Take That Shot

I’m sure most everyone has heard this quote by former professional ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky:

“100% of the shots you don’t take don’t go in.”

Whether it’s the end of the year, the middle, or the end, this is such an appropriate quote. It’s wise to periodically take a step back and evaluate what you’ve done and what you’d like to still do. It’s an excellent motivational quote for any time.

I often encounter this with professionals who contact me and use my services to fulfill their dreams. They dreamed of writing for children, but their schooling, careers, and family took over. Their creative dreams were put on the back burner, for many, never to be fulfilled.

So many people who want to help children, to teach them, inspire them, take them soaring among the stars through books. Of those people, there are those who can’t keep that yearning buried. Sooner or later, they have to get their ideas into a book or a series.

Let today be the day you bring your creative dreams to fruition. Take that shot!

Okay, so you’ve decided it’s time. Now what?

Curious as to how to get things going? Below are five different paths to becoming a children’s author.

1. Take the time and effort to learn the craft of writing, specifically writing for children. If you intend to do this on your own, don’t skimp here. If you want to be proud to have your name on a children’s book, do it right; write it right.
2. If you write it on your own, be sure to have it professionally edited. If you have the skills to write a children’s book, then have it proofed when your manuscript is done. No matter how good you think your proofing skills are, there’s a psychological element involved. It’s nearly impossible to find every error in our own manuscript. This is because we know what we intended to say, so we see what we expect to see, which can cause us to miss some  errors, even blaring ones.
3. If jumping in on your own seems scary or overwhelming, use a children’s writing coach. She’ll walk you through the process. She’ll hold your hand and give you professional input as you write your own story. Keep in mind, though, she won’t rewrite it for you – she’ll guide you.
4. If you don’t have the time, skills, or inclination to write it on your own, hire a children’s ghostwriter. She’ll take your idea, notes, or outline and create a story with your vision that you’ll be proud to be the author of.
5. Write your best draft, then hand it over to a children’s rewriter. She’ll spin it into a publishable and marketable book for you.

There you have it, five different paths to take if you REALLY want to be author of a children’s book.

Now that you have the options, TAKE THAT SHOT!