Six steps toward finding your inner child on the page
How to think like a kid again as you write for young readers. Read More “Six steps toward finding your inner child on the page”
Writing for Young Readers
The In-Betweeners: Bridging the gap between middle grade and YA
Two years ago, during the Writing Popular Fiction MFA winter residency at Seton Hill University, a discussion broke out amongst my students in a critique … Read More “The In-Betweeners: Bridging the gap between middle grade and YA”
Gigi Will Know: Can my child protagonist use adult vocabulary for the sake of the narrative?
Have a query about craft? Need some clarification on an aspect of the publishing industry? Looking for career advice? Email your queries to [email protected] with … Read More “Gigi Will Know: Can my child protagonist use adult vocabulary for the sake of the narrative?”
Conference Insider: WriteOnCon
Events all across the world may be going virtual in 2021, but this three-day kidlit conference has been fully online for more than 10 years. Read More “Conference Insider: WriteOnCon”
How to structure your picture books for success
These tried-and-true structures can provide a blueprint for your picture book plot. Read More “How to structure your picture books for success”
Dream team: Coauthors in kidlit
Collaborations help kidlit authors find new readers, bust creative blocks, better their craft, and increase accountability – plus snag a paycheck for spending time with a fellow writer. What’s not to love? Read More “Dream team: Coauthors in kidlit”
Could you write a new children’s book every day for a year? This author can.
One man’s inspired quest to write a children’s book for his daughter – and the world – every day. Read More “Could you write a new children’s book every day for a year? This author can.”
Writing disabled protagonists in children’s and YA literature
Authors have called upon their experiences as parents of children with disabilities, and on volunteer work or extensive research, to create characters who reflect the physical, emotional, and developmental challenges that readers and their peers may face. Read More “Writing disabled protagonists in children’s and YA literature”
Maurice Sendak’s memory magic
Connect emotionally with young readers with lessons from one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time. Read More “Maurice Sendak’s memory magic”
Shannon Hale interview: Girl (and boy) power
Shannon Hale creates fun plots and strong characters for all ages and genders. Yet her books are often labeled as “for girls only” – and she’s fighting hard to change that. Read More “Shannon Hale interview: Girl (and boy) power”
Featured Posts
Pro tips for avoiding clichéd characters in fiction
Banish those walking clichés from your work for good with these tips. Read More “Pro tips for avoiding clichéd characters in fiction”
Character interlands: A new way to develop the character worksheet
Type “character worksheets” into a search engine, and you’ll find hundreds of resources to develop your protagonist and other characters. Some of the worksheets are … Read More “Character interlands: A new way to develop the character worksheet”
4 ways to instantly tighten your fiction
Editor-proof your stories with these tips. Read More “4 ways to instantly tighten your fiction”