What Makes Me Fall For A Book?

By Katrina Moore

Wow, it’s November. I’m not sure how that’s possible. On one hand, it still feels like 2020, and on the other, I could fill encyclopedias with how much has happened each month, day, and moment of this year. It’s been wonderfully busy—full of ups and downs, and all very dizzying. But...I’m finally readying myself to work on a big writing project that I set a goal to complete . . . LAST OCTOBER. 

Sigh.

Was that a sigh and nod from you, too? Oh, good! I’m not alone. This, I know. In fact, if there’s one common thread among *everyone* these days, it’s probably that we need to give ourselves a little, or a lot, of grace.

It’s okay.
 
It’s okay. I keep reminding myself of this. Because in this time that I have not written THIS THING, I did write a handful of new somethings. Some of which are becoming books! Some of which are out *there* finding the perfect champion. Some of which were scribbles and scrabbles . . . and maybe, some day, something more.
 
But now, it’s November. That’s two months before the new year. Next year is going to be busy-in-the-best-way for me. I have five books releasing in 2022—the three TEENY HOUDINI chapter books, and picture books, SOMETIMES LOVE, and GRUMPY NEW YEAR!!! So . . . I am setting a *new goal* for myself to start and finish THIS THING before the end of the year. (unofficially like the NaNoWriMo challenge, but I'm giving myself two months!)
 
When I’m drafting, I purposefully do not read any books in the same genre/vein of what I am writing. I don’t want any voice except my own coming into the story. However, I *do* do some work beforehand to infuse myself with books that I love. Books that I’ve fallen head over heels for, whose essence I want to become infused into part of my subconscious so that it guides my writing in an intentional way. I make a point to choose a variety of books, from various authors, to study.
 
What is it I’m studying? I’m seeking a tangible way to answer, What Makes Me Fall For A Book?

And, after much research, it comes down to this:
 
The author’s voice.
 
What is a literary voice?! There are a lot of fancy and official definitions and resources to explain it*. To me, an author’s voice is their individual personality coming through their words. It’s distinct, palpable, feels alive, and yet, through their different stories, feels consistent. It’s the way *only they* can tell that story. It’s both full of them, and yet, fully open to become the reader’s story, too.
 
Here are some notes for myself (and now, for you, too!) that I’ve taken from studying some of my favorite authors’ books:

Author: Kate DiCamillo
 
What Captivates Me: characters are memorable, full of warmth and hope
 
How? Use very specific, unique, quirky details

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​Example: “Frank thought how mysterious the world was, how unexplainable and sometimes frightening. But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story—that was a wonderful thing.”
- pg. 88, Franklin Endicott and the Third Key, Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick 2021

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Author: Mac Barnett
 
What Captivates Me: storytelling feels conversational and authentic to childhood experience; humor is added, but it fits with the story, feels very much a part of it, yet surprising
 
Example: check out WHAT IS LOVE, illustrated by Carson Ellis, Chronicle 2021
It’s thought-provoking, funny, and surprising!

Author: Tammi Sauer
 
What Captivates Me: she creates extremely lovable characters that we want to be friends with; their struggles are very relatable and they have true to kid emotions
 
Example: check out A LITTLE CHICKEN, illustrated by Dan Taylor, Sterling 2019

She shares Dot’s story in such a sweet, fun, pun-ny way that remind readers it’s okay to feel chicken, and when you need to, you’ll be brave. And what a perfect name for this adorable main character who feels too small to be brave!

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Author: Tae Keller
 
What Captivates Me: she creates clear emotions through vivid metaphors that are concrete and powerful
 
Example: “Mom’s words hang in the air for a few seconds, sucking up the oxygen.”
-pg 169, When You Trap a Tiger, Tae Keller, Random House, 2020

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
 
What Captivates Me: she delivers universal truths through distinct yet relatable characters, often roots us in the scene with what the character sees and experiences; we are experiencing *their* truth, and it feels intimate—they are inviting us in to look through their unique lens.
 
Example: “Ms. Bologna closed the door as Rachel Hill—always the last to arrive, always smiling and smelling like bubble gum, always a side ponytail draped across her delicate shoulder--breezed in and took her seat.” -pg 38, We Dream of Space, Erin Entrada Kelly, HarperCollins, 2020

Now it’s your turn. 

​What makes you fall for a book?

How can you capture those tangible elements and infuse them into your own writing voice?

I’m rooting for you. Maybe yours will be the next book that I fall for!

And, I hope you’ll fall for Bessie Lee, the star of the upcoming TEENY HOUDINI chapter book series by me and Zoe Si!

​According to Booklist, she’s “hilarious, delightfully imperfect … Proof that the smallest stature can contain a huge imagination and an even bigger heart.” 

Happy Writing!
-Katrina ✨
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 *More Resources For You:
How To Get  Six Pack by Tammi Sauer “You need to feed your muse and writing ability.” - Tammi Sauer https://taralazar.com/2018/09/26/how-to-get-a-six-pack-by-tammi-sauer-plus-a-giveaway/
Six Golden Rules for Writing Middle Grade: “See through their eyes, not yours.” -Erin Entrada Kelly https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/6-golden-rules-of-writing-middle-grade
How and When to Develop a Voice: https://literaryterms.net/when-and-how-to-develop-a-voice/

Katrina Moore writes in New Jersey.  She holds a M.A. in Teaching and has been an elementary teacher for twelve years. Her mission is to create books that children will hug for ages. She is the author of the picture books, ONE HUG, illustrated by Julia Woolf (HarperCollins/Tegen Books, Dec. 2019), GRANDPA GRUMPS, illustrated by Xindi Yan (Little Bee Books, April 2020), and the forthcoming SOMETIMES LOVE, a powerful and poetic exploration of love---from giving, to growing, to sometimes letting go, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz (Penguin/Dial, Summer 2022). Her humorous chapter books series, TEENY HOUDINI, illustrated by Zoe Si, star the magical, mischievous, mayhem-maker Bessie Lee. Books 1 and 2 will publish Winter 2022 (HarperCollins/Tegen Books).

​When she is not writing or teaching, she is cooking without a recipe, painting outside the lines, or snuggling up with her two kids, husband, pups, and of course, a cozy book.  Connect with her on twitter @kmoorebooks or at www.katrinamoorebooks.com.