Articles related to "Writing Books For Children"

Learn the ins and outs of writing fiction for children. What you should know before you start. Don't underestimate the difficulty of the genre. Tips to make it easy.

Many new writers wait for inspiration to strike before putting words to paper. Being disciplined means you keep inspiration burning every day.

What writers can learn from Laura James' new book, which psychoanalyzes characters from classic children's literature.

How to edit your book for children, focusing on fact checking and reading level.

A good edit can make a huge difference to your story for kids. This article, the first of three, looks at editing for themes and structure.

Writer's block can be terrifying, and it strikes out of the blue. Five ways to deal with the root cause and get the words flowing again.

Finding fresh ideas can be a challenge for writers of children's books. Five simple ways to find inspiration.

Your sense of humour can be a draw card when you write for children. Read how four expert writers use humour to engage with their readers.

There are three kinds of storyline in fiction. This article explains the different categories.

So you want to try writing a book for children. But it all seems so overwhelming. Where do you start?

You've finally sent off your first children's book to a publisher. What happens to your manuscript in that seemingly endless period before you receive a reply?

That raging, fuming, temper tantrum can be a useful tool for igniting your writing, and it can help the children who read it to manage their anger too.

Readers want to engage with you, the author. The secret to doing this is to get caught up emotionally as you write. Tips on how to write unforgettable stories.

Many children today have not learned to read for pleasure. Eight tips for writing chapter books that will appeal to reluctant readers and hook them on reading for life.

2006 Hans Christian Anderson award winner, Margaret Mahy, has the following sound advice to aspiring writers: Be Persistent! Work Hard! Be Tough! And Read! Read! Read!

Pruning your writing of unnecessary clutter is a great way to energize your prose. Tips on cutting back on verbiage.

Cathy Cassidy talks about how she writes her fiction for girls.

Cathy Cassidy talks about writing for girls aged 8-12, and the role her website plays in helping children with personal problems.

Psycho-Geometrics, a system of categorizing people into personality types, can be used to develop a deeper understanding of the characters you are writing about.

Ways to use back story, everyday life and different types of plot to develop a simple character idea into a full length novel for kids.

The third of three articles on editing your book for kids. This one shows you how to cut and shape your children's book for maximum reader and publisher appeal.

The right level of language can make or break a book for children. Learn what kinds of words to avoid when writing for kids.

You've got an idea for a story you'd like to write, but your first attempts make you want to give up. Follow these six steps to move past the first stage of despair.

A practical class in making a passage from your children's story more exciting to read.

Writing a values based short story for children is harder than it seems. This article, the second of two, outlines some things you can do to ensure success.

A practical class in creating strong, well-developed characters that draw readers into your story.

'Show don't tell' is one of the most popular pieces of advice given to learner writers. This article teaches practical ways to do just this.

Writers are often told 'Show Don't Tell.' This article teaches ways to achieve this through writing dialogue.

Picture books are a specific genre in children's literature. An effective picture book is a perfect balance of text and illustration. Learn more with author June Sobel.

Many writers are tempted to send their story to a publisher the moment the first draft is finished. However, a thorough rewrite and edit hugely increases its chances.

Editing can be roughly divided into three categories - content editing, copy editing and proofreading. All are important skills for writers to learn.

Most writers are sensitive, creative people who find rejection letters particularly hard to handle. Advice on coping with rejection, disappointment and criticism.

Writing a values based short story for children is harder than it seems. This article, the first of two, outlines some pitfalls to avoid.

Childhood emotions are an invaluable source of energy to vitalize your creative writing for children. Use your memories to create a bond between author and reader.

Why is it that celebrities are courted by children's book publishers, while others with more talent fail? Is natural talent essential, or can writing be taught?

The best way to build characters is to understand their inner drives. You can learn an enormous amount about children and their inner needs by watching them playing.

Every writer gets criticized, fairly and sometimes unfairly. What you can learn about coping with criticism so that you are strengthened by it, not broken down.

Dr Seuss was a creative genius. What can we learn from him about the craft of writing books for children?

To write a book and then sell it, writers need to develop high-quality writing skills. A good critique group can speed authors on the way to publication.

For many writers, the dream is to be able to work from home doing what they love - in other words, to make money writing. What are the chances of succeeding?

Many people start writing for children for the wrong reasons and with the wrong ideas about what it entails. This article debunks some of those myths.