Writing for Children Blog

December 13, 2018

The Courage to Go Your Own Way Following your own road map

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Taking Stock

December 6, 2018

Taking Stock Failure is proof of effort.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

127: Pacing: Write a Gripping Novel

November 30, 2018

Pacing Write a Gripping Novel

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, novels, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Picture Books: 3 Sides to Great Picture Book Characters

November 29, 2018

Picture Books: 3 Sides to Great Characters Are your characters larger than life?

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, picture books, writing for children and teens

126: Basic Story Elements

November 23, 2018

Basic Story Elements A Rebroadcast on Character, Setting, and Theme

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Picture Books: Sound Off

November 22, 2018

Picture Books: Sound Off Writing stories that are meant to be read aloud

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

125: Magnetize Your Books

November 16, 2018

Magnetize Your Books Bringing Readers Back For More

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Picture Books: First Lines

November 15, 2018

Picture Books: First Lines Are you making a good first impression?

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

124: Lists for Writers

November 9, 2018

Lists for Writers Handy lists writers should keep

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Picture Book Autopsy

November 8, 2018

Picture Book Autopsy What makes a good picture book tick?

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

123: An Interview with Hannah Holt

November 2, 2018

An Interview with Hannah Holt On industry research and being a debut picture book author

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

The Unique Challenge of Picture Books

November 1, 2018

The Unique Challenge of Picture Books Tips on shared storytelling

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

122: Get Tense: The Plot Thickens

October 26, 2018

Get Tense: The Plot Thickens Using tension and pace to craft your story

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens

The Process of Novel Writing: Transitions

October 25, 2018

The Process of Novel Writing: Transitions The road signs for clarity in your novel

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

121: Writing as You 2.0

October 19, 2018

Writing as You 2.0 Reconnecting with a work in progress

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

The Process of Novel Writing: Jumping In

October 18, 2018

The Process of Novel Writing: Jumping In Few things are scarier than a blank page

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

120: Novel Writing FAQs

October 12, 2018

Novel Writing FAQs Answering a few unusual but frequent questions

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens

The Process of Novel Writing: Planning

October 11, 2018

The Process of Novel Writing: Planning What you need to do before you start writing

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

Novel Writing FAQ

October 4, 2018

Novel Writing FAQ Let's answer a few unusual questions

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

8 Tips for Your Writer Website

September 28, 2018

8 Tips for Your Writer Website Must-haves for your author platform

Filed under: Podcast, book marketing, marketing, writing for adults, writing for children and teens

Break Free from Pretending

September 27, 2018

Break Free from Pretending It's Time to Be Yourself

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

117: 5 Tips for Your Amazon Author Page

September 21, 2018

5 Tips for Your Amazon Author Page Making a Great First Impression

Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for adults, writing for children and teens

A Writer’s Book of Lists

September 20, 2018

A Writer's Book of Lists Keeping Track of What's Important

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

116: How to Write Dialogue

September 14, 2018

How to Write Dialogue Tips for Creating Quality Dialogue

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Off the Beaten Path

September 13, 2018

Off the Beaten Path A World of Opportunity Awaits

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

115: Dave Chesson - The Kindlepreneur

September 7, 2018

Dave Chesson - The Kindlepreneur An Interview with a Self-Publishing Expert

Filed under: Podcast, Writing for Adults Blog, book marketing, marketing, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Reconnecting with a Work in Progress

September 6, 2018

Reconnecting with a Work in Progress Time to Revisit Old Friends

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

114: Leaving the Nest

August 31, 2018

Leaving the Nest Spread your wings with a new kind of writing

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Don't Crash on the Rock of Talent

August 30, 2018

Don't Crash on the Rock of Talent Is your ego getting in the way?

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

113: Where Should Your Money Go? Part 2

August 24, 2018

Where Should Your Money Go? Part 2

Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Show Up To Learn

August 23, 2018

Show Up to Learn Getting the most from your conference experience

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

112: Where Should Your Money Go? Part 1

August 17, 2018

Where Should Your Money Go? Part 1

Filed under: Podcast, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Reading: Osmosis Education

August 15, 2018

Reading: Osmosis Education One of the best writing teachers is at your fingertips.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

111: Revision: First Step to Fantastic Writing

August 10, 2018

Revision: Your First Step to Fantastic Writing Nope, you're not done yet.

Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Behind the Curtain

August 9, 2018

Behind the Curtain Discovering the tricks of the writing trade

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

110: Distance: The Key to Revision

August 3, 2018

Distance: The Key to Revision How to get distance from your own manuscript

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Leaving the Nest

August 2, 2018

Leaving the Nest Are you ready to fly?

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

109: Revise Your View of Revision

July 27, 2018

Revise Your View of Revision Creating a Revision Plan

Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

Revision: Revising by the Bones

July 26, 2018

Revision: Revising by the Bones A New Way to Use an Old Tool

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Writer Reason Vs. Story Reason

July 19, 2018

Writer Reason vs. Story Reason Which one will win?

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

108: How Good is Your Title?

July 13, 2018

How Good is Your Title? Revising Until It's GREAT!

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Revising Your Picture Book for Clear Structure

July 12, 2018

Revising Your Picture Book for Clear Structure What's holding your story together?

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

107: An Interview with Deborah Heiligman

July 6, 2018

Interview with Deborah Heiligman Talking Revision with the Bestselling Author

Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Distance: The Key to Revision

July 5, 2018

Distance: The Key to Revision Time is your friend.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

106: How to Write an Interview

June 29, 2018

How to Write an Interview Turning Your Interview into a Article

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Nonfiction: Let's Talk More About Sources

June 28, 2018

Nonfiction: Let's Talk More About Sources Evaluation is the key

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

4 Ways a Fiction Writer Can Learn to Love Nonfiction

June 21, 2018

4 Ways a Fiction Writer Can Learn to Love Nonfiction All You Have to Do is Fall in Love

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

104: Nonfiction Articles You Can Write Part 2

June 15, 2018

Nonfiction Articles You Can Write Part 2 More of What Magazines are Looking For

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Active Nonfiction

June 14, 2018

Active Nonfiction It's Time to Do Something

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

The Importance of Nonfiction

June 7, 2018

The Importance of Nonfiction Shaping the Future

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

102: Nonfiction Guest Expert Christine Taylor-Butler

June 1, 2018

Nonfiction Guest Expert Christine Taylor-Butler An Interview with the Prolific Author

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

Character Development: The Road to Greatness

May 31, 2018

Character Development The Road to Greatness

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

101: Listener Q & A

May 25, 2018

Listener Q & A Your questions answered!

Filed under: Podcast, craft, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Developing Characters: What are their extremes?

May 24, 2018

Developing Characters What are their extremes?

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Character Development: A Rose By Any Other Name

May 17, 2018

A Rose By Any Other Name Four Tips for Naming Your Characters

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

099: Character Development - Eileen Robinson

May 11, 2018

Character Development with Eileen Robinson An Interview with an Editor and Publisher

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Tough Characters to Sell

May 10, 2018

Proceed with Caution Tough Characters to Sell

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

098: How to Win a Contest

May 4, 2018

How to Win a Contest 4 Tips to Take You to the Winners' Circle

Filed under: Podcast, contests, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Character Development: Every Character is a Casserole

May 3, 2018

Character Development Every Character is a Casserole.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

097: How to Build a Good Mystery Part 2

April 27, 2018

How to Build a Good Mystery Part 2 Decide the Turning Point

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Contests: Little Things Mean a Lot

April 26, 2018

Contests: Little Things Mean a Lot

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, contests, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

096: How to Build a Good Mystery Part 1

April 20, 2018

How to Build a Good Mystery Part 1 Ask the Right Question

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Why A Contest? Here's Lucky 7 Reasons

April 19, 2018

Why a Contest? Here are 7 lucky reasons.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

Tighten Up the Weakest Link for a Contest Win

April 12, 2018

Ready for a Contest Win? Tighten up the weakest link.

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

094: Basic Story Elements

March 30, 2018

Basic Story Elements Character, Setting, and Theme

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Launching a Story from a Title

March 29, 2018

It's hard to develop a story when you can't get started. Though there are many ways into story creation, one that isn't considered as often is the title. Titles are often tacked on at the end of the...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

093: What is Story Form?

March 23, 2018

What is Story Form? Understanding the Basics of Story Structure

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Story Development and Revision

March 22, 2018

For many writers, especially newer writers, revision is mainly a step for fixing typing errors, spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Some may have a checklist of things to look for such as overuse...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

092: Get Children to Read Your Book

March 16, 2018

Get Children to Read Your Book Engage your reader beyond the first paragraph

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Story Development: What's At Stake?

March 15, 2018

One of the most important questions to consider when developing a story is "what is going to be at stake for my main character?" By this, we mean, “What is the cost of quitting?” A worthwhile...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

091: What are the Rules?

March 9, 2018

What are the Rules? Make the rules, but then stick to them

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Playing Fair with Plot

March 8, 2018

Good stories have lots of moving parts, and it can be challenging to get all the parts to come together in a way that works. Many writers understand that a good plot requires giving your main...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

090: Story Development with Chris Tebbetts

March 2, 2018

Talking Story Development with Chris Tebbetts An Interview with the NYT Bestselling Author

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Piece by Piece

March 1, 2018

Many times, the compelling urge to write, to create, to make something that reflects our skills and creativity, brings us to the blank page (or blank computer screen) with the intention of writing a...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

089: Hello, Editor? Here's a Submission.

February 23, 2018

Hello, Editor? Here's a Submission. How to Submit to an Editor

Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

What's the Rush?

February 22, 2018

When it comes to writing and submissions, there is such a thing as too soon. In fact, the number one mistake writers make in the area of submitting their work is moving too fast and sending too...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

088: How to Choose Your Educational Writing Sample

February 16, 2018

How to Choose Your Educational Writing Sample The Secrets to Samples

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

What's Your "Elevator Pitch"?

February 15, 2018

Query letters, cover letters, pitches, and proposals all have one very important thing in common. They all require an author be able to describe the story in few words. This is sometimes called a...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

087: Making Your Submissions Plan

February 9, 2018

Making Your Submissions Plan Start Before You Finish Writing

Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Projecting Confidence without Being Obnoxious

February 8, 2018

Your first contact with a publisher or agent does a lot of things. It presents the project you've created (or wish to create) in a clear, concise, lively manner. That's hard enough, right? But it...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

086: Top 3 Submission Tips with Julie Hedlund

February 2, 2018

Top 3 Submission Tips An Interview with Julie Hedlund

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Submissions: Because Publishers Rarely Come to You

February 1, 2018

If you ask almost any writer what parts of the process they like least, submissions will pop up somewhere in the list. We worry about whether we're doing it right. We struggle to find all the...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

085: When You Have No Ideas

January 26, 2018

When You Have No Ideas What to do when the ideas won't come

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone: Try Nonfiction

January 25, 2018

For most people considering children's writing for a career (or even for a hobby), the type of writing that comes to mind is fiction. For many of us, the picture books we loved most were fiction. The...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

084: Idea Theft

January 19, 2018

Idea Theft Will Someone Steal Your Idea?

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

A Raven and A Writing Desk

January 18, 2018

"How is a raven like a writing desk?" When Lewis Carroll first wrote the riddle about the raven and the writing desk, he didn't have an answer. It was simply a riddle to stump a little girl, ...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

083: Idea Mining

January 12, 2018

Idea Mining Where do ideas come from?

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Using an Object for Inspiration

January 11, 2018

Over the holidays, as I was putting out the holiday decorations, my daughter and I took time to talk about some the ornaments and other well-loved decorations. Some decorations brought back memories...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

082: 700,000 Copies and Six Figures Later

January 5, 2018

700,000 Copies and Six Figures Later An Interview with Maria Dismondy

Filed under: Podcast, craft, time management, writing for children and teens

Must I Be Unique?

January 4, 2018

One of the most crippling things a writer can do in the early stage of any book is worry about whether your story (or something like it) has been done before. First, pretty much all stories have been...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Not All Children’s Books Are Picture Books

December 28, 2017

For many people new to writing for children, all children's books are picture books. If you ask them what they are working on, they'll say, "a children's book" as if that is all the explanation...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

How to Achieve Success in 2018

December 21, 2017

The new year will be upon us soon, and it's a good time to make plans to increase our chances of publication success in 2018. Now, it helps to know what you would consider success. So think about...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

081: How to Have a Happy New Year

December 15, 2017

How to Have a Happy New Year aka Happy New Year ... Now What?

Filed under: Podcast, craft, time management, writing for children and teens

How to Title Your Book

December 14, 2017

Coming up with a title for your work in progress can be easy or really hard. Sometimes the title comes to you early, and you just always know what you want to call that story or book. Sometimes...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

080: Be Kind When You Rewind

December 8, 2017

Be Kind When You Rewind A Kind Assessment of Your Year

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Self-publishing v. Traditional Publishing

December 7, 2017

If you read a lot of information about writing: essays like this one, discussions like the ones on the Institute's Facebook pages and in either of our groups, writing books, writer's magazines, ...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens

079: Writer's Hibernation

December 1, 2017

Writer's Hibernation Are You Feeling a Writer's Hibernation?

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Want Some Exercise?

November 30, 2017

Writing exercises can be fun. They can also help you exercise your writing muscles and break through a block you might be having. So it's always good to know where to find them for those times you're...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

078: How to Know Where You Can Get Published, Part 2

November 24, 2017

How to Know Where You Can Get Published, Part 2 An Interview with Market Guide Editor-in-Chief Marni McNiff

Filed under: Podcast, book marketing, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Copyright and You

November 23, 2017

Copyright, because it is an area of law, can be scary for writers, and many new writers worry about their work being stolen; they want to know what to do to protect their work. So questions about...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

077: Thankful

November 17, 2017

Thankful Things to be Grateful for as a Writer

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens

How to Make Money as a Writer: A Primer

November 16, 2017

Most people who get involved in writing have some level of hope that it will produce money. As an instructor with the Institute, I had many students who told me they hoped to reach a writing level...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

076: You Have No Option

November 10, 2017

You Have No Option What to Do When You're Too Busy to Write

Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Compare and Despair, or Mentor Texts?

November 9, 2017

The Competition Some book publishers are now specifically asking writers to look at competing books when sending in manuscript submissions, partial submissions, queries, or book proposals. And...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, marketing, writing for children and teens

075: Treat Yourself

November 3, 2017

Treat Yourself Rewards and Challenges

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

When the Ideas Won't Come

November 2, 2017

One of the questions writers tend to be asked a lot is "where do you get your ideas?" Of course, two other questions are "can you read something for me?" and "can you pass this on to your...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

074: How to Know Where You Can Get Published Part 1

October 27, 2017

How to Know Where You Can Get Published, Part 1 An Interview with Market Guide Editor-in-Chief Marni McNiff

Filed under: Podcast, book marketing, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Writing Samples, Part Deux: Nonfiction

October 26, 2017

Writing samples are those bits of writing that we send to educational publishers (and a few trade publishers) who are looking to staff specific projects with good writers. In these situations, the...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

073: Authentic Kid Voices

October 20, 2017

Authentic Kid Voice Creating Quality Dialogue

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Busy, Busy, Busy

October 19, 2017

For many of us, this is an incredibly busy time. The holidays are beginning to peek over the horizon and nibble at our time (and if you want more info on how to deal with that in terms of your...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

072: Look in Your Junk Drawer

October 13, 2017

Look in Your Junk Drawer Rethink, Restore, Revise

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Keeping Separate Writing Separate

October 12, 2017

Some writers write only one sort of book: picture books, mysteries, science fiction, humor, racy romance, etc. But many writers jump around in their careers and tackle whatever project bubbles up in...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, writing for children and teens

071: Five Things to Worry About

October 6, 2017

Five Things to Worry About Details You Should Sweat About

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Creating Quality Dialogue

October 5, 2017

A while ago on the Institute's Facebook page, someone was asking about dialogue, which made me think again about this important writing tool. Readers love dialogue because it makes a scene and a...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

070: Let's Solve That

September 29, 2017

Let's Solve That Crafting a Satisfying Solution

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

How to Choose Your Educational Writing Sample

September 28, 2017

The Secrets to Samples Many of us who write for educational publishers are very familiar with samples. These are the bits of writing publishers use to judge whether you're a writer who can do the...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

069: Five Tips for Success

September 22, 2017

Five Tips for Success Tips for earning a steady income from a working writer

Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

How Does It All End?

September 21, 2017

Talking about how to end a book or story is a bit harder than talking about how to begin one. The first paragraph of a book doesn't really count as a spoiler for the book, but the last paragraph...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

068: How to Write Craft Articles Magazines Will Buy

September 15, 2017

How to Write Craft Articles (That Magazines Will Buy!)

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

When It All Starts to Sag

September 14, 2017

Momentum is a delicate thing in writing. Sometimes you start out revving along in a novel, falling in love with your main character, fascinated by the situation you're creating and cranking out...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

067: Get Engaged (No Ring Required!)

September 8, 2017

Get Engaged (No Ring Required!)

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Writers Make the Best Friends

September 7, 2017

Writing can be a lonely art form. Unlike performance artists, you don't have audience reaction to rev you up. And sometimes family and friends aren't incredibly supportive, especially during the...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

066: Dangerous Writing Tools

September 1, 2017

Dangerous Writing Tools Knowing What to Use and When

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Once Upon a Time

August 31, 2017

Every story has a beginning. The best beginnings grab our attention and make us eager to read on. The best beginnings give a sense of sort of story we're going to get so we can settle in and take the...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

065: What To Do with the Hard Times

August 25, 2017

What To Do with the Hard Times The Key to Pushing Through

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens

The Love of Genre

August 24, 2017

Genre, according to Google's dictionary function, is "a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter." When you're...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

064: The Nature of Plot

August 18, 2017

The Nature of Plot Following the Flight of the Arrow

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens

Your Brain on Writing

August 17, 2017

For me, being a writer is more than something I do. It’s something I am. A writer is always a writer, whether sitting before a computer or picking up a pen and a notebook, or merely walking...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Weaving Pop Culture Into Your Writing

August 15, 2017

Pop culture - Why it's so important in fiction today and how to weave it into your writing (without dating your work) by Jeff Vasishta As a journalist I’m sent a lot of novels and choosing...

Filed under: writing craft, craft, writing for adults, writing for children and teens

Villainy

August 10, 2017

Almost any strong plot is basically a story of someone's struggle against something. That something is the villain of your story. Now sometimes you have a real human villain. If your story is middle...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

063: Picture Book Summit - Free Mini Summit

August 4, 2017

Picturing Picture Book Summit FREE Mini Summit

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

What To Do on the Hard Days

August 3, 2017

People often tell me how lucky I am to make a profession from something I enjoy deeply. And I am thrilled that this has been possible for me. I love being a writer. Except when I don't. No profession...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Holly Niner

July 29, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

062: Finding Your Way to The End - Part 2

July 28, 2017

Finding Your Way to The End - Part 2 Famous Last Words

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Should I Contact This Publisher?

July 27, 2017

As writers we can easily get caught up in the mode of looking for anyone who will accept us. This is especially true early on in our writing careers, but all publishers are not created equal. After...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Constance Sedler

July 22, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

061: Finding Your Way to The End - Part 1

July 21, 2017

Finding Your Way to The End - Part 1 Timing Your Transformations

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Behold the Spider

July 20, 2017

I was recently at the Highlights Foundation and had the opportunity to read the guest book journal in my cabin. A couple of the guests talked about a large spider they cohabitated with. I never saw...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Tom Dirsa

July 15, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

060: Show Some Respect

July 14, 2017

Show Some Respect Why Submissions Guidelines Matter

Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

The Arc

July 13, 2017

Long ago, when I first realized that my fiction would sell worlds better if I had any idea how to go about telling a good story, I started reading about plot. Plot seemed like a rather mysterious...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Stephanie Gibeault

July 8, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

059: Last Minute Dialogue Checklist

July 7, 2017

Last Minute Dialogue Checklist The Key to Sparkling Conversation

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Succeeding with Digital Submissions

July 6, 2017

When I began submitting to editors, no one used email. Okay, I'm sort of old and no one actually had email. Submissions were sent through the postal mail, so they were typed. Tip articles talked...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Debra Lynn Collins

July 1, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

058: Catch 'Em with the Query

June 30, 2017

Catch 'Em with the Query Avoid the #1 Mistake Writers Make

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Trade Secrets: Which Ones Should We Keep?

June 29, 2017

Recently I was watching a video where an artist was talking about "trade secrets" in art. He was recounting the times when he was just beginning in art and people would refuse to tell him what...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Dawn Beebe

June 24, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

057: 7 Tips for Creating Compelling Conflict

June 23, 2017

7 Tips for Creating Compelling Conflict Keep Your Audience Engaged

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

Revise Your View of Revision

June 22, 2017

Some writers love revision. In fact, for many, the rough draft is something to be rushed through to get to the real "fun," the revision. I'm not one of those writers. I do a lot of revising, ...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Joy Lo-Bamijoko

June 17, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

Tips and Tricks for Planning a Series

June 15, 2017

As of today, I have created three original series and written for several others where I had a fairly free hand in shaping the series beyond the original concept. I've worked on others where I was...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

Winners' Circle - Melissa Killian

June 10, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

055: 7 Steps for Taking Your Work to the Next Level

June 9, 2017

7 Steps for Taking Your Work to the Next Level From So-So to So Good!

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

The Who, What, When, Where, & Why: 5 Tips for Writing a Strong Synopsis

June 8, 2017

For most writers, there are few things more reviled than writing a synopsis of a book manuscript or short story. What do you put in? What do you leave out? Why is writing a synopsis so...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, marketing, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Debbie Brown

June 3, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing craft, craft, time management, writing for children and teens

054: 8 Steps to Perfect Dialogue Format

June 2, 2017

8 Steps to Perfect Dialogue Format Best Practices for Writing Conversations

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Time to Write

June 1, 2017

I know folks who lament about not having time to write. They'd do it if they just had time. If they could quit work. If they didn't have so much care-giving they needed to do. If they didn't have...

Filed under: Lessons, writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Rebecca Knopsider

May 27, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

053: 8 Tips to Help You Get to Know Your Character

May 26, 2017

8 Tips to Help You Get to Know Your Character Questions Every Writer Should Ask

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

What Writers Should (and Should NOT) Spend Money on

May 25, 2017

Whenever you have a large group of people with a dream and a desperation to fulfill it, you're also going to see people quick to take advantage of that. Helpful writers (many of whom began their...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, marketing, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

052: Sounds Good to Me

May 19, 2017

Sounds Good to Me Fun with Sound

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Can I Say This? Copyright, Trademark, & Writers

May 18, 2017

Writers often look at trademarked products or song lyrics or bits of poetry and ask, "Can I put this in my book?" The answer to that question can be complicated and rests in two fairly different...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Kitty Griffin

May 13, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

051: Get Crafty

May 12, 2017

Get Crafty Time to Try Out Some Crafts

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Exit Stage Left

May 11, 2017

As playwrights know, a script is made up of both dialogue and directions for movements on the stage. Good playwrights tend to trust the actors and directors to determine most of the movement beyond...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Winners' Circle - Tonya Coffey

May 6, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens

The Structure of Adventure

May 4, 2017

Recently, someone asked about the structure of the action-adventure plot. How quickly should the writer get to the problem? How many pages in each chapter? How should the chapter arc...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens

Winners' Circle - Colleen McAllister

April 29, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

049: Five Common Character Motivations

April 28, 2017

Five Common Character Motivations What's driving your character?

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Within Reason

April 27, 2017

Within Reason People write stories for all kinds of reasons. Some do it to pass on experiences in their own life and family. Some do it to impart life lessons to help a new generation. Some do it...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Gladys Swedak

April 22, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

048: Sometimes, Ya Gotta Rhyme

April 21, 2017

Sometimes, Ya Gotta Rhyme Three Essentials You Need to Sell a Rhyming Picture Book

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Finding Your Way to "The End"

April 20, 2017

In a way, every story is a story of transformation. Circumstances change. Characters experience revelations. Challenges are met and overcome. The longer the work you’re writing, the...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Winners' Circle - Sharri Sandnes

April 15, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

047: Celebrating the National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature

April 14, 2017

Celebrating the National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature Interviews with Champions of Children's Literature

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens

How to Make Your Good Muse Show Up

April 13, 2017

Along with writing, I also draw a bit and work with polymer clay. On some days, it seems I can draw or sculpt anything. My little clay creatures end up with charming winsome faces and I fall in love...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Winners' Circle - Dorothy B. Murray

April 8, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

046: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Short Story

April 7, 2017

7 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Short Story Characters, Problems, and Changes, oh my!

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Sometimes, Ya Just Gotta Rhyme

April 6, 2017

I don't do much rhyming work. I've written some poetry for magazines and poetry for testing services, but the bulk of what I write is prose. I enjoy adding a little surprise rhyming to prose for...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Winners' Circle - Brinton Culp

April 1, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

045: What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 2

March 31, 2017

What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 2 What Not to Do and What Not to Wear

Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens

Let's Talk Sources

March 30, 2017

As a professional writer, I spend a lot of time thinking about sources. Whether I'm writing fiction or nonfiction, sources are important, because nothing feels worse than having a reader point out a...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Michael Shay

March 25, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

044: What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 1

March 24, 2017

What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 1 Making the Most of Your Conference Time

Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Don't Be Bored

March 23, 2017

I picked Kelly Milner Halls' quote about her excitement at finding new weird topics to write about, because I think it's key to nonfiction writing. It's key to fiction writing. It’s key to...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Sue Ann Culp

March 18, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens

043: ISBNs Explained

March 17, 2017

ISBNs Explained What's an ISBN and Why You Need One

Filed under: Podcast, book marketing, craft, marketing, writing for children and teens

Talk About Money

March 16, 2017

Although writing is an art and a passion for me, I also really have to be paid, because writing is my full-time job. I've done some short bits for friends with little to no pay, but the writing I do...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

042: Help! I'm Stuck!

March 10, 2017

Help! I'm Stuck! 5 Tips to Get Out of Your Writing Rut

Filed under: Podcast, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Learning to Write Short

March 9, 2017

There's a famous quote attributed to Blaise Pascal: "I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter." Anyone who has tried to create a...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

041: Explaining the Advance

March 3, 2017

Explaining the Advance Debunking Common Myths about Advances from Publishers

Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children

Prewriting: Preparing for Success

March 2, 2017

Planning a story or book can seem very counterintuitive to some writers who prefer a very organic process of simply sitting down and facing a blank page (or empty screen). There are very...

Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Peggy House

February 25, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

40: Tell Adults to Butt Out

February 24, 2017

Tell Adults to Butt Out Grown Ups Should Be Seen and Not Heard

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Five Tips for Success

February 23, 2017

At this point in my writing career, I have never won any prestigious awards, but I do make a living from my writing so I feel pretty successful. Success means something different to each of us, of...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

039: The Hero's Journey for Magazine Writers

February 17, 2017

The Hero's Journey for Magazine Writers A Call to Adventure

Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines

Winners' Circle - Lyndon Murray

February 17, 2017

Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing craft, craft, writing for children and teens

Five Common Character Motivations of Value to Writers

February 16, 2017

In any story, a character must do something. A character who just bobs along on the current of everyone else's actions and decisions isn’t worthy of being in your story, and definitely isn’t worthy...

Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children

Winners' Circle - Angela Ripley

February 11, 2017