If you’ve ever seen a child tear through the Magic Tree House book series or tote around a battered copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you’ve witnessed the power of a great series character. For children, characters in book series aren’t just fictional—they’re companions, role models, and even imaginary best friends.As writers of children’s…
Author: Karen Cioffi
Karen Cioffi is an award-winning author and children's ghostwriter. She loves to help those who want to be the author of a children's book fulfill their dream. Contact Karen today to get your story started!
Writing: Don’t Let Fear of Failure Hold You Back
Are you struggling to start living your dreams and accomplishing your writing goals because you’re afraid you’re going to fail? Maybe you want to be a magazine writer. Maybe you want to be a book author.It’s a natural feeling to have doubts and fears. Even some of the most successful people fear failure. However, the…
Is Your Children’s Book Dialogue Realistic? 10 Tips
One of the most important elements of a children’s book is dialogue. Well-crafted conversations between characters can bring a story to life, making it engaging, believable, and emotionally resonant. But writing dialogue for young readers comes with its own challenges. It needs to sound natural, be age-appropriate, and move the story forward—all while keeping the…
Have You Heard of Dummy Proof Editing?
I’ve been a writer-for-hire for years, and only recently have I been asked if I do dummy proof editing.I first had to look up what it was before responding. However, not knowing about it is a clear indicator that I haven’t done it. The thing is that I do a lot of research on a…
Book Editing vs. Proofreading: Understanding the Key Differences
When preparing a book for publication, whether submitting it to publishers or agents or self-publishing, both editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the process. However, they serve distinct purposes and involve different skill sets. Understanding the differences between editing and proofreading can help writers decide which process their manuscript needs before sending it out…
Young Children’s Books: The Power of Repetition
Repetition is one of the most powerful tools in children’s literature. It plays a crucial role in helping young readers develop language skills, build confidence, and engage with stories in meaningful ways. Whether the repetition appears in rhymes, phrases, or predictable structures, it provides children with a sense of familiarity and enjoyment that supports their…
How to Write a Children’s Bedtime Story: Structure and Guidelines
A bedtime story is a traditional form of storytelling. It’s more than just a tale—it’s used to bring a child on a gentle journey that engages while soothing the child into a peaceful sleep. Crafting an effective bedtime story requires a balance of imagination, simplicity, and comfort. Although the primary goal of a bedtime story…
Authors and Writing Scams
The landscape of literature is ever-evolving, and now authors not only have to deal with the challenges of creativity but also the treacherous waters of theft by deception. Reports of another sophisticated scam targeting authors surface every year, possibly several times a year if not more. These scammers prey on writers’ aspirations, vulnerabilities, and fears.I’ve…
Transitional Words: How to Use Them and Examples
Transitional words are the glue that holds a story together. They guide readers smoothly from one idea to the next, maintaining clarity, pacing, and emotional impact. In fiction writing, transitional words and phrases help convey shifts in time, space, mood, and logic. Whether writing a novel or a picture book, mastering transitions boosts readability and…
Using Big Words in MG and YA: Good Idea?
Writers often fall into the trap of thinking that using big, complex words will make their writing sound more sophisticated. Or the author may be highly intelligent, say a professor of political science or road scholar, and using big words comes naturally.However, when it comes to middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) stories, this…