I’ve lost track of the number of clients I’ve worked with through the years. I know it’s in the hundreds and if I had to guess, I’d say well over 300.
That’s a lot of people.
A lot of people with the dream of being author of their own children’s book.
And, it amazes me at times that some of these people have had the dream to write a children’s book for years … sometimes almost a lifetime.
I recently rewrote a chapter book and edited several short stories for a woman who is 92.
Does that make you sit up and say, “WHAT?!”
It did me. We had been communicating and I had no idea of her age until she told me.
Can you imagine waiting to become a children’s writer until you’re in your nineties? It’s just amazing. And, her stories are good!
My point is, are you going to wait until you’re in your fifties, sixties, seventies, or older to fulfill your dream of being a children’s author?
Don’t let procrastination stop you.
Don’t let fear stop you.
If you want to be author of a children’s book, go for it NOW.
But, how do you go about it?
The Ghostwriter
If you just have an idea for a children’s story or maybe some notes, or a rough outline, but don’t know where to go from there, then you’ll need a children’s ghostwriter.
A ghostwriter will take your idea or whatever other content you have on the story and weave her magic.
At the end of the process, of which you would be involved, you’ll have a publishable manuscript ready to go.
The Rewriter
Okay, a rewriter is the same as a book doctor. I just like using ‘rewriter.’
Rewriting is quite different than ghostwriting. You would have actually written a draft in order to use a rewriter.
If you wrote a draft, but you know it’s lacking and is far from publishable, and you don’t know how to fix it, then you’d need a rewriter.
Or maybe, you have an idea of how to fix it, but don’t have the time.
The rewriter will take your draft and actually rewrite it to make it the best it can be. She will look at the entire story, globally. Aside from plot, structure, voice, and so on, she will check for clarity and readability, as well as engagement.
There is a fine line between rewriting and ghostwriting, though.
I’ve had clients who have had drafts that weren’t salvageable. The drafts were so poorly written, it was basically writing from scratch, including having to come up with storylines.
When this happens, your draft is beyond rewriting and you need to move over to the realm of ghosting.
The Coach
The children’s writing coach is kind of a step or two beyond a developmental editor.
The similarity between the two is that neither will do the writing for you. They will guide you to write your own best story.
The difference between a writing coach and a developmental editor:
The editor will take your manuscript and go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Then she will give you an editorial letter that will tell you what you need to do to fix it, to get it in publishable shape.
The coach will stay with you through your revisions or rewrites, whatever is needed. She will hold your hand, advising you and guiding you with weekly or monthly calls and emails.
The coach may be more money, but there’s one-on-one hand-holding. On the other hand, the cost depends on other factors also, such as the length of your manuscript, the shape it’s in, and your commitment to getting it done.
So now that you know what the difference is between these three writing services, which will be needed to get you on the track to becoming a children’s author?
Whether you need help with ghostwriting, rewriting, or coaching, let me take a look at your children’s story. Just send me an email at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Please put “Children’s Writing” in the Subject box. Or, give me a call at 347—834—6700
Let’s get your idea off the launch pad or your outline into a publishable story today!
Or, if you’d rather give it a shot and do-it-yourself, check out my book, HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK.
MORE ON WRITING FOR CHILDREN
When Is It Time to Let Your Manuscript Fly?
The Hardest Part of Writing is Actually Starting
Revisions and Editing – Do a Verb and Word Check
