AWP: Our panel, "What I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Writing for Children and Young Adults," seemed like a success. At least we had a good time. It seemed as if our audience did. At least there wasn't much shuffling, squirming, and reading of programs while we were talking. :)
Heather Bouwman organized us and moderated the panel. My buddies from my writing group, Shelley Tougas and Kirstin Cronn-Mills, and I joined Sheila O'Connor to fill out the panel.
We all are used to talking in front of groups, so we were surprised by how nervous we were beforehand.
I wonder if everybody who gives presentations runs over what they forgot to say or wish they had said during the program. I do that in school, too, but then I get to see my students again in a few days, so I can add or correct or fix what I missed. There's no second chance when it's a conference.
Anyway, one thing I wanted to say is that I think every writer should write poetry, even if he or she never publishes any...It's such a terrific exercise in conciseness and paying attention to language and lyricism. I think writing for kids uses those skills, absolutely and entirely.
I never felt that as fully as when I wrote Beauty Missing, Hair Hissing: Medusa Tells All for the "Other Side of Myth" series published by Capstone. That book started out as a longish lyrical poem and then condensed itself into the snarkier voice of Medusa in which it was published.
Anyway, AWP was fun, and I had a grand adventure with my two buddies. We were reduced to uncontrollable laughter several times.
We became the Three Musketeers of Vehicular Safety (in our cab to the airport), and the Three Musketeers of Row 19 (in the aircraft). Yeah, we tried to be reasonably quiet. Not sure how well that worked. But we had fun.
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By: Rebecca (Becky) Fjelland Davis,
on 3/2/2014
Blog: Becky's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Sheila O'Connor, Heather Bouwman, Shelley Tougas, writing for YA, AWP, writing for children, Writing for kids, Add a tag
By: Alan Dapré,
on 12/29/2013
Blog: Alan Dapré - Children's Author (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing for kids, how to write for children, writing ideas, better writing, Writing For Children: Tips by Alan Dapré, alan dapre, authors hints, authors secrets, useful writing tips, writing hints, ideas generation, writing tips, writing for children, Add a tag
I’ve had over 50 books traditionally published in a range of genres. A few are plays for teenagers and younger children. Some are linked to characters on TV (such as Brum) and are joke, puzzle, activity and story books. Others are … Continue reading
By: CourtneyCarpenter,
on 4/13/2012
Blog: Guide to Literary Agents (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture books, writing for kids, Editor's Picks, writing for children & young adults, Add a tag
If you are looking for expert advice and encouragement to write and sell your children’s book, then be sure to read You Can Write Children’s Books by Tracey E. Dils. You will get a complete look at not only the publishing industry as a whole, but also the right markets for your writing. Plus, you will learn how to write children’s books, misconceptions about writing for kids, find out what beginning readers want, and how to write for young adults and middle grade kids. From advice on writing nonfiction for kids to how to write a picture book, You Can Write Children’s Books really goes beyond the basics and covers all aspects of writing for kids.
How to Write a Novel For Middle Grade Kids
As kids grow older and start to develop their reading skills, they want books that offer complex plots and feature characters and conflicts that represent their own struggles. Take for example, middle grade novels. Typically, middle grade novels are about 10,000 to 16,000 words. This type of novel is targeted to fourth through sixth graders who want to read books that make them feel older. When writing a novel for middle grade kids, it’s important to inject humor into the story as well as action the reader can visualize. The book also covers how to write young adult novels.
Get Your Big Break: Write Nonfiction For Kids
Writing for children does not always mean writing a picture book or young adult novel. According to Dils, there are many more nonfiction books being published today than fiction and the demand for quality nonfiction is growing because elementary-age students are increasingly being asked to read and comprehend nonfiction passages in preparation for proficiency tests. What does this mean for you? Well, this is a great opportunity for a beginning writer who is open to writing nonfiction for kids. Plus, because nonfiction books are usually bought on the basis of a proposal instead of a manuscript, the time and risk involved for you is actually less. In the book, Dils explores the creative nature of nonfiction, gives details on the types of nonfiction books, and explains the market and the audience for nonfiction.
How to Write Children’s Books
In this book, you will learn how to write children’s books, find great information about children’s publishing and explore the different types of children’s books. Knowing which type of book you want to write will benefit you in the long run because you will have clear, focused objectives. But not all writers know about the different types of books for children, which is why Dils examines picture books, books for beginning readers, and chapter books. She takes you beyond the definitions and into the details writers need to know, such as form and length, the market and audience, and what editors are looking for.
Take the leap and start writing books for children!
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Blog: Fire It Up! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, critique groups, knowledge, writing groups, Sally Stuart, pursuing your dream, scbwi, writing for kids, Write2Ignite, Add a tag
What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You
I had only taken a few steps into my writing journey when I decided it was time to submit my fabulous, wonderful, “you’re-gonna-love-it-and-offer-me-a-bazillion-dollars” picture book.
Really, it was great.
It had three interesting main characters (count ‘em, three). It was chock full of lovely adverbs. And it was wrapped around a love story (rated G, of course!). Did I mention this lovely picture book was 4,000 words long?
Yep. 4,000 words.
So, this wonderful book and I were on our way. We were on our way to the bookshelves at Books-a-million. We were on our way to stardom. We were on our way to the top of the charts!
And I figured the best way to the top was to start there.
I called a major publishing house and asked for the head editor.
Yep. The head editor.
Funny thing, one of the secretaries (or maybe it was an intern?) put me right through. She seemed perfectly fine with the whole thing.
The editor, on the other hand, not so much. Our conversation was short…but not sweet. He demanded to know how I got through to his office. Taken aback, I told him. I hope to this day that secretary (or intern)* didn’t get fired.
I crossed the line. I broke the chain of command. I obliterated rules that I didn’t know existed.
Making sure I knew the rules, however, wasn’t the secretary’s job.
It wasn’t the editor’s job.
It wasn’t anyone’s job…but mine.
If writing is my job – and I do consider it as such – then I need to KNOW my job. I need to know the ins and outs, chain of command and where the lines are. I need to know the rules.
And how do I find out this information?
Join a writer’s organization. There are tons out there. I am now a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).
Join (or start!) a critique or writer’s group. (I’m a member of two groups. I learn new stuff every day!)
Buy or borrow the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s market and Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide. Soak up all the great info on the pages. (Really…get thee to a bookstore!)
Go to Writing Conferences. (There are conferences held all over the world. Shameless plug: click here for a great one!)
Explore online resources. Verlakay’s message board is a great place to start. You can find info on all things writing there!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. (But don’t be a slacker. Do your homework, too!)
Be assured, I’ve made other mistakes since THE CALL. Thankfully, I’ve walked away with no burned bridges…just a few singed manuscript pages!
5 Comments on January 13, 2010, last added: 1/15/2010
By: Madeline Smoot,
on 10/20/2009
Blog: Buried in the Slush Pile (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's writer, children's writing, promotion, publicity, writing for kids, children's publishing, release party, children's books, Add a tag
I've been futzing with my camera, trying to get the video onto my computer. Since I don't have a video link here, obviously I've been unsuccessful. I fear I may have to actually read the directions. I know. Horrible.
In the meantime though, I've been thinking of some general advice when planning a release party. Here's what I've come up with:
Do:
Hold your event at your home, a bookstore, a church, or some place similar.
Don't:
Hold your party at a conference center, a park, a bowling alley, or a convention center.
When you have your party, you want you and your book to be center stage. Holding your party at a very public place like a bowling alley or park can be distracting. On the other hand, if you pick a really large venue, then your party is going to look small no matter how many people come. Even with a couple hundred people at a party, it'll look tiny if the place seats thousands.
Do:
Have party favors for everyone who comes. People like to get free stuff.
Don't:
Give away your book to everyone there.
It's one thing to give a copy or two as a door prize, but resist the urge to hand a free copy of your book to everyone you meet. The whole point of a release party is to give everyone you know the opportunity to purchase your book and get it signed. Besides, if you give everyone a free book, the expense is going to add up fast. And as you all know, here at Buried in the Slush Pile, we are all about doing stuff as frugally as possible. Having bookmarks, backpack tags, small posters, reading guides, etc. are great freebies. Your book or even readers of your book are not so good.
By: Madeline Smoot,
on 10/5/2009
Blog: Buried in the Slush Pile (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's books, writing, children's writer, children's writing, writing for kids, children's publishing, classic children's books, Add a tag
Yesterday I wrote about the resurgence of episodic fiction in children's literature. Books like The Penderwicks and even The Graveyard Book exemplify this trend. Both books contain stand alone episodes. However they don't include some other traits found in classic kiddie lit. It turns out that not everything found in those works of bygone days is making a comeback.
For instance, omniscient narrators still don't make appearances in modern children's books. The POV these days is almost very close to the main character. Occasionally, there will be multiple points of view, but those are tricky to do well. Instead, most books use a limited narration that is so close to one character's view point, that it almost can be written in first person.
Another thing you won't find in a modern kid's book is author intrusion (or interruption if you prefer that term). In my favorite of the Narnia books, The Horse and His Boy, CS Lewis makes the following statement (badly paraphrased from memory by me): "In Calormen the children were taught to tell stories much the way English children are taught to write essays. But while people want to hear the stories, I've never met anyone who wants to read the essays."
Now, that is probably my favorite example of all time of author intrusion. It's funny, witty, charming, and horribly true. However, it has no place in a modern children's book. For one thing, it breaks the fictional dream and pulls the reader out of the story. For another, it takes the story off into a tangent. Modern books are written in a more concise, straight narrative form. Author intrusions these days just seem to stick out. I've yet to see one in a manuscript I've worked on that hasn't needed to be cut.
And finally, the various -isms -- sexism, racism, ageism, etc -- are completely unacceptable in modern literature. Gone (mercifully) are the days of perfectly PC books, but blatant or even subtle -isms that aren't in a book to specifically show how bad they are are unacceptable. And you wouldn't want to read them anyway. Reading the sexism in the original Tom Swift or the racism in the original Nancy Drew made me want to gag. Although instructive from a historical perspective of how bad it used to be, there is no need to duplicate those kinds of stereotypes today.
So remember, regardless of the type or style of book you are writing, try to avoid weird omniscient narrators, author intrusions, and -isms. The editor that has to work on your manuscript will appreciate it.
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By: Writing for Children,
on 11/25/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: teleseminar, writing for children, Suzanne Lieurance, Writing For Kids, Carma Dutra, how to write for children, Add a tag
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.
Carma Dutra, how to write for children, Suzanne Lieurance, writing for children, Writing For Kids
Title: Sandlot Summit
By: Loreen Leedy,
on 11/19/2008
Blog: I.N.K.: Interesting Non fiction for Kids (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: lists, 2008 titles, Loreen Leedy, writing for kids, Add a tag
My fall book tells a tale using only similes as the text. The easiest way to get a sense of it is to watch this video preview. The impetus to create Crazy Like Fox: A Simile Story was to follow up on a previous book of sayings (There’s a Frog in My Throat) while using a different format. Frog is a compendium of over 400 sayings; Crazy tells a story as well as having several similes on each page. Every time a character is compared to something, he or she turns into it. For example, when Rufus is sleeping like a log, on the next page he becomes a log (and even snores like a chain saw.) This enabled me to have tons of fun with the illustrations. It’s been well-received, with a starred review from Kirkus.
I’m not aware of any similar book where the text consists of only similes, but please let me know if there is one for curiosity’s sake. The title was the first simile chosen, and the plot needed to explain what “crazy like a fox” means. So, Rufus the fox had to act weird for some reason that would make sense by the end of the story. In the manuscript’s early stages, he was jumping as high as a kite to get over a fence, running as fast as the wind to escape some critter, and finally building a contraption to vault him across a river to get breakfast at Mama Somebody's Cafe. The ending seemed a tad flat, though.
Meanwhile, I was busy collecting similes. If there’s some master web site full of zillions of ‘em, I never found it. This one has a fair number (you have to scroll down a bit.) But mostly, I had to compile a list using various general idiom or cliché sites. One of my favorites is this one that you can search by key word. Of course, only a small percentage of any group of sayings are similes, so it took awhile to get a reasonable number to “audition” as part of a potential text. After amassing quite a few, for the sake of organization they had to be put in alphabetical order by first key word. Thus, as tall as a giraffe came before as tough as nails. For Frog I had made a database, but for this project a list worked fine. I did separate “like” from “as“ similes to make it easier and to ensure there was a good balance of both forms in the book. Also, I left out similes that were obviously unsuitable because they were too antiquated (as mad as a hatter), inappropriate for young children (like a bat out of hell), or probably wouldn’t fit into the story. Whatever the story turned out to be, that is.
Eventually the idea popped into my head for Rufus to pick on his friend Babette the sheep, and thus lure her into chasing him all the way to her own surprise birthday party. The party is as noisy as a herd of elephants, so of course the guests turn into... elephants! If you’ve never seen a possum, a crow, a ladybug and several other critters transformed into long-trunked proboscideans, this is your chance.
In the book biz, snags can crop up anywhere, and towards the end there was suddenly a title problem. Namely, the publisher wanted me to jettison the title Crazy Like a Fox and call it Simply Similes. Rather than freaking out (my first impulse,) I sent them a list of the pros of keeping the title as it was, plus the requirements for any alternate title (has to be catchy and fun, inspire kids to read it, tie in with the story, and so on.) I also had the chance to mention the issue to a group of teachers who all were in favor of the original title, and POOF! that little issue went away (yay!)
By: Writing for Children,
on 10/15/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: bookstore events, Writing Tips, author events, book signings, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Simon Rose, Simon Says, Add a tag
For book signings, I choose stores based on the traffic they generate. If you want to get people to pay attention to you and your book, you have to go to the busiest locations. It’s a selling job after all and you have to treat it almost like having a booth at a trade show.
Don’t sit there reading the paper or a book or otherwise not engage your potential customers. Smile constantly, until your face hurts if necessary. No one is going to approach an author, no matter how interesting their book appears to be, if they are wearing a sour expression. Be friendly, greet people as they go by and you will have their attention, at which point you can tell them all about you book and hopefully persuade them to buy it.
Yet, even a seemingly tireless self-promoter can have an off day and occasionally I have not always looked forward to the start of another book signing season. This year I am very motivated about meeting readers and potential readers in the local stores, but sometimes I have had little enthusiasm at the prospect of sitting at my table for hours at a time. However, a book signing is not just about selling books. You meet all sorts of people in a bookstore and these can often be incredibly useful connections if you are a full time writer with lots of services such as school presentations, coaching programs, workshops and so on.
Teachers are professionals who can be almost guaranteed to take their children to a bookstore, so I meet a lot of people with great contacts in the school system, as well as parents who are influential on school committees, or are active as volunteers and so on. I have secured many visits and residences as a result of meeting people at book store events.
I also do children’s parties and have secured booking for this, usually for the Christmas season, at a book signing, as well as making contact with writers who are looking for manuscript evaluation and editing services. Being in the bookstore has also allowed me to meet people in other professions similar to my own such as filmmakers, cartoonists, illustrators, book collectors, journalists, technical writers, musicians, entertainers and so much more, all of whom I have forged relationships with, exchanged ideas and generally been pleased I have encountered.
author events, book signings, bookstore events, Simon Rose, Simon Says
By: Loreen Leedy,
on 9/17/2008
Blog: I.N.K.: Interesting Non fiction for Kids (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 2008 titles, Loreen Leedy, writing for kids, writing non-fiction, Add a tag
Continued from last month. The first half of this post is here.
Occasionally a notion comes from my own personal reading. If it’s interesting enough for adults to read about, maybe a version for kids could work, too. In general over the years, there has been a move towards introducing many subjects to ever-younger readers. On the other hand, sometimes there’s a good reason a topic hasn’t been done as a picture book because too many complex concepts are involved, it’s not visual enough, it’s too difficult emotionally, and so on. (Some picture book authors do indeed tackle some very tough themes, with varying success.) I try to imagine my 2nd grade self... would I have wanted to hear about this?
Kids provide great clues, too. In addition to observing my young relatives in their natural habitat, I’ve taken quite a few photos of student-made projects hanging on school walls that show what they find interesting and/or funny. Unicorns? Muscle men? Futuristic cars? Lemurs? Kings and queens? There often is a regional flavor... surfers may appear at the coast while young camo-clad hunters roam in rural areas.
I usually have a few potential book ideas brewing at all times, and a fun way to see what has been published recently is to attend ALA, IRA, and other book conferences. Nothing beats browsing through the pages. Wandering from booth to booth, I check out what IS or is NOT being done with my possible book topics. And if a book or two exist already, are they well-designed, entertaining, satisfying? Do they take a similar or a very different approach than what I’m thinking?
Several of my books have been follow-ups to previous books. Not necessarily sequels, they may be more loosely related. Most recently I wanted to do another sayings book like There’s a Frog in My Throat, but didn't want to duplicate the format of 48 pages filled with over four hundred sayings (which took eons to illustrate!) Instead, I focused just one type, creating a surprising tale exclusively with similes in my Fall 2008 book, Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story. To get an inside peek, check out this fun musical video trailer. By the way, one of my editors passed along a trend spotted in a college-level early education class: using book trailers as a “reader motivation technique.“ Sounds like an excellent idea to me!
I often do get vague book ideas in the random pop-into-the-head way, but then need to develop them further via brainstorming. A book that I learned several brainstorming techniques from is an oldie but goody, Wishcraft, by Barbara Sher. It’s great for opening up new possibilities, breaking out of a dry period, or organizing a tangle of competing goals. When I first read it shortly after finishing college, it definitely expanded my vision of what I could do with my life. It’s now available for free online here.
One thing I don’t worry too much about is the competition from textbook companies. Just because they have published a topic doesn't mean there isn't room for a fun, creative book from me (or you). If anything, the fact that a textbook company has included a subject probably means there’s a definite interest in it. They all have web sites with an online catalog. For example, on the National Geographic school publishing site, you can search by grade level and subject.
I’m sure other I.N.K. authors have their own favorite ways to find good topics, if anybody cares to chime in! It’s always fun the hear the origin story behind an author’s book.
By: Writing for Children,
on 9/11/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing a middle grade novel, writing a YA novel, Writing Tips, YA Fiction, Writing For Children, Margot Finke, writing workshop, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Add a tag
Members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club are in for a real treat this afternoon.
Children’s author Margot Finke will present a 55-minute teleclass called Writing a MG or YA Novel: Character or Plot Driven.
Join the CWCC right here now and you, too, will receive an email invitation to this fun and informative event!
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Margot Finke, writing a middle grade novel, writing a YA novel, writing for children
By: Writing for Children,
on 9/8/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing For Children, Margot Finke, writing workshop, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, writing for childrens magazines, Writing Tips, Add a tag
For the entire month of September, members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will receive lessons and assignments (via email) designed to help them break into the children’s magazine markets with a short fictional story.
Last week, we covered the elements needed for a marketable story and club members started studying the magazine markets. This week, each club member will target a specific magazine to write for, then begin writing a short story for this market.
Club members will also have access to a LIVE teleclass with children’s author Margot Finke. The title of her presentation is Writing a MG or YA Masterpiece - Character or Plot Driven. The LIVE teleclass will take place Thursday, September 11, at 2:00 pacific time, but members will also receive a link to a recording of this teleclass just incase they are unable to attend the live class.
Members are also able to submit one complete picture book manuscript, one poem, or one chapter of a short chapter book, middle grade novel, or YA novel, for professional critique each week.
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and have fun as you learn all the tricks of the trade of writing for children.
By: Writing for Children,
on 9/2/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, back to school, Simon Rose, Simon Says, tips for childrens writers, Writing Tips, Add a tag
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL FOR AUTHORS AS WELL AS STUDENTS
Ah, back to school. A time of year many children view with dread, while most parents feel like celebrating. If you’ve had your kids at home all summer, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Having what seems like a house full of children, some of them not even your own, for the best part of two months can be something of an ordeal, but once school resumes, there’s a chance to take a little time for yourself.
For writers, early September offers an opportunity to get organized after a hectic few weeks. Maybe you can get started on a new project or finally get around to mailing that submission you’ve been putting off all summer.
Perhaps your writing space needs reorganizing or you need to think about setting a schedule for your writing time. The beginning of another school year means teachers will once again be looking for authors to visits their classrooms, so this month is a very busy one for me in terms of marketing and promotion. I also arranged all my bookstore events for the fall right up to Christmas with local bookstores. This might seem like very long term planning, but stores do have limited space to host author signings and its advisable to contact them as early as possible, in order to secure the dates that you want.
As fall begins, I also reconnect with people I network with both locally and elsewhere. It’s often tough to get hold of anyone in July and August, when so many people take vacations. I make a point of trying to contact everyone as soon as summer is over, arranging to meet over the course of the following weeks. Never underestimate what you may learn from your fellow professionals, in terms of promoting yourself, getting ideas for a story, or anything really. At this time of year, we may wonder where the summer went, but we also have the opportunity to make a fresh start and hit the ground running. Seize the day.
back to school, Simon Rose, tips for childrens writers
By: Writing for Children,
on 9/1/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's Writing, writing for children, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, become a childrens writer, Add a tag
Did you know that one of the main reasons short stories are rejected for children’s magazines is because writers tend to write what editors call “an incident” rather than a full-fledged story?
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club in September and learn how to write children’s short fiction that editors will love.
CWCC members will have the chance to work on a short story during the month of September, have it critiqued, then do any necessary rewrites before submitting it to a children’s magazine. Members will also learn how to study the markets so everyone is submitting their stories to appropriate publications so they have the best chance of having their story accepted for publication.
Find out more about the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club here.
become a childrens writer, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Cwcc, writing for children, Writing For Kids
By: Writing for Children,
on 8/21/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing workshop, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Simon Rose, revision tips, editing your manuscript, Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Add a tag
Tonight we have another special teleclass for members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club. Children’s historical fantasy writer, Simon Rose will lead a 55-minute workshop about how to revise and edit your manuscript.
This teleclass will take place at 7:00 central time this evening. For an email invitation to this event - as well as links to all the recorded teleclasses for August - join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club HERE.
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, editing your manuscript, revision tips, Simon Rose
By: Writing for Children,
on 7/2/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Simon Rose, The Heretics Tomb, The Sorcerers Letterbox, historical research, Add a tag
Note: All this week, Simon Rose is our guest blogger for the National Writing for Children Center.
by children’s author Simon Rose
Just as The Sorcerer’s Letterbox involved research into the medieval period and specifically into the mysterious disappearance of Edward V and his younger brother, in writing The Heretic’s Tomb, I studied the subject of the Black Death, which is estimated to have killed over twenty five million people in Europe in the mid fourteenth century.
In The Heretic’s Tomb, Lady Isabella Devereaux comes into the possession of a mysterious amulet that has the power to restore life to the recently deceased. Living at the time of the Black Death in 1349, the noble and virtuous Lady Isabella intends to use the mysterious artifact to cure the relentless disease. However, the villain of the piece, Sir Roger de Walsingham, is also determined to secure the amulet for himself, in order to raise an army of the dead in order to seize the kingdom and make himself King of England. In the present day, while exploring a medieval archaeological site containing the ruins of an ancient English abbey, Annie discovers the amulet in the long-forgotten tomb of Lady Isabella and is suddenly sent hurtling back to the Middle Ages in a thrilling time travel tale.
The Heretic’s Tomb involved considerable research into the world of fourteenth century England, especially the era of the Black Death and its impact on England and Europe. Some dialogue in spoken in Middle English, which had to be authentic. The story also features a spell book written in Latin, so it was very important to get all the words and phrases correct. I also read extensively on the harsh realities of medical treatments in the Middle Ages. I delved deeply into the world of the medieval church, monasteries, abbeys, the long reign of King Edward III, the Hundred Years War between England and France, the history of scrolls, manuscripts and printed books, medieval cities, villages, houses and castles, as well as archaeological excavation sites for the portions of the novel set in the present day. Some of the information I needed was readily available online, but books also played a large in the research process.
My website has a page devoted to The Heretic’s Tomb, including the historical background of the novel.
historical research, Simon Rose, The Heretics Tomb, The Sorcerers Letterbox
By: Writing for Children,
on 7/1/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Simon Rose, historical research, Sorcerers Letterbox, Add a tag
Note: All this week, Simon Rose is our guest blogger for the National Writing for Children Center.
by children’s author Simon Rose
Editors, teachers, librarians and critics may scrutinize the imaginary science in your science fiction story and the same applies to historical facts in time travel stories. Just as the scientific equipment has to be in working order, the historical details have to be well researched for the story to remain credible. In The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, Jack discovers a letter in a drawer and finds himself corresponding with Edward V, one of the princes imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1483. After penning a reply, Jack finds himself trapped in late medieval England.
While it was not overly important to explore the political complexities of England in the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses, facts had to be checked and rechecked. Some of this naturally involved research into the clothing of the era, everyday life, maps of medieval London and so on, but some aspects of the novel required more attention. The language of the scroll Jack finds had to be appropriate for the time period and be written in both the style and the alphabet of Middle English, as it was spoken in 1483. Real characters are also used in the book, such as Richard III, so that their exact location at the time described in the story had to be accurate. Most of all, research focused on the Tower of London, such as which buildings existed within the complex in 1483 and the layout of the grounds.
My website has a page devoted to The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, including the historical background of the novel, featuring who was who in late medieval England, Richard III, Edward V, the Wars of the Roses, the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, pretenders and imposters, the Tower of London, medieval maps, the history of the English language and links to various websites about the time period depicted in the story.
historical research, Simon Rose, Sorcerers Letterbox
By: Writing for Children,
on 7/1/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Simon Rose, The Alchemists Portrait, Add a tag
Note: All this week, Simon Rose is our guest blogger for the National Writing for Children Center.
from children’s author, Simon Rose
It is crucial that your time machine, method or device, whether it is mechanical, magical or even supernatural, appears to be authentic and is easily believable in the mind of the reader. In my workshops on this topic at schools and libraries, the majority of children have wonderfully inspired ideas related to time travel, but some struggle to explain how their machines or methods actually function. They are also usually very clear on the way their character travels back in time, but have given little thought to the return trip.
In The Alchemist’s Portrait, Matthew is on a field trip with his school to the art gallery at the local museum. When he places his hand on the canvas of the portrait of Peter Glimmer, a seventeenth century Dutch boy, his hand sinks into the painting, like quicksand. He can also step through the frame and actually be inside the picture. From the inside, he can see the museum gallery he just stepped out of, complete with other museum visitors, although they are unable to see him. From the inside the frame is capable of showing images from all the different time periods wherever the painting ever existed in the past and just as Matthew can step into the painting from the outside, he can also step from the inside into any of the historical periods shown in the frame and travels back not only to 1666 but to the French Revolution in 1792, the American Civil War in 1865 and the Russian Revolution in 1917.
My website at h has a page devoted to The Alchemist’s Portrait, including the historical background of the novel, featuring the paintings that served as an inspiration for the story, and links to websites on the time eras Matthew visits and on the history of alchemy.
Simon Rose, The Alchemists Portrait, Writing Tips
By: Writing for Children,
on 6/29/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, history, historical fiction, fantasy, Children's Writing, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, middle grade novels, Simon Rose, childrens historical fiction, writing historical fiction for children, Add a tag
by children’s author Simon Rose
History is a thing of the past and there are over five thousand recorded years of it to serve as an inspiration for writers. Time travel adventures show no signs of waning in popularity, but to be plausible to the reader, even stories involving magic or imaginary technology have to be well grounded in reality. In The Alchemist’s Portrait, Matthew journeys through a magical painting, which acts as a time portal, to Amsterdam in the year 1666. Straightforward maybe, but how does this doorway actually work? Although time travel may remain firmly in the realm of fiction, the conditions under which it occurs still have to appear believable. If readers consider your means of time travel to be utterly ridiculous, they will quickly be turned off the story altogether.
As a writer it is vital that you create a credible method, machine or device for your time traveler, and many so-called time travel stories often overlook this important aspect. Especially in relation to novels for younger readers, the main character goes back in time at the end of chapter one, has a series of adventures in the past, before the he or she returns safely home at the book’s conclusion. While these types of stories are set in a distinct time period, they should perhaps be more accurately classified as historical fiction.
By: Writing for Children,
on 6/26/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Simon Rose, fantasy novels for children, Add a tag
Next week Canadian children’s author and National Writing for Children Center instructor Simon Rose discusses time travel stories and the importance of historical research.
Simon Rose is the author of science fiction and fantasy novels for children, including The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Clone Conspiracy, The Emerald Curse and The Heretic’s Tomb. He offers a wide variety of workshops, presentations and Author in Residence programs for schools and libraries around the world, covering such topics as where ideas come from, story structure, editing and revision, character development, time travel stories, history and research and more. He is also available for presentations, workshops and public speaking engagements with a wide range of adult audiences, offers creative services designed for writers, including editing, critiquing and manuscript evaluation and also freelance writing services, including website content and copywriting, for the business community. Details of school and library programs, plus online readings, excerpts from his books, reviews, and reader, student and teacher comments may be found at www.simon-rose.com. You may also visit his blog at simon-rose.blogspot.com.
fantasy novels for children, Simon Rose, writing for children
By: Susan E. Goodman,
on 6/13/2008
Blog: I.N.K.: Interesting Non fiction for Kids (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's nonfiction, luck, writing for kids, Add a tag
I got the Friday the 13th slot. By definition nonfiction authors should be nonsuperstitious, but it seems unlucky to ignore this occasion. So I decided to write about the luck factor (or lack thereof) in writing nonfiction for kids.
The lucky thing is that you don’t have to make anything up. You can find facts and subjects so amazing and surreal they defy imagination.
The unlucky thing is you can’t make anything up. There’s no fudging an unknown area; you’ve got to find the facts that fit.
The lucky thing is that schools and libraries can always use a well-written book to update their collection on a particular subject.
The unlucky thing is that they can’t afford to buy them.
The lucky thing is that you can create books on subjects kids will love.
The unlucky thing is that many publishers can’t imagine marketing nonfiction to the trade market, so the kids don’t find them.
The lucky thing is that with new printing techniques and fabulous illustrators, nonfiction pictures books portray our world in gorgeous detail.
The unlucky thing is that the big chains limit their nonfiction stock and won’t display it face out with the other new picture books on the back wall.
The lucky thing is that you always have something new to talk about at social gatherings.
The unlucky thing is that sometimes people don’t share your enthusiasm for the question of how NASA is going to do an emergency appendectomy in space, what with gravity not keeping organs in their normal places—or even blood inside the body for that matter. And why isn’t that dinner conversation?
The lucky thing about being a nonfiction writer is that you are learning your whole life.
The unlucky thing…hmmm…no downside to that!
By: Writing for Children,
on 5/13/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Dealing with Doubts, Maurene J. Hinds, Writing Tips, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, Add a tag
by Maurene J. Hinds
Some self-help groups use the phrase, “Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides.” This is a great sentiment, and one that writers might want to keep posted nearby.
Writing is a very personal experience. We pour our hearts and souls into our writing, pulling from our own emotional experiences to create worlds and characters that feel real to our readers. We often feel very connected to our words and our characters, and any criticism can feel personal. And yet, if we’re writing to be published, this is exactly what we put ourselves up against—someone to tell us what’s wrong with our writing in critique groups, and just when we triumph over our character development, plot, and so on, we face rejections. Putting our words before critique groups (hopefully stern, yet gentle ones) and editors can be a scary process, and it can at times be painful, even when we know that the feedback is accurate (”I was hoping they would miss that gap in the plot!”).
However, we all know that words do get published—you may have experienced this joy yourself! But there always seems to be someone who has done it so well, or so easily—at least from the outside. In response, we may tell ourselves that we haven’t written enough, revised enough, sent out enough manuscripts, published enough, etc. How did X author manage to get so many books or articles out there? Yes, it may look easy, but it may not have been to that person. And believe it or not, that great author with so many books out there may still feel the insecurities of sending work out into the world to face possible rejections and harsh reviews.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and talking with (and yes, even becoming friends with!) some multi-published authors. They’re proud of their work and should be! However, many still feel the same insecurities that “the rest of us” do about writing. They still fear rejections, comments from editors, and difficult reviews.
And this is a good thing.
Why? For one, it shows that they’re still human. As one writer put it, if she reached a point where she was too arrogant about her work, she wouldn’t be able to produce the emotionally-charged, intriguing books that she does now. Emotions drive a good story. If a writer can’t tap into those, the story will suffer. This means both positive and negative emotions. Those insecurities we feel, for example, can help us relate to our characters on their first day of school, during a tough social situation, or any other event where they’re vulnerable.
When you find yourself feeling unsure, remember that even highly published writers still feel vulnerable. Use this as motivation and as comfort. You’re not alone! Second, remember that your emotions—all of them—can help you create engaging stories and characters that your readers will relate to. What can be better than that? Third, face your fears and send those manuscripts out when they’re ready.
Lastly, start something new while you’re waiting.
Dealing with Doubts, Maurene J. Hinds
By: Writing for Children,
on 4/9/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writing Tips, Writing For Children, stories for children, critique groups, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, easy readers, Add a tag
That is the challenge this week for members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club.
Tonight at 7:00 central time, we’ll talk about their 100 stories (and other manuscripts members have submitted for critique this week) during our weekly manuscript critique telesession.
It’s easy to tell a story in 1,000 or more words. But it’s quite challenging to tell a complete story - with a beginning, a middle, and an end - in 100 words or less. Yet, this is often what publishers of easy readers are looking for, so we’re practicing that this week as part of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club.
Members of the club also have a teleclass tomorrow afternoon with children’s author Margot Finke. She’ll talk about writing winning query letters.
Join the club for only $27.00 per month and take part in these activities and many others this month.
Childrens Writers Coaching Club, easy readers, stories for children, writing for children
By: Writing for Children,
on 4/1/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Bites for Kids, blogtalkradio, Writing For Children, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Lila Guzman, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Writing Tips, Add a tag
This week’s teleclass for members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will take place Thursday night, April 3, at 8:00 central time.
Children’s author Lila Guzman will present Red Flags: Mistakes That Doom Your Manuscripts.
This teleclass was originally scheduled for last month, but we had some technical problems, so you’ve got another chance now to take part in this class.
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and receive an email invitation to this event. You’ll also receive a link to the recording of this event on Thursday, just in case you can’t make it to the LIVE class.
As a club member, you are invited to take part in FOUR 55-minute teleclasses about children’s writing every month, plus you have the opportunity to submit a manuscript for professional critique every week, and you can choose to complete a weekly assignment and have it reviewed as well.
Find out why members love the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club by listening to Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio.com this Wednesday at 2:00 central time when members will call in to promote the club.
And, if you have something you’d like to promote on the show tomorrow, call 1-646-716-9239 between 2:00 and 2:15 central time tomorrow.
blogtalkradio, Book Bites for Kids, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, Lila Guzman
By: Writing for Children,
on 3/31/2008
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing for children, Writing For Kids, CWCC, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, CDs for childrens writers, Add a tag
If you’re an aspiring children’s book author, you’ll want to take advantage of our new instructional CDs.
Each CD is 55-minutes of instruction about some aspect of writing for children.
Just click on any of the CDs pictured in the right sidebar of this page to get more information and to order.
Each month we’ll add 4 new CDs to the list.
If you’d rather receive links to these 55-minute sessions, so you can simply download the files to your own computer and listen to them instantly, join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and every month you’ll receive the links to all 4 recorded teleclasses for only $27.00 per month.
CDs for childrens writers, Childrens Writers Coaching Club, writing for children, Writing For KidsView Next 4 Posts
[...] Oh yeah…and there’s another guest blogger post over on the Write2Ignite blog. (It’s me! It’s me!) You can find it here. [...]
Donna,
Head editor huh? Wow! Thanks for sharing your story. I bet that’s one the editor still tells too.
Linda A.
Yep, we’ve all done some dumb things in the name of writing. The best way to avoid getting burned is to be informed.
And the best way to be informed is to follow your advice. Great points, Donna.
Jean
You make me smile!! Thanks for sharing!!
Hugs!
Words of wisdom for every writer to live by.