Melissa Murray
@melissamurray.bsky.social
Author + Illustrator + Artist
SCBWI | CBIG | 12x12
PBParty 2024 Illustration Showcase HM
https://melissamurray.net
#kidlitart #kidlit
SCBWI | CBIG | 12x12
PBParty 2024 Illustration Showcase HM
https://melissamurray.net
#kidlitart #kidlit
For PBs, I let subject dictate structure. For me, this means jotting down lines while ideas float around in my head—one day, the right structure just clicks. I also keep a mental checklist of structures to try out; I think finally found an idea I that will work for a cumulative story.🤞 #kidlitchat
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 AM
For PBs, I let subject dictate structure. For me, this means jotting down lines while ideas float around in my head—one day, the right structure just clicks. I also keep a mental checklist of structures to try out; I think finally found an idea I that will work for a cumulative story.🤞 #kidlitchat
I will never give up my em-dashes—they’re my favorite punctuation and the robots can’t have them. 😂 #kidlitchat
October 15, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I will never give up my em-dashes—they’re my favorite punctuation and the robots can’t have them. 😂 #kidlitchat
I think you meant @profmmurray bsky.app/profile/prof...
bsky.app
October 13, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I think you meant @profmmurray bsky.app/profile/prof...
I try to send a pitch along with the manuscript to my critique partners. When a story is early in development and maybe too meandering, they’ll sometimes ask what’s the pitch to help focus it. It’s helpful to get that feedback early on—even when it changes significantly. #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I try to send a pitch along with the manuscript to my critique partners. When a story is early in development and maybe too meandering, they’ll sometimes ask what’s the pitch to help focus it. It’s helpful to get that feedback early on—even when it changes significantly. #kidlitchat
Good strategy. I think I need to try writing out like a 3 page synopsis for my graphic novel and then whittle that down. I also find log lines difficult. A 2 or 3 sentence pitch, I can do—but one sentence is tough for most books. #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Good strategy. I think I need to try writing out like a 3 page synopsis for my graphic novel and then whittle that down. I also find log lines difficult. A 2 or 3 sentence pitch, I can do—but one sentence is tough for most books. #kidlitchat
I don’t typically like using comps too similar to my books. If there’s already a book so similar—why publish another? I use elements of a book instead. Does the character have a similar emotional journey—but a different plot to another book, is the structure or humor similar, etc.? #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I don’t typically like using comps too similar to my books. If there’s already a book so similar—why publish another? I use elements of a book instead. Does the character have a similar emotional journey—but a different plot to another book, is the structure or humor similar, etc.? #kidlitchat
Agreed. I kind of love writing pitches (especially for picture books), but synopses are like fitting an entire novel onto one page and that’s tough to do. I hate having to leave out fun subplots and minor characters. #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Agreed. I kind of love writing pitches (especially for picture books), but synopses are like fitting an entire novel onto one page and that’s tough to do. I hate having to leave out fun subplots and minor characters. #kidlitchat
Sounds fun, thanks for the recommendation! #kidlitchat
September 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Sounds fun, thanks for the recommendation! #kidlitchat
I think this is the one I was thinking of, I loved them too. I vividly remember her talking to the bust of Freud. Thanks! #kidlitchat
September 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
I think this is the one I was thinking of, I loved them too. I vividly remember her talking to the bust of Freud. Thanks! #kidlitchat
This sounds very familiar…I remember reading a lot of middle grade back then that did this type of thing at least partially. Diary entries, postcards, lists, I recall something like a scientific journal. #kidlitchat
September 10, 2025 at 2:11 AM
This sounds very familiar…I remember reading a lot of middle grade back then that did this type of thing at least partially. Diary entries, postcards, lists, I recall something like a scientific journal. #kidlitchat
It depends. I play with the possibilities more when starting the revision phase—but I mostly write by instinct for what feels right for a particular manuscript. I trend toward 1st person for fiction and 3rd person for info-fiction or NF, but don’t really have a preference when reading. #kidlitchat
September 10, 2025 at 1:40 AM
It depends. I play with the possibilities more when starting the revision phase—but I mostly write by instinct for what feels right for a particular manuscript. I trend toward 1st person for fiction and 3rd person for info-fiction or NF, but don’t really have a preference when reading. #kidlitchat
This is so sweet!
September 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is so sweet!
Travel to see lots of museums and places. Maybe get an MFA in art or writing. And if it’s unlimited, probably a PhD in some kind of biology. Hopefully this also comes with unlimited energy? #kidlitart
August 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Travel to see lots of museums and places. Maybe get an MFA in art or writing. And if it’s unlimited, probably a PhD in some kind of biology. Hopefully this also comes with unlimited energy? #kidlitart
I’d like to try learning more sculpture. I’ve got a few ideas to play with making things out of wire—but I made a couple like that in college and remember getting lots of cuts on my hands. Maybe I’ll be less clumsy this time around. 😆 #kidlitart
August 29, 2025 at 2:15 AM
I’d like to try learning more sculpture. I’ve got a few ideas to play with making things out of wire—but I made a couple like that in college and remember getting lots of cuts on my hands. Maybe I’ll be less clumsy this time around. 😆 #kidlitart
I prefer in-person courses, largely because of the accountability of having assignments and personalized feedback. I do also enjoy online courses and experimenting, but sometimes it ends up being another thing on the unfinished (but I’ll get to it it someday) to-do list. #kidlitart
August 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I prefer in-person courses, largely because of the accountability of having assignments and personalized feedback. I do also enjoy online courses and experimenting, but sometimes it ends up being another thing on the unfinished (but I’ll get to it it someday) to-do list. #kidlitart
I’m trying to use more traditional art in my illustration—but I love the flexibility of layers in digital art—so I’m trying to learn how to combine things in sort of a digital collage. #kidlitart
August 29, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I’m trying to use more traditional art in my illustration—but I love the flexibility of layers in digital art—so I’m trying to learn how to combine things in sort of a digital collage. #kidlitart
Finally getting back to doing some illustration after a bit of a break from it. #kidlitart
August 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Finally getting back to doing some illustration after a bit of a break from it. #kidlitart