Author: Lori Scott

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Pitch Perfect

You’ve worked hard to write your middle grade novel, and now you’re ready to sell it to a publisher. Except you’ve been told you must describe your entire 50,000 book in 30 to 150 words.

Welcome to what the writing community calls “the pitch.”

A pitch is a short description of your book that highlights what makes your story unique.

I’ve taken online classes, read articles, and listened to conference talks about how to write a pitch. When it comes to elements every pitch should contain, most presentations boil down to this: The pitch needs to identify the main character in a manner that shows their goal, the obstacles that stand in their way, and what might happen if they don’t succeed.

Let’s use the technique (protagonist, goal, obstacles, fallout) with a well-known story: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Start with the Protagonist. Bilbo is a hobbit, a race of short people living in middle earth, a land with magical creatures.

What is his goal? He will aid the dwarf king, his faithful subjects, and a wizard on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestorial home.

What are the obstacles? The company runs into trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and wood elves. Aided by Bilbo’s magic ring and a river town, the heroes kill the dragon who took over the kingdom. However, a battle between five armies breaks out over the treasure the dragon guarded.

What might happen (fallout)? If Bilbo cannot negotiate peace between the various factions, his whole company might die.

Now put the ideas together.

Bilbo is a hobbit, a race of short people living in middle earth, a land with magical creatures. He will aid the dwarf king, his faithful subjects, and a wizard on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestorial home. The company runs into trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and wood elves. Aided by Bilbo’s magic ring and a river town, the heroes kill the dragon who took over the kingdom. However, a battle between five armies breaks out over the treasure the dragon guarded. If Bilbo cannot negotiate peace between the warring factions, his whole company might die.

This pitch rings in at 97 words, which will work for most conference pitches. However, if your selected entity wants it even shorter, watch me trim the idea to 41 words and still keep the heart of the story.

Aided by Bilbo, thirteen dwarves go on a quest to reclaim their ancestral kingdom, which is guarded by a dragon. When the beast is killed, five armies converge to claim the treasure left behind. Bilbo must negotiate peace or die trying.

Sure, you say. Simple to do with a well-established story. But will it work for me? Let’s see. Using my method, here’s a 52-word pitch for my newest release, Offsides.

Danielle expected a challenging senior year with her final season of soccer, a strained friendship, and a new crush. What she didn’t expect was to uncover a human trafficking ring in her town. When an older man starts grooming her neighbor, Dani intervenes. But her actions may make her the next target.

Intrigued? That’s the power of a pitch. Good luck crafting your own. (And please, make my day and check out Offsides.)

Lori Z. Scott is known for her bestselling Meghan Rose series. Besides these humorous children’s chapter books, Lori has published over 200 articles, short stories, devotions, and poems for magazines like Brio and Focus on the Family. She has also contributed to 15 books, including Writing and Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market. In 2022, Lori introduced a new YA series. The first book, Inside the Ten-Foot Line, is a Carol Award semi-finalist, the Golden Scroll Youth Book of the Year winner, and an Illumination Book Award medalist. The second book, Offsides, promises even more action and humor. You can connect with Lori on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori 

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Why You should Tackle Tough Topics in Middle Grade Writing

If you love middle grade novels, you’re probably familiar with some of the unique characteristics of this genre. You don’t have to go far to find writing tips on expected word counts, use of age-appropriate language and topics, and developing a middle-grade voice. In fact, when I first started writing for this age group, I explored what the experts had to say about middle grade book parameters. In my research, several articles pointed out that this age group doesn’t have as much emotional maturity as a young adult audience.

Middle grade emotions typically manifest in physical actions and responses.

And while a young adult book will also show these emotions externally, the writing often includes more introspective reflections.

This surprised me. After all, kids of all ages grapple with hardships that vary in severity (from getting grounded to being abused). To help me better understand the difference, I envisioned a middle grade versus a young adult version of Little Red Riding Hood.

In the middle grade version:

I expect Ms. Hood might react to being swallowed by displaying physical indicators of distress, like weeping or chewing her nails.

In the young adult novel:

In addition to Ms. Hood weeping and chewing her nails, I expect her to agonize over life choices that led to the current predicament (being lodged in the stomach of a wolf.) Her internal reflection might read something like this:

Why do I always fail no matter how much I long to make Mother proud by doing the right thing? What is wrong with me? How could I not see through the wolf’s charm and recognize his true intentions? Will anyone notice my disappearance? Will anyone care?

Picturing it that way clarified the concept for me.

But that brought a follow up question. If it’s true that we should tone down introspective thoughts in middle grade novels, should MG writers avoid tackling topics that dive deeply into emotion?

I believe the answer is no. Don’t avoid the tough stuff. But always, always, always keep your target audience in mind, and keep it age appropriate.

Case in point.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is a powerfully emotional MG novel. The book follows the struggles of Billy, who makes multiple sacrifices to buy and care for two dogs. The dogs return his devotion by sacrificing their lives to keep Billy safe. The reader is so invested in the relationship between the characters that the dogs’ gut-wrenching demise hits close to home. Though fictional, it brings to light real world struggles children grapple with, like death and grief and remorse. But the story also offers the reader hope, because when Billy revisits his beloved dogs’ grave, he reflects on how he dealt with the loss.

I read the story when I was in sixth grade. In our classroom, the imaginary world provided a springboard to talk about and process crippling real-world emotions some of my peers knew all too well. As for me, I loved every bit of the book and cried my eyes out at the end. Billy’s closing words were some of the most poignant ones I’d ever heard, and I carried them close to my heart for years.

In today’s world:

It’s accurate to say that many children have experienced hunger, divorce, neglect or
other traumatizing events. And I believe they can better process the emotions that go with these burdens when a storybook character shows them they aren’t alone in their feelings… and that there is a path through the situation. So don’t shy away from heavier topics in your middle grade writing. Some kids grow up fast, whether or not they are emotionally mature enough to handle it. Your words may serve as a blueprint or even a lifeline for these tweens seeking to make sense of their world.

What emotionally charged middle grade novels have you read lately?

Let me know in the comments!
Until later!

Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.

Categories
Kids Lit

Inside the Ten-Foot Line: Conception to Publication Part One

Kids Lit

As I wrote this article, I got an email from my publisher letting me know that the pre-order sales of my book Inside the Ten-foot Line earned three #1 bestselling banners on Amazon. Wow! Which leads me to believe I might have an insight or two to offer about the whole publishing process.

Keep in mind, every author’s path to publication differs. Some things I mention might resonate with you. Others may provide an ah-ha moment. You can also visit Kelli’s article on three lessons she learned on her way to publication.

My story is too long for a single post, so this month, I’ll explore the birth of the idea and draft process behind Inside the Ten-foot Line, and next month I’ll target what happened after the manuscript was complete.

The Idea

While there is no hard and fast rule for finding an idea for your book, write what you know is a good starting place. I took that advice and made a list of all the topics that interested me. I compared that to a list of topics that might interest my target age group to trim down my options. I mean—I know a lot bedtime routines. And while that’s a great topic for picture books, it’s less palatable for a middle grade novel, right? (Unless I work a hilarious bedtime routine into a scene where my protagonist is dealing with pimples and self-doubt.)

For me, one theme continued to rise to the top and melded well with the interests of my reader. Sports.

Question: What idea rises to the top for you?

Action: Check out another article on content issues from Kelli McKinney.

What’s Out There

Where does your idea fit in the current market? What other books will sit on the shelf next to yours? I found my answer in the local library. Sports had its own special identifying sticker and location in the building, making it easy for me to pull down and compare titles. Books geared for male athletes dominated the genre. However, even though the niche offered only a handful of books for female athletes, the market showed recent growth. And that was promising.

Question: Does your book can fill a gap in the market?

Action: Visit a library and look for books with a similar idea to yours.

Know the Genre

Determined to balance the scales, I read through several books, looking for similarities in plot, mood, and resolution. Most used sports as a setting to deal with larger social or emotional issues. After dissecting a whole stack of novels, I had a good idea of how to move forward.

Question: What genre are you writing? Contemporary? Speculative fiction? Historical fiction?

Action: Do your research. Take time to read books you will find next to yours on the shelf.

Write the Story

I wrote an outline for the plot using one paragraph descriptions for each chapter. Then I took one summary at a time and expanded it into a full chapter. This loosely structured approach left room for my characters to nudge (or throw) the story in a new direction. And trust me—when they take on a life of their own, they will! When that happened, I could easily go back to the summaries and adjust the plot accordingly.

Even though my book addresses social issues, I also made sure to pack plenty of sports action into the plot. In that way, I catered to my target audience.

Question: Will your story be written in first or third person?

Action: Create a detailed outline for your story.

That’s where the series started for me. How about you? Stop back next month to find out what happened after I completed my manuscript.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

How to Make a Cliché Work for You

In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichés.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: cliches often come across as lazy writing. Cliches can make dialog as flat as a pancake and cause your labor of love to become as dull as dishwater. Worse, an ill-fitting cliché can throw the reader out of the story world you’ve created. Mark my words, your writing will improve if you weed out these overused sayings. But how?

Once upon a blue moon (and for a different website), I wrote a longer article detailing six ways to deal with this issue. But here, I’d like to focus on just one tried and true method that works especially well for middle grade stories. Consider it my “two-cents worth” approach because it adds humor to your story and gives you more bang for your buck.

Are you ready for this tip? It’s “Run with the cliché.”

I can explain it best like this: Take an old phrase and give it a middle grade twist by adding onto the end of it. The result may tickle your funny bone.

Look at my examples and then try this method for yourself.  

  • That problem was as old as time… but not nearly as old as the Twinkie Mom packed in my lunch today.
  • Sweet Sally. She’s always bending over backwards for people. Literally. She’s a gymnast.
  • I was left with one burning question. I guess that’s what happens when you set your homework on fire and your best friend douses the flames at the last second.
  • In my homeroom, finding a friendly face used to be a dime a dozen. Not with today’s inflation.
  • It’s hard for grandma to jog her memory. It’s more like a crawl.
  • If the shoe fits, it’s probably not on sale.
  • It takes two to tangle. Unless you’re my mom, and then you’re too exhausted to do anything.
  • You can’t hold candle to a good book. Well, you can, but it will burn.
  • Sometimes I feel like I’m all thumbs. Which comes in handy when you’re playing video games but not so much when picking your nose.

Now it’s your turn.

Go out on a limb. Think outside the box. Put the pedal to the medal. Take your favorite cliché and run with it. I’d love to hear what you come up with. Post it in the comments. I’m all ears.

Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

How to Persevere in Your Writing

When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a first draft of a story and send it to a publisher, who is anxiously waiting for the manuscript. Then, a team of people publicize the story. Talk show hosts call, bookstores hold signings for crowds of adoring fans, news reporters request interviews, the book sells a million copies, and everybody lives happily ever after.

Reality is so different.

Authors work hard.

We craft a story (sometimes through years of labor) and then revise it multiple times. We research into the wee hours of the morning. We hire beta readers to give us feedback, and then go through the process again. When the manuscript is finally ready, we can’t just send it out, lest it land in the bottomless slush pile of submissions from which few ever return. Some publishers require an agent, so off we go, hunting for someone to believe in us and our vision. We send query letters and book proposals. We attend conferences, read articles, build a brand and platform, and the list goes on.

Yet even we they understand all the work involved, authors still pick up the pen and write. Why?

Perhaps because authors have learned the value of perseverance. If we continue with determination and dedication, we can succeed.

So today, let’s examine three ways we can persevere in our writing journey.

Set Goals

If you work full time like I do, your writing time is limited. I try to my redeem time by focusing on a big objective that might take longer and several smaller goals that can aid in accomplishing the bigger goal. It’s a method that has helped me survive life’s demands.

Consider a few smaller goals you can finish in a week. For example, Offsides, my upcoming YA fiction novel, will soon hit the market. When it does, I want pre-sales to be up, a launch team in place, and blog interviews booked. (Any takers? Asking for a friend…) Over the next several months, I’ll dedicate time each week to contact people, create social media posts, and market to my target audience. Being ready for the release is not something I’m going to complete on a short timetable. Instead, to reach my big goal, I’ll work on smaller goals each week, such as ‘Compile a list of endorsers,’ or ‘Contact libraries and bookstores.’ The ability to complete weekly small tasks will give me a great deal of confidence, and those little things will build into the bigger event: the release itself.

Take Breaks

Inspired or not, I often force myself to sit down at the computer. I love the challenge of writing, but I still wrestle with guilt for not being more productive. But here’s a secret: It’s okay to take a break. Shut down Word and go for a walk, go out for dinner with a friend, paint a picture, do the laundry, or find some other outlet for your mind. The change might actually be good for you. Medical studies show that downtime with limited stimulation helps replenish the brain’s ability to focus, create, make connections, and process information. I can’t tell you how many times a plotline problem resolves itself while I doodle a cartoon.

Adopt the Long View

Life makes many demands on us. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. And that’s okay. Unless you’re doing freelance editing or working on a publisher’s staff, you aren’t likely to be a fulltime writer, so when the unexpected pops up, it’s okay to make room for it. As much as you love writing, it will never love you back the way family and friends will. You want to write, but does that trump every other area of your life? Hopefully not. What if it’s a unique writing opportunity? Then yes, jump on it! But make sure your loved ones understand your situation and are on board. Initiate a conversation to explore your expectations and their needs so you can avoid hurt feelings.

I would define the long view as pursuing your writing dreams one manageable step at a time. Find balance. Say yes whenever possible and no whenever necessary and don’t stress about any self-imposed deadline. Flexibility frees the writer to create in the tiny slivers of open time without missing out on major life events.

“All of my writer friends and I have one thing in common: We didn’t listen to the naysayers. We kept writing. And eventually we have all been published.”

Author, Davi S. Laskar

So, when it comes to writing, set your goals, take breaks, and adopt the long view. Your perseverance will pay off.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Elements That Work

When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old age group. After all, it encompasses a large audience. Consider the developmental differences between an eight-year-old (3rd grade) and a twelve-year-old (7th grade). Height, puberty, social/emotional awareness, goals, interests… there is a lot of room for variation here. Narrowing down a story idea can prove challenging.

Here’s the good news: middle grade readers enjoy all genres. Historical fiction, science fiction, contemporary fiction, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels, and action-adventure.

What are some elements that work well with this age group?

Stories that are Character-Driven

Make your protagonist the same age as your reader. Let them face authentic challenges and struggles and push them to actively resolve these problems independent of an adult. They need to be likeable and relatable. Show your reader their hopes, their fears, their best friend, their worst day, and their thought process. Remember, at this age, kids make a lot of mistakes, and that’s okay. Keeping it real can lead to entertaining outcomes and set the MC up for major character growth. For example, in the book Wonder, author R.J. Palacio introduces the reader to a child with a severe and very visible facial deformity. Not only is he phasing from homeschool to public school, but he’s doing it at a time when this age group typically hyper-focuses on looks.  In laughable fashion, he thwarts a few bullies who underestimate him. At the same time, he faces prejudices and obstacles that help stir empathy in the reader. These factors make the reader open to the valuable but organic lessons housed in the tale, such as you can choose happiness or don’t judge people by their appearance.

Stories with Humor

Light-hearted banter or outright ridiculousness works well with this age group. The book itself doesn’t have to be geared for humor. Writers can sprinkle this in through relationships, exaggerated situations or characters, word play, or crazy reactions. Kids are more likely to pick up on themes or messages you want to get across if it’s couched in humor. Editors love this aspect too.

Our own Kelli McKinney uses humor in her book Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents. McKinney gives the reader an inside scoop on the thoughts of the main character, Jeff, who is often egocentric and overly focused on a single goal. The conversation between the reader and the author makes Jeff’s actions and reactions hilarious.

Stories with Action

Keep the romance to a minimum but drum up the action. Use natural-sounding dialogue to maintain the fast pace that keeps readers engaged and use the old “show don’t tell” adage when using description. Short chapters, especially ones that end with cliffhangers, will keep readers turning the pages. Look at what author Peter Brown does with The Wild Robot.  The chapters average 3 pages. Some are a single page. In addition, each chapter contains a single, pivotal event that propels the story forward. The action itself fits the audience. There are confrontations, problems, and challenges, but those situations are more about pace and chase than it is about violence and graphic details.

In conclusion

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with strong characters, good humor, and middle grade action is to read, read, read. Visit your local library and request copies of new releases and popular titles like the ones listed here. What are some good middle grade books you would recommend?

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Motivation

What motivates the main character in your middle grade manuscript? If you struggle to pinpoint what drives them, you reader will too. I found this out the hard way. After sharing a chapter from my WIP, one critique partner asked, “Why do I care if your protagonist reaches her goal? And why is she so determined to win anyway? What’s her motivation?”

What indeed.A character’s motivation matters. It drives the plot, explains why a character behaves a certain way, and gives the reader a reason to root for a favorable resolution.

Without it, the story falls flat.

Lack of motivation is not an uncommon issue. Many writers plop a character into an adventure without considering why must their story be told by this person.

Take another look your work in progress. Starting with the first chapter, analyze your character—how she responds to her environment and other people. Can you identify what’s motivating her in one or two sentences?

If not, ask why questions to keep digging deeper. Do external forces (like survival or competition) or internal desires (like power or revenge) drive the character? What backstory might you need to develop in order to reveal and explain these actions and aspirations?  As you hone in on what drives your character, put obstacles, challenges, and limitations in their path. Make her respond in a manner consistent with this motivation.

You can also practice identifying motivation by reading a few well-written middle grade novels. Identify words, phrases, and actions the author uses to communicate what’s driving the main character. You can even borrow the character (for practice purposes only, of course!) and put them into the first chapter of your book. How does a difference character change your story? Put your story into their story. What happens?

Returning to my experience, when I addressed the deep motivations of my main character in my book Inside the Ten-Foot Line, she came alive. She morphed into someone more likable, relatable, and compelling. Because of that, the story broadened in depth, complexity, and impact. And when she finally met her goal, the reader was left with a sense of satisfaction.

So, get motivated! Unlock your character’s full potential and reveal what drives them.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Five Writing Goals to Start the Year

Hey, all! Now that the winter holidays are past, it’s high time to focus on goals for the upcoming year.

#1 Carve Out Writing Time

It takes discipline to sit down in front of a computer (or pick up pen and paper for old-school fans), block out distractions, and tap into the creative juices.

But we must. Because if we don’t make writing a priority, it won’t happen. (You know I’m right!)

Set a goal to write at least three days a week. Pick out a time that works best for you to write distraction free. Rise an hour before the family and type away. Or slate late night after meeting the day’s obligations. I used to write in notebooks while waiting for my child’s practice to end or I dictated my ideas on my phone to revisit later. Identify your best time, set it, and protect it.

#2 Join a Critique Group

Because of my experience with a faithful team of writers, I can, without hesitation, recommend that you set a goal of joining a critique group. Getting regular feedback on your manuscript can prove invaluable. Our partners spot plot holes, areas that lack clarity, and errors in grammar.

Not every group is a good fit. I encountered many mismatches before discovering my ideal team. But don’t give up! Set a goal to find supportive writers like you. If needed, this link provides a list of organizations that set up critique groups.

#3 Devote Time to Create or Maintain a Platform

Writers need a platform to increase visibility and market their work to a target audience. But “platform” poses a huge obstacle for many people. It’s a time sucker. It’s daunting. There are too many options to consider, like Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, and websites. Where do you start?

Instead of trying to engage in multiple arenas (which can lead to quick burnout), try focusing on one or two. Take time to explore various options. Then, set a goal to post or engage in the media bi-weekly or more. Keep your brand in mind. I found this article addressing platform-building from Denise Wakeman helpful.

#4 Educate Yourself

The writing profession encompasses many elements:  researching, drafting, and revising; querying agents, publishers, and magazines; organizing book launches, interviews, and speaking engagements; participating in conferences, critique groups, and professional organizations; engaging in social media, podcasts, and advertising; writing blogs, articles, and newsletters. How overwhelming is that?!

#5 Set a goal to educate yourself on one area.

I’ve found it’s best to create an achievable goal with a narrow focus. For example, I need to improve communication, so I’ll educate myself—perhaps through online courses, how-to articles, or conferences—on how to use emails lists and newsletters to reach my target audience.

You can also educate yourself by attending a writing conference. Two of my favorites are the Write to Publish in Wheaton, Illinois and Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina. There are other well-respected conferences out there too—Florida Christian Writing Conference and the Kentucky Christian Writing Conference, for example. And don’t forget virtual conferences. End Game Press hosts excellent ones.

So, there you have it. Four practical writing goals for any author. What goals are you setting? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Inside the Ten-Foot Line: From Conception to Publication (Part Two)

Last month, I detailed the first half of my journey to publication for my MG/YA sports novel Inside the Ten-foot Line. I discussed where my idea came from, knowing the genre, and drafting the story. This article focuses on what happened next.

Remember, every author’s path to publication differs. My experience might resonate with you or provide an ah-ha moment. You can also visit Kelli’s article on lessons she learned on her way to publication.

Pitch

One of the best ways to get your work in front of an editor’s eyes is by attending a writing conference. Beyond offering classes on the craft of writing, attendees can meet editors and agents and pitch their work. For an extra fee, many allow you to submit a manuscript for feedback. Conferences also hold contests. Winning a category gives you exposure. Best of all conferences allow writers to network with other writers.

I pitched the idea for my series first at the Write-to-Publish conference. At the time, there were few sports novels geared toward girls available. A year later, I pitched it at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writing Conference. This time, I found a publisher who, like me, recognized a gap in the market, and requested a proposal.

Action: Set a goal of attending one writing conference this year.

Contract

After that initial pitch, it took almost another year before a contract went to my agent.

But let’s touch on the debate between traditional publishing and self-publishing. In today’s market, both are valid options. With the traditional route, writers share the profit with their publisher, but they don’t have to carry the burden of cost to produce the product. A good publisher will also handle most of the marketing, something I appreciate.

Self-publishing means writers keep the profit, but they also must hire an editor, illustrator, and do their own marketing. If you’re a go-getter, this may suite you best.

Action: Find out more here to find out more about these options.

Edits

Shortly after turning in the completed work, the manuscript underwent several rounds of editing. That’s all I’m saying on this aspect.

Action: If you are traditionally published, be easy to work with. Listen to suggestions from the professionals assisting you. If you are self-publishing find an affordable and competent freelance editor.

Marketing

“It doesn’t matter how well written your book is if you can’t sell it.”

Truth.

Publishers need to make money. As an author, you must do your part to help your book succeed. That’s where platform comes in.

Even before its release on September 20, 2022, Inside the Ten-foot Line  had earned three #1 bestselling banners on Amazon. How? My publisher knows how to market. Among other things, they targeted Amazon Ads and leveraged their newsletter and Instagram accounts to reach my target audience.

On my part, I organized a book launch team, posted on my social media sights, and contacted people with podcasts and or book review sites. I even coordinated ideas with my friend Kelli McKinney since our books were scheduled to release the same month. Her encouragement relieved some of the stress and anxiety I felt over marketing.

Action

If you have not started working on your platform, start! For more marketing ideas, check out this article and/or this one.

I hope seeing my journey helps encourage you on your way to publication. If you have any more ideas to share, please leave them in the comments.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Inside the Ten-Foot Line: From Conception to Publication Part One

As I wrote this article, I got an email from my publisher letting me know that the pre-order sales of my book Inside the Ten-foot Line earned three #1 bestselling banners on Amazon. Wow! Which leads me to believe I might have an insight or two to offer about the whole publishing process.

Keep in mind, every author’s path to publication differs. Some things I mention might resonate with you. Others may provide an ah-ha moment. You can also visit Kelli’s article on three lessons she learned on her way to publication.

My story is too long for a single post, so this month, I’ll explore the birth of the idea and draft proccess behind Inside the Ten-foot Line, and next month I’ll target what happened after the manuscript was complete.

The Idea

While there is no hard and fast rule for finding an idea for your book, write what you know is a good starting place. I took that advice and made a list of all the topics that interested me. I compared that to a list of topics that might interest my target age group to trim down my options. I mean—I know a lot bedtime routines. And while that’s a great topic for picture books, it’s less palatable for a middle grade novel, right? (Unless I work a hilarious bedtime routine into a scene where my protagonist is dealing with pimples and self-doubt.)

For me, one theme continued to rise to the top and melded well with the interests of my reader. Sports.

Question: What idea rises to the top for you?

Action: Check out another article on content issues from Kelli McKinney.

What’s Out There

Where does your idea fit in the current market? What other books will sit on the shelf next to yours? I found my answer in the local library. Sports had its own special identifying sticker and location in the building, making it easy for me to pull down and compare titles. Books geared for male athletes dominated the genre. However, even though the niche offered only a handful of books for female athletes, the market showed recent growth. And that was promising.

Question: Does your book can fill a gap in the market?

Action: Visit a library and look for books with a similar idea to yours.

Know the Genre

Determined to balance the scales, I read through several books, looking for similarities in plot, mood, and resolution. Most used sports as a setting to deal with larger social or emotional issues. After dissecting a whole stack of novels, I had a good idea of how to move forward.

Question: What genre are you writing? Contemporary? Speculative fiction? Historical fiction?

Action: Do your research. Take time to read books you will find next to yours on the shelf.

Write the Story

I wrote an outline for the plot using one paragraph descriptions for each chapter. Then I took one summary at a time and expanded it into a full chapter. This loosely structured approach left room for my characters to nudge (or throw) the story in a new direction. And trust me—when they take on a life of their own, they will! When that happened, I could easily go back to the summaries and adjust the plot accordingly.

Even though my book addresses social issues, I also made sure to pack plenty of sports action into the plot. In that way, I catered to my target audience.

Question: Will your story be written in first or third person?

Action: Create a detailed outline for your story.

That’s where the series started for me. How about you? Stop back next month to find out what happened after I completed my manuscript.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Show, Don’t Tell

“Show, don’t tell” should be the mantra of every writer, especially Middle Grade authors.

What is ‘Telling’?

Telling is often called an information dump. Many times, ‘telling’ shows up in the first few chapters of a book, when the author tries to quickly acquaint the reader with the characters by laying out their backstory and “telling” how they feel.

For example:

Samantha was mad. She had played volleyball since she was in fourth grade. She wasn’t very good when she started, but then she practiced hard until she was able to execute an overhand serve. From there, she worked on her other skills and earned a starting position on her middle school team. But now that mean girl Jennifer had taken her spot. It was so unfair.

What is ‘Showing’?

Showing is when the author dives into what a character is thinking and uses actions and reactions to demonstrate how they feel.

Let’s transform the telling example into showing:

Lips pressed in a thin line, Samantha snatched a volleyball from the cart and stormed over to the wall. Squaring her shoulders, she slammed the ball to the ground over and over, letting it ricochet off the wall and return to her hardened hand. But even the steady precision of the drill could not stop a lump from forming in her throat.

The whistle blew, calling the teams to the court. 

Chest heaving, Samantha smacked the ball one last time before it rolled to a stop at Jennifer’s feet.

Smirking, her replacement lifted the ball. “Don’t worry, Sam. I won’t choke on game point like you did.” She pointed at the bench. “So, make yourself comfortable in the seat I warmed up for you.”

When you compare the two examples, the telling stands out. It’s earmarked with passive verbs and a lack of tension. The author tells us how Samantha feels, robbing readers of the opportunity to use inferences and clues to draw conclusions and make emotional connections.

On the other hand, the showing paragraph puts the reader in the middle of the action. As the tension builds, we experience the same emotions as the protagonist, absorbing her reactions as our own. We become invested in the outcome.

How to transform telling into showing

It’s typical for first drafts to contain multiple ‘telling’ sections, but revision is a writer’s best friend. As you go through your manuscript, follow these steps to eliminate telling.

  1. Cut information that isn’t relevant. If it’s important enough to keep, reveal it bit by bit through actions and reactions rather than a dump of facts. For example, the reader didn’t need to know exactly how Samantha got her start in volleyball. That part was trimmed.
  2. Don’t TELL an emotion, SHOW it. Spot these ‘tells’ by searching for the words like happy, mad, scared. Eliminate the name of the emotion and describe it instead. For example, you could tell Samantha was angry by her facial expressions and how she attacked the ball.

One resource to help with this transformation is The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. 

  • Focus on the emotional impact of your story. Telling informs the brain. Showing dives into the heart.  By showing Samantha’s anger and frustration, I actively immersed readers in the story and its outcome. 

Changing from telling to showing will require time and effort on your part, but the results will be worth it. Start with one “telling” paragraph, revise it, and then compare it to the original. The results may make a smile stretch across your face as you puff out your chest and say, “Nailed it.”

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Hooks

I recently read a few middle grade novels I could not put down, even when sleep called loud and clear. What compelled me to keep turning pages? Instead of giving me an easy stopping place, the authors ended most chapters with a hook that made me want to know more.

So, what is a hook and how can you use it to help you achieve the same effect?

The Hook

A hook is when an author deliberately crafts the last few lines in a chapter in a manner that pulls the reader into the next chapter. Think of it like a fish lured by a promising dinner prospect, only to find itself hooked and unable to swim away.

Let’s look at four different ‘hooking methods’ used in middle grade books I’ve read recently.

Ask a Question

 Mom said they died in an accident when she was a teenager. But was that true?

Wraithwood, Chapter 3, by Alyssa Roat

In this chapter, Roat reveals some mysteries about the main character’s past. Rather than verifying these nuggets as truth, she asks a question that plants doubt in the reader’s mind, making them want to explore further and seek the answer.

Asking a question is how advertisers (and scammers) often slip past our defenses too. Ever pick up a call and hear, “Do you know when your homeowner’s insurance expires?” The listener feels compelled to answer, which draws them into a conversation with the seller. That’s how it works in writing too. We are naturally wired to seek answers to questions.

Look through your own work in progress. Are there chapters you could end with a question to plant seeds of curiosity?

Stop in the Middle of Action

Right as she did so, something grabbed her leg.

The Cassandra Curse, Chapter 7, by Hope Bolinger

Ending a chapter in the middle of action, commonly known as a cliffhanger, is another great hook an author can use. We think we’re about to learn something important to the plot when the chapter suddenly ends. Are we going to stop reading there? Of course not! We’ve got to know who or what grabbed her, and what happened after that. Leaving the issue unresolved puts an itch under the reader’s skin that must be scratched by continuing to read. Television series often employ this trick in their storylines, and I can’t count how many times that has led me to binge watch an entire series.

If you have a large chunk of action, this might be a great technique for you to use. Instead of a longer chapter with a resolution at the end, break the action into two or more chapters, leaving your main character in a dire predicament in the final lines.

Raise the Tension

She still couldn’t shake the feeling that the blurry shapes were following her home.

Legend of the Storm Sneezer, Entry 4, by Kristiana Sfirlea

Raising the tension is not a case of a break in action. In the example above, the action is slowing as the character heads home. The words, “she still couldn’t shake the feeling” sharpens the scene’s mood and the reader’s apprehension. It causes the tension to rise, and the reader can’t walk away from the book without knowing what happens next.

To use this method, look for chapters you have ended in a manner that could lead to closing the book—like going to bed or saying goodbye. Then add one more comment that will cause the reader to wonder. Select words that paint an appropriate tone for the next chapter.

Introduce a New Character or Upcoming Event

A tall, dark figure had been coming down the hall toward her, a black cloak flapping behind him, his boots thumping on the creaking floorboards. 

Wraithwood, Chapter 1, by Alyssa Roat

When you pass a stretch of highway and spot flashing lights and a car, how often do you rubberneck—stare to find out if it’s an accident or an arrest or speeding? That’s the idea behind this method. You give a brief snapshot, like the highway accident, and let the reader’s curiosity drive them forward.

Look for opportunities to use this technique in your manuscript. End your chapter by showing us the new character but save all the details or even their true identity for the chapters that follow.

The power of a hook cannot be underestimated. Re-read some of the books you love, the ones you stayed up reading late into the night. Study the final lines of each chapter and look for how the author hooks you into reading the next chapter. Learn from these masters and catch yourself an audience!

Do you have an example of a great hook? If so, please share in the comments below. You might just hook me into reading your story.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Building Platform

You’ve poured hours into building a plot, developing characters, and revising. Now that your baby is written, how do you land a contract? One way is through platform because it makes your work more attractive to editors and makes marketing easier.

But what is platform? Simply put, it’s a network used to market books. This may include social media outlets, connections to organizations, blogs or podcasts, people who endorse our work, or paid advertising. While exceptions exist, in general, the bigger the platform, the greater the chance an editor will look at your manuscript. Two popular platform-building methods include social media outlets and networking through conferences.

Get Started on Instagram

Earlier, I posted on how to get started on Instagram part one and part two. If you’re new to social media, Instagram is a great place to build platform. Besides finding a target audience, you can also connect with other writers. Look for profiles of people who have successfully marketed their MG novels or accounts that feature/review MG books. Follow and interact with those accounts. For Christian readers, here are a few accounts to check out.

  • @hopebolinger–This prolific author/editor has over 14k followers and offers solid advice for authors.
  • @kristianasquill—This author shows some creative marketing ideas she employed for her award winning debut novel.
  • @mesontagauthor—This MG historical fiction writer has several posts and links showing how she markets her novels.
  • @kellimckinneywrites and @lori.z.scott—Hey, we’re both writing for A3 here, so you’ll see some of marketing ideas in our posts.
  • @endgamepress and @chickenscratchbooks- these small but growing publishers might be the perfect fit for your middle grade novel.

Throw in a Conference

Writing conferences were crucial to my publishing journey. Through them, I learned about writing opportunities, made friends with other writers who support my endeavors, found an agent, and landed a book contract. Outside the social aspect of these literary treats, each conference offers workshops to help aspiring writers learn the ropes and veteran writers hone their craft. Here are a few of the larger ones that offer strong faculties with multiple opportunities for attendees to pitch book ideas. The scenic locations allow writers a relaxing atmosphere to network with each other and leaders in the industry.

This brief look at platform doesn’t encompass all the avenues available to writers. That’s where you come in! Please post your platform building ideas in the comments below. Maybe together, we can create a supportive community of middle grade writers.

Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.

I’ve guest blogged on A3 (Almost An Author several times, and I’m happy to announce that I’m teaming up with regular contributor Kelly McKinney to explore writing for the middle grade audience.

Categories
Kids Lit

More Ways to Add Humor to Your Picture Books-Part 2

Kids Lit

Kids love humor, and publishers know it. Face it—parents love humor too. That’s why knowing how to add a few ha-ha moments to your story holds so much value to children’s book writers. But where do you start?

Last month, I explored four ways to add humor to your picture books. Those methods included word play, or puns, selecting words that have a funny sound, like snorkel, exaggeration, and crazy foils. This time around, let’s dive into even more funny business.

Artwork by Lori Scott

The Unexpected

Ever watch a blooper video? Those reels often show actors in an intense, dramatic scene, and then something unexpected happens on the set, and guffaws and giggles break loose. That’s because in any given situation, people hold expectations about how we are supposed to behave and react. Any break from that norm, and it strikes the funny bone. As writers, we can use this to our advantage.

A good example of this type of humor is found in the book Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. When kids pick up the book, they expect something scary. The entire book builds up a sense of foreboding and fear until the final page. That’s when the reader is finally let in on the gag, and that unexpected twist is outrageously hilarious.

You can practice creating an unexpected ending by rewriting the finale of already established stories—ones familiar enough to the reader that they already anticipate the conclusion. Brainstorm a list of ways to turn the ending upside down. For example, maybe Goldilocks doesn’t run out of the cottage at the end of The Three Little Bears. Instead, we discover she’s a party animal who’s been hired to throw a surprise birthday rumpus for baby bear. Once you have mastered changing up traditional tales, you can create your own.

Artwork by Lori Scott

What a Character!

Readers latch on to funny characters. These have amusing quirks, behaviors, or appearances that make them funny. When accompanied by the perfect illustration, it’s hard not to laugh when you pick up the book. Some examples include the pigeon from Mo Williams Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, the duck from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, or the dinosaur from Ryan T. Higgins’ book We Don’t Eat Our Classmates.

To develop this skill, make a list of your favorite funny story characters. Pick one and study him in depth. Pinpoint what you find so humorous about him. Dream up a foil or companion for the character. Then write out a conversation between the two characters being as silly as you can. Allow your character to dominate the give and take until he emerges as his own standalone entity.

For example, let’s say I picked Helen Lester’s main character from Tacky the Penguin. Tacky, is an odd penguin. He’s loud, he dresses in a sloppy Hawaiian shirt, and he’s slapstick clumsy. I’d introduce him to an overly friendly skunk who is completely oblivious to its odor. The little critter might even want to be a penguin too. Then I’d write a scene where the two meet, being as outrageous as possible, and let my skunk take over. If he was over-the-top silly with a strong enough personality to pull it off, I might just have the star for my next story. If not, I’d think, well, that stinks, and try again.

Artwork by Lori Scott

Ha-ha, Ho-ho, Hee-hee-here We Go!

With these past few months of ideas, you now have a handful of tools to help you add more humor to your stories. How do you start? With a grin. Then a chuckle. Then a good belly laugh. Oh, and a pen and a piece of paper might help too.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing.

Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori also contributed to over a dozen books.

Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott.

Categories
Kids Lit

Four Ways to Add Humor to Your Picture Books

Kids Lit

Students in my second-grade classroom love reading funny books. There is a bit of science behind the attraction. Laughter increases how much air you breath in, which stimulates organs and releases endorphins that can ease tension, relieve pain, and reduce stress. Laughter also activates the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that boosts feelings of reward, motivation, and pleasure. So it’s no wonder children are draw to stories with humor. Laughter makes them feel good. That’s why often, whether it’s for a magazine or a picture book, humor sells.

If you’re not feeling funny, take heart. Humor writing can be developed by exercising your funny bone.

Word Play

A lot of humor starts with word play, a tactic often referred to as a pun. The one-liners might not get a laugh out loud reaction, but many readers appreciate their cleverness. With her popular Amelia Bedelia books, Peggy Parish wrote a whole series centered around puns.

To create these zingers, make a list of words related to your topic. Then consider the different uses for each word. Build your joke around the alternate meaning. Keep the ideas flowing and generate as many as you can, even if it’s a stretch. You can weed out the weak ones later. For example, when I had story about shoes, I considered types of shoes people might wear and generated these ideas: Plumber wear clogs. A spy wears sneakers. And doctors wear heels. I bet you could brainstorm more!

Word Choice

Face it, some words are just funnier than others. Words like snorkel, tickle, ka-pow, and chicken make me laugh every time. Sometimes you can make up funny words too. Fizzlepop. Snarkolala. Blarg. The silliness of the delivery can make it even funnier. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak is a great example of this strategy.  This hilarious book relies totally on silly words to make the reader laugh.

To develop this skill, keep the search bar open on your internet. (You have limited choices using the synonym feature in a Word document.) When you write a story, look for synonyms for some of your plain Jane words. Read the list out loud. Listen for the words that make you smile and either make the switch or create your own similar-sounding word. For example, substitute chortle, giggled, or guffawed for the word laughed. Or, lollyhahachucklesnort, which I just made up.

Exaggeration

The nice thing about picture books is that the pictures tell part of the story. An artist can add humor with an over-the-top illustration. Some might consider this slapstick humor since it involves a kind of physical action instead of words. A good example of this type of humor can be seen in the exaggerated character expressions in Mo Williams Elephant and Piggie illustrations. Elephant doesn’t cry. He weeps. He isn’t angry. He explodes. I believe it’s the pictures, not the text, that makes those books fly off the shelves.

But what if you’re not an artist? Outrageous comparisons can create hilarious images in the reader’s head. I’ve used word pictures like ‘an octopus in roller skates’ and a ‘crazed Doberman in bubble wrap’ to add a touch of humor.

To develop this skill, find any comparisons you write in your story. Then visualize something that captures the same emotion you’re trying to convey in the most unusual way possible by thinking–what’s crazier than that? Take it to the extreme. As before, generate as many ideas as you can and keep the best.

Crazy Foils

Warner Brother’s classic cartoon Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote builds all its humor on Coyote’s plans going awry. No matter how clever his trap, it always fails in a hilarious way. Several popular picture books use this backfire approach. Growing up, one of my favorites was Jon Stone’s Monster at the End of this Book. In it, a character named Grover doesn’t want the reader to keep turning pages. I laughed as I blew past brick walls and other obstacles Grover used to try and stop me. We see a similar give-and-take with the audience in Mo Williams Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. No matter how much the Pigeon argues, the reader turns him down.

Writing this kind of humor is situational. Similar to slapstick humor, the author must consider not just ordinary arguments or obstacles, but outrageous ones. And the foil can’t be simple either—it has to have exaggerated responses. For Wile E., he not only falls off a cliff, an anvil lands on him. For Grover, not only does the brick wall collapse, he gets covered with concrete and mess. For Pigeon, he becomes increasingly irate.

To develop this skill, look for situations that can be turned around. For example, the child does not want to sleep. Create a list of obstacles to going to bed. Generate as many wild hurdles ideas as you can, then weed out the weaker ones. Put them in increasingly dramatic order so that the stakes get upped with every page turn. The story practically writes itself!

There are many other methods of adding humor to your story. Next month, I’ll explore a few more. In the meantime, why not try out a few if the ideas I mentioned? Remember, even if you’ve never written humor before, it can be learned. You might fall on your face a few times. But laugh it off and keep trying.

Lori Z. Scott, teacher and author, writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.