Winsome Bingham is a soul food connoisseur and master cook (at dinner parties, reunions, and get-togethers). She is a teacher by trade, an author by choice, and a disabled military veteran by circumstance. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience. Her debut picture book, Soul Food Sunday (Abrams), illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, was selected as one of the New York Times’ best children’s books of 2021 and also a 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Book.
Bingham, who is also an editor at Reycraft, started her writing career at an SCBWI winter conference in NYC only a few years ago, submitting a manuscript that was acquired by an editor there. "This is where magic happens!," she crooned! Bingham's breakout session provided all the ingredients for writing a manuscript with musicality—stories that sing!
On where to find stories:
Look for memorable moments from childhood: first day of school; family reunions; family dinners, etc.
Here are some examples of books inspired by childhood experiences:
On using an engaging voice
Voice defines your character. It defines who they are by their speech, their action, their thoughts. It is the author's writing style or point of view.
Here are a few examples of books with an amazing voice!
On how to start writing
We crate to to inspire...to tell amazing stories. Are you a writer? Or a storyteller. Once you decide, it will change the way you approach your craft.
Things to think about:
Form. Will you use rhyme or prose?
Is your story based in fact—nonfiction!
Is your story made up—fiction!
Think about cadence, beats. You need to listen to your words out loud.
Mentor text suggestions:
On writing a first line
Every manuscript you need a strong first line. It sets the tone of the entire book—hooking the reader. In the first line, an author can establish the problem, setting, character.
Amazing first line examples:
Onomatopoeia are sound words that adds playfulness. They allow the reader to experience the action rather than simply stating it. BEEP! CRASH! KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
Excellent use of onomatopoeia:
Fun takeaway: there are no rules. Write a good story.
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