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 these articles, hot markets accepting submissions, and cool writer resources delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter HERE.

145: Try Something Scary: 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
Beware Bears: Problems to Avoid
January 31, 2019
Beware Bears: Problems to Avoid Building a career that has legs
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
133: Pre-Write Your Success
January 25, 2019
Pre-Write Your Success Setting Yourself Up to Tell a Good Story
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Cleaning Up Misconceptions
January 24, 2019
Cleaning Up Misconceptions Sweeping away writing myths
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
132: Time Blocking
January 18, 2019
Time Blocking What is it and how can it help you get more writing done?
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Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Getting the Chores Done
January 17, 2019
Getting the Chores Done Now is a good time to catch up.
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Filed under: Writing for Adults Blog, revision, time management, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
131: Journal Your Success
January 11, 2019
Journal Your Success Tracking your accomplishments throughout the year
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Success Ahead in Creating Characters
January 10, 2019
Success Ahead in Creating Characters Three ways to make your characters unique
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
130: An Interview with Vivian Kirkfield
January 4, 2019
An Interview with Vivian Kirkfield Becoming a Debut Picture Book Author in Your Second Act
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Filed under: Podcast, writing for children and teens, Writing nonfiction for children
Triple Up for an Electrifying Year Ahead
January 3, 2019
Triple Up for an Electrifying Year Ahead Three keys for getting a good start in the new year.
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
129: Taking Stock and Planning Ahead
December 28, 2018
Taking Stock and Planning Ahead Identifying what's holding you back
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Filed under: Podcast, time management, writing for adults, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Preparing for Next Year's Success
December 27, 2018
Preparing for Next Year's Success Nothing wrong with helping success along a bit
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, Submissions, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines, Writing nonfiction for children
Taking Stock of Your Attitude
December 20, 2018
Taking Stock of Your Attitude Are you hesitant to call yourself a writer?
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Filed under: Writing for Children Blog, writing for children and teens, writing for magazines
The Courage to Go Your Own Way
December 13, 2018
The Courage to Go Your Own Way Following your own road map
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Leaving the Nest
August 2, 2018
Leaving the Nest Are you ready to fly?
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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
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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
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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?
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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!
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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?
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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
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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
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Filed under: Podcast, craft, writing for children and teens
Tough Characters to Sell
May 10, 2018
Proceed with Caution Tough Characters to Sell
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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?
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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, ...
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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?
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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...
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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
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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
081: How to Have a Happy New Year
December 15, 2017
How to Have a Happy New Year aka Happy New Year ... Now What?
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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...
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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
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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, ...
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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?
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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!)
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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...
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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!)
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, writing for children and teens
060: Show Some Respect
July 14, 2017
Show Some Respect Why Submissions Guidelines Matter
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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, ...
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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
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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...
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Filed under: writing craft, Writing for Children Blog, craft, writing for children and teens
Winners' Circle - Melissa Killian
June 10, 2017
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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!
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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Filed under: Winners' Circle, craft, writing for children and teens

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Great Read!

By Mara Kim Amazon review, Verified Purchase

"This is another great read from [ICL]... When I saw this particular one, I grabbed it immediately ... This book is a great addition to a writer's (whether published or not) shelf ... I highly recommend their writing courses. You receive feedback on your work from published authors. You will be encouraged but also pushed to make your story from good to great."