Let's Talk about Dialogue

In a story, dialogue can be defined as a conversation of two or more people.  The words spoken aloud by characters are indicated by quotation marks.  Sometimes, a character is alone and talks to himself.  This can be expressed in italics.

When you create dialogue you get to climb inside characters’ heads and express what they are thinking.  In turn, your audience then gets to know the characters’ personalities.

But there are some writers who overdo dialogue. Too much dialogue robs stories of narrative—the descriptions, actions, and setting needed to create an intriguing atmosphere.  Though dialogue is an essential part of telling a fictional story for kids, non-stop conversation can be annoying.

Dialogue should be balanced with narrative.  A narrative is the story that you write with detail.  It can explain something, describe a place, or convey the way a person looks or behaves.  It can express an action significant to the story.  

So look at your story objectively.  Do you have too much dialogue?  If so, break it up with description and action.  Describe some details of the setting.  Explain what the characters are doing.  Your job as a writer is to find the right balance between dialogue and narrative.  There is no rule to the percentage of dialogue to narrative because every genre is different; however, a 50 -50 ratio of dialogue to narrative is something you can aim for.  

So You Think You Can Write

A lot of people think it’s easy to write for kids.  For example, a good friend of mine wrote a picture book, even though she has no experience in writing fiction.  A few weeks ago we spent an hour going over her manuscript line by line. 

These were my suggestions:      

Do not paginate. Instead, double-space the entire manuscript. 

Avoid fancy fonts. Use Times New Roman, twelve point font. 

Type the title in caps, not it large, bold font.

Use age-appropriate words, but do not dummy down the language.

Keep the verb tense consistent.

Create a goal or something that the main character wants.  

Create a conflict or dilemmas which will make the goal more difficult to attain.

Keep the word count well under 1000 words. 

Make the story unique so that it will stand out and not get lost in the slush pile.

Have a satisfying ending.  Add a twist if possible or a tie-in to the beginning.

Though the manuscript had some problems, there were many good things about the story.  The descriptions were colorful and the main character could be relatable to young kids.  The story also had great illustration potential. 

I told my friend she was off to a good start.  She thanked me for helping her and asked if she could have my notes.  She knew she would have to spend more time editing her work, especially since she planned on submitting it for publication.  She realized that there is a lot to consider when writing for kids.  

Write

Two weeks ago, I lost my sister-in-law Barb to cancer.  She had been diagnosed in February, and then four months later she passed away.  This was crazy fast.

Her untimely death sent me reeling.  She was relatively young by today’s standards, only 60, much younger than me.  So…it’s made me think about life more, what I want to do and to achieve.  For me, I’ve always wanted to publish a picture book, and now, I am more determined. 

Writing is my passion and I hope it is yours, too.  So my advice to you is to write every day.  No excuses.  Just put a few words down daily even if you don’t feel like it (you can always edit later.)  Create new fiction.  Edit older projects.  Or, get started on a topic that you’ve always wanted to research and write about it. 

Submit your work continuously, non-stop.  If your dream is to get published in a children’s magazine, then study the markets, submit and submit and persevere until your work is accepted.  If you want to get a book published, polish it until it is perfect, have a second reader review it, edit it again, and then search the directories for agents.  Don't give up.

I urge you know to think about your writing dreams and pursue them.  We never know what the future will hold.  Life is short.  Live it.  Live it well.  And write. 

Cheating

Most people know that thorough research is needed when writing nonfiction for children.  That means writers must use a variety of primary sources, reliable websites, and trustworthy books because research requires diligent and careful study to investigate a subject and to establish facts.  Those who use one source violate the rules of research.  One source wouldn’t provide enough information needed to research a topic adequately.   

However, there are a few writers who think that one source should do the trick.  These writers are either unaware of what is required for research, or they are just plain lazy.  Either way, a nonfiction submission with one resource will usually end up being rejected.

When I encounter nonfiction submissions for Kid’s Imagination Train that have only used one source, I am not impressed.  These submissions tell me two things:  our guidelines have not been read and the authors don’t understand how to research a topic. But...these writers are given another chance to improve their work and to submit again.  They are asked to use more sources and develop the article by adding more interesting facts. 

Most of the time writers will comply and resubmit a well-researched piece.  But in some cases, writers merely just add a couple more books to the bibliography without incorporating any new information.  Shocking, yes?  It happens.  To be blunt, these kinds of writers are cheaters.  They are cheating themselves of learning some pretty cool stuff when researching.  They are also cheating themselves of the satisfaction and pride that comes from digging deep.  More, they are cheating children of rich details and interesting information they so wholeheartedly deserve.

Submitting to Agents

Are you submitting your work to agents?  Bravo!  Hopefully, you will hear good news. But what if an agent is not too eager to take on your project.  How would you be notified? Here are three scenarios:

1.  No reply.  Agents will only respond when they are interested.  No word = no thank you.  

2.  The standard rejection form.  It might read:  Thank you for submitting but unfortunately it doesn't meet our needs at this time.  

3.  The rejection letter with a little note.  These emails are personalized and give advice or a word of support. 

It is disappointing, but fairly common not to hear back from an agent.  So if you haven't gotten a response in about three months, consider it a pass.

A good number of agents will usually send a rejection letter.  Even though they've passed on your work, you will know that they received your submission and it had been considered.   

Occasionally, a rejection letter may arrive personally addressed to you along with a little note.  A note takes the sting out of the rejection.  It could read:  shape this piece, or this work has potential, or this project sounded interesting.  You may even get advice, and if you do, consider revising your manuscript. 

Though it is a pass on your project, a personalized rejection is an awesome thing to receive.  An agent has made time to send you feedback.  A personal message will remind you that others think your work has potential.  It may offer hope and validation.  It will boost your faith as a writer.  And more, it will give you courage to keep on submitting.   

Should You Make Multiple Submissions?

You've written several stories, and you want to submit all of them to a children's magazine.  However, when you review the guidelines you find that the publication doesn't accept multiple submissions.  That means you can only send one submission at a time. But...you're tempted.  Wouldn't sending all of your stories increase your chance of an acceptance because there would be more to choose from?

The truth is, sending multiple submissions to a publication that doesn't accept them usually backfires (unless the editor is in a generous mood.)  Disregarding the guidelines is something I wouldn't recommend.  It's unprofessional, and it will most likely annoy an editor. 

You may ask what's the big deal?  Why don't some publications accept multiple submissions?  For Kid’s Imagination Train, the reason is straightforward.  We are a small publication with one editor and no assistant to help read the submissions.  So sending multiple submissions can be overwhelming.  Each submission takes time to be analyzed to see if it’s a good fit for KIT.  Most every submission needs thoughtful editing.  Those writers whose submissions need a revision are given detailed suggestions to help improve their work.  Then those revisions are read again for possible publication in KIT. 

So what can you do if you've written several stories and you want to submit to a publication doesn't accept multiple submissions?  It's easy.  Send your favorite piece. Be patience as you wait to hear back.  In some cases, an editor may reply that your work needs some editing.  Revise your manuscript and resubmit.  After the editor makes a final decision, then and only then, it will be safe to submit another story. 

Writing on the Left Side of Your Brain

Admit it.  Sometimes you don't feel like writing.  No worries.  We all feel this way from time to time. 

Perhaps you're distracted by something that is weighing on your mind.  Maybe you've had a nasty interaction with a relative, or a neighbor, or even a stranger.  Maybe there is an overwhelming problem at work or a social situation that you want no part of.  No matter the reason, being consumed with a negative circumstance drowns your creativity.  You may find it difficult to find focus.  You want to write, know you should write, but you are not interested in writing. You can’t engage the right side of your brain, the part of your brain responsible for being creative and artistic.  

Don’t despair.  You can get some writing in by using the left side of your brain.  The left side of the brain is used for analytical and logical tasks.  Here's some things that you can do:

Write query letters
Write in a journal
Compose a blog entry
Respond to emails
Edit some of your work
Make a list of your writing goals
Make a list of books you want to read

Study the writer's markets
Update your social media profile

After you’ve used the left side of your brain for a while, you may realize how productive you’ve been.  You haven’t had time to think about any negative situation.  In fact, your problems may have diminished (or you at least know how to tackle them.)  You may even discover you are less distracted.  Using the left side may renew your focus so that you are able to concentrate better.  You may feel more energized and quite possibly in the mood to create with the right side of your brain.