The Picture Book Dummy -- a smart step in the Writing process

This year, the Rhyme Doctors celebrate our fifth year of providing comprehensive rhyming picture book check-ups. At the outset, we expected our clients would struggle with poetic foot and metrical structure. But, five years in, we know that the manuscripts we receive are just as likely to experience story issues. 
As part of the revision process, we frequently suggest that our clients make a "dummy" of their story. A dummy is a tool that can help a writer imagine the layout of their text as a 32-page book (the most common layout of a picture book). Why is it important to do this? I will explain why in a moment. But first, I'd like to introduce you to two different versions of dummies that can serve two different purposes.

THE EASY-PEASY, ONE-PAGE DUMMY

One thing that I like about the Easy-Peasy, One-Page Dummy is that I can whip one up wherever I have access to one piece of letter-sized paper. Fold twice, long-edge to longe-edge, open up, then fold three times, short-edge to short-edge, and open up. Your fold marks will make 32 little rectangles -- exactly the number of boxes needed to replicate a picture book layout. Number the rectangles 1 to 32 and cross out the first three for the "business pages" of the book (title page, copyright, etc.). Grab your manuscript, a pencil and eraser, and get started!

While I make my one-page dummies by hand, (I like the process), this printed version replicates it.

The key to filling out a dummy is to imagine how your words (and the illustrations they'll inspire) will flow through the book. I usually start on p. 4 or 5. Each arrowed line represents one spread of the book (side-by-side left and right pages). I add words to denote scenes of my story as it progresses. Around p. 13, I stop, go to p. 32, and work backwards from the ending. More often than not, I discover (around p. 21) that I have a very messy middle! I wield my eraser liberally, then re-imagine and adjust until the entire story is contained in the dummy. Below is a dummy from my book Taxi, Go! (Note: I use only as many words as needed to understand where I am in the story.)

With the story laid out on one piece of paper, I find it easier to see how a story is flowing --
or not! -- and whether it is hitting the typical touch points for a 32-page picture book. Now is the time to consider BIG PICTURE QUESTIONS, which can often uncover story issues.

THE MINI BOOK DUMMY

The Mini Book Dummy takes a bit more paper, as well as cutting and assembling. Use four pieces of letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11in). Cut each one in half, resulting in eight pieces (8.5 x 5.5in). Fold each piece in half, short-edge to short-edge. Nestle the folded pieces together to form a mini book. Number the pages and mark off the first three for business purposes. 

Print out your manuscript. You will be cutting up your text and adhering the pieces to the pages, according to their layout in the Easy-Peasy Dummy. Using Scotch "Magic Tape" will make it easy to make later adjustments. (Gluing them in doesn't allow for movement!) 

A Mini Book Dummy from a picture book project yet-to-be-sold.

Seeing your text in this format makes it easier to check for things like pacing, balance of text-to-art, page turns, and word choice. Let's look at some PAGE-TO-PAGE QUESTIONS that can help assess these items.

As authors, we know how great it feels to have a manuscript that's working. But a crucial step after the manuscript stage is seeing exactly how well that story will work within the confines of a 32-page picture book layout. The goal of making a dummy is to "see" your book exactly as an editor and reader will see it. The Rhyme Doctors suggest taking that extra step of making a dummy (or two!) to help your book become the best it can be!

​~ Patricia Toht