Cuppa Jolie: Revision Tips Galore

If you missed the Summer Revision Smackdown at the blogs of Holly Cupala and Jolie Stekly, don't fret - here is the lowdown on the fabulous array of revision tips they gathered from the cream of the author and illustrator crop (plus a few publishing experts!):

Jill S. Alexander, YA Historical Author, on revising to immerse your reader in the mosh of your story
Molly Blaisdell, Picture Book, Middle Grade, NF, and YA Author, on analyzing your manuscript for revision
Nathan Bransford, Curtis Brown Agent, on his Revision Checklist
Janet Lee Carey, Fantasy & Middle Grade Author, on the Dream Mind and the Day Mind
Bruce Coville, Middle Grade and YA Author, on pruning out overused words and phrases for a tighter manuscript
Sarah Beth Durst, YA Fantasy Author, on powering through first drafts and revising one aspect at a time
Tina Ferraro, YA Author, on organizing the revision strategy
Liz Gallagher, YA Author, on becoming a stranger to your work
Stacey Goldblatt, YA Author, on revision must-haves (hint: bulletin board, playlist, time to read)
Lorie Ann Grover, YA Verse Novel and Board Book Author, on giving your book the gift of one day
Brent Hartinger, YA Author, on setting your work aside and letting the subconsious take a crack at revision problems
Kjersten Anna Hayes, Illustrator, on brainstorming, parachuting, and embracing the spirit of play
Justina Chen Headley, YA Author, on being gentle with yourself but hard on your work
Kelly Holmes, Author and YAnnabe blogger, on creating a plot board
Carrie Jones, YA & YA Fantasy Author, on steps to revise your Stupid Novel Masterpiece
Beth Kephart, YA & Adult Author, on reading and rewriting for authenticity
Kirby Larson, YA Historical Author, on taking walks and letting your mind make unexpected connections
Realm Lovejoy, Graphic Novel Author/Illustrator, on writing, surfing, and "just do it" mode
Vivian Mahoney, Writer and HipWriterMama blogger, on breaking your project down into manageable chunks
Robin Mellom, Writer and Disco Mermaid, on notes for the second draft
Edward Necarsulmer IV, Children's Director at McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency, on how to "wow" him with a submission
Catherine Onder, Editor at HarperCollins, on keeping your prose immediate and direct
Darcy Pattison, Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Novel Metamorphosis Author, on making opening pages immediate and active
Mitali Perkins, YA Author & between-cultures blogger, on BIC and other strageties to get through the very hard first draft to revision
Paul Schmidt, Illustrator, on striking the balance between perfection and sponteneity
Joni Sensel, YA and Middle Grade Fantasy Author, on creating tension by adding interruptions and diversions
Emily Wing Smith, YA Author, on staring down self-doubt
Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, Middle Grade Author, on using Darcy Pattison's shrunken manuscript technique
Melissa Walker, YA Author, on just saying "no" to too much revision
Paula Yoo, YA Author, on cutting the final paragraph for a crisper manuscript