How to Write and Publish Children's Books
In light of my recent Critique Connection post, where I encouraged readers to find a critique partner, I wanted to focus on the qualities of a great critique group or partner. This was a great suggestion from MY critique partner, Martha, in the comments for my last post. (Thanks for keeping me on my toes, …
Continue reading “What a Great Critique Group or Partner Means”
There was an interesting discussion in the comments on one of the workshop entries a little while ago about breaking writing rules. It’s very common that, whenever us agents mention something that doesn’t work well in writing at a conference or on our blogs or on forums, there are always a few devil’s advocates who …
Continue reading “Breaking Writing Rules: Genius at Work vs. Working Writer”
The Novel Beginnings contest is officially over and now you’ve had a chance to see the winning entries. This is what writers have done right. That’s not to say that every great submission I received placed in the top five — there were lots of submissions that I enjoyed and that had compelling beginnings — …
Here’s a question I got from Katie recently about freelance editing services and using a book editor: I was just wondering if you recommend getting freelance editing services and getting one’s manuscript professionally edited? Do you think this would help the revision process or have an effect our our growth as a writer? What are …
Continue reading “Freelance Editing Services and Using a Book Editor”
Here are some creative writing revision exercises that’ll help those of you wondering how to rewrite a novel. Grab your red pencil and read on! Creative Writing Revision Exercises to Strengthen Character 100 Declarative Sentences This is a great brainstorm tool, and it’s really hard. This creative writing revision exercise works best with a character …
“Show Don’t Tell” is the old adage you hear in every writing class, workshop, critique group and probably on some things you’ve had edited, rejected or submitted in your lifetime. “Show don’t tell,” says the editor or agent or well-meaning crit partner. “You know, this really is an issue of showing versus telling,” says the writing …
Many writers get stuck on how to write a novel plot. How do I know? I’ve seen thousands of plots, and very few that worked well enough to sell. Plot is one of the most important elements of any story, from picture book to chapter book to a middle grade novel outline to young adult. …
Do you know how to finish a novel? Producing a complete manuscript is hard, and it’s where many writers get stuck. Here’s an interesting trend I’ve noticed in queries versus the full manuscript. At my agency, we request the first 10 pages along with the query in our submission guidelines. That’s great for me because, …
One of my favorite parts of SCBWI (where I took no pictures, because I am made of #epicfail, by the way) was Krista Marino’s voice workshop, where we dissected and discussed the young adult novel and writing teen characters. One of the keenest insights came when she invited her author Frank Portman (mastermind behind KING DORK …
Continue reading “Teenage Perspective in Your Young Adult Novel”
At some point in every aspiring writer’s life, they will ask themselves: should I invest in a writers conference? That’s how you should phrase it, anyway. It is an investment in how to get published: of time, of money, especially if you want manuscript critique from one of the attending faculty. A lot of people …
Continue reading “Should You Go to A Writers Conference? A List of Pros and Cons”