Several years ago, my grandson was trying out for the All County Band in his area. He told me the piece he had to play was difficult and he was getting anxious over it. I told him that practice is a powerful tool. Just 10-15 minutes a day will help tremendously. Obviously, the more practice,…
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!
What Is Your Writing Forte?
Writing is such a unique journey for each and every writer. Some find it easy to merge their chapters seamlessly into one another. Others find it easy to craft that ‘just right ending,’ with a twist or surprise that gives it a great edge. And there are some authors who find it easy to jump…
3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents
You’ve been slaving for months, maybe years, on your manuscript. You’ve read about belonging to a critique group to help hone your work and took the advice to heart. You have also listened to the advice about submitting your manuscript to an editor after your critique group is done with it, and after you’ve meticulously…
Balance in Fiction Writing – The Major Elements
There are five major elements to a fiction story and it’s the combination of these elements that make the story complete, interesting, and considered good writing. Too much of one or not enough of another can affect the readers ability to connect with the story. So, what are the major elements of a story? The…
Create a Believable Protagonist with Realistic Characteristics
It’s noted that you should let the reader see your protagonist’s characteristics within the first few pages. This enables the reader to quickly identify with him. This connection will determine whether the reader turns the next page. Unless you’re writing fantasy or science fiction, your protagonist will have ordinary strengths (possibly extraordinary, but within the…
Keep Your Writing Goals Front and Center
As a writer, you have to move forward to keep up with the onslaught of books and authors in the book publishing arena. And, you especially need to be sure you’re keeping in alignment with your writing goals. This means every now and then you need to stop to evaluate what your core goals are…
Writers – 4 Powerful Steps to Breaking Bad Habits
Habits are pretty much who you are. Are you a positive thinker? Are you ambitious? Do you work hard? Are you a compulsive cleaner? Do you procrastinate? Do you fear jumping in? Some of the items above are traits, but they are also habits created – they reflect your actions and reactions. They are part…
6 Tips to Make the Most Out of Writing Workshops
Guest post by writing coach Suzanne Lieurance Six Simple Ways to Make the Most of Any Writing Workshop or Writing Class If you’ve recently signed up for a writing workshop or writing class, in the hopes of becoming a better writer, then follow these simple steps to make the most of that experience: 1) Read!…
Book Marketing and Landing Pages – 4 Questions to be Answered Quickly
The internet is teeming with information on everything you can possibly think of. This includes information on your business platform. But, with all this information available, there are still many who aren’t aware of the basics, the dos and don’ts of an online platform. I recently came across a website on ‘article submissions.’ Finding it…
Working with a Children’s Ghostwriter – The Process
Let me start by mentioning that this article has been updated in 2025! It’s easy to understand that the idea of having a children’s book ghostwritten can be nerve-wracking. You’ll no doubt have a number of questions: – Does the ghostwriter know what she’s doing?– Is she qualified? Is she a skilled writer?– Does she…