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For more tips to get your book written and published, subscribe to Build Your Business Write, a twice weekly newsletter, at http://www.fearlessfreelancewriting.com

Read more articles about the book writing process at http://www.buildyourbusinesswrite.com

Maybe you're already on that path?

Well, how much better do you think you’ll be able to write for children if you’re instructed by a children’s writing instructor, multi-published author, and writing coach?

Guess what? You Will Do Much Better!

You may being asking, “How can she be so sure?” Before I answer that, let me tell you about Tricks of the Trade: Writing for Children in Just 6 Weeks!

Tricks of the Trade is an e-course that gives you the needed building blocks to build a firm foundation and is comprehensive enough to keep you moving along. This e-course was created by Suzanne Lieurance. I have been a member of Children’s Writers Coaching Club for over a year now and can attest to Lieurance’s qualifications.

Now, don’t just take my word for it, here are some of Lieurance’s credentials:

Suzanne Lieurance is a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.Lieurance. She is also the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. Along with this, Ms. Lieurance hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio.com.Lieurance.

These credentials are pretty darn impressive to me! What do you think?

Okay, I can hear you mumbling under your breath, “Yeah, they’re impressive, but what exactly do I get with this e-course and what makes it better than a hundred other courses out there?” Ah, I’m glad you asked. Let’s take a look at what’s included in this e-course.

You get 6 individual lessons to get you on the road to writing for children and working toward having your work published. Let’s take a look at each lesson:

Lesson 1: You’re given the basics for writing for children—the foundation to build upon. You are also shown how children’s books are grouped into different genres. And, you’re let in on some of the common mistakes new writers tend to make—you’re also given advice on how to avoid them.

Lesson 2: This lesson describes in detail how to format your manuscript and provides advice on following submission guidelines. It also gives tips on punctuation, dialogue, and much more.

Lesson 3: You're shown the basic elements that go into creating an engaging, and editor friendly, children's fiction story. It provides details on what Point of View (POV) is and how it should be utilized. It discusses adding conflict to your story, and delves into the sensory details that every fiction story needs. You are shown what to avoid and what to make sure you include.

Lesson 4: Here you move into nonfiction writing. One of the most important aspects of this lesson is creating a query letter. This lesson provides the basic elements of writing a WINNING query. It also explains in detail how to study the market you will be writing in. And, you are shown the correct structure for writing nonfiction articles for children: How do you begin, how do you end, what's a sidebar, should you use one? All these questions and more are answered.

Lesson 5: Onto the importance of Networking. Never underestimate the power of networking. You are given a list of worthwhile online forums and discussion groups and shown what you should do once you’ve joined. Then it moves on to finding writing assignments and getting publishing credits. Plus, you’re taught how to work along with editors. Lieurance includes 6 essential tips for creating an amble relationship with an editor. These tips are crucial to learn and adhere to if you intend to continue to do business with the editor.

Lesson 6: Here you find the final steps to writing for children. This lesson focuses on tracking your submissions and provides a sample Submission Log. It also gives detailed self-editing techniques with 12 necessary tips. Finally, you are shown the importance of joining a critique group.

Tricks of the Trade has it all!

Along with the ton of information, tips, advice and guidance, each lesson includes an Additional Resources page and an assignment to help you move forward in your chosen career.

But that's not all! This e-course includes a 2 month membership in the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC), so every person who purchases this course has the opportunity to have his/her assignments professionally reviewed and critiqued by Lieurance or another published children's author on staff at the National Writing for Children Center each week. And, as an extra special bonus you'll get 4 additional instructional CDs with tips for freelance writers.

So, now back to the question of how I can be so sure your writing will improve: That’s easy, I’ve taken the course! This course along with the critique of your work as a member of the CWCC and the CDs will certainly get you started in a writing career. And, it provides a map you can follow to lead you to publication.

I have been learning and honing my craft for a while now and I have purchased a number of programs, books, e-courses and more – I know value when I see it. Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just Six Weeks! package is worth every penny.

Opportunity is knocking! Open that door by clicking HERE!

Talk to you soon,
Karen

I write for young children and I also write marketing and health articles. Writing in both genres, I can tell you that writing for children can be much more challenging. When writing for children, there are guidelines to keep in mind to help your story avoid the editor’s trash pile. Here is a list of 10 rules to refer to when writing for young children:

1. This is probably the most important item: be sure that your story does not suggest dangerous or inappropriate behavior.

Example: The protagonist (main character) sneaks out of the house while his parents are still sleeping.

This is a no-no!

2. Make sure your story has age appropriate words, dialogue and action.

3. The protagonist should have an age appropriate problem or dilemma to solve at the beginning of the story, in the first paragraph if possible. Let the action/conflict rise. Then have the protagonist, through thought process and problem solving skills, solve it on his/her own. If an adult is involved, keep the input and help at a bare minimal.

Kid’s love action and problem solving!

4. The story should have a single point of view (POV). To write with a single point of view means that if your protagonist can’t see, hear, touch or feel it, it doesn’t exist.

Example: “Mary crossed her eyes behind Joe’s back.” If Joe is the protagonist this can’t happen because Joe wouldn’t be able to see it.

5. Sentence structure: Keep sentences short and as with all writing, keep adjectives and adverbs to a minimum. And, watch your punctuation and grammar.

6. Write your story by showing through action and dialogue rather than telling.

If you can’t seem to get the right words to show a scene, try using dialogue instead; it’s an easy alternative.

7. You also need to keep your writing tight. This means don’t say something with 10 words if you can do it with 5. Get rid of unnecessary words.

8. Watch the timeframe for the story. Try to keep it within several hours or one day.

9. Along with the protagonist’s solution to the conflict, he/she should grow in some way as a result.

10. Use a thesaurus and book of similes. Finding just the right word or simile can make the difference between a good story and a great story.

Using these techniques will help you create effective children’s stories. Another important tool to use in your writing tool belt is joining a children’s writing critique group. No matter how long you’ve been writing, you can always use another set of eyes.

It you’re a beginning writer and unpublished, you should join a group that has published and unpublished members. Having published and experienced writers in the group will help you hone your craft.

Another great option you have is getting Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in 6 Weeks! It offers all the necessities and guidance you'll need to be on your way to becoming a published children's writer. I've taken this course and each of the 6 lessons is jammed packed with the how-to's of writing for children, the do's and don't's, and so much more.

The Tricks of the Trade e-course also includes a 2 month membership in the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC). With membership, every person who purchases the course has the opportunity to have his/her assignments professionally reviewed and critiqued by Lieurance or another published children's author on staff at the National Writing for Children Center each week. Lieurance is also including, as a special bonus, 4 additional instructional CDs with tips for freelance writers. This e-course package is a bargain!

Take advantage of this great offer:
Click Here.

I just finished lessons 3 and 4 of Suzanne Lieurance's Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just 6 Weeks. Wow!

We all know how difficult it is to break into the business of writing for children. Well, Tricks of the Trade brings it up a notch and actuall HELPS you get in gear. With a writing for children road map the guess work is gone. Tricks of the Trade is your new writing navigational tool.

Suzanne Lieurance has years of professional experience as a published author and writing coach, among other accomplishments. And, with this e-course she makes these tried and true tricks (tons of useful information) available to you. Gee, before I go on and on, let me give you an overview of Lessons 3 and 4.

Lesson 3

With Lesson 3 you're shown the basic elements that go into creating an engaging and editor friendly children's fiction story. You are shown in detail what Point of View (POV) is and how it should be utilized. In addition, Suzanne explains how to add conflict to your story; this is a must for today's children's market. And, the last section of Lesson 3 delves into the sensory details that every fiction story needs. You are shown what to avoid and what to make sure you include.

Lesson 4

This lesson moves into nonfiction writing. One of the most important aspects of this lesson is creating a query letter. Oooooh, the dreaded query. Lesson 4 provides the basic elements of writing a WINNING query. It also explains in detail how to study the market you will be writing in. In the last section in this lesson you are shown the correct structure for writing nonfiction articles for children: How do you begin, how do you end, what's a sidebar, should you use one? All these questions and more are answered.

With Tricks of the Trade you get 6 individual lessons to get you on the road to writing for children and working toward having your work published and fulfilling your writing goals.

But that's not all! This e-course includes a 2 month membership in the Children's Writers' Coaching Club, so every person who purchases this course has the opportunity to have his/her assignments professionally reviewed and critiqued by Suzanne or another published children's author on staff at the National Writing for Children Center each week. And, as an special bonus you'll get 4 additional instructional CDs with tips for freelance writers.

Learning the business of writing can be overwhelming. How do you hook an editor? What’s the difference between picture books and easy readers? How do you show rather than tell? The list of questions is endless. Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just 6 Weeks is a practical, easy to understand, detailed, and fantastic e-course that helps answer your questions and guides you into a children’s writing career.

Start your writing career today! Click HERE. You can be on your way to the writing career of your dreams.

Talk to you soon,
Karen Cioffi

Suzanne Lieurance, the working writer’s coach, has just introduced a brand new e-course for children’s writers: Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just 6 Weeks

In case you’re not familiar with Ms. Lieurance, let me tell you a little bit about her:

Suzanne Lieurance is the epitome of an entrepreneur. She is a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center. Lieurance is the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. She hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio.com. Lieurance offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults) into a part-time or full-time career.

I'm taking the Tricks of the Trade e-course and am working on Lesson 3 which is why I have the confidence to tell you it’s worth every penny. Each weekly lesson is divided into 3 detailed and easy to understand parts.

Let me give you a brief overview of what the first two lessons contain:

Lesson 1

Here you’re given the basics for writing for children—the foundation to build upon. You are also shown how children’s books are grouped into different genres. And, you’re let in on some of the common mistakes new writers tend to make—you’re also given advice on how to avoid them.

Lesson 2

This lesson describes in detail how to format your manuscript and provides advice on following submission guidelines. It also gives tips on punctuation, dialogue, and much more.

You get 6 individual lessons (in both an audio file and a pdf [text] file) to get you on the road to writing for children and working toward having your work published.

But that's not all! If you order now this e-course includes a 2 month membership in the Children's Writers' Coaching Club, so every person who purchases this course has the opportunity to have his/her assignments professionally reviewed and critiqued by Suzanne or another published children's author on staff at the National Writing for Children Center each week. And, as an special bonus you'll get 4 additional instructional CDs with tips for freelance writers.


Learning the business of writing can be overwhelming. How do you hook an editor? What’s the difference between picture books and easy readers? How do you show rather than tell? The list of questions is endless. Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just 6 Weeks is a practical, easy to understand, detailed, and fantastic e-course that helps answer your questions and guides you into a chidren’s writing career. And, you don't have to leave your home!

Start your children's writing career today. Just Click Here and you can be on your way to the writing career of your dreams.


Karen

Learning the business of writing can be overwhelming. I've found a wonderful site that offers help with writing for children, freelance writing and building a business out of writing. The creator of this site is Suzanne Lieurance.

Suzanne is a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center. Lieurance is the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. She hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio.com. Lieurance offers a variety of coaching programs via private phone calls, teleclasses, listserv, and private email for writers who want to turn their love of writing (for children and/or adults)into a part-time or full-time career.

I am a member of Suzanne's Children's Writers Coaching Club. For a miniscule amount per month as a member you get monthly assignments geared to get your work published and critiques of those assignments, teleclasses explaining the how to write for children, and monthly critiques of your works in progress. This club also offers information on the business of writing such as making yourself visible through online ezines and blogs.

Suzanne has a knack for motivating and encouraging her members. I highly recommend this site and club.

A couple of Suzanne's other clubs/groups are Build Your Business Write, Writers on Call, and Working Writers Coach.

Make your day and check it out at: National Writing for Children Center

See you in blog world,
Karen

Here's the February 01 schedule.

Several 4RV Pubishing authors are involved: Elysabeth Eldering, Lea Schizas, Crystalee Calderwood, Ransom Noble, and Vivian Zabel.

Just click on the Hosts' name and it will bring you directly to the site.

Deborah Ramos is hosting Sally Murphy

Dianne Sagan is hosting Margaret Fieland

Harry Gilleland is hosting Pam Devor

Karen Cioffi is hosting Elysabeth Eldering

Kathy Stemke is hosting Joyce Anthony

Lea Schizas is hosting Crystalee Calderwood

Nancy Famalari is hosting Deborah Ramos

Suzanne Lieurance is hosting Dianne Sagan

Vivian Zabel is hosting Harry Gilleland

Dehanna Bailee is hosting Karen Cioffi

Margaret Fieland is hosting Kathy Stemke

Ransom Noble is hosting Lea Schizas

Crystalee Calderwood is hosting Nancy Famalari

Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Suzanne Lieurance

Joyce Anthony is hosting Vivian Zabel

Sally Murphy is hosting Ransom Noble

Pam Devor is hosting Dehanna Bailee

Be sure to drop by and visit with these talented authors.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Vivian Zabel honored me with the Prémio Dardos - or Darts Prize. Thank you, Vivian.

The Prémio Dardos is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.

From what I can gather, the origin of the Prémio Dardos began in Portugal or Brazil and this is the closest rendition of the original intent available:

1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person that has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.

2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment, remembering to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been selected for this award. So, I am passing the torch to:

Terri Forehand
Carma Dutra
Kathy Stemke
Lea Schizas
Joy Delgado
Suzanne Lieurance
Karina Fabian
Margot Finke
Simon Rose
Deboran Ramos
Dehanna Bailee
Dainne Sagan
Harry Gilleland
Nancy Famolari
Margaret Fieland

Well, we're starting a brand new year with a great tour. Please note: Cheryl Pillsbury and Yolanda Jackson's blog urls will be posted in a couple of days.
Here is the schedule of each host and their guest:

Deborah Ramos Cheryl Pillsbury http://www.aarmoryofaardvarks.com
Dr. John F. Murray Yolanda Jackson http://drjohnfmurray.blogspot.com
Dianne Sagan Elysabeth Eldering http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
Harry Gilleland Joyce Anthony http://harrygillelandwrites.blogspot.com
Lanaia Lee Rosanna Ienco http://lanaialee.blogspot.com
Joy Delagado Deborah Ramos http://zooprisepartyfiestazoorpresa.blogspot
Lillian Cauldwell Dr. John F. Murray http://lilliancauldwell.blogspot.com
Karen Cioffi Dianne Sagan http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com
Kathy Stemke Harry Gilleland http://educationtipster.blogspot.com
Linda Ballou Lanaia Lee http://lindaballou.blogspot.com
Lea Schizas Joy Delagado http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com
Patricia Crandall Lillian Cauldwell http://patriciacrandall.blogspot.com
Nancy Famalari Karen Cioffi http://nancygfamolari.blogspot.com
Rosemary Chaulk Kathy Stemke http://rosemarychaulk.blogspot.com
Sharon Poppen Linda Ballou http://sharonpoppenauthor.blogspot.com
Suzanne Lieurance Lea Schizas http://suzannelieurance.com
Vivian Zabel Patricia Crandall http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com
Boyd Hipp Nancy Famalari http://boydhipp.blogspot.com
Dehanna Bailee Rosemary Chaulk http://www.thebackroomat.dehanna.com
Margaret Fielan Sharon Poppen http://www.margaretfieland.com
Ransom Noble Suzanne Lieurance http://www.ransomnoble.wordpress.com
Luigi Falconi Vivian Zabel http://luigifalconi.blogspot.com
Dwight Rounds Boyd Hipp http://dwightcrounds.blogspot.com
Anna Maria Prezio Dehanna Bailee http://prezio.blogspot.com
Crystalee Calderwood Margaret Fieland http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com
Rosanna Ienco Ransom Noble http://rosannaienco.blogspot.com
Elysabeth Eldering Luigi Falconi http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
Joyce Anthony Dwight Rounds http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/
Cheryl Pillsbury Anna Maria Prezio
Yolanda Jackson Crystalee Calderwood

Please don't forget to stop by and visit with these wonderful authors/writers. I know each tour I learn a little something new about the guest authors. And have a healthy and happy holiday season.

See you in blog world,
Karen

Well, we're off again.

This is our third tour and it starts December 15th. Below is the schedule of Hosts and their Guests. We hope you drop by to see what's going on.

Host: Dr. John F. Murray / Guest: Elysabeth Eldering
http://drjohnfmurray.blogspot.com
Host: Dianne Sagan / Guest: Joyce Anthony
http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
Host: Harry Gilleland / Guest: Rosanna Ienco
http://harrygillelandwrites.blogspot.com
Host: Lanaia Lee / Guest: Dr. John F. Murray
http://lanaialee.blogspot.com
Host: Joy Delgado / Guest: Dianne Sagan http://zooprisepartyfiestazoorpresa.blogspot.com
Host: Lillian Cauldwell / Guest: Harry Gilleland
http://lilliancaldwell.blogspot.com
Host: Karen Cioffi / Guest: Lanaia Lee
http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com
Host: Kathy Stemke / Guest: Joy Delgado
http://educationtipster.blogspot.com
Host: Linda Ballou / Guest: Lillian Cauldwell
http://lindaballou.blogspot.com
Host: Lea Schizas / Guest: Karen Cioffi
http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com
Host: Patricia Crandall / Guest: Kathy Stemke
http://patriciacrandall.blogspot.com
Host: Nancy Famolari / Guest: Linda Ballou
http://nancygfamolari.blogspot.com
Host: Rosemary Chaulk / Guest: Lea Schizas
http://rosemarychaulk.blogspot.com
Host: Sharon Poppen / Guest: Patricia Crandall
http://sharonpoppenauthor.blogspot.com
Host: Suzanne Lieurance / Guest: Nancy Famolari
http://www.suzannelieurance.com
Host: Vivian Zabel / Guest: Rosemary Chaulk
http://VivianZabel.blogspot.com
Host: Boyd Hipp / Guest: Sharon Poppen
http://boydhipp.blogspot.com
Host: Dehanna Bailee / Guest: Suzanne Lieurance http://www.thebackroomat.dehanna.com
Host: Margaret Fieland / Guest: Vivian Zabel
http://www.margaretfieland.com
Host: Ransom Noble / Guest: Boyd Hipp
http://www.ransomnoble.wordpress.com
Host: Luigi Falconi / Guest: Dehanna Bailee
http://luigifalconi.blogspot.com
Host: Dwight Rounds / Guest: Margaret Fieland
http://dwightcrounds.blogspot.com
Host: Anna Maria Prezio / Guest: Ransom Noble
http://prezio.blogspot.com
Host: Crystalee Calderwood / Guest: Luigi Falconi http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com
Host: Rosanna Ienco / Guest: Dwight Rounds
http://rosannaienco.blogspot.com
Host: Elysabeth Eldering / Guest: Anna Maria Prezio
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
Host: Joyce Anthony / Guest: Crystalee Calderwood
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Please come back on the 15th to visit with my guest, author Lanaia Lee.

Karen

If you’ve been wondering how to get started writing and publishing your own stories and other work for kids, then you won’t want to miss this special FREE teleseminar next Monday night, December 1, 2008, at 7:00 central time.

Carma Dutra will host this teleseminar with special guest, Suzanne Lieurance, author of over a dozen published books for children, instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature, and found and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

Sign up for this free teleseminar right now, and ask your most pressing question about writing or publishing for kids. Then, attend the LIVE teleseminar Monday night to learn the answer to your question.

Sign up for the teleseminar HERE now.

Writing for Children said, on 11/23/2008 8:51:00 AM

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine, Book Reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

Title: Sandlot Summit
Written by: Rick Fishman
Illustrated by: Doug Hoch
Ages: 10 to 12
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-1868-8
Published: June 2008
Paperback: 156 pages
Price: $13.95

In an effort to avoid World War III by the powers of the United States and Russia, President Ronald Reagan and Russian General Kostlitzo ‘Bone Face’ Zolotov come to an agreement to solve their countries problems by playing a kids’ baseball game.

The son of the Vice President of the United States is sent on the mission to find Felix Farley and to recruit him as head coach of Team USA. With the date of the secret game on the horizon, the discovery that the wrong coach has been assigned to the critical mission to save the free world brings the already tense situation to even a higher level.

“Katie, I would quit coaching forever if I could somehow find a way out of doing this game. But I can’t say ‘no’ to the President. I just can’t.”

Rick Fishman creates and brings to life a cast of hysterical characters. From the moment the reader meets Coach Felix Farley and his hand chosen All-star team you will find yourself cheering for their success.

Visit the author’s website at www.SandlotSummit.com to learn more about his career.

To learn more about Donna M. McDine, visit her website at www.donnamcdine.com. Sign her guestbook and receive her FREE e-Book ~ Write What Inspires You! Author Interviews.

Donna McDine, Doug Hoch, Rick Fishman, Sandlot Summit

Writing for Children said, on 11/26/2008 10:43:00 AM

SIMON SAYS
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

As I mentioned last week, I spend a fair amount of time on the outline for a novel. Once I actually start writing the book, I usually edit at least a little as I go. Sometimes this involves checking over just one chapter, sometimes two or three, once they are done, if I want to assess how it’s all going, if everything flows properly or if a section doesn’t feel right in some way, before I move on to the next part. I’m able to do this because I know what will happen next in the plot. In some ways, I am almost merely expanding on the outline I created, filling in details, adding description, dialogue, action and so on.

Does the outline change as I progress? Absolutely, although usually not too dramatically. There will invariably be parts of the story that may not work as well as you thought they would, new ideas that emerge as you write or you may simply have a new take on a situation you’ve already created. However, the outlines always serve as a valuable guide and ensure that the general flow of the story is well mapped out. You may, of course, still change your mind about certain aspects of the story as it is written, but hopefully you can avoid the situation where you have produced ten chapters, then decide to scrap everything you have written, because you’ve have a great new idea. This new inspiration, however, might actually be part of another book altogether and be ill suited to your current project.

Pre-planning may not be for everyone, but it will often help you maintain your focus, enabling you to get your book to the finish line.

**************

Simon Rose was in the UK last week. Here is an article about his visit that ran in the local newspaper there.

revision techniques, Simon Rose, Simon Says, writing a novel

Writing for Children said, on 11/27/2008 9:19:00 AM

You already have most of the items you’ll need for your child to make this Thanksgiving Book.

Maybe Dad can help the kids make this book while Mom gets Thanksgiving dinner ready.

Thank you, artsymommy.com!

artsymommy, kids crafts, Thanksgiving craft, Thanksgiving project

Writing for Children said, on 11/28/2008 7:30:00 PM

If you’ve been wondering how to get started writing and publishing your own stories and other work for kids, then you won’t want to miss this special FREE teleseminar next Monday night, December 1, 2008, at 7:00 central time.

Carma Dutra will host this teleseminar with special guest, Suzanne Lieurance, author of over a dozen published books for children, instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature, and found and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

Sign up for this free teleseminar right now, and ask your most pressing question about writing or publishing for kids. Then, attend the LIVE teleseminar Monday night to learn the answer to your question. When you ask your question, put your mailing address in the box with your question. The first 24 people to register for this teleseminar and ask a question will receive a free copy of the popular book, The Christmas Box.

Sign up for the teleseminar HERE now.

Carma Dutra, how to write for children, Suzanne Lieurance, writing for children, Writing For Kids

Writing for Children said, on 12/1/2008 11:22:00 AM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It’s Cyber Monday, which means you’ll find all sorts of bargains and great deals all over the Internet today. We didn’t want to be left out, so we’ve having a Cyber Monday sale, too.

Today ONLY, join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club for 1/2 price!

And, the best part is, you’ll get your membership at 1/2 price EVERY month as long as you stay a member.

Club membership is already a super bargain at just $27.00 per month.

But today ONLY, you can join the club for just $13.50 per month.

Don’t wait. This Cyber Monday Sale is over tonight at midnight!

Click here to join at 1/2 price!

1/2 price sale, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Cyber Monday Sale

by Suzanne Lieurance

It’s no secret that one of the best ways to break into the children’s magazine markets is with nonfiction. So follow these 6 tips to have the best chance of acceptance with your short articles for children:

1. Study the markets - Each children’s magazine is different, with a different style, voice, and variety of subject matter. Take time to study the markets you wish to submit to and you’ll know which ones are the most appropriate for the articles that you wish to write.

2. Study Past Issues - Besides studying current issues of each publication you wish to write for, look at several past issues of each publication. Make a list of the various nonfiction article titles in each issue to get a “feel” for the way various authors narrowed their focus for each topic they wrote about. One of the big mistakes most beginning children’s writers make with their nonfiction articles is that they don’t narrow the focus of the article enough. If you want to write about camels, for example, don’t propose an article that tells anything and everything about camels. Instead, focus on just ONE aspect about camels and develop your article around that.

3. Include subtopic headings when writing your article - These will break up your article into “chunks” which are easier for young readers to read. These subtopic headings will also “lead” the reader through your article. They will also make your article “look” more like nonfiction instead of fiction.

4. Give your topic an unusual slant that will appeal to kids and editors alike - When you do this, your article won’t sound so much like a textbook. And articles that sound too much like textbook material are NOT in big demand with magazine editors.

5. Consider topics that will relate to themed publications - Many children’s magazines have themes for each issue. And, even for publications that do not have themed issues, editors still look for topics that can be used for holiday issues as well as other seasonal issues. For example, most publications feature some sort of back-to-school articles in their August or September issues. In the summer months, these same publications tend to feature articles that give vacation tips or crafts ideas and games to keep kids occupied during the summer. So, be sure to include some of these types of article ideas in your queries.

6. Look for lesser known publications - Competition is fierce for Highlights, Spider, Cricket, and most of the very popular publications for children. You’ll automatically increase your chances for acceptance if you query publications that don’t receive so many queries.

Try these 6 tips and it shouldn’t take you long to start receiving acceptances from the children’s magazines that you query.

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For more tips about writing for children, join The Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club. During the month of November, lessons, teleclasses, and assignments are focused on writing nonfiction for children’s magazines.

Listen to Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio this afternoon at 2:00 central time when host, Suzanne Lieurance, will interview Kyle Donovan, author of the Do’ Bees book series for kids.

Call in during the show and ask a question or make a comment at 1-646-716-9239.

Kim McDougall has done it again!

Here’s another wonderful trailer she created, this time for Suzanne Lieurance’s new historical middle grade novel, The Locket.

Beginning today through Friday, I'm thrilled to announce that Suzanne Lieurance will be a guest blogger!

Suzanne Lieurance is a former classroom teacher, now a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

Lieurance is the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. She hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on Blog Talk Radio: Book Bites For Kids.



GET READY
THE BASICS OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN:
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

by
Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer's Coach
Working Writers Coach
Suzanne Lieurance website


If you want to write stories for children that will sell to today's magazine and book markets, you need to know the basics about writing for children before you get started. Here are a few tips for writing children's stories that will sell:

1) Tell the story from a single point of view. Children tend to relate to the POV character in a story. This is the person they will root for. Make it clear right from the start whose story is being told. Even if you have two main characters (twins, for example), you need to pick just one of these kids to be your POV character. And, it should go without saying, when writing for children, make sure your POV character IS a kid - even if Grandma has a big part in your story.

It isn't difficult to maintain a single point of view once you get the hang of it. Just remember - if you are showing everything from your main character's point of view, then he or she has to be present for everything that happens. I see stories all the time where the POV character suddenly leaves the room. Yikes! If your POV character wasn't there to see or hear what went on, then we can't see or hear it either.

2) Include plenty of conflict. Your POV character needs to face some big problem right at the start of the story. Then, he or she needs to struggle and struggle with this problem as he/she tries to solve it. That is, things need to keep getting worse and worse until finally the POV character is able to solve the problem (or at least resolve it) and change or grow somehow in the process. Without a story problem you have what editors like to call an incident and editors don't publish incidents. They publish stories.

3) Have the Main Character Solve The Story Problem Himself. I know what you're thinking. Parents and other well-meaning adults DO step in all the time to save the day for kids. So why can't they do it in stories for children? The answer to that is - because children don't want to read stories like that. Stories for children have strong children (or children who eventually become strong throughout the course of the story) as characters. This empowers the children who read these stories. They figure, if the POV character can solve his own problems then maybe they can too.

4) Write Dialogue That Sounds Real. Listen to any child or teenager and you'll find out that much of what kids and teens say (at least to each other) tends to sound like a series of grunts. So don't have the child or teen in your story use words like shall, or never use contractions. If you do, the dialogue will sound too formal and your work will not have a child's or teen's voice.

5) Include a Narrative hook for the Reader. I know what you're thinking, What is a narrative hook? Well, that's simple. It's just an opening sentence or two that hooks the reader and makes him or her want to continue reading to find out what happens.

6) Keep the Time frame Short. Yes, Harry Potter takes place over several years. But, the story also takes place through several books. Most children's writers start out writing stories for children's magazines or they want to write picture books for very young children. Either way, the timeframe in these stories should be rather short - a couple of hours or a day or two. If your story takes place over a couple of weeks or (gulp!) a couple of years, then you need to shorten the timeframe.

7) Punctuate Dialogue Properly. Get a grammar book to learn how to punctuate dialogue properly. But, most importantly, remember to change paragraphs each time the speaker changes. I read manuscripts all the time where three or four characters are speaking, yet the paragraph never changes. Just imagine how confusing that is to the child who is trying to read the story!

8) Cut Most of the Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Unnecessary Words in Your Stories. Do you really need to say someone whispered quietly Or shouted loudly Or, my favorite - she nodded her head? What else could she nod? Or, she shrugged her shoulders - she certainly wouldn't shrug her foot!

9) Show, Don't Tell the Story. Read a good story and chances are there is a lot of action and dialogue (showing) with minimal stretches of straight narrative (telling). Too much narrative and the story sounds like a summary. Readers don't want a summary. They want scenes with action and dialogue that make them feel they are actually experiencing action and dialogue.

10) Research the markets BEFORE you submit your story. A story that is appropriate for one children's magazine might not be appropriate for another. You'll have the best chance of selling your stories if you send them to the appropriate publications. Read several back issues of any children's magazine that you wish to write for to get a feel for the types of stories they tend to publish. Also, follow the submission guidelines for these publications. You'll find submission guidelines on the publisher's website or in a market guide at your local book store.

If you take the time to learn the basics of writing for children, you'll be one step closer to become a published children's writer.

Tomorrow I'll write about GET SET - How to Build Your Writing Resume Even BEFORE You Start Your Career.

Beginning June 25, I'm thrilled to announce that Suzanne Lieurance will be a guest blogger!

Suzanne Lieurance is a former classroom teacher, now a fulltime children’s author, freelance writer, and The Working Writer’s Coach. She teaches children’s writing for the Institute of Children’s Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut, and is the founder and director of the National Writing for Children Center.

Lieurance is the author of 20 published books and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children’s Writer, and many others. She hosts a talk show about children’s books, called Book Bites for Kids, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio.com.

Her daily topics will be:

Part 1 - June 25

GET READY - The Basics of Writing for Children: What You MUST Know Before You Get Started

Part 2 - June 26th

GET SET - How to Build Your Writing Resume Even BEFORE You Start Your Career

Part 3 - June 27th -

GO - How to Start Your Career as a Children's Writer

So, join Suzanne June 25-27...and tell all your friends!



Mary Cunningham Books

Here’s a free newsletter chock full of information about current and upcoming children’s books.

Read this month’s issue here and don’t miss the interview with children’s author Suzanne Lieurance.