by it. Like, for realsies, not just a rose-colored glasses type thing (although did you see that sunset?) I’m not thrown off by it because what it means is a clean creative slate in a lot of ways. For a long time, I’ve been writing with the heavy cloak of people’s contracted expectations on my shoulders (which I don’t discount, and for which I’m grateful!), and now I feel like I’ve shed all that and am free to run run run in whatever direction the muse points.
And guys? I’ve had so much fun doing some creative sprinting down some new paths.
I’ve finished the first very bare-bones draft of a supernatural middle age rom com feature script.
I’ve brainstormed a pilot idea that I’m really excited about—a supernatural middle age romance—for the upcoming Disney Writing Program applications.
And I’ve made progress on the first few chapters of a brand new book—a supernatural middle age story with strong romantic elements.
…
Apparently my muse is incredibly excited to finally be let loose in the supernatural middle age romance direction again.
The very first novel I ever wrote was about a 50 year old zookeeper named George, who was attempting to save the niece he was raising from invading fairytale forces, and who falls in love with his neice's teacher while doing it. It’s an absolute mess of a manuscript, but the themes and character types from it…well, they were all there in my very first novel for very Sarah reasons, and working on these quirky middle-age romance stories has me waking up very excited lately.
As for kid lit? Not to worry, that will never, ever go away, and is still in the works as strong as ever. I’ve got a chapter book that’s ready for revisions before another round of submission, and same with a picture book. I’ve got four middle grade novel outlines waiting for me once I finish this middle age one. We’ll be talking kid lit here as much as ever…I just might be mentioning my work on this middle age romance from time to time, too. As I’ve said before, our favorite characters around here are the under 15 and over 50 hehe!
Speaking of muses, what does yours look like? If you were to put a face to your muse, whose would it be?
Mine? Ever since I watched this show in high school, I’ve felt like my muse looks just like…well, this guy…
Onward!
How NOT to Incorporate STEM Elements in Your Kid Lit, With Amanda Rawson Hill
I have had the honor and privelege of knowing and learning from Amanda since she was my PitchWars mentor back in the good old PitchWars days of 2016. Here’s the thing about Amanda: not only is she an incredible kid lit writer of picture books and middle grade, she is also one of the most remarkably clear, practical, and comprensible teachers of writing I’ve ever had the opportunity to learn from. Writing advice can often feel so nebulous and ineffible, but Amanda has a way of making it feel not only understandable, but doable. You’ll see that in her excellent advice here.
Amanda lives in California with her family and is the author of You’ll Find Me, My Pet Cloud, The Hope of Elephants, and more. Her work regularly incorporates STEM elements and I’ve seen her teach on this subject before, so I was thrilled when she agreed to give us her wisdom and advice.
Welcome Amanda!
1. What mistakes do writers most often make when trying to include STEM elements in their picture books?
I think the biggest mistake when trying to include STEM elements in picture books is when authors put the STEM cart before the story horse. Story is still king. It is still the most important thing in a picture book. The STEM concepts should fit into the story seamlessly, without feeling shoved in. They should feel like they serve the story either as an opportunity for humor or to strengthen the themes. You don't want your story to feel like you were just trying to write a story around the STEM concepts.
2. In your middle grade, you have included struggles with medical issues like cancer, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and clinical depression. How do you address the science behind these issues in a middle-grade appropriate way?
When it comes to my MG novels, I really only include the science behind issues when it will further the emotional resonance or themes of the story. And because of my writing style I always try to explore the science in a poetic way, with lots of imagery. I think that imagery and metaphors really aid the reader in understanding these sometimes-complicated issues.
3. Your books often deal with heavy thematic and emotional issues as well, such as grief, loss, and anxiety. Do you have any tips for writers about the balance of bringing in both that emotional side and the STEM side?
The emotional side always comes first. The STEM side should always be in service to the emotional core. So in The Hope of Elephants for example, I was able to really explore genetic testing and mutations because the 50% chance of LFS fit in perfectly with the duality themes. It's hard to know which came first though. The science concept or the theme. But the important point is that both integrate and complement each other. When planning your novel, think about what the STEM concepts are. What sort of images do they provide? How can you thread that into the emotional stakes of the plot? How does your theme mirror the STEM concept or vice versa.
Thank you so much Amanda for your expertise! Find about more about Amanda’s work on her website, and make sure you order one of her amazing books!
What I’m Reading: I’m going to recommend an old favorite this time, since we’ve already opened the middle-age/golden years romance can of worms in this here newsletter. This book delights me to no end, and I think about certain moments from it regularly. It’s maybe the closest thing to a modern Jane Austen that I can think of, focused on character and that amazing comedy of manners. You will be grinning like a fool by the end of this one.
What I’m Watching: Something I adore about British comedians in particular is that they don’t just write their own comedy, they also often write their own scripts. Miranda Hart and Greg Davies are perfect examples. And…Sally Phillips. Only in my recent rewatch of this movie did I realize Sally had written this and it made me love her even more.
And come on. David Freaking Tennant.
SHORTY SHORTS: I often find Michelle’s YouTube videos so practical and thought provoking. She has some very interesting suggestions as she talks through her revisions of her own middle grade. I sometimes simply find it soothing to hear other writers talk about revision and their own process.
What I’m Drawing: I love animals and I love puns and I love music and this is simply what happened:
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and look at it, until it shines.”
– Emily Dickinson
Writing Opportunity: The Author’s Guild has a very cool new webinar series that specifically targets strategies and opportunities for children’s authors, including approaching the media and getting reviews for picture books. Take a look at the webinar series and see if you think it might be worth it for you!
Teacher or Librarian? I would love to do a free virtual Q&A with your class or book group! If you’re interested in scheduling a visit you can reach out to me via my website. Let me know how I can support you! I’ve also got free classroom resources to accompany each book. You guys are rock stars!
Thanks for coming along everyone! The Smorgasbord is a hand-kneaded, hand-shucked, reader supported publication. You can support by buying a delicious book or by becoming a paid subscriber. It seriously means the world, you shining star you.
-Sarah
Disney script?! 🤩 Cheering you on!
Sarah, SO MUCH GOOD STUFF here. I am excited about your scripts, the forging a new path of creative freedom, and ADORE your drawings. Thank you also for the awesome recommendations! 💜🙌💜