Writing for Children Blog

A weekly look at the craft of writing from full time freelance writer and former ICL Instructor Jan Fields. To have in-depth craft articles, contest opportunities, hot markets accepting submissions, and cool writer resources delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

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227: NaNoWriMo Success - Throw in a Dragon?
November 20, 2020
NaNoWriMo Success  Part 4: Throw in a Dragon?
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Finding Markets in Difficult Times
November 19, 2020
Finding Markets in Difficult Times It's not you. It's them. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
You Only Need One
November 12, 2020
You Only Need One How to find a publisher or agent by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, nonfiction, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
225: NaNoWriMo Success - Digging In
November 6, 2020
NaNoWriMo Success  Part 2: Digging In
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
From Writing to Selling
November 5, 2020
From Writing to Selling Finding a market for your work. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens
224: NaNoWriMo Success - Prepare
October 30, 2020
NaNoWriMo Success  Part 1: Prepare
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
October 29, 2020
Where Do You Get Your Ideas? It's a mystery. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, mystery, writing for children and teens
223: Tips for Mystery Opening Chapters
October 23, 2020
Tips for Your Mystery Opening Chapters How to Engage Your Reader
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, mystery, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Mystery Sidekicks
October 22, 2020
Mystery Sidekicks Many a mystery was hugely improved by a good sidekick. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, mystery, novels, writing for children and teens
222: Planting Clues
October 16, 2020
Planting Clues How to Outfox Your Reader
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, mystery, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Patricia E. Poillucci
October 16, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, picture books, writing for children and teens
Mystery Detectives
October 15, 2020
Mystery Detectives Choose your detective wisely. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, mystery, novels, writing for children and teens
221: Interview with Kate Milford
October 9, 2020
Interview with Kate Milford Tips from an Award-Winning Mystery Writer
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, mystery, writing for children and teens
Follow That Clue!
October 8, 2020
Follow That Clue! The Clue-Theory-Test Method of Plotting Mysteries by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, mystery, novels, writing for children and teens
220: Planning Your Novel
October 2, 2020
Planning Your Novel The process of novel writing
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Mystery For Young Children
October 1, 2020
Mystery For Young Children Being interactive is the key. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
219: For the Love of Genre
September 25, 2020
For the Love of Genre There is definitely a class system in writing.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, romance, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Love Scenes: Spicy or Sweet?
September 24, 2020
Spicy or Sweet? Love Scenes in YA by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, romance, writing for children and teens
218: Real Speech for Real People
September 18, 2020
Real Speech for Real People How to write good dialogue
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Conflict is So Romantic
September 17, 2020
Conflict is So Romantic Making the journey interesting by Jan Fields
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, romance, writing for children and teens
Winners Circle: Bethany Nuckolls
September 12, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, picture books, writing for children and teens
217: Interview with Jamie K. Schmidt
September 11, 2020
Guest Expert Jamie K. Schmidt An Interview with the Bestselling Romance Author
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, romance, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Characters Make the Romance
September 10, 2020
Characters Make the Romance ALL the characters need to be believable by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, romance, writing for children and teens
216: 8 Steps to Perfect Dialogue Format
September 4, 2020
8 Steps to Perfect Dialogue Format A Checklist for Writers
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens
215: How Structured is Your Picture Book?
August 28, 2020
How Structured is Your Picture Book? A Primer on Picture Book Structure
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, picture books, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Corinne Mordaunt
August 28, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, novels, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Walking Through A Developing Story Structure
August 27, 2020
Walking Through A Developing Story Structure It all begins in your head by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
214: Become Your Own Editor
August 21, 2020
Become Your Own Editor Avoid Common Errors
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Structure in Narrative Nonfiction Articles
August 20, 2020
Structure in Narrative Nonfiction Articles How to tell the true story by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
213: Comma Long with Me
August 14, 2020
Comma Long with Me A Primer on Punctuation
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle: Faith Beuligmann
August 14, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, novels, writing for children and teens
Traditional Plot Structure for Very Short Stories
August 13, 2020
Traditional Plot Structure for Very Short Stories The good ones make it look easy by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, picture books, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
212: Interview wth Paula Morrow
August 7, 2020
Interview with Paula Morrow Insight from a former magazine editor
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Filed under: Podcast, contests, craft, nonfiction, research tips, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle: Tabbi Hodges Barrow
August 7, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, writing for children and teens
Beginning, Middle, and End
August 6, 2020
Beginning, Middle, and End What Do We Need from Each? by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
211: Basic Story Elements
July 31, 2020
Basic Story Elements Character, Setting, and Theme
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
Does Popularity Matter?
July 30, 2020
Does Popularity Matter? Advice on writing to trends by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Sherry Miller
July 24, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, writing for children and teens
210: Interjecting Humor into Your Work
July 24, 2020
Interjecting Humor into Your Work Develop your own style of humor.
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Feeling Spoofy?
July 23, 2020
Feeling Spoofy? Poking fun at a specific form or genre by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Angela LaCarrubba
July 17, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens
209: How to Write Funny
July 17, 2020
How to Write Funny aka How to Be Funny in Your Writing
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, middle grade, picture books, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Five Steps to Finding Your Funny
July 16, 2020
Five Steps to Finding Your Funny Humor is a personal thing. by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
208: Playing Fair with Plot
July 10, 2020
Playing Fair with Plot Playing Fair with Readers
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Shelley Jones Clark
July 10, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, writing for children and teens
Humor for Older Readers
July 9, 2020
Humor for Older Readers Using a slightly different approach by Jan Fields
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
207: Interview with Nancy Coffelt
July 3, 2020
Interview with Nancy Coffelt Talking Humor with an Author-Illustrator and ICL Instructor
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
You Write Funny
July 2, 2020
You Write Funny Humor is buried in the notion of the unexpected.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
206: Pacing 101
June 26, 2020
Pacing 101 Pace is essential to your plot
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Emily Will Wade
June 26, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens
The Value of Short
June 25, 2020
The Value of Short The Pros and Cons of Short Stories
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
205: Voice
June 19, 2020
Voice How to find your voice in your work
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle: Alicia Klepeis
June 19, 2020
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Do I Have to Have a Plot?
June 18, 2020
Do I Have I Have a Plot? Finding the Perfect Place to Start
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
204: Getting Down and Dirty with Plot
June 12, 2020
Getting Down and Dirty with Plot Tips for plotting your story
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
From Zero to Sixty
June 11, 2020
From Zero to Sixty Finding the Perfect Place to Start
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
The Dance of Plot and Theme
June 4, 2020
The Dance of Plot and Theme Working in tandem to create a story.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
202: Interview with Emma D. Dryden
May 29, 2020
Interview with Emma D. Dryden An editor's view of worldbuilding
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, middle grade, picture books, writing for children and teens
Worldbuilding When You Can't Go Out in the World
May 28, 2020
Worldbuilding When You Can't Go Out in the World Research is key.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, research tips, writing for children and teens
201: Setting as a Character
May 22, 2020
Setting as a Character The impact of setting on your story.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
Writing in Difficult Times
May 21, 2020
Writing in Difficult Times When real life intrudes on your writing life
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
200: 200th Episode Celebration
May 15, 2020
200th Episode Celebration Revision Power Giveaway
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Worldbuilding: Dressing the Set
May 14, 2020
Worldbuilding: Dressing the Set It's not just for fantasy writers.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
199: Interview with Charlie N. Holmberg
May 8, 2020
Interview with Charlie N. Holmberg Tips from an Expert Worldbuilder
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Introduction to Worldbuilding
May 7, 2020
Introduction to Worldbuilding It's not just for fantasy writers.
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
198: Elements of Setting
May 1, 2020
Elements of Setting Building a whole new world
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Words as Art
April 30, 2020
Words as Art The art of story vs. the art of poetry
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, poetry, writing for children and teens
197: Poetry for the Very Young
April 24, 2020
Poetry for the Very Young Rebroadcast of a popular episode
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Filed under: Podcast, poetry, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Poetry Publication Options
April 23, 2020
Poetry Publication Options For poets seeking to get published
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, poetry, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
196: Poetry-Based Revision for Picture Books
April 17, 2020
Poetry-Based Revision for Picture Books What a difference a word can make
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, picture books, poetry, revision, writing for children and teens
Why Poetry?
April 16, 2020
Why Poetry? Exploring this means of expression
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, poetry, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
195: How To Write a Rhyming Picture Book
April 10, 2020
How to Write a Rhyming Picture Book —That Won't Get Rejected
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Filed under: Podcast, picture books, poetry, writing for children and teens
5 Poetry Practice Playtime Activities
April 9, 2020
5 Poetry Practice Playtime Activities Practice make perfect—in all your writing
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, poetry, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
194: Guest Expert Patrice Vecchione
April 3, 2020
Guest Expert Patrice Vecchione Celebrating National Poetry Month
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, poetry, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Children's Poetry for Magazines
April 2, 2020
Children's Poetry for Magazines Six Hot Tips
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
193: Susan Campbell Bartoletti (RB)
March 27, 2020
Interview with Susan Campbell Bartoletti Nonfiction Superstar Author Talks Research
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, nonfiction, research tips, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Top Three Narrative Nonfiction Missteps
March 26, 2020
Top Three Narrative Nonfiction Missteps Watch out for these common mistakes
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
192: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
March 20, 2020
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Try Nonfiction
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Filed under: Podcast, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Picture Book Biographies
March 19, 2020
Picture Book Biographies Bringing historical figures to life for young readers
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, nonfiction, picture books, writing for children and teens
191: 4 Ways to Learn to Love Nonfiction
March 13, 2020
Truth, Opinion, and 4 Ways to Learn to Love Nonfiction
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Filed under: Podcast, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Narrative Nonfiction and Magazines
March 12, 2020
Narrative Nonfiction and Magazines Breakthrough on a smaller scale
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
190: Interview with Elena Favilli
March 6, 2020
Interview with Elena Favilli Co-Author of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
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Filed under: Podcast, nonfiction, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Narrative Nonfiction
March 5, 2020
Narrative Nonfiction   What is it and what does it look like?
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, research tips, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
189: Interview with Talia Benamy
February 28, 2020
Interview with Talia Benamy Submission insight from an Associate Editor at Philomel
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Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
The Perils of Picture Books
February 27, 2020
The Perils of Picture Books  It's not as easy as it looks.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, picture books, writing for children and teens
188: Misunderstood Verbs
February 21, 2020
Misunderstood Verbs Understanding the powerhouse of your sentence
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
How Do I Tell Where I Fail?
February 20, 2020
How Do I Tell Where I Fail? Objectivity can make you a better writer.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
187: 10 Things That Make Editors Cringe
February 14, 2020
10 Things That Make Editors Cringe Tips to avoid common mistakes
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Filed under: Podcast, revision, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Picking the Right Word
February 13, 2020
Picking the Right Word Make your manuscript shine
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
186: Andrea Loney Bonus
February 7, 2020
Andrea J. Loney Celebrating her book's Caldecott Honor award
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, picture books, time management, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Perfectionism Alert
February 6, 2020
Perfectionism Alert How polished does it need to be?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, revision, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
185: Newbery Medalist Jerry Craft
January 31, 2020
Newbery Medalist Jerry Craft Celebrating the first graphic novel to win the Newbery!
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
Dialogue and Plot
January 30, 2020
Dialogue and Plot Let's move along now
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
184: Finding Your Childlike Voice
January 24, 2020
Finding Your Character's Childlike Voice Kids know a fake kid when they hear one.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Dialogue: Don't Forget the World!
January 23, 2020
Dialogue: Don't Forget the World! The importance of setting in dialogue
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Four Tips for Snappy Dialogue
January 21, 2020
Four Tips for Snappy Dialogue Make your reader care about what happens next by Jamie K. Schmidt
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Filed under: Writing for Adults Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
183: The Big Effect of Dialogue Attribution
January 17, 2020
The Big Effect of Dialogue Attribution Combating the Boring Speech Tag
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Dialogue Bits and Bobs
January 16, 2020
Dialogue Bits and Bobs The nuts and bolts of putting it together
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, middle grade, novels, picture books, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
182: Interview with Kate DiCamillo
January 10, 2020
Interview with Kate DiCamillo Dialogue and characterization
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Dialogue and Humor
January 9, 2020
Dialogue and Humor The perfect opportunity to reveal your characters' funny side
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
181: Revision: Don't Go It Alone
January 3, 2020
Revision: Don't Go It Alone Rebroadcast of revision tips
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Filed under: Podcast, revision, writing for children and teens
Writing Contemporary Realistic Fiction
January 2, 2020
Writing Contemporary Realistic Fiction What's considered realistic?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens
180: Renée LaTulippe
December 27, 2019
Renée LaTulippe Rebroadcast of our guest interview
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Filed under: Podcast, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Checking for Ruts
December 26, 2019
Checking for Ruts Is it time to change things up?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
179: Failure is Proof of Effort
December 20, 2019
Failure is Proof of Effort What have you learned?
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Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
The End
December 19, 2019
The End A bittersweet time
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
178: Revision Power Tips
December 14, 2019
Revision Power Tips 5 Tips to Rev Up Your Opening
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Filed under: Podcast, novels, revision, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Looking Back on Your Year
December 12, 2019
Looking Back on Your Year How did you grow in 2019?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Your Year in Review
December 5, 2019
Your Year in Review Time to tidy up the loose ends.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
177: Browbeaten into Submission
November 29, 2019
Browbeaten into Submission Don't listen to the voices around you.
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Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Okay, I Sent My Submission. Now What?
November 28, 2019
Okay, I Sent My Submission. Now what?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
176: Break into Publishing
November 22, 2019
Break into Publishing Steps for getting published in today's markets
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Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens
Have You Considered Essays?
November 21, 2019
Have You Considered Essays? Expanding your markets can expand your success.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Chris McCloskey
November 15, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens
Crossing Over Into Writing for Adults
November 14, 2019
Crossing Over Into Writing for Adults Can kidlit writers write for an older crowd?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Carolinna Stevenson
November 8, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Submissions: Preparing to Send
November 7, 2019
Submissions: Preparing to Send Tips for avoiding rejections
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
173: Interview with Emma Walton Hamilton
November 1, 2019
Interview with Emma Walton Hamilton Submission tips from a pro
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Filed under: Podcast, Submissions, writing for children and teens
Researching Agents
October 31, 2019
Researching Agents What do you want in an agent?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens
172: Borrowing the Knowledge You Need
October 25, 2019
Borrowing the Knowledge You Need Using Primary Sources
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Filed under: Podcast, research tips, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Madeleine McLaughlin
October 25, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Research Never Stops
October 24, 2019
Research Never Stops Always be reading.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
171: Pitfalls of Research
October 18, 2019
Pitfalls of Research Evaluating your sources
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
4 Research Perils and Prevention
October 17, 2019
Danger Ahead 4 Research Perils and Prevention
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
170: Finding Markets for Your Writing
October 11, 2019
Finding Markets for Your Writing Researching the perfect fit.
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Filed under: Podcast, marketing, Submissions, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Four Unexpected Benefits of Research
October 10, 2019
Four Unexpected Benefits of Research Improve your writing. Improve your life.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
169: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
October 4, 2019
Interview with Susan Campbell Bartoletti It's all about the details.
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Asking Questions
October 3, 2019
Asking Questions Never stop.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
168: Reshaping Your Story Part 2
September 27, 2019
Reshaping Your Story Part 2 Managing the Middle and Tidying up the End
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Filed under: Podcast, middle grade, novels, revision, writing for children and teens
Needful Things: Revision Begins on Page One
September 26, 2019
Needful Things Revision begins on page one.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
167: Reshaping Your Story Part 1
September 20, 2019
Reshaping Your Story Part 1 Start at the Beginning
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Guilty Secret: Revision is Not My Favorite Thing
September 19, 2019
Guilty Secret Revision is not my favorite thing.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
166: Revision: Don't Go It Alone
September 13, 2019
Revision: Don't Go It Alone Get a fresh pair of eyes on your work.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Misunderstood Verbs
September 12, 2019
Misunderstood Verbs Understanding the powerhouse of your sentence
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, revision, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
165: Interview with Renee LaTulippe
September 6, 2019
Interview with Renee LaTulippe Talking Revision with a Wordsmith
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, revision, writing for children and teens
Three Steps to Writing Better Dialogue
September 5, 2019
Three Steps to Writing Better Dialogue Let the character speak for themselves.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, revision, writing for children and teens
How to Get Published in a Magazine
August 29, 2019
How to Get Published in a Magazine Tips for increasing your chances for a successful submission
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
163: Setting Conference Expectations Part 2
August 23, 2019
What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 2 More tips for your next conference
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Top Ten Questions to Ask Before Submitting
August 22, 2019
Top Ten Questions to Ask Before Submitting What you need to know before you hit the send button
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
162: Setting Conference Expectations Part 1
August 16, 2019
What to Expect When You're Expecting to Go to a Writing Conference Part 1 Getting ready for your next writing conference
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Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
161: Protecting Your Reputation on Social Media
August 9, 2019
Protecting Your Reputation on Social Media Social Media is Here to Stay.
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Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Write Your Fiction Tight but Right
August 8, 2019
Write Your Fiction Tight but Right Two pitfalls of writing short and how to fix them.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
160: Interview with David Katz
August 2, 2019
Interview with David Katz Tips for getting the most out of a writers conference
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, Submissions, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle - J.J. Lawrence
August 2, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, novels, writing for children and teens
Increasing Your Successes in Writing for Magazines
August 1, 2019
Increasing Your Successes in Writing for Magazines Three tips to increase your publication chances.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Overcoming Fear
July 25, 2019
Overcoming Fear Combating fear in your writing career.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
158: 34 Things Your Website Needs Part 1
July 19, 2019
34 Things Your Website Needs Part 1
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Filed under: Podcast, book marketing, marketing, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Nancy Julien Kopp
July 19, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens
Listening to More Voices
July 18, 2019
Listening to More Voices Advice published writers want you to know.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
157: Create Your Author Platform
July 12, 2019
Create Your Author Platform What a platform is and why you need one.
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Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Listening to the Voices
July 11, 2019
Listening to the Voices Advice published writers would tell their unpublished selves.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
156: Interview with Josh Funk
July 5, 2019
Interview with Josh Funk Tips for building your author platform (whether you're published or not).
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Filed under: Podcast, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Author Platform: It's About Name Recognition
July 4, 2019
Author Platform It's About Name Recognition.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, marketing, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Mark Geatches
June 28, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens
Be Your Own Muse
June 27, 2019
Be Your Own Muse Everything you've experienced is unique.
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Filed under: writing for children and teens
154: Being Inspired by Everyday Objects
June 21, 2019
Being Inspired by Everyday Objects Story starters are all around.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Self-Care Matters
June 20, 2019
Self-Care Matters Smart writers remember they need care too.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Winners' Circle - Judyann Ackerman-Grant
June 14, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Specific Requirements of a Publishable Real-Life Account
June 13, 2019
From Real Life to Written Page Specific Requirements of a Publishable Real-Life Account
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
152: An Interview with Jerry Craft
June 7, 2019
An Interview with Jerry Craft From real life to written page
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, middle grade, writing for children and teens
How to Use What You Remember
June 6, 2019
From Real Life to Written Page How to Use What You Remember
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle - Lauren Abbey Greenberg
May 31, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, middle grade, writing for children and teens
151: Sophisticated Show and Tell Part 2
May 31, 2019
Sophisticated Show & Tell Part 2
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Setting the Stage for Nonfiction Success
May 30, 2019
Setting the Stage for Nonfiction Success Find the spark.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
150: Sophisticated Show and Tell Part 1
May 24, 2019
Sophisticated Show & Tell Part 1
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Setting the Stage: More On Props
May 23, 2019
Setting the Stage: More on Props What does your character value?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, contests, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
149: Set Up Your Plot
May 17, 2019
Set Up Your Plot Give Your Characters Something To Do
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Choosing a Point of View
May 16, 2019
Setting the Stage: Choosing a Point of View Let's Look at the Classics
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, novels, writing for children and teens
148: Effective Description
May 10, 2019
What Goes Into Effective Description How to evoke detail in your writing
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Elements of Setting
May 9, 2019
Elements of Setting Don't miss this essential tool.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
147: An Interview with Emma D. Dryden
May 3, 2019
An Interview with Emma D. Dryden Advice on world building and avoiding cliched characters
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Winners' Circle - Lynne Marie
May 3, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Setting the Stage: Scenes
May 2, 2019
Setting the Stage: Scenes All the world is a stage, and so is your story
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
146: 9 Tips to Keep You Unstuck
April 26, 2019
9 Tips to Keep You Unstuck Procrastination is a self-fulfilling prophesy.
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Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle - Susan Dean
April 26, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, contests, writing for children and teens
Top 3 Sources of Writer's Block (& How to Jump Over Them Now)
April 23, 2019
Top 3 Sources of Writer's Block (And how to jump over them now) by Kristin J. Dawson
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Filed under: Writing for Adults Blog, craft, novels, writing for adults, writing for children and teens
145: Writing Off the Beaten Path
April 19, 2019
Try Something Scary Writing Off the Beaten Path
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Let's Talk About Plot
April 18, 2019
Let's Talk About Plot Getting from beginning to end
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, middle grade, novels, picture books, writing for children and teens
144: The Value of a Critique
April 12, 2019
The Value of a Critique Getting Your Manuscript Submission Ready
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Check Your Clutter
April 11, 2019
Check Your Clutter Is it stealing your time?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
143: Guest Interview with Andrea J. Loney
April 10, 2019
An Interview with Andrea J. Loney Tips for getting unstuck in your writing and your career
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Yeah, It's Work
April 4, 2019
Yeah, It's Work Here's how to make it work for you.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, book marketing, craft, revision, Submissions, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
142: Pre-Made Inspirations for Your Characters
March 29, 2019
Pre-Made Inspirations for Your Characters Writing Who You Know
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Harnessing the Power of No
March 28, 2019
Harnessing the Power of No No is a complete sentence.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
141: Ingredients for the Perfect Character
March 22, 2019
Ingredients for the Perfect Character Whipping up your story's cast
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Falling in Love
March 21, 2019
Falling in Love How to get the creativity flowing
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
140: Letter from the Editor
March 15, 2019
Letter from the Editor An open letter from Eileen Robinson
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Dialogue Attribution: Small Thing, Big Effect
March 14, 2019
Dialogue Attribution Small thing, big effect
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
139: Creating Characters Inspired by Real Kids
March 8, 2019
Creating Characters Inspired by Real Kids Great characters are all around.
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
All Done, or Not?
March 7, 2019
All Done, or Not? Deciding when your story is ready to submit.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
138: Interview with Leslie Connor
March 1, 2019
An Interview with Leslie Connor Digging into Character Development with the award-winning author
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, middle grade, novels, writing for children and teens
The Value of Road Maps
February 28, 2019
The Value of Road Maps Will an outline really help?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
137:Writing Complex Subjects Simply
February 22, 2019
How to Write About a Complex Subject in a Simple Way Keeping it simple for a young audience
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
A Tale of Two Payments
February 21, 2019
A Tale of Two Payments How writers get paid
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
136: Preparing to Write a First Draft
February 15, 2019
Preparing to Write a First Draft Getting Organized for the Long Haul
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
When I Really Want to Get Better, I Teach
February 14, 2019
When I Really Want to Get Better, I Teach Help others, help yourself
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
135: Building Your Story
February 8, 2019
Building Your Story A Writing Exercise
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
Adding Humor for Increased Sales
February 7, 2019
Adding Humor for Increased Sales Kids love humor ... and so do publishers
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, middle grade, picture books, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
134: Interview with Carolyn Crimi
February 1, 2019
An Interview with Carolyn Crimi A Funny Conversation on Story Development
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle - Sandra E. McBride
February 1, 2019
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, Writing for Children Blog, contests, writing for children and teens

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