Contributed by Suzanne Lieurance It’s been said many times that good writing is actually good rewriting, and I certainly think that’s true. Yet I also know from experience that it is often unwise to revise too soon. Consider this – when you get a professional critique or an editorial letter, do you immediately read the…
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Writing Fiction for Children – 4 Simple Tips
Writing fiction for children has a number of rules and tricks, the very basics of which are creating believable characters and adding conflict. But, there are many other elements that go into creating an effective and engaging story. Below are four simple tips to help you navigate the children’s writing waters. 1. Show the way…
Writing Fiction for Children – Character Believability and Conflict
Writing in general is a tough craft, although many may not think so. The writer has to take individual words and craft them together to create: interest, suspense, romance, humor, grief, fantasy, other worlds . . . the list goes on and on. And, it must be done with clarity. While there is an abundance…
Rewriting a Folktale – Walking Through Walls
When a writer’s muse seems to be on vacation, she may be at a loss for story ideas. While there are a number of sites and tools online to help get the creative juices flowing, one tool that writers might overlook is studying folktales. Reading folktales is a great way to spin a new yarn,…
The Outlining Method of Writing (Are You an Outliner?)
Are you an outliner or a pantser? I don’t know if there has been a study of how many writers prefer each, but I know there are many in both camps. You know the saying, “different strokes for different folks.” But, before I go on, the definition of an outliner is a writer who creates…
Talking about A Caterpillar, a Bee, and a VERY Big Tree in the Classroom
“A Caterpillar, a Bee and a Very Big Tree,” written by brother and sister pair, Dicksy Wilson and D. B. Sanders. This rhyming picture book teaches cadence and rhythm and has a sing-song feel in places. The charming characters and illustrations will inspire young minds and immerse children in the action from the first page…
Learn to Write for Children – 3 Basic Tools
We all know how difficult it is to break into the business of writing for children. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, it is a tough business and can be overwhelming for those just starting out. While all writing must adhere to specific guidelines, writing for children has additional principles unique to its genre. To…
The Book Summary – Five Must-Know Components
After your book query, the book summary or description is the most important marketing element. You can think of it as number 2 on the book marketing ladder. Once your book query gets the reader to actually read it, the summary is what will entice the editor or agent to ask for more. If you’re…
Finding Age Appropriate Words when Writing for Children
Writing in general can be a tough business; writing for children is even tougher. Writing for children has its own unique tricks, processes, and rules; one of those rules is using words that are age appropriate. How this differs from writing in general is that the children’s writing arena is divided into specific age groups….
Ingredients for the Perfect Picture Book
Writing for young children can be tricky. It’s not as straight forward as writing for adults. You can’t use your own vocabulary and need to be careful of age-appropriate story lines. You also need to introduce your main character immediately. It’s also important to keep in mind that children don’t have the same comprehension level…