Hannah Featherstone

Freelance children's book editor, Golden Egg picture book mentor, mother of 2 little girls, runner and occasional baker of cakes.

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@VashtiHardy1 @sueeves Thanks for having me! Good luck with your writing and editing and enjoy the rest of this lovely sunny evening #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@sueeves @hellopipski I recently read and LOVED Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@J_Ruud Oh I like @Andrew_Wright_ 's description of a first draft as "telling yourself the story" #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@J_Ruud Remind yourself that most first drafts are terrible. It's just a place to start & from there you'll make it better and better #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@hellopipski Strangely, no! I find I have to "switch on" my editor mode. But I do love talking about books I've read and enjoyed #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@J_Ruud Definitely. There's lots you can read about it, for eg John Yorke's Into the Woods #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@Andrew_Wright_ I'd say write linear - just get to the end and then you can go back and edit. I'm sure it's better than you think! #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@sueeves No, I always have to read through more than once. I find I need to get an overall impression/feel before I can "zoom in" #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@helenclarkjones anything too technical is a bit of a struggle though! And I'm quite squeamish too #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@helenclarkjones I love anything with a strong, engaging voice - I don't think I have a favourite genre which helps #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@LAHodges10 Sorry, I know that was more than one tip! Still feeling a bit rusty after the half term break... #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@sueeves Thanks Sue, I love line editing. Focussing on the detail but always keepng the big picture in mind #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@hellopipski Hi! My eldest had an audition this evening. Her first one ever! I am trying to remember to add the hash tag... #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@LAHodges10 Hello! Try to be objective... Put yourself in your reader's shoes. And read read read! #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@susanpiperpen I try to read like a "reader" first, and then I look more closely and try to group my thoughts into a few main points #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@FinlaysonPalmer It's always good to get a friend/someone you trust to read your ms for you. Fresh eyes can give a new perspective #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@klkettle that's a tough one! With pic books I think the central idea has to be really strong. And you have to be concise!

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@FinlaysonPalmer Nope, it's different every single time #geaqa

[Hannah Featherstone @FeathersHan]

@sueeves I always do a quick read thru first, and then I go back through the ms slowly adding comments to figure out my main points #geaqa