#KidlitZombieWeek Day 2! Check it out here: kaitlynleannsanchez.com/2025/06/23/g... Then come back & comment on this post w/ the tip (or tips) you want to try on your manuscript & why. Thanks @shannonstocker.bsky.social for such an awesome Kidlit Zombie Week 2025 post! - ThreadSky

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social • 2 days ago

#KidlitZombieWeek Day 2!

Check it out here: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/2025/06/23/guest-post-for-kidlit-zombie-week-2025-day-2-reviving-the-dead-six-ways-to-breathe-life-into-a-beloved-but-stale-tale-by-shannon-stocker6-24-2025/

Then come back & comment on this post w/ the tip (or tips) you want to try on your manuscript & why.

Thanks
@shannonstocker.bsky.social for such an awesome Kidlit Zombie Week 2025 post!

Comments

storiesbystephm.bsky.social•2 days ago

Definitely going to explore the idea of adding poetry (alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, metaphors, similes)

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Figurative language to get our story bodies in shape! Sounds like a great place to start exploring.

storiesbystephm.bsky.social•2 days ago

Funny way to to phrase that as I just got back into using my yoga app to get my actual body in shape ...lol

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

🤣

ashleysierra06.bsky.social•1 day ago

The last time I did anything with this MS, I was given feedback to show not tell and make the MC's voice more age appropriate. I did that and cut down on the dialogue.

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

We are cheering you on!

kcstrocchia.bsky.social•2 days ago

My tip pick: Ensure you have ONE problem. (and just one problem).

Why: Because I know I'm struggling between 2 or 3 story problems and which one is the right one for this story...I'm also struggling with making my worldbuilding clear. Perhaps the two are connected?

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

Hmm...could be!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Problems come so naturally. It's hard to choose just one!

kcstrocchia.bsky.social•2 days ago

So true! And so hard that more story problems cause more story problems. LOL.🤪

chelseybahe.bsky.social•2 days ago

Show, don’t tell. I tend to struggle with this

storiesbystephm.bsky.social•2 days ago

A huge struggle for a lot, I know I'm in that group too.

byaliciameyers.bsky.social•1 day ago

It’s a constant hurdle!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

What are some techniques you try for showing not telling?

byaliciameyers.bsky.social•22 hours ago

One that helps me a lot is searching for the word “was” in my MS and re-writing each sentence in a way that shows rather than blatantly tells

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

it's a tough one!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

It's always a challenge, but definitely makes stories come alive!

kaitlynleann17.bsky.social•2 days ago

Agreed, so difficult! How do you try to change from showing to telling @chelseybahe.bsky.social ?

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes, thanks!

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

I related to what Shannon said about how sometimes, revisions will help, but sometimes it's still not working and your manuscript needs to go back into their folder, or drawer grave to wait until it's their time.

rebecca-ensign.bsky.social•1 day ago

That can be so frustrating when you desperately want to revive a story, but it remains a corpse.

janmilusich.bsky.social•1 day ago

It just needs fermenting😂

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

😆

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

Thanks, Shannon. Those are all great tips!

I'm going to review my manuscripts to make sure there's only one problem, and also take a look at reducing dialogue.

nazfordwrites.bsky.social•2 days ago

Can I say I'm going to try them all?! (Because I am!) So I think the one I have to try first is to kill my darlings...after all, I might be able to resurrect them in another manuscript next year.

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

You can do it! You never know which darling will come back from the grave later.

janetfrencksheets.bsky.social•1 day ago

"Ensure you have ONE problem" is something I need to target this week, unfortunately. I've wrestled with this in several of my stories. There's usually one clear external problem for the protagonist to solve--but the protagonist's internal motivation is conflicted or unclear. Argghhh!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

You are not alone! One thing to consider: Where there are multiple story hearts (internal motivations) there may be multiple story characters. Like twins! Growing in the same draft, but needing a story of their own. Or maybe, this complex character has series potential! And each motive is its own 📖!

doucette515.bsky.social•2 days ago

Sticking to just one problem is something I sometimes struggle with. Focus! I need focus!

kaitlynleann17.bsky.social•2 days ago

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

Me too!

tracierenee.bsky.social•2 days ago

I think this is also my nemesis, Christiana!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

For some reason it's fun to give our MC's so many problems! 😂

cblumenfeld.bsky.social•2 days ago

Wow! All 6 revision tips are gems. I'm definitely re-thinking some dialogue for both audience consideration and showing not telling. Thank you, Shannon!

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

They are💎s!!🤩

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yay! We are glad you found some inspiration!

brilawyer.bsky.social•1 day ago

“Show, don’t tell” is something I constantly have to remind myself. I will pay extra close attention to that when revising!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

It's so true! Telling loves to creep into our stories where we want to being showing instead. It's great you know your #amwriting self so well!

writeredsilva.bsky.social•1 day ago

Good afternoon! I hope all is well with you? I'm in San Diego. I'm just passing by to say hello -- and -- off the records -- 🤭 would you possibly ever consider taking a look at a new manuscript I wrote ... mystery thriller? (In the near future)

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

Great post from Shannon!

brennajeanneret.bsky.social•2 days ago

Oh man, I love my dialog, but I totally get what you're saying about a missed "showing" opportunity! My MS in question is written in ALL dialog!! Back to the Google Doc I go, haha!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Sounds like this will be a fun challenge to show more Brenna!

kaitlynleann17.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes, love this! One thing to think about when you're the author is the read aloud aspect. Dialogue only can be tough unless you're an author-illustrator creating really different characters like @dkryland.bsky.social's Giraffe books because PBs are meant to be read aloud.

dkryland.bsky.social•2 days ago

Haha I love my dialogue and speech bubbles!

kaitlynleann17.bsky.social•2 days ago

Me, too! And those characters are all so adorable and unique!

mbwallarice.bsky.social•2 days ago

Thank you for these ideas! Focusing on making my text kid friendly and honing in on the MC solving her problem!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes! Those are two great ones for helping a #KidLit story regain its balance.

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

@kaitlynleann17.bsky.social

@rebecca-ensign.bsky.social

@midfreeman.bsky.social

@byaliciameyers.bsky.social
‬
@janmilusich.bsky.social

@drenderturmaud.bsky.social

@kcstrocchia.bsky.social

@storiesbystephm.bsky.social

mpray495.bsky.social•2 days ago

I loved everything Shannon had to say here but what really hit me was "age appropriate." I think that's a HUGE issue in my zombie MS. And making sure I have one clear problem for my MC to solve. 👍

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

good luck with your revision!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

We are glad you found several things to focus on! What will help for you to find age appropriateness?

mpray495.bsky.social•2 days ago

That's a good question!! I'm going to put myself in my MC's shoes. What's happening in their world? How do they see things? What skills, abilities and understandings do they have that they can draw on to solve a problem?

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

🤩

mpray495.bsky.social•1 day ago

EXACTLY!!

ckwritesbooks.bsky.social•2 days ago

Adding more poetic devices is on order for my zombie MS!

storiesbystephm.bsky.social•2 days ago

Me too! Seems both daunting and fun.

ckwritesbooks.bsky.social•2 days ago

I feel the same way!

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

good luck!

ckwritesbooks.bsky.social•2 days ago

Back at you!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yay! Have fun exploring the possibilities!

ptnozellwrites.bsky.social•2 days ago

So many of Shannon’s reminders resonated with me, but I think what I need to focus on first is whittling down to one problem. Not an easy task, but I’ve got this! Thank you!

janmilusich.bsky.social•2 days ago

rebecca-ensign.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yes! You’ve definitely got this!

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

You got this!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Definitely a challenge! It's amazing how many problems we can weave into our stories! Let us know how it goes!

ptnozellwrites.bsky.social•2 days ago

So true!

chrisgarhal.bsky.social•1 day ago

Great tips, Shannon.
They all hit home with one hitting with an extra punch.
I just finished my first 'experimental' manuscript in dialogue only. Through the entire writing process, my inner-CP relentlessly questioned, 'I dunno about this'.
Next time I'm going to listen to him harder : )

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•1 day ago

Our inner voice is often right, but it's still fun to play around with new writing techniques! They help us grow!

janycampana.bsky.social•2 days ago

I'm going to revise my kindergarten story using less dialogue.

heatherstigall7.bsky.social•2 days ago

good luck!

kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social•2 days ago

Sounds like a great way to attack your revision! We can't wait to hear how it goes.

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