From the simplest clues, a character can take shape. Maybe you first reference the character as the boy or the tall girl. Even with those simple words, you’ve given that character life. Before that, there wasn’t a boy or a tall girl. But along with things (characteristics) you should include, there are a number of…
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!
Get Clear about Your Ultimate Writing Goals
The key to realizing your ultimate writing career goal is to get really, really clear as to just what that goal is.
A Middle Grade Book Versus a Young Adult Book
I’m finding lately that a number of clients don’t understand the difference between a middle grade (MG) book and a young adult (YA) book. So, let’s go over a few of the basic differences. Also, keep in mind that there are simple MG and upper MG as well as simple YA and upper YA. The…
Supporting Characters and Your Story
If you’re writing your first book, think about your supporting characters. How will they help liven your story up and engage the reader? How will they help move your story forward?
Three Tips on Starting a Book Series
Contributed by Linda Wilson Writer Beware: “Series are tricky. Writing series is not for the faint of heart.” So says Janet Lane Walters, award-winning author of series in multiple genres and more; as quoted in my latest find, Writing the Fiction Series: The Complete Guide for Novels and Novellas, by Karen S. Wiesner. I am…
Writers and Self-Doubt
When self doubt about what you’re trying to accomplish creeps into your thoughts, make a decision to either carry through with your goal or trash it and go on with something else you’re more certain of.
Book Marketing On a Budget for Your Newly Published Book
The purpose of this article is to emphasis how important it is to market your book. If you don’t, you won’t get any sales and just as bad, no one will read a story you’ve slaved over. The other purpose is to explain the strategies I used, am using, and will use to promote my book.
Can You Still Get a Book Deal?
If you’re persistent and keep researching agents and publishers who are accepting manuscripts in the genre you’re writing, and keep submitting, you just never know.
5 Tips to Determine Your Audience and Target Market
I recently had a query from a potential client about a picture book series. As we spoke on the phone, he said he already created the first book with the help of a graphic designer. He said the book is kind of a coffee table book. People would buy it because it looks good and…
Outlines and Character Details – Tips on Writing a Middle Grade Story
When writing a middle grade story, it’s important to use the same practices as when writing a novel. The first thing is to write a detailed outline. Along with the outline, creating unique characters is important.