The six traits of writing were identified in the 1980s as a way to help young writers. They are:

1. Ideas
2. Organization
3. Voice
4. Word Choice
5. Sentence Fluency
6. Conventions (grammar, spelling, and punctuation)

I have divided the traits into two groups: the big picture traits and the small details traits.

1. Ideas, organization, and voice are the big picture traits.
2. Word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions are the small details traits.

In the picture book workshops, I focus on the big picture traits.

In the novel workshops, I also focus on the big picture traits.

Real life goes on and on, but a story is a focused meaningful event. Finding where the story really begins and ends can be tricky! Moving from one scene to another is also a challenge. This is why I don't ask to see a first chapter or a completed picture book manuscript until Lesson 12.

After working with writers for over a decade, I know that you will rewrite your book several times as you work through the traits. My goal is to help you figure out your story's Big Picture. (If the Big Picture isn't ready, your story isn't publishable yet.)