How to Create a Strong Picture Book Plot
Marcy Pusey
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In this session, you’ll discover:
Discover what makes an emotionally engaging picture book plot. Marcy Pusey shares how to write a strong beginning, build conflict, and weave in lessons without being preachy. Learn how to develop your characters, strengthen your pacing, and avoid the most common plot mistakes authors make.
Session Link:
Bonuses:
– Is Your Picture Book Ready for an Editor?” is a free, practical guide designed to help writers confidently prepare their manuscript before investing in editing. It includes checklists, tips, and red flags to ensure your story is clear, compelling, and editor-ready—saving time, money, and stress in the publishing process.
– Free blueprints!
Comment Below With Your Key Takeaways Or If You Have Questions About The Session.
Marcy has helped me with both a children’s picture book, and a memoir. She always brings wisdom that continues to feed my learning sponge and enriches my author persona. Key takeaways for me:
– The character’s struggle is what keeps the story interesting and engaging (be careful not resolve the character’s problem too fast)
– Let your story SHOW kids they can overcome things, they are empowered and they can learn (show instead of tell)
– Let children (characters) ask questions and learn from the experience. Show your character figuring it all out (with some struggle along the way.
– There were some things in her dialog today that sparked just the right revision to the children’s story I’m currently working on with her, that will help to get this story back into the WOW category (so very excited!).
What a fantastic interview – Marcy Pusey is phenomenal.
I’m a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author who’s written or co-authored sixteen books, eleven of which are picture books for children ages four to eight.
When I was searching for a children’s book editor, Karen Ferriera recommended Marcy, and it was hands down the best recommendation because Marcy has since edited ten of those picture books.
The first two books have won awards, received five-star editorial reviews, and earned heartfelt video book reviews from a bestselling author on the Amazon pre-sale pages. This success is a testament to Marcy because her comments and suggestions helped my stories reach their full potential.
Thank you, Marcy, for all you do to make the world a better place and for helping make my stories sparkle and shine.
Thank you, Marcy, for an informative session. You have given me ideas for writing and not including adults. I am going to look at your books for inspiration.
Dearest Marcy, I’m so incredibly grateful to you and Karen, because I know that without a doubt Good Pixie Bad Pixie wouldn’t have become the best version of itself without the expert advice and service that I got from both of you personally and from both your companies.
Every time I listen to one of your interviews, I learn something new.
I’m looking forward to working with you both again next year on my second children’s book.
Thanks so much for a great session, Marcy. I always enjoy listening and learning from you!
Thank you, Marcy. Yesterday I took all the paragraph and page breaks out of several PBs. Now I’m going to put them back in. They are helpful to indicate pace.
Great session! Thank you for sharing your insights, Marcy. I especially liked your idea to interview a character to better understand what will challenge them. I also appreciated your thoughts on how to avoid being preachy. Thanks again!
Wow! Thank you for a wonderful session, Marcy Pusey! Your down to earth manner and clear, concise tips made the session fly by, but I came away with so much helpful information. I especially appreciated your brain references since the manuscript I’m working on is about how our brain is a wonderful life-long friend. I also took to heart your tip about an editor becoming a trusted partner to help your book become real! Thank you so much!!
Fabulous suggestions that are highly motivating. I’m ready to rock and roll.
Marcy always has amazing insight into creating a great children’s book. I love the idea that kids solve their own problems in the story; they grow and figure it out. The kids don’t need an adult to figure out the solution for them. Marcy’s knowledge of brain research greatly adds to her understanding of how to write a good book that reaches children and their parents!
My takeaway is not to have the adults solve the problem of the child and not to be preachy. Secondly, I will interview my characters.
Thank you so much.
I learned something new today about page breaks. Glad I listen to this interview (twice)!
Marcy is such a great teacher and coach. I have learned so much from her over the years. I want to continue to be connected to someone so well versed in the industry, full of integrity, and understanding of young authors needs. I learn something each time she presents. Thank you, Marcy!
Thank you for the “inside” view of my picture book. So interesting and challenging in the sense that children’s authors do well to understand how story impacts young minds. Thank you!
Marcy, I always struggle with plot. Your presentation really clarified and highlighted the important points to be considered in a succinct and interesting way. Thank you so much!
Absolutely amazing heartfelt tips and advice. I feel confident about writing another picture book! Thanks Marcy!