How to Write and Publish Children's Books
I get a lot of emails and questions about how to create voice in writing. What is it? How do you recognize it? How do you find yours? Is “voice” the same thing as wit or sarcasm or sentence craft? It May Not Be Time to Worry About How to Create Voice in Writing For …
In light of my recent Critique Connection post, where I encouraged readers to find a critique partner, I wanted to focus on critique partner definition. This was a great suggestion from MY critique partner, Martha, in the comments for my last post. (Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Martha.) The Importance of Critique and …
Here’s a submission from Tricia. Here’s what she had to say: Does too much happen too soon? Is there enough detail or too much? What (if possible) turns you off and would stop you from reading more? Let’s take a look at the material. First, without my notes, then, with. *** The voice invading Jeremiah’s …
Today’s workshop comes from Beth. Here’s what she had to say about her submission: Wondering if it is too vague? Also transitions to new paragraphs seem rough? Blurts of information then off to another idea… too many thought streams without fully delving into the ideas presented? And here’s the material! Once again, I’ll put the …
I’m punctual this morning. Yay! Our next workshop selection is Tiffany Bennet and her manuscript, GO. GENTLY. Tiffany is writing from the male POV and wants to know if it sounds authentic. Here’s the material! *** Folks got a lot of ideas about us guys. Some of these ideas are born from television or movies. …
Before I post this first workshop submission, I want to say something about respect and trust. My blog readers are some of the smartest, handsomest, most awesome people on the Internet, obviously. I don’t want to offend their intelligence by stating the obvious, but I will: Writing is an intensely personal thing that people do. …
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 — …
I’ve gotten some interesting questions from readers about unconventional writing. The first is from Jeni: Am wondering if you think the world of children’s books is getting more conservative? Are publishers taking less risks? Are authors being positioned so that they have to play it safe? Publishers are still taking risks, but the risks they’re …
Continue reading “Unconventional Writing: Are Publishers Taking Risks Anymore?”
Here’s a question I got from Katie recently about freelance editing services and using a freelance 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 …
Wow. Here I am again, writing about literary rejections. This one will be short because I think the point is easily made but it also has some writing encouragement as well. Writers: I invest my time and energy in the success of my clients. That is what I am paid to do. I brainstorm ideas …
Continue reading “Writing Encouragement and Literary Rejections”