We are busy people. Day in, day out—we've got so much to do. At times, we can be self-absorbed. We dwell on our own lives and problems. And we forget about others. But I challenge you to put the things you need to do aside and do something nice for someone else. Carve out a brief period of time for others and do what you do best: write.
Compose a note to a friend, a neighbor, or a relative. Email is okay, but stationary or a card is even better. Tell someone that you’ve been thinking about them. Send a thank you note to someone if they have sent you a gift or if they have done something nice for you. Wish someone good health if they’ve been ill. Write as much as you like. Even one line would suffice.
Believe it or not, your words will have a huge impact. It will brighten someone else’s day. And you won't have to sacrifice much time to write a note. So, what do you think? Are you up to the writing challenge? Are you up to spreading a little kindness?
Published on the first of each month
August 15, 2016
August 1, 2016
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.
July 15, 2016
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:
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.
July 1, 2016
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.
June 15, 2016
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.
June 1, 2016
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.
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.
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.
May 15, 2016
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.
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.
May 1, 2016
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.
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
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
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.
April 15, 2016
Inspiration along the Writing Path
Writing is like
riding a roller coaster. As you know it’s
a journey of highs (acceptances) and lows (rejections). During the low times, it’s hard to stay on
the writing path. Dealing with rejection
is incredibly difficult. We wonder if writing is worth all of this despair. We often ask ourselves: should we give up? Keeping
busy with other writing projects can help weather those low times. But sometimes that’s not enough. That’s when inspirational quotes may help.
I hope the
following sayings will help lift your spirits, inspire
you, and keep you on the writing path.
Calvin Coolidge --“When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn’t hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that’s just the place and time that the tide’ll turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe--“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.”
Louis Pasteur--“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."
Maya Angelou--“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Billie Jean King--“Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.--“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."
Orison Swett Marden--“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow.'”
Lou Holtz--“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”
Jim Watkins--“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."
Confucius--“There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.”
A special thank you to Michael Pollock. More quotes can be found here: http://www.michaeldpollock.com/inspiring-quotes-persistence-perseverance/
Calvin Coolidge --“When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn’t hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that’s just the place and time that the tide’ll turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe--“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.”
Louis Pasteur--“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."
Maya Angelou--“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Billie Jean King--“Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.--“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."
Orison Swett Marden--“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow.'”
Lou Holtz--“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”
Jim Watkins--“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."
Confucius--“There are two ways of attaining an important end, force and perseverance; the silent power of the latter grows irresistible with time.”
A special thank you to Michael Pollock. More quotes can be found here: http://www.michaeldpollock.com/inspiring-quotes-persistence-perseverance/
April 1, 2016
Tips for Fiction
Do you like to write for kids? Would you like to see your stories published in a children's magazine? Here are some tips to help you create great fiction.
Introduce the main
character in first paragraph.
Make the main character likable even though she may have faults.
Establish the place or setting in the first or second paragraph.
Establish the place or setting in the first or second paragraph.
Create conflict in
the first third of the story.
Have the main
character solve the dilemma without any help from others.
Use ‘said’ for dialogue tags. Avoid using she frowned, he promised, she cried, etc.
Try to incorporate the
senses into the story.
Drive the story
with action.
Give the
ending an unexpected twist.
Have main
character grow or change by the end of the story.
After you have
finished your story, put it on the back burner for a few days. When you come back to it, read again to check for punctuation and spelling errors. Trim words. Make sure the piece flows smoothly. Then, give the story to a trusted reader for his opinions and suggestions. Edit again. And again.
Before you send out your story, read over the helpful tips. Have you followed those suggestions? Fantastic! And congratulations! You have created fiction that will be ready to submit to a children's magazine.
Before you send out your story, read over the helpful tips. Have you followed those suggestions? Fantastic! And congratulations! You have created fiction that will be ready to submit to a children's magazine.
March 15, 2016
To Be, or Not To Be Snappy
Many publishers and literary agents agree that queries should be professional.
That means the letter needs to be straightforward without any outward
attention-grabbing devises.
There are however, some writers who believe that a witty query will help them stand out from the
slush pile. Some writers like to send a query written in the voice of the main character. I wouldn't recommend this tactic. It is usually frowned upon by agents.
Other writers have met agents at conferences, and they feel confident enough to approach them with a snappy synopsis or bio. Again, there is no guarantee that a writer will snag an agent this way.
Other writers have met agents at conferences, and they feel confident enough to approach them with a snappy synopsis or bio. Again, there is no guarantee that a writer will snag an agent this way.
Literary agent Mary
Kole says, “The point is, some agents will always prefer a straightforward,
businesslike query. Others will tolerate
some cuteness or gimmick. You don't know who's who until you try it, though,
even even then, most people won't tell you if that was part of the decision to
pass."
I personally
wouldn’t try a gimmicky query, but that’s just me talking. I’d be afraid my clever query might backfire. Even if my story is titled “The Bright and Brainy Pony ," I’d be scared to label myself as a bright and brainy writer in my bio. Though it’s clever and plays on the title, it’s risky.
And…I’m not a risk-taker.
March 1, 2016
The Five Senses on a February Day
I like to walk for about an hour around my neighborhood even when it's freezing. Only snow and rain keep me inside. So bundled with layers of clothing, plus gloves, ear muffs and a scarf up to my chin, I brave the cold.
Here are the five senses on a brisk February day before I sit down to write.
I Hear:
blue jays screeching
fire engine siren screaming
train
whistle wailing
dogs barking, snarling, and growling
wind chimes tinkling
I Smell:
smoke from a fireplace
the flowery scent of laundry being
dried
dry cold air
damp oak leaves
dry cold air
damp oak leaves
I Feel:
a breeze sailing
through my hair
wind striking my face
cold cutting through my jeans
fur-lined gloves warming my hands
fur-lined gloves warming my hands
I See:
10 American flags, 8 Christmas decorations, and 6 University of Kentucky Wildcat flags
the sun peeking through thick grey clouds
a discarded beige leather sofa by the street curb
wine-colored buds trying to
push out on oak trees
a cluster of emerald-green hyacinth leaves waiting for spring
a cluster of emerald-green hyacinth leaves waiting for spring
I Taste:
nothing
yet until dinner (pan-fried pancetta tossed with brocolini served over pasta)
Coming March 15th: To be or not to be snappy. How witty should a query letter be?
Coming March 15th: To be or not to be snappy. How witty should a query letter be?
February 15, 2016
Tips in Choosing Titles
How do you choose a title for your story or article? Do you have one in mind before you write the piece? How do you know if it's a good title?
The purpose of a title is to give a reader some idea about the content of a piece. It is the first thing that I look at when reviewing a submission for Kid's Imagination Train. But sometimes a title may fail to promise what it plans to deliver. For instance, several months ago I received a nonfiction submission with a title that led me to believe that the piece would be about scientists helping people in unique ways. Instead, the article centered on inventions. The title was misleading.
Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, a title must relate to the content of the piece. In the bear poem, we learn exactly what bears do in a downpour. And in the ghost article, we discover where haunts occur and and why.
A good title whets a reader's appetite. It gets them in the mood to read your work. When you choose a title that relates to the essence of a story, article or poem, you won’t disappoint your audience. You will deliver what you have promised.
The purpose of a title is to give a reader some idea about the content of a piece. It is the first thing that I look at when reviewing a submission for Kid's Imagination Train. But sometimes a title may fail to promise what it plans to deliver. For instance, several months ago I received a nonfiction submission with a title that led me to believe that the piece would be about scientists helping people in unique ways. Instead, the article centered on inventions. The title was misleading.
Titles can be straightforward and to the point, or they can be creative and lively. Ideally, titles should pique a reader’s interest. In a recent submission to KIT, I received a wonderful poem titled "What do Bears do in the Rain?" The title immediately captured my attention. An article written by Erin K. Schonauer and Jamie C. Schonauer and published in Stories for Children Magazine was titled "The Cresent's Ghostly Guests". Makes you curious, huh?
Here are some tips in choosing titles:
Choose a title after you have written the article.
Keep the title short.
Use playful titles and alliteration for a very young audience.
Use snappy titles for older children.
Create intrigue.
Read your article again and see if the title is a good fit.
A good title whets a reader's appetite. It gets them in the mood to read your work. When you choose a title that relates to the essence of a story, article or poem, you won’t disappoint your audience. You will deliver what you have promised.
February 1, 2016
The Power of No
How do we feel when we hear the word no? When a publisher
or an agent says no (as in a rejection), it stings us temporarily. We move on and submit again because rejections are part of the writer's life. But how
do we feel when an acquaintance or a relative tell us no? Often, we feel miserable for quite a long while.
People use the
word no to assert themselves or to feel superior. As a
result, this little word invalidates our remarks and leaves us speechless,
powerless, and crushed. This is a form
of bullying—intimidating someone verbally, through e-mails, or with text-messaging.
Most writers have
experienced rejection from a publisher or agent, but this is not a form of
bullying. It is a method that is used to convey that a submission is not up to standards. However when we deliver the perfect manuscript, that rejection can turn into an acceptance.
On the other
hand, people who habitually say no have developed a trait that can
rarely be changed. Anything we utter (or e-mail or text) will and shall be met with nope. So,
to shield ourselves from being hurt, we can focus on what we can change. We can steer clear of toxic people. We can politely limit contact and conversation. Then when we do so, we can surround ourselves with people who communicate with more respect.
January 1, 2016
A New Year’s Wish
As you know, writing
for children is not easy. We freak out when nothing comes to mind when we want to begin a new story. We lose faith when agents and publishers reject our work. We get sensitive over a critique member's remarks, or feel exasperated when friends or family just don't get what it takes to write for kids.
Still, we strive to create
just the right story that can be told with just the right words and with just
the right number of words because we love to write for kids.
We know it's not easy, but sometimes we need a little encouragement.
To all of my faithful readers, I wish you many days filled with the joy of writing.
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